How Can I Participate in Rulemaking?
The rules writing process is open to the public and welcomes public feedback to assist the department in writing rules. Rules are also known as regulations, Washington Administrative Code, or WAC. The rule-making process includes public notices, workshops, and typically a public hearing before a rule becomes final.
Implementation of 2SHB 1427 Peer Support Specialist
The department has filed a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (CR-102) for WAC 246-929, in order to implement the changes in 2SHB 1427 Certified Peer Support Specialists, which passed in 2025. The bill changes the titles of the profession from Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) and Certified Peer Specialist Trainee (CPST) to Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) and Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee (CPSST).
The draft rule language can be found in the CR-102 document.
The department is using a more streamlined approach to implement the rule change because it is limited to just updating the name of the credential in WAC to match the statute. No other changes to the rule will be considered. Because we are opening this under limited rulemaking to align with statutory changes, there will be no public workshops to discuss the change and instead we are only hosting the public hearing.
Public Hearing
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
The hearing will be held virtually. Please sign up in advance to attend this webinar.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
You may also provide written comments on the rules on our rules comments webpage. (go down to Certified Peer Specialists and Peer Trainees – amending credential titles in WAC 246-929)
If you have any further questions, please contact the program manager.
Join us for Peer Support Specialist Office Hours if you have questions about the new profession or the application process
The Department of Health is hosting Peer Support Specialist Office Hours to answer questions related to the peer applications, credentialing, continuing education, and other topics related to the peer support specialist profession. The department is hosting these on the second Tuesday of the month from noon to 1 p.m. Information to join the meeting is available below. If you would like the department to include you in the recurring invitation, email the program manager.
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 298 317 186 014 9
Passcode: QJ66M8DT
Dial in by phone
+1 564-999-2000,,430017152# United States, Olympia
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 430 017 152#
Current Rules in Progress
HB 1427 – Certified Peer Support Specialist
House Bill 1427 was signed into law on May 19, 2025. This bill changes the name of the profession to Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS), removes outdated language around the advisory committee that was stricken from the original bill by veto. The department has scheduled the public hearing for September 9, 2025. See link above.
SB 5555 – Supervisory Report
The Department of Health (department) has implemented the rules to create the new credential on July 1, 2025. The second part of this bill requires a report to the legislature in December 2027 regarding the availability of certified peer support specialist who are approved supervisors in the workforce. This is required to see whether or not the supply of peers as supervisors is adequate for the number of peer trainees or if the legislature should consider extending the ability for behavioral health providers to be approved supervisors. The department will begin collecting data on this in 2026 as the credential becomes more established. 2SHB 5555, section 11.
*Peer Specialist is a new program regulated by the Department of Health. This page will be updated regularly with upcoming implementation information. All updates and information received will also be sent out via GovDelivery listserv, subscribe to ensure you receive these future updates.