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Timelines
Rule Definition
Exemption Rule
State Employee Rule
Agency Affiliated
Counselor
Certified
Counselor and Adviser
Why is the registered counselor
renewal fee $117.00 when it will be abolished on July 1,
2010?
General Questions
and Answers
Timelines
I would like to begin a new counseling practice in
July, 2009. Can I become a registered counselor at that
time?
No. You cannot apply for registered counselor credential
after July 1, 2009. You may get a registered counselor
credential before July 1. You can practice with that
registration until July 1, 2010. At that time we will
abolish the registered counselor credential. If you expect
to begin counseling after June 30, and do not have a
registered counselor credential, you must apply for one of
the new counseling professions.
I am currently a registered counselor. Will I
automatically be grandfathered into one of the new
credentials?
No. Everyone will have to apply for one of the new
professions. You must meet the minimum requirements of the
new profession and pay the application and examination fee,
if applicable.
I am currently a registered counselor. Can I renew and
practice under this credential until July 1, 2010?
Yes. After July 1, 2010 your registered counselor license
will not be valid.
I had a credential as a registered counselor but let
it expire. Can I reactivate the credential?
Yes. You can apply to reactivate an expired credential until
June 30, 2010. The reactivated credential will only be
active until the registered counselor credential is
abolished on July 1, 2010. At that time you must get a
credential in one of the new counseling professions to
continue practicing.
When can I apply for one of the new eight credentials?
You can submit your application beginning July 1, 2009.
I?m planning on applying for one of the new
credentials. How quickly will I receive it?
Processing time varies for each credential type and
applicant. The credentials requiring verification
documentation and examinations may take longer to process
than the credentials with fewer requirements. You can also
view our application status page to see what date we are
currently processing.
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Rule Definition
Why do the draft rules still refer to registered
counselor?
The registered counselor credential remains valid and will
not be abolished until July 1, 2010. The existing rules and
regulations remain in effect for registered counselors until
the credential is abolished.
I noticed that there is a definition of counseling
that has been added in the draft rules. Where did this come
from?
This definition of counseling has been in the counselor
statute for many years. RCW 18.19. Previous rules did not
include this definition. It is being added to improve
clarity of the rules.
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Exemption Rule
Are certain practices and settings exempt from
requiring a credential to practice counseling?
Yes. The legislature identified exemptions in statute. You
can find the ?exemption activities and individuals? in the
draft rules under RCW 18.19.040 or WAC 246-810-011.
Are these exemptions new?
One of the eight areas of exemption is new. The exemption is
for peer counselors under WAC 246-810-011(7). The other
exemptions have been in statute for many years.
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State Employee Rule
I?m a state employee providing counseling services as
part of my position. Do I have to have a credential?
Yes, if you meet the definition of counseling and you work
in one of the agencies or facilities listed in WAC
246-810-016 or 017.
Is this a new requirement?
No, it has been part of the counseling statute for many
years. With the new rules, state employees must get a
registration for agency affiliated counselor. State
employees providing hypnotherapy services will continue to
get the hypnotherapist registration.
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Agency Affiliated
Counselor
What is the definition of an agency affiliated
counselor?
An agency affiliated counselor is a person who is engaged in
counseling and employed by an agency. They must be
registered under chapter 18.19 RCW.
What is the definition of an agency?
An agency is an agency or facility operated, licensed or
certified by the state of Washington.
I work for an agency that has a business license in
the state of Washington. Will my employer's business license
by itself qualify me to register as an agency affiliated
counselor?
No, your employer's business license by itself does not meet
the standard to employ agency affiliated counselors. Your
employer should review the rule on becoming recognized to
employ agency affiliated counselors.
I am a state employee and provide counseling services
as part of my job. When I apply for agency affiliated
counselor, will I need to document my degree and take a
test?
No. Agency affiliated counselors are not required to send
documentation of a degree or take an examination. However,
applicants must show proof of having completed a course on
HIV/AIDs and pass a criminal background check. Also,
continuing education requirements may be established in
order to renew your agency affiliated counselor
registration.
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What are the continuing education requirements for
agency affiliated counselors?
These are not established, yet. We are allowed to require
continuing education under the statute enacted by the
legislature. However, the legislation requires that the
Secretary of Health consult with all state agencies using
agency affiliated counselors before adopting requirements.
Because we do not know what agencies will use the counselors
we cannot consult with them. We will not establish
continuing education requirements at this time.
