Current Rules in Progress
The rules writing process is open to the public. The public is welcome to take part in helping us write rules. Rules are also known as regulations, Washington Administrative Code, or WAC. The rule-making process includes public notices and workshops, and usually a public hearing before a rule becomes final.
To get updates about rule making and other topics related to certified counselors, please subscribe. After entering your email address, choose Health Systems Quality Assurance, Health Professions, certified counselors list.
New application and credential requirements for certified counselor applicants and credential holders
The Department of Health (department) filed a CR-103 rule package on February 20, 2025, for chapter 246-810 WAC to implement several bills. The amendments: (1) establish requirements for new agency affiliated counselor (AAC) credentials, including supervised experience, education, and coursework requirements; (2) establish that student interns are eligible for the registered AAC credential; (3) add federally qualified health centers as an approved practice setting for AACs after January 1, 2028; (4) clarify credential and continuing education requirements for the certified counselor, certified adviser, and hypnotherapist professions, consistent with recommendations made by the Certified Counselors and Hypnotherapists Advisory Committee; and (5) make other amendments to bring the rules up-to-date.
These rules are effective July 1, 2025.
The following are certified counselor specific changes to chapter 246-810 WAC. For full chapter updates, see WSR #25-06-010 below.
Foreign Transcript Evaluation Requirements
Applicants for the certified counselor credential, whose academic coursework and degree is from an institution in a foreign country, will need to have their transcripts translated and evaluated by an organization that is a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES); or an organization that is a current member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). The organization will determine the degree’s equivalence to United State standards, and once received, the department will determine if it satisfies the requirements for the desired credential.
The translation and evaluation copy must come directly from the organization to the department.
Foreign transcripts already in English will not need to also be translated.
Degree requirements
Starting July 1, 2025, applicants for the certified counselor credential must have a bachelor’s degree in one of the following counseling-related fields:
- Counseling
- Behavioral Science
- Psychiatry and Psychiatric nursing
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Special Education
- Substance Use Disorders
- Other fields may be determined as counseling-related based on coursework completed.
Continuing Education
Starting July 1, 2025, distance learning continuing education (CE) is no longer limited to 20 hours a reporting period. Certified counselors may fulfill CE requirements entirely through distance learning, but all distance learning programs must satisfy WAC 246-810-029. See Continuing Education FAQs for acceptable course requirements.
Disclosure Statements
Any changes to a certified counselors disclosure form requires all current clients to sign the updated form.
Record Retention
Certified counselors must keep all records for six years following the client’s last visit. For minor clients, records must be kept for six years after their 21st birthday.