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Counseling Washington
An Opinion Piece on the Meaning of the New Counselor Licenses and Credentials

 
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Counseling in Washington State

Obtaining, Moving or Transferring Your Counselor Certification or License

This is a page for Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Clinical Social Workers, Psychologists, and Psychotherapists who are moving or relocating to Washington State and those new to the counseling profession.

Find answers to commonly asked questions about Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Social Work, School or Addictions Counseling in Washington (WA) State.

 

This introduction to Washington State counseling regulations and procedures is provided to help counselors, especially those new to counseling profession or new to the State of Washington.  We recommend that you bookmark or save this page to your favorites list.  Hyperlinks below may take you to other pages on this site (use back button to return) or to other sites. (Close window to return.)

Note:  Counseling Washington is an for-profit organization that promotes the private practices of psychologists, counselors, therapists, and clinical social workers and addictions counseling services by advertising private practices and therapy groups.  We are not an agency of the state and are not able to offer legal advice but we want to help all practitioners in the field regardless of their discipline or orientation.  If you have a suggestion for something that should be on this page, please let us know.   [Floyd Else, MA, LMHC, NCC, MAC, Webmaster]

PAGE INDEX

Application Packets--Links to credential applications	History of Counseling Licensure in Washington
Counselors: What Washington State agency is in charge?	How many counselors are there in Washington State?
Employment / Jobs for Counselors.	Supervision for Licensure in Washington State
Examinations / Testing for Counselor Licensure	What credential do you qualify for?
2008 Counselor law dealing with new credentials	Words of Wisdom (miscellaneous)
Private Practice Counseling (starting on your own in WA.)	The federal "Red Flag" rule for health care providers
License Requirements: MHC vs. MFT (compared)	Counselor's Virtual Staff--Counseling Helpers
Continuing Education CE requirements for counselors	Miscellaneous Counselor Questions (listed below)

 

Who is in charge of the counseling professions and licensing in Washington State?  Where are they?  How do I get in touch with them? 

The Department of Health, - Health Systems Quality Assurance Office has responsibility for health care provider licensing, including the licensing of mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, psychologists, certified counselors, certified advisors, chemical dependency professionals, and agency affiliated counselors. 

Physical Address: Washington State Department of Health, Health Professions Quality Assurance, Physical Address: 111 Israel Road, Tumwater, WA 98501.  Email Address: hsqa.csc@doh.wa.gov   There are different post office mailing addresses for (1.) initial applications with a check enclosed and (2.) other documents not sent with initial application to another.  Check your application packet for the correct addresses.

Every three or four months the Health Systems Quality Assurance office publishes the " -Patient Safety Quarterly," a summary of their activities.  " -Health Professions Discipline and Regulatory Activities," is published every two years. The last issue for July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009 was published May 2010. Some may find it interesting reading dealing with how the system works, workloads, complaints, disciplinary action, and legislative activity.

Glossary of Terms Used by the Department of Health: "These summaries are not legal definitions, but rather general descriptions of words and phrases used in the Health Profession Web site, the profession home pages and legal documents."

Telephone Number:  The DOH, Health Systems Quality Assurance Office has responsibility for health care provider licensing: Mental Health Counselor Licensure, Social Worker Licensure, Marriage and Family Licensure, Psychology, Hypnotherapy, Chemical Dependency Professional, Complaints and Compliance. To request information or an application packet for any of these professions call the Customer Service Call Center (360) 236-4700.

Links to Application Packets

LICENSED COUNSELOR, THERAPIST, SOCIAL WORKER Note for Out-of-State License Transfers:  Having an out-of-state license will not automatically qualify you for a Washington State license.  Your eligibility for a Washington State license will be determined based on whether your education and experience hours meet the requirements of  Washington State law.  The "-Health Care Professional Credentialing Requirements handbook" provides detailed information specific to the licensing requirements for each of the health care professions and emergency medical service providers regulated in Washington State.  There is a list of all of the professions that Health Department licenses in the table of contents.  Select any of the professions in which you are interested, or scroll through the entire handbook.  The handbook is printer friendly, should you wish to print a hard copy for your reference; select a few pages or the entire handbook. The state website provides individual pages for each of the licenses and certifications, each containing links to professional credentialing requirements, applications and forms, exam information, licensing fees, etc. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Licensed Mental Health Counselor Licensed Social Worker-Advanced Licensed Social Worker-Independent Clinical Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate Licensed Social Worker Associate--Advanced  and Licensed Social Worker Advanced--Independent Clinical
- Requirements to be a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, - Requirements to be a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - Requirements to be a Licensed Social Worker – Advanced,  and - Requirements to be a Licensed Social Worker – Independent Clinical	-LMHC Application Packet -LMFT Application Packets -LSWA Application Packets -LSW-IC Application Packet
LICENSED ASSOCIATE COUNSELOR, THERAPIST, SOCIAL WORKER
- Requirements to be a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate, - Requirements to be a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate - Requirements to be a Licensed Social Worker Associate – Advanced, and - Requirements to be a Licensed Social Worker Associate – Independent Clinical	- LMHCA Application Packet - LMFTA Application Packet - LSWA-A Application Packet - LSWA-IC Application Packet

