Washington Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

Washington licenses mental health counselors through the Washington State Department of Health. The state utilizes a two-stage pathway consisting of the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) and the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).

Individuals must complete supervised postgraduate experience and pass a qualifying examination before obtaining full licensure.

Washington Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Details
Official Licensing Authority	Washington State Department of Health
Full Clinical License Title	Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Initial / Associate License Title	Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA)
Total Supervised Hours Required	3,000 hours
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	1,200 hours
Required National Exam(s)	NCE or NCMHCE
State Jurisprudence Exam Required?	No

The Path to Licensure in Washington

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

Applicants must complete a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field.

Educational requirements include:

• Minimum 60 graduate semester hours (or 90 quarter hours)
  
• Degree must be in:
  
  • counseling, or
    
  • a related discipline approved by the secretary based on nationally recognized standards
    

Washington does not require CACREP accreditation, but the program must meet accepted professional standards. Prospective applicants can explore Washington counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited counseling programs.

Step 2: Obtain Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) Credential

Applicants must obtain associate status before completing supervised experience.

The statute defines an associate as a prelicensure candidate gaining supervised experience required for licensure.

Important:

• Supervised experience must occur while practicing as an associate
  
• The associate credential functions as the required pathway for supervised practice
  

Step 3: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience

To qualify for LMHC licensure, applicants must complete supervised postgraduate experience.

Requirements include:

• 3,000 hours of supervised experience
  
• At least 1,200 hours of direct counseling
  
• Completion over 36 months full-time or equivalent
  

Supervision requirements include:

• At least 100 hours of immediate supervision
  

Supervised experience must:

• Be completed in an approved setting
  
• Be supervised by a qualified licensed mental health counselor or equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner

Step 4: Pass the Required Examination

Applicants must pass a national counseling examination administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).

Accepted examinations include:

• National Counselor Examination (NCE counseling exam), or
  
• National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)
  

The Department of Health must receive official exam results directly from NBCC before licensure can be granted.

*Sponsored Counseling Programs

Supervision & Ethics in Washington

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Washington?

Supervision must be provided by:

• a licensed mental health counselor, or
  
• another qualified licensed mental health practitioner

Can Associates Practice Independently in Washington?

The statute establishes associate status as a supervised, prelicensure role.

Associates complete required supervised experience prior to qualifying for full licensure as an LMHC.

What Are the Required Supervision Ratios?

Washington requires:

• At least 100 hours of immediate supervision during the supervised experience period

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Washington

Pro Tip
Ensure supervised experience is completed in an approved setting under a qualified supervisor to meet statutory requirements.

Warning
Failure to meet the minimum direct counseling hours or supervision requirements may delay licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Washington

Can I Practice Independently as an Associate in Washington?

Associates are prelicensure candidates completing supervised experience required for licensure. Full independent practice requires licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).

How Long Does It Take to Become Fully Licensed in Washington?

Washington requires:

• 3,000 hours of supervised experience
  
• At least 36 months of full-time or equivalent supervised practice

Does Washington Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

No. Washington does not require CACREP accreditation. Degree programs must meet standards approved by the secretary based on nationally recognized counseling education standards.

List of Programs