New Credentials: Certified and Licensed AACs
The department has issued a policy statement about applying for the new agency affiliated counselor credentials (PDF) (to be referenced until the rules are updated).
The passage of 2SHB 1724 created two new types of agency affiliated counselor (AAC) credentials that go into effect immediately. The certified AAC has a bachelor’s degree requirement and the licensed AAC has an advanced degree requirement. We anticipate both of these being available in July 2023, and we will take applications at that time.
Registered AACs who have been previously designated as an MHP can continue to practice under their current credential and should apply for the licensed AAC about three months before their expiration date. Because there is currently no bachelor's level designation, individuals who wish to obtain the certified AAC credential will need to apply before they can practice under the expanded scope of practice of the new profession.
More information is on our Rules in Progress webpage and our Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
Related links
Licensing Information - Applications, fee schedule, registration requirements | Co-Occurring Disorder Specialist Enhancement
- Current Topics
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- Information for providers whose credentials have been affected by a drug conviction
- Health care professionals (excluding physicians) who are offering telemedicine services to patients, are required to complete telemedicine training. Please see the Department of Health policy statement with additional information related to this requirement (PDF) for more information.
To learn more about the different training options available and access additional resources, please visit the Washington State Telehealth Collaborative Training page. To complete the free and publicly available telemedicine training, select enroll and create a Canvas account to access the Washington State Medical Professional Telemedicine Training. - Take the Washington Health Workforce Survey.
- Suicide prevention training for health professionals
- Applicants for an agency affiliated counselor credential who apply within 30 days of employment may provide services within the agency while the department processes their application. More information is available on the Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
- You may submit your application online.
- Report on counselor credentialing (PDF)
- Counselor publications
- Counselor frequently asked questions
Counseling links
Counseling publications | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | Suicide prevention training for health professionals