- Agency Affiliated Counselor requirements - Certified Counselor requirements and exam information -Certified Adviser requirements and exam information

AAC Application Packet CC   Application Packet CA   Application Packet

- Chemical Dependency Professional Credentialing Requirements - Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee Credentialing Requirements

- CDP    Application Packet and Forms - CDPT  Application Packet and Forms

See also:   2008 Registered Counselor Law--2008 “Counselor Credentialing Standards” legislation.       [Note: " When is a hypnotist a hypnotherapist?" and "When is a Hypnotherapist a Counselor?"]      See also:  WAC 246-810 For Agency Affiliated Counselor, Certified Counselor, Certified Adviser, Hypnotherapist, and Registered Counselor      See also:  Frequently asked questions  about new counselor credentials: Counselor Adviser, Certified Counselor, and Agency Affiliated Counselor.      Other questions about supervision hours for counseling licensure      "So," you ask, " Under the new counselor credentialing law (2008), -What new credential do I qualify for?  Health Professions Quality Assurance offers a series of YES / No questions to help you find the answer.

Counselor Licensure Examination in Washington State Marriage and Family Therapist--Exam Information. Social Worker and Social Worker Associate--Exam Information. Mental Health Counselors and Mental Health Counselor Associates--Exam Information. The Candidate Handbook for State Credentialing for the National Counselor Examination and National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCE and NCMHCE) contains information about the NBCC, examination administration, registering for an examination, scheduling and examination, taking the examination, what to do after the examination, information about the examination content (sample examination questions) and how to request special examination accommodations if needed. State Exam Registration Deadlines and Admission Letters: NBCC examinations are given in two formats: Computer-based Testing (CBT) and paper and pencil.  Washington State uses the computer-based testing method. Don't be confused by the next website we are referring you to. Computer examinations are handled by AMP (Applied Measurement Professionals.  Using the AMP website, Apply online to take the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination, National Board for Certified counselors, Candidate Support Center Information: (888) 519-9901.  The process: using the three drop down menus, (1.) click on Healthcare.  (2.) click on National Board for Certified Counselors, then (3.) chose between the two examination options: either the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) or the National Counselor Exam for Licensure and Certification (the NCE), both accepted for licensure in Washington State.  A. View Candidate Handbook (link above).  B. Locate Testing Centers in Washington State [More AMP information] C. Register for This Exam:  Note: You will be requested to enter a User Name (of your choice) and Password (of your choice).  Be prepared to record and maintain a record of this information for future entry into the system.  Also note the types of identification you must present to enter the examination session. D. Reschedule the exam, if necessary, using the same website, user name and password. All questions and requests for information about the NBCC examination program should be directed to: National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., 3 Terrace Way, Greensboro, NC 27403.  Voice: (336) 547-0607.  Fax: (336) 547-0017. All questions and requests for information about examination scheduling should be directed to:  Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc., 18000 W., 105th Street, Olathe, KS 66061-7543.  Voice: (913) 895-4600.  Fax: (913) 895-4650.

Continuing Education Requirements The Health Professions Quality Assurance office has an extensive list of frequently asked questions and in formation about continuing education requirements for the health professions: reporting periods, acceptable courses, number of hours needed, how to document courses, what courses are acceptable, distance learning, how to document your courses, and when you can count some agency training.  There is also information about becoming an approved continuing education provider. IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR LICENSED ASSOCIATES And their Supervisors Approved supervisors supervising a licensure candidate and applicants for initial licensure as a marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, licensed advanced social worker or licensed independent clinical social worker are reminded of the requirement to complete 36 hours of continuing education (6 of which must be in professional ethics) as required in RCW 18.225.090. NOTE: Applicants for licensure will be required to attest on the application form that they have completed the required continuing education hours. Please note that this is not a new licensing requirement.  Applicants applying for an associate credential are not required to complete the continuing education requirement prior to licensure, but once becoming a Licensed Association Counselor, Therapist or Social Worker, the continuing education requirements of the counseling profession apply.

The Washington State Department of Health CDP Program is THE informational resource for understanding what it takes to become a certified  Chemical Dependency Professional  in Washington State. Their website contains contact information and free downloads.  [Special note for mental health professionals who would like to add a CDP credential] 

Counselors, psychologists and social Workers  in the public schools,   fall into a category referred to as Staff Associate and are regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia, Washington.   General Requirements and Application Process.  [A summary of the school counselor certification requirements of the 50 states is also available.]

