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
Licensing Information - Applications, fee schedule, credential requirements | More resources for health professionals | Healthcare Professional’s Demographic Data Survey | Co-Occurring Disorder Specialist Enhancement
- Current Topics
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- Information for providers whose credentials have been affected by a drug conviction
- Health care professionals (excluding physicians) who are offering telemedicine services to patients, are required to complete telemedicine training. Please see the Department of Health policy statement with additional information related to this requirement (PDF) for more information.
To learn more about the different training options available and access additional resources, please visit the Washington State Telehealth Collaborative Training page. To complete the free and publicly available telemedicine training, select enroll and create a Canvas account to access the Washington State Medical Professional Telemedicine Training. - Suicide prevention training for health professionals
- Applicants for an agency affiliated counselor credential who apply within 30 days of employment may provide services within the agency while the department processes their application. More information is available on the Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
- You may submit your application online.
- Report on counselor credentialing (PDF)
- Counselor publications
- Counselor frequently asked questions
Counseling links
Counseling publications | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | Suicide prevention training for health professionals