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CONTINUING EDUCATION NEW SECTION
WAC 246-809-600 Who is required to have continuing education?
Licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed mental health
counselors, and licensed social workers are required to have
continuing education.
WAC 246-809-610 What courses are acceptable?
The continuing education (CE) program or course should add to
the progress extension and enhancement of the professional
competence of the licensed counselor. Courses or workshops primarily
designed to increase practice income or office efficiency are
specifically not eligible for CE credit. Counselors are encouraged
to take CE relating to the various phases of their professional career.
1. Acceptable CE courses (including distance learning), seminars,
workshops and postgraduate institutes are those which are:
a) Programs having a featured instructor, speaker(s) or panel
approved by an industry-recognized local, state, national,
international organization or institution of higher learning;
or
b) Distance learning programs, approved by an industry-recognized
local, state, national or international organization or
institution of higher learning. These programs must require
tests of comprehension upon completion.
Distance learning programs are limited to twenty-six hours per reporting period.
2. Training programs sponsored by the agency where a counselor is
employed are acceptable if:
a) The experience can be shown to contribute to the advancement,
extension and enhancement of the professional competence of the
licensed counselor; and
b) The training programs are limited to twenty-six hours per
reporting period.
3. Other learning experience, such as serving on a panel,
board or council, community service, or publishing articles
for professional publications are acceptable if:
a) The experience can be shown to contribute to the advancement,
extension and enhancement of the professional competence of the
licensed counselor; and
b) The experience are limited to six hours per reporting period.
WAC 246-809-620 What are industry-recognized local, state, national,
international organizations or institutions of higher learning?
They are, but not limited to, the following organizations:
1. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy;
2. Clinical Social Work Federation;
3. National Association of Social Workers;
4. American Mental Health Counselors Association;
5. National Board for Certified Counselors; or
6. Institutions of higher learning that are accredited by a
national or regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission
on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.
WAC 246-809-630 How many hours do I need and in what time period?
Licensed counselors must complete thirty-six hours of continuing
education every two years. At least six of the thirty-six hours
must be in professional ethics and law.
WAC 246-809-640 How are credit hours determined for preparation
and presentation of a lecture or an educational course?
The license holder who prepares and presents lectures or education
that contributes to the professional competence of a licensed
counselor may accumulate the same number of hours obtained for
continuing education purposes by attendees as required in
WAC 246-12-220. The hours for presenting a specific topic
lecture or education may only be used for continuing education
credit once during each reporting period.
WAC 246-809-650 How do I document my courses?
Acceptable documentation shall include transcripts, letters from
course instructors, certificate of completion, or other formal
certification, as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7.
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