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General Information for
Mental Health & Mental Health Associate License
Please note that this is general information and it is
important to refer to
WAC
246-809 for more detailed information relating to the
licensure requirements.
Associate
License Requirements
Education Requirements:
A master’s or doctoral
degree in mental health counseling or a behavioral science
master's or doctoral degree in a field relating to mental health counseling.
The following must be completed in order to qualify for an
associate license:
- Completed application with signature and date.
- The application and initial licensure
fee.
- Completed out of state verification forms sent directly
from each state (if applicable).
- Four (4)
hours of HIV/AIDS education and training.
- Official transcripts sent directly from the college where
the degree was obtained.
An associate is a pre-licensure candidate who has a graduate
degree in mental health counseling or a related field and is
gaining the supervision experience necessary for licensure
as a mental health counselor. Associates may not
independently provide mental health counseling for a fee,
monetary or otherwise.
If an associate is working under the supervision of an
approved supervisor, it is not considered independent
practice.
Associate
licenses are valid for one year and must be renewed every
year on the date of issuance. The associate license may be
renewed no more than four times. This should allow licensed
associates enough time to complete their supervision
requirements for full licensure.
Mental Health Counselor License Requirements
Education Requirements:
Graduation from a master’s or doctoral level educational
program in mental health counseling or a related field from
an approved college or university.
Supervised Post Graduate Experience:
Minimum of 36 months of full-time counseling or three
thousand (3000) hours of postgraduate mental health
counseling under the supervision of an approved licensed
mental health counselor or equally qualified licensed mental
health practitioner in an approved setting.
At least of 100 hours must be in immediate supervision with
an approved licensed mental health counselor or equally
qualified licensed mental health practitioner.
At least 1200 hours must be direct counseling with
individuals, couples, groups, or families.
Exam:
Either of the following National Board of Certified
Counselors (NBCC) exams are accepted.
- National Counselor Exam (NCE).
- National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE).
The following must be completed in order to qualify to apply
for a license:
- Completed application.
- Application
fee and initial license
fee.
- Completed out of state verification forms sent directly
from each state. (if applicable)
- Four (4)
hours of HIV/AIDS education and training.
- Official transcripts from the college where the degree was
granted.
- Supervision forms showing completion of the experience
requirements.
- Exam scores sent directly from NBCC.
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