(1) A certified counselor or a certified adviser must complete 36 credit hours of continuing education every two years.

(2) At least six hours of the 36 credit hours must be in law and professional ethics related to counseling.

(3) At least once every six years a certified counselor or a certified adviser must complete three hours of training in suicide assessment, including screening and referral, as specified in WAC 246-810-0298.

(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, the first training must be completed during the first full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure.

(b) An individual applying for initial certification as a certified counselor or a certified adviser may delay completion of the first required training for six years after initial certification if they can demonstrate successful completion of a three-hour training in suicide assessment, screening, and referral that:

(i) Was completed no more than six years prior to the application for initial certification; and

(ii) Meets the requirements listed in WAC 246-810-0298.

(c) The hours spent completing training in suicide assessment count towards the total 36 hours of continuing education.

(4) Beginning January 1, 2024, at least once every four years, a certified counselor or certified adviser must complete two hours of health equity training as specified in WAC 246-810-0299.

(5) Nothing in this section is intended to expand or limit the existing scope of practice of a certified counselor or a certified adviser as defined by WAC 246-810-0201 and 246-810-021.