Mental Health Counselor - Continuing Education

Continuing Education

Marriage and Family Therapist

Marriage and family therapists must complete and maintain proof of 32 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. Visit WAC 246-809-600 through 246-809-650 for requirements and regulations. 

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate 

Marriage and family therapist associates must complete and maintain proof of 16 hours of continuing education (CE) every year. Visit WAC 246-809-600 through 246-809-650 for requirements and regulations. 

Mental Health Counselors

Mental health counselors must complete and maintain proof of 32 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. Visit WAC 246-809-600 through 246-809-650 for requirements and regulations.

Mental Health Counselor Associates

Mental health counselor associates must complete and maintain proof of 16 hours of continuing education (CE) every year. Visit WAC 246-809-600 through 246-809-650 for requirements and regulations.

Advanced Social Worker and Independent Clinical Social Worker

Advanced and independent clinical social workers must complete and maintain proof of 32 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. Visit WAC 246-809-600 through 246-809-650 for requirements and regulations. 

Advanced Social Worker Associate and Independent Clinical Social Worker Associate

Advanced associate and independent clinical associate social workers must complete and maintain proof of 16 hours of continuing education (CE) every year. Visit WAC 246-809-600 through 246-809-650 for requirements and regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I obtain all of my continuing education units (CEUs) through distance learning?

There is no longer a limit on distance learning, the requirement has been updated in rule, WAC 246-809-610. The Department of Health will allow continuing education to be completed via online distance learning, either synchronous or asynchronous.

  • Asynchronous distance learning programs must include tests of comprehension upon completion.
     
  • Synchronous distance learning programs do not require tests of comprehension.
Who is required to have continuing education?

Licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed mental health counselors and licensed social workers must complete continuing education (CE) per WAC 246-809-600.

Licensed associates must complete CE per WAC 246-809-632.

Applicants applying for licensure as a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor or licensed social worker must have completed 36 hours of CE, six of which must be in professional law and ethics. They must have received these hours after completing the academic requirements and prior to the department issuing their license.

Retired active licensed marriage and family therapists, retired active licensed mental health counselors and retired active licensed social workers must complete CE per WAC 246-809-730.

What courses are acceptable?

The continuing education program or course must be relevant and contribute to the advancement, extension and enhancement of the professional competence of the licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor or licensed social worker (WAC 246-809-610).

Courses or workshops primarily designed to increase practice income or office efficiency aren't eligible for CE credit.

  • Acceptable CE courses (including distance learning), seminars, workshops and postgraduate institutes are those which are:
  • Training programs sponsored by the agency where a counselor is employed are acceptable if counselors:
    • Show the experience contributes to the advancement, extension and enhancement of the professional competence of the licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor and/or the licensed social worker; and
    • Limit the training programs to 26 hours per reporting period.
  • Other learning experience, such as serving on a panel, board or council, community service, research, peer consultation or publishing articles for professional publications are acceptable if counselors:
    • Show the experience contributes to the advancement, extension and enhancement of the professional competence of the licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor and/or the licensed social worker; and
    • Limit the experience to six hours per reporting period.
What are industry-recognized local, state, national, international organizations or institutions of higher learning?

WAC 246-809-620 says recognized organizations or institutions include, but aren't limited to, the following organizations:

  • Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy;
  • Washington State Society for Clinical Social Work;
  • Washington Chapter of the National Association of Social Work;
  • American Mental Health Counselors Association;
  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy;
  • Clinical Social Work Federation;
  • National Association of Social Workers;
  • Washington Mental Health Counselors Association;
  • National Board for Certified Counselors;
  • Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care; or
  • Institutions of higher learning that are accredited by a national or regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.
How many hours do I need and in what time period?

Advanced and Independent Clinical 

Every two years:

  • Complete 32 hours of continuing education (CE) per WAC 246‑809‑630.
  • Of those hours, at least 6 must be in professional ethics and law (topics may include those listed in RCW 18.130.180).
  • Complete a minimum of 2 hours in professional roles and boundaries.

Every four years:

Every six years:

Associates  

Associates must complete 6 hours of suicide assessment, treatment, and management training after initial licensure and before the first renewal, per WAC 246‑809‑615 and WAC 246‑809‑630.

Every year:

  • Complete 16 hours of CE.

Every two years:

  • Complete 6 hours in professional ethics and law.
  • Complete a minimum of 2 hours in professional roles and boundaries.
  • These hours may count toward the 16‑hour annual requirement in the year they are completed.

Every four years:

  • Complete 2 hours of health equity training.

Every six years:

Retired Active 

  • Every two years, retired active licensed marriage and family therapists, retired active licensed mental health counselors and retired active licensed social workers must complete 18 hours of CE. At least six of the 18 hours must be in professional ethics and law. 
How are credit hours determined for preparation and presentation of a lecture or an educational course?

The license holder who prepares and presents lectures or education that contributes to the professional competence of a licensed counselor may accumulate the same number of hours obtained for continuing education purposes by attendees as required in WAC 246-12-220 per WAC 246-809-640. Counselors may use the hours for presenting a specific topic lecture or education for continuing education credit only once during each reporting period.

How do I document my courses?

WAC 246-809-650 says acceptable documentation shall include transcripts, letters from course instructors, certificate of completion or other formal certification, as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7.

May I count training sponsored by my agency?

Training programs sponsored by the agency where a counselor is employed are acceptable if counselors:

  • Show the experience contributes to the advancement, extension and enhancement of the professional competence of the licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor and/or the licensed social worker; and
  • Limit the training programs to 26 hours per reporting period.
How do I become an approved continuing education provider?

The department doesn't approve continuing education for licensed mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists or licensed social workers.