RCW 18.225.005 Findings. The legislature finds that licensed advanced social workers and licensed independent clinical social workers represent different specializations within the social work profession, with each license signifying the highest degree of licensure as it pertains to each specialty. The legislature further finds that practitioners in each specialty exercise independent judgment and operate independently […]
RCW 18.225.010 Definitions. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) “Advanced social work” means the application of social work theory and methods, including: (a) Emotional and biopsychosocial assessment; (b) Psychotherapy under the supervision of a licensed independent clinical social worker, psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric advanced registered nurse […]
RCW 18.225.020 Misrepresentation—Licensed by department. A person must not represent himself or herself as a licensed advanced social worker, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed social work associate—advanced, a licensed social work associate—independent clinical, a licensed mental health counselor associate, or a […]
RCW 18.225.030 Limitation of chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or restrict: (1) The practice of marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, or social work by an individual otherwise regulated under this title and performing services within the authorized scope of practice; (2) The practice of marriage and family therapy, […]
RCW 18.225.040 Secretary’s authority. In addition to any other authority provided by law, the secretary has the authority to: (1) Adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW necessary to implement this chapter. Any rules adopted shall be in consultation with the committee; (2) Establish all licensing, examination, and renewal fees in accordance with RCW 43.70.250; (3) […]
RCW 18.225.050 Record of proceedings. The secretary shall keep an official record of all proceedings. A part of the record shall consist of a register of all applicants for licensing under this chapter and the results of each application. [ 2001 c 251 § 5.]
RCW 18.225.060 Washington state mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers advisory committee—Established—Composition. The Washington state mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers advisory committee is established. (1) The committee shall be comprised of nine members. Two members shall be licensed mental health counselors. Two members shall be licensed […]
RCW 18.225.070 Department of health—Advice/assistance of advisory committee. The department of health may seek the advice and assistance of the advisory committee in administering this chapter, including, but not limited to: (1) Advice and recommendations regarding the establishment or implementation of rules related to the administration of this chapter; (2) Advice, recommendations, and consultation regarding […]
RCW 18.225.080 Uniform disciplinary act. The uniform disciplinary act, chapter 18.130 RCW, governs unlicensed practice, the issuance and denial of licensure, and the discipline of persons licensed under this chapter. The secretary shall be the disciplinary authority under this chapter. [ 2001 c 251 § 8.]
RCW 18.225.090 Issuance of license—Requirements. (1) The secretary shall issue a license to any applicant who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the secretary that the applicant meets the following education and experience requirements for the applicant’s practice area. (a) Licensed social work classifications: (i) Licensed advanced social worker: (A) Graduation from a master’s or doctorate […]
RCW 18.225.095 Supervised experience hours—Reductions for certified chemical dependency professionals. The department shall reduce the total number of supervised experience hours required under RCW 18.225.090 by ten percent for any applicant for a license under this chapter who has practiced as a certified chemical dependency professional for three years in the previous ten years. [ […]
RCW 18.225.100 Disclosure information. A person licensed under this chapter must provide clients at the commencement of any program of treatment with accurate disclosure information concerning the practice, in accordance with rules adopted by the department, including the right of clients to refuse treatment, the responsibility of clients to choose the provider and treatment modality […]
RCW 18.225.105 Disclosure of information—Exceptions. A person licensed under this chapter shall not disclose the written acknowledgment of the disclosure statement pursuant to RCW 18.225.100, nor any information acquired from persons consulting the individual in a professional capacity when the information was necessary to enable the individual to render professional services to those persons except: […]
RCW 18.225.110 Examinations. (1) The date and location of examinations shall be established by the secretary. Applicants who have been found by the secretary to meet the other requirements for licensure shall be scheduled for the next examination following the filing of the application. The secretary shall establish by rule the examination application deadline. (2) […]
RCW 18.225.120 Application for licensing—Fee. Applications for licensing shall be submitted on forms provided by the secretary. The secretary may require any information and documentation which reasonably relates to the need to determine whether the applicant meets the criteria for licensing provided for in this chapter and chapter 18.130 RCW. Each applicant shall pay a […]
RCW 18.225.130 Prior certification under chapter 18.19 RCW. Any person certified under chapter 18.19 RCW who has met the applicable experience and education requirements under chapter 18.19 RCW prior to July 22, 2001, is eligible for a license as an advanced social worker, an independent clinical social worker, a marriage and family therapist, or a […]
RCW 18.225.140 Credentialed in another state—Licensed without examination—Reciprocity program. (1) An applicant holding a credential in another state may be licensed to practice in this state without examination if the secretary determines that the other state’s credentialing standards are substantially equivalent to the licensing standards in this state. (2)(a)(i) The department shall establish a reciprocity […]
RCW 18.225.145 Associate licensing—Requirements. (1) The secretary shall issue an associate license to any applicant who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the secretary that the applicant meets the following requirements for the applicant’s practice area and submits a declaration that the applicant is working toward full licensure in that category: (a) Licensed social worker associate—advanced […]
RCW 18.225.150 Renewal of license or associate license, rules—Failure to renew. The secretary shall establish by rule the procedural requirements and fees for renewal of a license or associate license. Failure to renew shall invalidate the license or associate license and all privileges granted by the license. If an associate license has lapsed, the person […]
RCW 18.225.160 Limitation of chapter. 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 or 18.57 RCW, or in any way infringing upon the practice of psychology as defined in chapter 18.83 RCW, […]
