Out-of-State Applicants

Credential Options | Licensure Reciprocity | Substantial Equivalency | Universal Licensure | State Credential Search Tool

Mental Health Counselor

Washington State welcomes out-of-state applicants wishing to obtain credentials in Washington State. This page provides a basic overview of the reciprocity pathways and eligible credentials for out-of-state applicants.

Washington State has three primary options for Mental Health Counselors:

Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) Associate*

The associate-level license is for a person with an eligible graduate degree in a mental health field (RCW 18.225.090), who must still gain post-graduation supervised experience and qualify to take the approved examination necessary to become a fully licensed mental health counselor.

*These descriptions are intended to provide a summary of basic credential requirements and do not provide detailed requirements. Interested applicants should review the full requirements listed in chapter 246-809 WAC and, if necessary, contact the program manager for questions specific to their situation.

Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) Probationary Credential*

The probationary license is a temporary credential issued to an individual who is licensed in another state and applies for reciprocity in Washington. The license is issued for one year and can be renewed one time for another year. The purpose of the probationary license is to allow the holder to seek and accept employment opportunities while the department assesses the gap in licensure requirements. Within the time limits provided by the probationary license, applicants will need to meet the full licensure requirements as a mental health or licensed professional counselor or consider other available licensure options.

Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC)*

Allows the credential holder to practice independently at the full scope of an LMHC in Washington State, in both private practice and state-regulated facilities.

Licensure Reciprocity Program/Probationary Licensure

Scope of Practice - Probationary Certification

"Mental health counseling" is defined in RCW 18.225.010(9) as the application of principles of human development, learning theory, psychotherapy, group dynamics, and etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior to individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations, for the purpose of treatment of mental disorders and promoting optimal mental health and functionality. Mental health counseling also includes, but is not limited to, the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, as well as the application of a wellness model of mental health.

The completed analysis revealed 39 states are deemed to have an equivalent and/or greater scope to Washington. The following 11 states' scopes were deemed not to be substantially equivalent to Washington:

Arkansas
Iowa
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
New Jersey
South Carolina
Wisconsin

The analysis of the scope of practices is based strictly on the statutory and rules language of each state. Differing states may refer to mental health counselors by various titles (i.e. licensed professional counselors, etc.). However, this assessment is based on statutory and rule language on the practice of clinical counseling at the master's degree level.

Substantial Equivalency

Qualifications

Washington State offers licensure for applicants licensed in another state with comparable licensing standards. This process allows qualified professionals to obtain Washington credentials without repeating education or exams already completed in another state.  

As of July 23, 2023, new criteria established under RCW 18.130.077 apply to out-of-state applicants seeking initial licensure in Washington. These criteria are specific to initial licensure and do not necessarily apply to licensure by endorsement.

To qualify under this law, you must:

Hold a current license in a state that is considered substantially equivalent to Washington (see list below),
Have been licensed in that state for at least two years, and
Have no history of disciplinary action on your license.

Universal Licensure

Eligibility Criteria

If you are licensed in a state considered substantially equivalent, your application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Being from a substantially equivalent state does not automatically guarantee eligibility. Additionally, if you have ever been licensed in a universal licensure state, you may not qualify under this pathway. Please review the information below to better understand how universal licensure may affect your eligibility.

What is Universal Licensure?

Universal licensure allows some states to issue licenses to professionals even if they do not meet all of that state’s standard education or examination requirements.
Under SHB 1724, Washington requires that the original state where you were first licensed meets our substantial equivalency standards.
For example, if you were initially licensed in a non-equivalent state and later obtained a license in a universal licensure state, you may not meet Washington’s eligibility criteria under the new law.
Washington evaluates where you were first licensed. If your initial license was granted by a state with lesser requirements, even if you currently hold a license from a substantially equivalent state, you may not qualify under this pathway.

The following states have adopted universal licensure policies:

Arizona
Arkansas
Idaho
Iowa
Kansas
Mississippi
Missouri
Utah
Virginia

  Please Note: This list may change as more states adopt or modify universal licensure policies.

Please select your state below and review the results. These results will help determine which out-of-state credentialing pathway you are eligible to apply for.

If your credential is eligible only under the "Reciprocity" search, apply for the Probationary credential AND the full LMHC credential.
If your credential is evaluated to be Substantially Equivalent, apply for the full LMHC credential.