Mental Health & Mental Health Associate Licensing Information
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.
Completion of thirty-six hours of continuing education of the thirty-six hours at least six must be in professional ethics.
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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