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.
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Current rules in progress
The Department of Health (department) has filed the following CR-101s with the Office of the Code Reviser to continue the work to increase the behavioral health workforce by reducing barriers to licensure and streamlining the credentialing process.
Supervisor directory, supervision standards, and stipend program for Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers
- CR101: April 18, 2024, WSR 24-10-010 (PDF), Chapter 246-809 WAC.
The department is considering changes to chapter 246-809 WAC to implement recent legislation. These include creating a directory for mental health professionals to find supervisors, setting standards for associate supervision, establishing a stipend program to offset supervision costs, and making other necessary updates.
Reducing barriers to licensure and streamlining the credentialing process for Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers.
- CR101: April 18, 2024, WSR 24-10-012 (PDF), Chapter 246-809 WAC.
The department is considering amendments to implement legislation, including 2SHB 1724, SHB 1069, SHB 1939, and E2SHB 2247. These changes aim to reduce barriers to the behavioral health workforce, streamline credentialing, implement interstate licensing compacts, remove associate credential renewal limits, and make other necessary updates. This may include altering continuing education requirements, allowing professional experience to substitute for clinical practicum, and addressing other relevant issues. Existing rules may be amended or repealed, and new rules adopted.
Emergency Rules: Reducing barriers to licensure and streamlining the credentialing process for Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers.
- CR103E: June 28, 2024, WSR 24-14-080 (PDF), Chapter 246-809 WAC.
The department is adopting emergency rules to implement parts of 2SHB 1724 and E2SHB 2247, aiming to reduce licensure barriers and streamline the credentialing process for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers.
These rules allow professional experience to substitute for practicum requirements for mental health counselors, lower licensure by endorsement requirements to one year in a substantially equivalent state, align the definition of “equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner” for marriage and family therapists with other master-level counselors and remove the limit on associate credential renewals.
The department will also consider adopting these changes through the permanent rulemaking process; WSR 24-10-012 filed on April 18, 2024, is in progress.
The department will continue these emergency rules without changes. These emergency rules extend those initially filed under WSR 24-14-080 on June 28, 2024. They will be renewed while permanent rulemaking, filed under WSR 24-10-012 on April 18, 2024, is in progress.
- CR 103E: October 25, 2024, WSR 24-22-014 (PDF), Chapter 246-809 WAC.
Join Our Rule-Making Workshops
As part of the rule-making process, the department invites you to participate in a series of workshops. These sessions are designed to gather your ideas, concerns, and general comments on developing regulations related to the proposed amendments. Notifications for these workshops will be sent via GovDelivery as they are scheduled.
If you wish to provide written feedback, email our office with "Public Comment" in the subject line.
For more information, email Program Manager Lana Crawford (licensed.counselors@doh.wa.gov).