Agency Affiliated Counselor

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Agency Affiliated Counselor Drop-in Office Hours

Do you have questions about the new coursework requirements for certified and licensed agency affiliated counselors (AAC)? Would you like to know more about the supervised experience requirements for AACs? Do you want to talk about the differences in certified AAC and licensed AAC scope of practice? Stop by our new weekly virtual office hour to speak with staff from the Department of Health. Virtual meetings will take place from noon to 1 p.m. every Wednesday in August starting August 6.

See below the complete list of Office Hours sessions and the link to attend. Meeting information will remain the same for each weekly meeting. Email Program Manager Carmen Leso if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

Drop-in Dates (start at noon)

  • August 6, 2025
  • August 13, 2025
  • August 20, 2025
  • August 27, 2025

Join the meeting now 
Meeting ID: 254 508 394 039 5
Passcode: 3XU3j3kz

Dial in by phone
+1 564-999-2000,,716001856#  United States, Olympia

Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 716 001 856#

Important Reminder for Registered AAC’s Designated as an MHP

The Department of Health launched new AAC credentials following the passage of Second Substitute House Bill (2SHB) 1724 during the 2023 legislative session. These changes affected all agency affiliated counselors (AACs) and introduced two new AAC credentials, the certified and licensed AAC.

By January 1, 2025, all registered AACs must:

  • Be appropriately credentialed for the services they provide, which might include applying to a different AAC credential.
  • Comply with their credential’s defined scope of practice.

Note there is no ability to continue as an mental health professional (MHP) if you do not hold the correct credential type. Registered AACs are no longer MHPs as of January 1, 2025, with no exceptions.

The policy statement about applying for one of the new agency affiliated counselor credentials (PDF) has expired as of January 1, 2025, but is posted online for reference.  

More information is on our rules in progress webpage and our frequently asked questions webpage

Related Links

More resources for health professionals | Healthcare professionals' demographic data survey | Co-occurring disorder specialist enhancement

Current Topics

Counseling Links

Counseling publications | Frequently asked questions (FAQs) | Suicide prevention training for health professionals