State law aims to help lower the suicide rate (PDF) in Washington. It requires the following professionals to complete six hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment and management:
The professions requiring this training are:
- advanced social workers and independent clinical social workers
- marriage and family therapists
- mental health counselors
- psychologists and
- providers in retired active license status in the above professions.
The following providers must complete three hours of training in suicide assessment, screening and referral:
- certified counselors and certified advisers
- occupational therapists
- occupational therapy assistants
- substance use disorder professional and
- providers in retired active license status in the above professions.
At least once every six years people in each of these professions must complete a training program. Program-specific rules clarify approved trainings for each profession.
People in the professions listed above must complete the first training during:
- Before the first full continuing education reporting period after the effective date of this section; or the first full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure
- Or whichever gives the the professional the most time to complete the requirements.
Substitute House Bill 2315 (SHB 2315) requires people in the following professions to take training:
- Chiropractors
- Naturopathic physicians
- Licensed practical nurses
- Registered nurses
- Advanced registered nurse practitioners
- Osteopathic physicians and osteopathic physician assistants
- Physical therapists and physical therapy assistants
- Physicians and physician assistants
Professions required to complete this training because of SHB 2315 should review their program-specific webpage for more details. Profession staff members will develop rules to implement the requirements.
Program Approval Process for Training Programs in Suicide Assessment, Treatment and Management
Updated: January 17, 2022
Please note: Beginning July 1, 2017, healthcare professionals required to complete a suicide prevention training must select a course from the Model List. The Department of Health is accepting applications for trainings to be reviewed and approved for the list. Only trainings that meet the new minimum standards (PDF) will be included on the Model List.
The training program application is available here (PDF). There is no deadline to apply. Please submit an application and materials for evaluation.
- This evaluation form (PDF) will be used to review training program applications.
- Six-hour training programs must include 30 minutes of content on veterans. You can use the Veterans Module (PDF) developed by the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs or a resource with comparable content.
- Please provide as much detail as possible. This includes PowerPoint slides, handouts, access to online courses (if preferred), course agendas with length of time estimations for each section, examples of opportunities for skill practice, and a list of data and content references.
Incomplete applications will delay the approval process. Approved trainings will be added to the Model List.
Trainings must be reapproved every two years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the reapproval of trainings has been delayed. All trainings will be checked for reapproval or removed by July of 2022. Please resubmit the application above to apply for reapproval.
Questions may be sent to SuicidePreventionPlan@doh.wa.gov.
Tools and links
Related links
Suicide Prevention Training Home | Training Requirements | Suicide Prevention Plan | Resources