I am a registered counselor but do not work for a
state agency, or for an agency or facility operated,
licensed or certified by the state. Can I register as an
agency affiliated counselor?
No. You do not qualify for an agency affiliated counselor
registration. To continue counseling, you must apply for and
obtain a credential other than an agency affiliated
counselor by June 30, 2010.
I am not a state employee, but I work for a facility
licensed by the state. I do not see my facility listed in
the rules as being recognized. Can my facility request to be
recognized so I can be registered as an agency affiliated
counselor?
Yes. Your facility can request to be recognized, but a
review will be conducted to confirm the facility is licensed
or certified. We are developing a review process. WAC
246-810-017.
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If I work for a recognized state agency or facility
that employs agency affiliated counselors and I obtain a
second job at another recognized facility do I need to
complete another ?Employment Verification? form?
Yes. WAC 246-810-018 states Agency affiliated counselors
must notify the department within thirty calendar days if
they are no longer employed by the agency identified on
their application, or are now employed with another agency,
or both. Agency affiliated counselors may not practice
counseling unless they are employed by an agency.
If I work for a recognized state agency or facility
that employs agency affiliated counselors and I obtain a
second job at another recognized facility do I need to
complete another agency affiliated counselor application and
pay an additional fee?
No. You do not need to complete another application or
pay an additional fee. The only requirement is to complete
another employment verification form with your new
employment facility information and title description.
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Certified
Counselor and Adviser
I will have just a month less than five years as a
registered counselor by June 30, 2010. When I apply for
certified counselor, will I have to show I have a bachelor?s
degree in a counseling-related field?
Yes. If you have been a registered counselor for less than
five years at the time the registrations are abolished, you
will have to show proof of the degree.
Follow up to question above: Will I be required to
have a supervision arrangement instead of consultation
arrangement?
Yes. You must have supervision instead of consultation.
Do the five years need to be consecutive?
No. The five years do not have to be consecutive. You must
have a total of five years and your registered counselor
credential must be active at the time of application.
My degree is in a counseling-related field but is not
listed in the rules. Can I request that my degree be
recognized?
Yes. We are developing a review process to consider the
recognition of degrees in additional areas. WAC 246-810-024.
Will I able to get a reading list to study for the
examination?
Yes. See http://www.doh.wa.gov/Counseling/TestFAQs.htm.
A friend and I are both applying for certified
counselor. Can we act as supervisor or consultants to each
other to satisfy that requirement?
No. The draft rules prohibit such dual role relationships.
WAC 246-810-026.
Do I have to apply to the state in order to serve as a
supervisor or consultant?
No, we do not require you to apply to serve as a supervisor
or consultant. However, supervisors, consultants and the
credential holders must meet all requirements established in
the rules. They may be asked to provide evidence to the
department that they meet the requirements. WAC 246-810-026.
Will there be more detailed standards on supervision
and consultation?
We anticipate additional rules to be developed on these
standards after the year of transition. We will appoint an
advisory committee to assist in development and improvement
of the standards. WAC 246-810-025.
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Why is the registered
counselor renewal fee $117.00 when it will be abolished on
July 1, 2010?
The Department of Health will charge the full renewal of
$117.00 for all registered counselors during the 2009-2010
renewal period. If you chose to renew your registered
counselor credential it will expire on June 30, 2010.
House Bill 2674 abolishes the registered counselor
credential on July 1, 2010. Registered counselors must get a
new counseling credential or stop practicing by June 30,
2010.
We require the full $117.00 for the following reasons:
- Revenue Requirements - State law mandates all
programs be fully supported by fees to cover the cost of
running the program. (Chapter 43.70 RCW) A review of the
registered counselor budget showed that the whole fee is
needed.
- Registered counselors can choose to renew their
credential, or apply for one of the new credentials.
Registered counselors are not required to renew.
Instead, they can apply for a new credential if they
meet the credentialing requirements. However, to
practice counseling you must have an active credential.
- In the spring of 2008, all active registered
counselors were mailed a canary colored postcard about
the upcoming changes to the credential. The postcard
provided information about the new requirements and
advised credential holders to join the listserv for
upcoming information.
- Legislative Directives and Guidance - House Bill
2674 does not address the handling of fees.
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General Questions
and Answers
Have the fees for the new credentials been determined? Yes. You can find the fees on each professions page:
When will the applications be available?
Applications will be available July 1. We will begin
accepting them that day. Return to top | 
