Licensing Information

Apply for a License

Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor

Apply online

Getting started

Online Application Instructions

Online application instructions are on our website.

Once you have completed the process, you will find your pending credential number on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact the Department of Health or submit paperwork.

Apply on paper

Student interns, peer counselors, and juvenile probation counselors should apply as registered AACs.

The following forms are required for completing the application process. Please download and print forms.

Certified or Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor

Apply online

Getting started

Online Application Instructions

Online application instructions are on our website.

Once you have completed the process, you will find your pending credential number on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact the Department of Health or submit paperwork.

Apply on paper

The following forms are required for completing the application process. Please download and print forms.

Fee Schedule

See credentialing fees
Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount
Initial registration $175
Renewal $185
Late renewal penalty $95
Expired registration reissuance $50
Duplicate credential $10
Certification letter $25

Credentialing Requirements

Primary Source Verification Letter (PDF)

Registration requirements

Employment

Applicants for agency affiliated counselors must be employed by, or have an offer of employment from an agency or facility that is licensed, operated, certified by Washington state, or a federally recognized Indian tribe located within the state or a county.

They must have their employer complete and sign the employment verification form (PDF) provided by the Department of Health.

State license verification

Applicant must list all states where credentials are or were held, including where applicant has applied but a credential was not granted. A verification form must be completed and submitted by the jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed. The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Personal data questions

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If pending, applicant must indicate status.

Additional information/documents required

  • Note: Per WAC 246-810-015 If you apply for this credential within 30 days of employment, you may provide counseling while your application is processed. The department will review the application and if further information is required it will issue a letter listing the deficiencies. The applicant will have 90 days from the date of the deficiency letter to provide all necessary documentation. If the required documentation is not received by the department within 90 days, the applicant must stop working until the credential is issued.

Agency affiliated counselors must notify the department within 30 calendar days if they're no longer employed by the agency identified on their application, are now employed with another agency, or both. Agency affiliated counselors may not practice counseling unless they are employed by an agency.

Process for approving/denying applications

We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.19 RCW and chapter 246-810 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.

Renewal requirements

Agency affiliated counselors must renew their license every year. Credentials expire on the credential holder's birthday and may be renewed within 90 days of the expiration date.

Continuing education requirements

There are no continuing education requirements for this credential.

Certification requirements

Education

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in counseling or one of the social sciences from an accredited college or university which includes coursework* specified by the department. The department must receive an official transcript directly from the institution with the date and degree conferred.

*Coursework requirements are not yet in place. The department is currently conducting rulemaking to determine coursework requirements. See our Rules in Progress page for more information.

Experience

Applicants must have at least five (5) years of experience in direct treatment of persons with a mental disorder that was gained under the supervision of a mental health professional. Supervised experience time doesn’t start accumulating until after the applicant’s bachelor’s degree has been completed. Applicants may count experience attained prior to the completion of their degree if that experience was gained through a supervised practicum and/or internship as part of their degree program. Supervised experience needs to be gained under a credential issued by the department to practice counseling. Out-of-state supervised experience hours may count towards supervised experience as long as it was after the applicant's degree was completed and they held a credential to practice counseling in that state.

Employment

Applicants for agency affiliated counselors must be employed by, or have an offer of employment from an agency or facility that is licensed, operated, certified by Washington state, or a federally recognized Indian tribe located within the state or a county.

They must have their employer complete and sign the employment verification form (PDF) provided by the Department of Health.

State license verification

Applicant must list all states where credentials are or were held, including where applicant has applied but a credential was not granted. A verification form must be completed and submitted by the jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed. The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Personal data questions

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If pending, applicant must indicate status.

Additional information/documents required

  • Note: Per WAC 246-810-015 If you apply for this credential within 30 days of employment, you may provide counseling while your application is processed. The department will review the application and if further information is required it will issue a letter listing the deficiencies. The applicant will have 90 days from the date of the deficiency letter to provide all necessary documentation. If the required documentation is not received by the department within 90 days, the applicant must stop working until the credential is issued.

Agency affiliated counselors must notify the department within 30 calendar days if they're no longer employed by the agency identified on their application, are now employed with another agency, or both. Agency affiliated counselors may not practice counseling unless they are employed by an agency.

Process for approving/denying applications

We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.19 RCW and chapter 246-810 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.

Renewal requirements

Agency affiliated counselors must renew their license every year. Credentials expire on the credential holder's birthday and may be renewed within 90 days of the expiration date.

Continuing education requirements

There are no continuing education requirements for this credential.

License requirements

Legacy Provision

Applicants for Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor who were previously designated as a mental health professional, or was granted a waiver approving them as a mental health professional, do not need to provide official transcripts if they can provide verification of their MHP designation. Acceptable documentation includes certificate or letter from the Department of Social and Health Sciences, letter from the Department of Health, or attestation/verification from behavioral health agency indicating designation. Applicants who meet legacy provision requirements must apply before July 1, 2027.

Education

Applicants must have an advanced degree in counseling or one of the social sciences from an accredited college or university which includes coursework* specified by the department. The department must receive an official transcript with date and degree conferred/posted directly from the applicant’s institution. 

*Coursework requirements are not yet in place. The department is currently conducting rulemaking to determine coursework requirements. See our Rules in Progress page for more information.

Experience

Applicants must have at least two (2) years of experience in direct treatment of persons with a mental disorder that was gained under the supervision of a mental health professional. The applicant must complete their degree program before supervised experience hours can start to accumulate. Applicants may count supervised experience attained prior to the completion of their degree if that experience was gained through a supervised practicum and/or internship as part of their degree program. Supervised experience needs to be gained under a credential issued by the department to practice counseling. Out-of-state supervised experience hours may count towards supervised experience as long as it was after the applicant's degree was completed and they held a credential to practice counseling in that state.

Employment

Applicants for agency affiliated counselors must be employed by, or have an offer of employment from an agency or facility that is licensed, operated, certified by Washington state, or a federally recognized Indian tribe located within the state or a county.

They must have their employer complete and sign the employment verification form (PDF) provided by the Department of Health.

State license verification

Applicant must list all states where credentials are or were held, including where applicant has applied but a credential was not granted. A verification form must be completed and submitted by the jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed. The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.

Personal data questions

Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If pending, applicant must indicate status.

Additional information/documents required

Note: Per WAC 246-810-015 If you apply for this credential within 30 days of employment, you may provide counseling while your application is processed. The department will review the application and if further information is required it will issue a letter listing the deficiencies. The applicant will have 90 days from the date of the deficiency letter to provide all necessary documentation. If the required documentation is not received by the department within 90 days, the applicant must stop working until the credential is issued.
Agency affiliated counselors must notify the department within 30 calendar days if they're no longer employed by the agency identified on their application, are now employed with another agency, or both. Agency affiliated counselors may not practice counseling unless they are employed by an agency.

Process for approving/denying applications

We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.19 RCW and chapter 246-810 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.

Renewal requirements

Agency affiliated counselors must renew their license every year. Credentials expire on the credential holder's birthday and may be renewed within 90 days of the expiration date.

Continuing education requirements

There are no continuing education requirements for this credential.

Additional Licensing Information