Licensing Information - Behavioral Health Support Specialist

Certification Requirements 

Education

To be eligible for certification as a behavioral health support specialist, an applicant must graduate from a bachelor’s degree program and successfully complete a BHSS educational program approved by the department, which must be included as part of a: 

(a) Bachelor’s degree program; 

(b) Post-baccalaureate continuing education program; or 

(c) Registered apprenticeship program. 

BHSS curriculum must include at least 45 quarter credits, 30 semester credits, or 450 hours of apprenticeship related supplemental instruction. See WAC 246-821-100.

Practicum Experience

As part of an approved BHSS education program, all BHSS students must complete a practicum under an approved supervisor as defined in WAC 246-821-215. 

Before the practicum begins or within the first month of the practicum, the student shall meet with the supervisor to: 

(a) Develop a written plan for developing clinical skills, including graduated participation in facilitating clinical encounters; 

(b) Set goals and expectations for the duration of the practicum; 

(c) Establish a schedule for supervision, which may include group supervision in addition to required individual supervision; and 

(d) Identify an alternate supervisor, if possible, in case the primary supervisor is unavailable. 

Practicum supervisors must provide supervision regularly, with at least biweekly individual or triadic supervision, and at least one in-person supervision session per quarter. 

Under the supervision of the practicum supervisor, a BHSS student shall: 

(a) Complete at least 240 practicum hours; 

(b) Complete at least 12 hours of individual or triadic supervision; 

(c) Complete at least 60 hours of direct client contact, including co-delivery of services with a supervisor or other certified or licensed behavioral health provider or substance use disorder professional; and 

(d) Demonstrate at least one clinical skill from each of the eight competency domains listed in WAC 246-821-110. 

Practicum supervisors must attest to the student's completion of practicum requirements listed in subsection (4) of this section on the BHSS Verification of Supervised Practicum Experience form (PDF). 

Apply for a BHSS License

Apply online

The Washington State Department of Health requires that only the applicant or licensee may complete an attestation for an application, or for continuing education. This is a legal attestation. Completion of the attestation by anyone other than the applicant may constitute a reportable felony offense. The Department of Health can take action against people for perjury or for making a false statement they know to be false.

For further information please see:

Washington state law authorizes the Department of Health to obtain fingerprint-based background checks for licensing purposes. This check may be through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We may require this if you have lived in another state or if you have a criminal record in Washington state. This would be at your own expense.

You must pay the application fee at the time you apply. You may use a credit or debit card with a VISA or MasterCard logo, or pay by ACH/E-Check. Please make sure your address on the payment information screen matches the address your financial institution has on file for you. This fee is non-refundable. There is a convenience fee to apply online.

If we need additional documentation, we'll notify you by email.

You may need additional items, in addition to your application:

If you have questions, contact our Customer Service staff at 360-236-4700.

Getting Started

Online Application Instructions

Online application instructions are on our website.

Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) security portal. You'll need to add the Department of Health Online Application Portal - Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) Portal service to access the online applications. The first time you add the service, you'll be prompted to answer several questions to verify your identity. The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. Because the questions come from public record, you need to provide a complete address and your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or birth certificate. You may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one or two years) to get the right questions that pertain to your identity. If you don't have sufficient information in the public record to verify your identity and aren't currently credentialed by the Department of Health, then you'll need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Online Application Portal.

Once you have completed the process, and submitted your application, you will receive an email with your pending credential number, or you may look on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact Department of Health or submit paperwork.

Apply on paper
  • Behavioral Health Support Specialist Application Packet (PDF)
  • Verification of Supervision Experience and Statement of Qualifications (PDF)
  • Credential Verification (PDF 
Fee schedule

WAC 246-821-990 – Fees 

Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount
Application and initial certification $285
Active renewal $285
Active Late renewal penalty $145
Expired certification reissuance $145
Duplicate certificate $10
Verification of certificate $25
State License Verification

Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form (PDF). The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department. 

Exam

A behavioral health support specialist applicant must take and pass a jurisprudence examination administered by the department that covers professional judgment, knowledge of state laws, and ethics pertaining to the BHSS profession.  

Information about how to take the jurisprudence examination will be provided to a BHSS applicant after their application for BHSS certification has been submitted 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 the case is pending, applicant must indicate status.

Process for Approving/Denying Applications

We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and that it complies with requirements in chapter 18.227 RCW and chapter 246-821 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 and Continuing Education Requirements

Behavioral health support specialists must renew their certification every year on or before their birthday. They are required to submit the appropriate fee and renewal card. Behavioral health support specialists must complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years, as required in chapter 18.227.050 RCW. See Continuing Education page for more detailed information.  

Behavioral Health Support Specialist Clinical Training Program

Detailed requirements for BHSS Clinical Training Programs is on the Education Programs webpage.

Apply Online

At this time, the department is only accepting paper applications for BHSS Education Program Approval. Education institutions interested in developing a BHSS program should collaborate with the University of Washington BHSS Clinical Training Program via email (bhsswa@uw.edu). For more information, review the BHSS Implementation Guide and Gap Analysis Tools on the UW BHSS website.

BHSS Clinical Training Program applicants must submit a completed application packet to the Department of Health. 

BHSS Clinical Training Program Application (PDF) 

There is no fee for BHSS Clinical Training Program applications.

Email DOH BHSS program staff members with questions about BHSS Clinical Training Program Application and credentialing process (BHSS@doh.wa.gov).