RCW 18.19.010 Legislative findings—Insurance benefits not mandated. The qualifications and practices of counselors in this state are virtually unknown to potential clients. Beyond the regulated practices of psychiatry and psychology, there are a considerable variety of disciplines, theories, and techniques employed by other counselors under a number of differing titles. The legislature recognizes the right […]
RCW 18.19.020 Definitions. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) “Agency” means (a) an agency or facility operated, licensed, or certified by the state of Washington; (b) a federally recognized Indian tribe located within the state; or (c) a county. (2) “Agency affiliated counselor” means a […]
RCW 18.19.030 Registration required—Counselors. A person may not, as a part of his or her position as an employee of a state agency, practice counseling without being registered to practice as an agency affiliated counselor by the department under this chapter unless exempt under RCW 18.19.040. [ 2008 c 135 § 2; 2001 c 251 […]
RCW 18.19.031 Registered counselor credentials—Limitation on issuance. The department of health may not issue any new registered counselor credentials after July 1, 2009. [ 2008 c 135 § 22.]
RCW 18.19.035 Registration required—Hypnotherapists. A person may not, for a fee or as a part of his or her position as an employee of a state agency, practice hypnotherapy without being registered to practice as a hypnotherapist by the department under this chapter unless exempt under RCW 18.19.040. [ 2008 c 135 § 3.]
RCW 18.19.040 Exemptions. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prohibit or restrict: (1) The practice of a profession by a person who is either registered, certified, licensed, or similarly regulated under the laws of this state and who is performing services within the person’s authorized scope of practice, including any attorney admitted to […]
RCW 18.19.050 Powers of secretary—Application of uniform disciplinary act—Public education program. (1) In addition to any other authority provided by law, the secretary has the following authority: (a) To adopt rules, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, necessary to implement this chapter; (b) To set all registration, certification, and renewal fees in accordance with RCW […]
RCW 18.19.060 Information disclosure to clients. Certified counselors and certified advisers shall provide clients at the commencement of any program of treatment with accurate disclosure information concerning their practice, in accordance with guidelines developed by the department, that will inform clients of the purposes of and resources available under this chapter, including the right of […]
RCW 18.19.080 Official records. The secretary shall keep an official record of all proceedings, a part of which record shall consist of a register of all applicants for registration under this chapter, with the result of each application. [ 2001 c 251 § 23; 1991 c 3 § 23; 1987 c 512 § 8.] NOTES: […]
RCW 18.19.090 Application for credentials—Contents—Form—Requirements. (1) Application for agency affiliated counselor, certified counselor, certified adviser, or hypnotherapist must be made on forms approved by the secretary. The secretary may require information necessary to determine whether applicants meet the qualifications for the credential and whether there are any grounds for denial of the credential, or for […]
RCW 18.19.095 Agency affiliated counselor practicing as peer counselor—No automatic denial of applicant with past conviction for certain offenses—Conditions. The department may not automatically deny an applicant for registration under this chapter for a position as an agency affiliated counselor practicing as a peer counselor in an agency or facility based on a conviction history […]
RCW 18.19.100 Renewal of credentials. The secretary shall establish administrative procedures, administrative requirements, continuing education, and fees for renewal of credentials as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280. When establishing continuing education requirements for agency affiliated counselors, the secretary shall consult with the appropriate state agency director responsible for licensing, certifying, or operating the relevant […]
RCW 18.19.180 Confidential communications. An individual registered under this chapter shall not disclose the written acknowledgment of the disclosure statement pursuant to RCW 18.19.060 nor any information acquired from persons consulting the individual in a professional capacity when that information was necessary to enable the individual to render professional services to those persons except: (1) […]
RCW 18.19.190 Other professions not affected. This chapter shall not be construed as permitting the administration or prescription of drugs or in any way infringing upon the practice of medicine and surgery as defined in chapter 18.71 RCW, or in any way infringing upon the practice of psychology as defined in chapter 18.83 RCW, or […]
RCW 18.19.200 Scope of practice—Certified counselors and certified advisers. The scope of practice of certified counselors and certified advisers consists exclusively of the following: (1) Appropriate screening of the client’s level of functional impairment using the global assessment of functioning as described in the fourth edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, […]
RCW 18.19.210 Agency affiliated counselors—Employment status—Duty to notify department. (1)(a) An applicant for registration as an agency affiliated counselor who applies to the department within thirty days of employment by an agency may work as an agency affiliated counselor while the application is processed. The applicant must provide required documentation within reasonable time limits established […]
RCW 18.19.220 Certified counselors and hypnotherapist advisory committee. The Washington state-certified counselors and hypnotherapist advisory committee is established. (1) The committee is comprised of seven members. Two committee members must be certified counselors or certified advisers. Two committee members must be hypnotherapists. Three committee members must be consumers and represent the public at large and […]
RCW 18.19.900 Short title. This chapter shall be known as the omnibus credentialing act for counselors. [ 1987 c 512 § 20.]
RCW 18.19.902 Registered counselor credential abolished. To practice counseling, all registered counselors must obtain another health profession credential by July 1, 2010. The registered counselor credential is abolished July 1, 2010. [ 2008 c 135 § 20.]
