Suicide Prevention Training for Health Professionals

State of Washington Health Profession Mandatory Suicide Prevention Training

Tools and Links

Suicide Prevention Training Home | Program Approval Process | Suicide Prevention Plan | Resources

Legislation (RCW 43.70.442) requires that the health professions listed below take a suicide prevention course that meets their hour and content requirement before the end of the next full continuing education reporting period. Implementation dates vary by profession. After identifying the suicide prevention training requirements for a profession, find courses on the Model List.

For specific questions about your own suicide training requirements or whether a particular training is appropriate for your health profession, please contact the program manager or executive director of your profession's board or commission.

People in the following professions must complete suicide prevention training:

Profession	Hours of Training and Frequency	Core Training Components and Content
Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Practitioners * began August 1, 2021	Six hours one time	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors
Athletic Trainers * began August 1, 2020	Six hours one time	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors
Certified counselors \| certified advisers * began January 1, 2014	Three hours every six years	Suicide screening and referral
Chemical dependence professionals * began January 1, 2014	Three hours every six years	Suicide screening and referral
Chiropractors * began January 1, 2016	Three hours one time	Suicide screening and referral
Dentists * began August 1, 2020	Three hours one time	Suicide screening and referral Assessment of issues related to imminent harm via lethal means
Dental hygienists * began August 1, 2020	Three hours one time	Suicide screening and referral
Licensed mental health professionals * began January 1, 2014	Six hours at least once every six years	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors Content on veterans
Licensed practical nurses (LPN), registered nurses (RN) and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNP) - certified registered nurse anesthetists are exempt * began January 1, 2016	Six hours one time	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors Content on veterans
Marriage and family therapists * began January 1, 2014	Six hours at least once every six years	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors Content on veterans
Naturopaths * began January 1, 2016	Six hours one time	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors Content on veterans
Occupational therapists and assistants * began January 1, 2014	Three hours at least once every six years	Suicide screening and referral
Optometrists * began August 1, 2021	Three hours one time	Suicide screening and referral
Osteopathic physicians and surgeons - holders of a postgraduate training license issued under RCW 18.57.035 are exempt * began January 1, 2016	Six hours one time	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors Content on veterans
Osteopathic physician assistants * began January 1, 2016	Six hours one time	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors Content on veterans
Pharmacists * began January 1, 2017	Three hours one time	Suicide screening and referral Assessment of issues related to imminent harm via lethal means
Physicians -residents holding a limited license issued under RCW 18.71.095 (3) are exempt * began January 1, 2016	Six hours one time	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors Content on veterans
Physician assistants * began January 1, 2016	Six hours one time	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors Content on veterans
Physical therapists and assistants * began January 1, 2016	Three hours one time	Suicide screening and referral
Psychologists * began January 1, 2014	Six hours at least once every six years	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors Content on veterans
Retired active licensee for one of these professions: Naturopaths LPNs, RNs, or ARNPs (certified registered nurse anesthetists are exempt) Osteopathic physicians and surgeons (other than a holder of a postgraduate osteopathic medicine and surgery license) Osteopathic physician assistants Physician assistants Physicians (other than a resident holding a limited license) * began January 1, 2016	Six hours one time	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors Content on veterans
Retired active license as a dentist * began August 1, 2020	Three hours one time	Assessment of issues related to imminent harm via lethal means
Retired active license as an optometrist *began August 1, 2021	Three hours one time	Suicide screening and referral
Social workers Advanced social workers Advanced social worker associates Independent clinical social workers Independent clinical social worker associates * began January 1, 2014	Six hours at least once every six years	Suicide assessment, treatment and management Imminent harm via lethal means or self-injurious behaviors Content on veterans