Counselor Registration & Licensing

The Washington State Department of Health requires that all individuals in positions providing direct services to clients must have a Washington State license, certification or counselor registration. Confirmation of a current applicable license, certification or registration will be required for employment with Community Psychiatric Clinic.

If you are not currently licensed, certified or registered in the State of Washington, you must, at minimum, become registered as an Agency-Affiliated Counselor in order to work in the mental health field.  In order to apply for an Agency-Affiliated Counselor registration in Washington State, you must have an offer of employment from an agency or facility identified in WAC 246-810-016 or recognized by the Secretary as an agency or facility that can employ agency affiliated counselors as identified in WAC 246-810-017.  Community Psychiatric Clinic meets these requirements.

The application process for a new counselor registration can take several weeks. In accordance with WAC 246-12-260, you must demonstrate completion of four hours of AIDS education prior to initially obtaining a health care credential, thus we encourage you to begin this process as soon as possible if you are interested in working in the field of mental health.  AIDS training may include self-study, direct patient care, courses, or formal training required by WAC 246-12-260. Course content can be found in WAC 246-12-270.  A list of resources through which AIDS training may be obtained is available at http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/hiv/prevention/training/default.htm.

For more information, click here open the Washington State Department of Health web site in a new window for more information about the counselor registration requirements, and the necessary application forms. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Health by email at Counselorleg@doh.wa.gov or by phone at 360-236-4700.