Information on the three different ways in which Psychologists  obtain licensing in Washington State is also available from the Washington State Department of Health, Health Professions Quality Assurance.  Contact the Psychology Board by phone at (360) 236-4700.

Warning about a New Scam Targeting Counselors and Therapists-- Beware of prepayment for counselor services.

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Counselors and the public can visit the Provider Credentials Look-up System.  Look up any health care provider licensed or registered with Washington State Health Department. Verify providers by credential number or by credential type and name.  Licensed counselors are NOT listed under "L" but under "C"--for credential type "counselor" then by sub-type [Licensed Marriage / Family Therapist, etc.]

Counselors who change their names:  Licensed, certified, or registered counselors must remember to officially notify the state so that state records regarding their licensure, certification or registration can be updated to reflect the current name.  Otherwise people who use the state look-up system will doubt the counselor's authenticity and contact the Health Department.  Many public inquiries to the health department are the result of unreported name changes.

The news releases of the Washington State Department of Health are indexed by year and you can read reports of  disciplinary actions against health care providers (doctors, dentists, nurses, counselors, etc.) to find out what kind of behaviors could get YOU into trouble.
    

Health Department Rule Making The Department of Health has a web page where you can read and comment on all proposed new rules. If you comment on a proposed rule through that website your comments become part of the public record. Your comments help in the decision whether to adopt the rule as proposed or to revise the proposal if appropriate. A number of health department programs post rules. To find the ones most likely to apply to counselors look under the "Program" heading for "Health Professions and Facilities," and read the "Document Title."

 

  Other Questions About Counseling in Washington: 

Where can you attend the HIV/AIDS classes that Washington State requires of all counselors?  ---  The following link will lead those working on counselor licensure to a schedule of HIV/AIDS Training Classes that counselors in the State of Washington must complete to meet state licensing or registration requirements.  (Also check with your local community college for their class offerings.  Be aware that many of the the community college class offering list their HIV/AIDS offering in categories such as "Phlebotomy and Lab Training." You can obtain your training through video tape or DVDs available from the community college.) 

Our CounselingSeattle.com email newsletter started January 2007, "Mental Health Issues Around Puget Sound," is published on those rare occasions to alert you to new developments that you might not have heard of.  Now is the time to add your name to the mailing list.

Clinical Supervision required for Licensure

Counselor Supervision: When you are a licensed associate counselor, therapist or clinical social worker employed by an agency, you have a treatment supervisor.  Some of your agency supervision can count toward licensure if your agency supervisor is an "approved supervisor" (legal term, see link below) for licensing purposes.  Some licensed counselors still chose to pay for supervision and professional consultation.  However, as a counselor working toward full licensure, you are required to have supervision and need to locate and pay a licensed health care provider for supervision.

• Find a Washington State approved supervisor for your clinical supervision needs.

• Regulations defining the requirements to be an approved supervisor.

• Official supervision related forms to download and print out.

 

Looking for employment?

Do you know how to create an Electronic Resume, a Scannable Resume or an Email Resume?  See: the Resume Guide for Counselors.  Do you know how and where to post your resume online?  See: Counselor Employment -- Career -- Job Search.

Where are the counseling jobs?  Information and links to a number of employment related services.

What kind of salary or wage is being paid?  How much can I expect to make in a counseling job in Washington State?  Please note this is "employment" information, not figures on counselors in private practice. 

What are the employment supply and demand level in different areas of Washington State?  What are the total jobs in each area?  How many new jobs are expected next year?  Mental Health Counselors (this category does not include traditional Social Worker positions, Psychologists or Psychiatrists who have their own pages).  Clue for using the page--click on the underlined occupational title on each row to get the statistics for that area.  [ Search for other occupations ] and other employment information on Workforce Explorer, Washington, a service of Washington State Employment Security Department.]

So How Many Counselors Are There Anyway? Washington State  --  Credential Type 11/ 2009 12/ 2010 12/ 2011     Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist 1,074  1,177              pending... 72  92        Licensed Mental Health Counselors 4,551  4,940              pending... 192  266        Licensed Social Worker-Advanced 86  96              pending... 51  58        Licensed Social Worker- Independent Clinical 3,061  3,242              pending... 297  431       Total Licensed Counselors             pending... 8,772  612  9,455  847        Registered Counselors   ⇒    ( Have become  ↓  )  see below.      [RC category abolished 7/1/2010] 14,129  0  0  0    Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate 28  281                pending... 2  28        Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate 76  1,210              pending... 21  69        Licensed Social Work Associate--Advanced 12  170              pending... 6  6        Licensed Social Work Associate--Independent Clinical 82  765              pending... 9  23      Total Licensed Associates (active) pending... 198  38  2,426  126           Certified Counselor --  684                pending... 55  427        Certified Advisor --  9               pending...  2  8      Other           Chemical Dependency Professional   2771               pending... --  121        Chemical Dependency Professional--Trainee   1,373               pending...   68        Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration  (AAC)   6,104               pending...   324

[Source: Health Professions Quality Assurance, Washington State Department of Health]

  Starting your own counseling practice?

