The Department of Health (department) has begun rulemaking in order to implement HB 1063. This bill allows the department to issue an additional renewal beyond the current statutory limits for Licensed Counselor Associates and Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainees if they have experienced barriers to obtaining supervised experience hours or examination opportunities during a Governor-declared state of emergency, such as the COVID-19 state of emergency.
The department is pursuing the expedited rule making process as this bill went into effect immediately.
The Licensed Counselor professions (Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Social Workers – Advanced, and Social Workers – Independent Clinical) are currently limited to 6 associate credential renewals. This additional extension is available to individuals who currently have an unrenewable Associate or Trainee credential and can be requested within 90 days of the expiration of that credential.
Individuals who would like to request an additional renewal under RCW 18.225.145 due to COVID-19 or other Governor-declared state of emergency must submit a request in writing to the department addressed to HSQAReview1@doh.wa.gov as well as the assigned program manager (for MFT’s, the assigned program manager is Brandon Williams: Brandon.williams@doh.wa.gov.)
The request should include the following information about the practitioner:
Name,
Credential number,
Credential expiration date,
Email address,
Phone number, and
An explanation of how the COVID-19 state of emergency has created a barrier to obtaining supervised experience or examination opportunities.
If you have questions about obtaining an additional renewal, please contact the appropriate program manager for your profession (for MFT’s, the assigned program manager is Brandon Williams: Brandon.williams@doh.wa.gov.)