EXPEDITED RULES
(Counselor Programs)
Title of Rule: Continuing education requirements for licensed mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers.
Purpose: To transfer the continuing education requirements from certification WAC 246-810-600 - 246-810-660 to licensure WAC 246-809-600 - 246-809-650.
Other Identifying Information: The amendment is in response to chapter 251, Laws of 2001.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 18.19 RCW.
Summary: The 2001 legislature (chapter 251, Laws of 2001) mandated the Department of Health license mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers. This law was effective July 22, 2001. At that time certification was repealed and licensure became effective, so the rules for certification need to be repealed.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Transfers certified counselors continuing education WAC 246-810-600 - 246-810-660 to licensed counselors WAC 246-809-600 - 246-809-650. If rules are not repealed, rules will be redundant and obsolete.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Kris Waidely, Program Manager, 1300 S.E. Quince Street, Olympia, WA, (360) 236-4902; Implementation and Enforcement: Shellie Pierce, Program Manager, 1300 S.E. Quince Street, Olympia, WA, (360) 236-4902.
Name of Proponent: Department of Health, Counselor Programs, Shellie Pierce, Program Manager, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: This rule requires licensed counselors to obtain continuing education. These rules qualify for expedited rule making because the department is adopting, without material change, existing rules from the certified counselor program. The licensed counselor program has replaced the certified counselor program and the rules must be transferred and adopted under the new statutory authority. The 2001 legislature (chapter 251, Laws of 2001) mandated the Department of Health establish continuing education for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: It repeals
WAC 246-810-600, 246-810-610, 246-810-620, 246-810-630,
246-810-640, 246-810-650, and 246-810-660 from chapter 18.19 RCW
the law relating to counselors.
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THE USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Shellie Pierce, Program Manager, Department of Health, Counselor Programs, 1300 S.E. Quince Street, Olympia, WA 98504 , AND RECEIVED BY January 8, 2002.
October 29, 2001
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary
OTS-5226.1
REPEALER
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
| WAC 246-810-600 | Who is required to have continuing education? |
| WAC 246-810-610 | What courses are acceptable? |
| WAC 246-810-620 | What are industry-recognized local, state, national, international organizations or institutions of higher learning? |
| WAC 246-810-630 | How many hours do I need and in what time period? |
| WAC 246-810-640 | How are credit hours determined for preparation and presentation of a lecture or an educational course? |
| WAC 246-810-650 | How do I document my courses? |
| WAC 246-810-660 | What are the continuing education requirements for returning to active status from a temporary retirement status? |
OTS-5225.1
CONTINUING EDUCATION
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-809-600
Who is required to have continuing
education?
(1) Licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed
mental health counselors, and licensed social workers are
required to have continuing education.
(2) The effective date for reporting the required continuing education shall begin with the 2004 renewal cycle.
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(1) Acceptable CE courses (including distance learning), seminars, workshops and postgraduate institutes are those which are:
(a) Programs having a featured instructor, speaker(s) or panel approved by an industry-recognized local, state, national, international organization or institution of higher learning; or
(b) Distance learning programs, approved by an industry-recognized local, state, national or international organization or institution of higher learning. These programs must require tests of comprehension upon completion.
(2) Training programs sponsored by the agency where a counselor is employed are acceptable if:
(a) The experience can be shown to contribute to the advancement, extension and enhancement of the professional competence of the licensed counselor; and
(b) The training programs are limited to twenty-six hours per reporting period.
(3) Other learning experience, such as serving on a panel, board or council, community service, or publishing articles for professional publications are acceptable if:
(a) The experience can be shown to contribute to the advancement, extension and enhancement of the professional competence of the licensed counselor; and
(b) The experience is limited to six hours per reporting period.
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(1) American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy;
(2) Clinical Social Work Federation;
(3) National Association of Social Workers;
(4) American Mental Health Counselors Association;
(5) National Board for Certified Counselors; or
(6) Institutions of higher learning that are accredited by a national or regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.
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