Are you a counselor who is looking for legal advice, accounting, bookkeeping, consultation, credit card processing, payroll help, a billing agent le billing service?--all persons listed here are recommended by other counselors who have used them and recommend them to other counselors.

What local, county and state licenses are required?  Answer a series of questions and click the "continue" button.  Planning to use a name other than your own full legal name? (Recommendation: don't.)  If so,  register your trade name.

Also see: Doing Business in Washington State.  1. start a business (plan a business, steps for starting a business, find business registration requirements and more.) 2. licenses, permits and Inspections (license your business or yourself, check a business or license status) 3. taxes and reports (state business taxes, file reports, and more.)

Whether you are employed or self-employed in private practice, you need professional liability insurance.

The business of counseling: Planning and establishing a private practice, Counseling and Human Development, Jan 2000, by Carney, Jamie S, Granato, Laura A.

Private Practice Pointers: Topics such as Starting and Expanding a Private Practice, meeting HIPAA requirements, implementing Informed Consent, Provider Relations Contact List for Managed Care and Insurance Panels, Working with Managed Care, Managed Care response templates, how to get on provider panels, responding to claim denials, marketing and advertising your practice, and selling or buying a private practice are found on the American Counseling Association Website.  (ACA members only.)

Sole proprietors who do not have employees don't necessarily need an Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).  However, if you join an insurance panel, they will request your EIN or social security number to use in required annual federal reports.  Many counselors, concerned with identity theft,  choose to obtain an EIN to avoid disclosing their social security number.

Are you a HIPAA "covered entity?"  Do you have a National Provider Identifier number?  Covered entities could apply for an NPI beginning May 23, 2005.  The compliance date for all covered entities except small health plans is May 23, 2007.  See also: CounselingSeattle.com links to HIPAA information.  One of the biggest challenges counselors face regarding HIPAA is the fact that sooner or later insurance companies will accept only electronic billing.

Where can I find counseling office space?  The CounselingSeattle.com "office space / group room space for rent" section.  Part-time office space can be an expensive starting point for a new practice.  

Before you start seeing clients you will need to prepare a client disclosure information form and have copies printed to give to the client and to put in the client file--after they have read and signed them.

Supervision: When you are employed by an agency, you have a treatment supervisor.  As a self-employed registered counselor in private practice and working toward licensure, you need supervised hours and may need to pay a licensed health care provider for supervision.  Some licensed counselors still chose to pay for supervision and professional consultation.   [ Links to official supervision related forms to download and print out.]

Licensed counselors and registered counselors in private practice often meet together and go over client cases in a case consultation peer group where they get the benefit of clinical feedback from fellow therapists as well as a forum for discussion of common private practice problems.  Case consultation peer groups provide opportunities to network and to get input from the experiences of other professional counselors.

The federal “ Red Flags”  Rule:  What Health Care Providers Need to Know About Complying with New Requirements for Fighting Identity Theft: The Red Flags Rule is a law the FTC will begin to enforce on August 1, 2009, requires certain businesses and organizations — including many doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other health care providers—-[if they are “creditors.”]--to develop a written program to spot the warning signs — or “red flags” — of identity theft. Is your practice covered by the Red Flags Rule?
    
Brief Answer:  "Health care providers who require payment before or at the time of service are not creditors under the Red Flags Rule. In addition, if you accept only direct payment from Medicaid or similar programs where the patient has no responsibility for the fees, you are not a creditor. Simply accepting credit cards as a form of payment at the time of service does not make you a creditor under the Rule." [ WHO MUST COMPLY???--Read the complete article. ]

Your mailing address:  I recommend that IF you rent part-time office space, DO NOT use that address for your mailing address.  When many counselors use the same suite of offices, the US Post Office often will not accept change of address notices.  The counselors remaining in the space after you are gone are expected to f orward mail to the departed counselors.  But they don't know you or have your new address.  The State of Washington, health insurance companies and other essential business contacts may continue to send mail to your former part-time business address for years without you being aware of it--until it gets you in trouble.  If you are unwilling to use your home address as a business mailing address, get on the waiting list for a post office box.

Keep business and personal finances separate with two bank accounts -- one for business and the other for personal use.

You might also consider filing your professional qualifications with CAQH.  It's also important to comply with the Washington State law regarding record keeping and retention of client files, including provision for retaining or transferring client records in the event of the counselor going out of business or death or incapacitation.

Non-Compete Clause: "I signed a non-compete clause when I left a mental health agency to start my private practice.  Now a former client at the agency has called and wants to resume counseling.  What is the legal and ethical thing to do?"