The following definitions apply to the licensure of mental health counselors and mental health counselor associates, in WAC 246-809-200 through 246-809-240.
- (1) "Approved educational program" means any college or university accredited by an accreditation body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or United States Department of Education.
- (2) "Approved setting" includes facilities, agencies or private practice where an applicant works with individuals, families, couples or groups under the supervision of an approved supervisor.
- (3) "Approved supervisor" means a qualified licensed mental health counselor or equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner who has been licensed without restrictions for at least two years.
- (4) "Equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner" means a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed psychologist, licensed physician practicing as a psychiatrist, or licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner.
- (5) "Group supervision" means face-to-face or virtual supervision with an approved supervisor, involving one supervisor and no more than six licensure candidates.
- (6) "Immediate supervision" means a meeting with an approved supervisor, involving one supervisor and no more than two licensure candidates.
- (7) "Licensure candidate" means an individual that is accruing supervised clinical experience required for licensure.
- (8) "Peer" means a co-worker who is not the licensure candidate's employer or supervisor.
- (9) "Supervision of supervision" means supervision by an approved supervisor for the purpose of training and qualifying a licensee to act as an approved supervisor for purposes of chapter 18.225 RCW and WAC 246-809-234.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.225.040, 18.225.090, 18.225.145, 2023 c 425, and 2024 c 371. WSR 25-11-019, s 246-809-210, filed 5/12/25, effective 6/12/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.225.040, 2021 c 276, 2020 c 76, and 2023 c 425. WSR 23-23-150, § 246-809-210, filed 11/20/23, effective 1/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.225.040. WSR 17-13-082, § 246-809-210, filed 6/16/17, effective 7/17/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.225.040 and 18.225.090. WSR 17-02-005, § 246-809-210, filed 12/22/16, effective 1/22/17. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.225 RCW. WSR 09-15-039, § 246-809-210, filed 7/8/09, effective 7/8/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.225.040 and [18.225.]090. WSR 06-18-043, § 246-809-210, filed 8/30/06, effective 9/30/06.]