1. (1) An applicant for agency affiliated counselor certification shall complete a counseling or social science degree from an approved educational program. The degree must have included four courses from at least two knowledge areas listed in this subsection and shown in Table 1. The knowledge areas include:

   1. (a) Human behavior and counseling, which includes, but is not limited to:

      1. (i) Counseling;
      2. (ii) Psychology;
      3. (iii) Applied behavior science;
      4. (iv) Social work;
      5. (v) Social welfare;
      6. (vi) Behavioral health care; and
      7. (vii) Human development;

   2. (b) Justice in society, which includes, but is not limited to:

      1. (i) Ethics;
      2. (ii) Political science;
      3. (iii) Philosophy;
      4. (iv) Criminal justice; and
      5. (v) Social justice;

   3. (c) Cultural competence, which includes, but is not limited to:

      1. (i) Communications;
      2. (ii) Gender studies;
      3. (iii) Human services;
      4. (iv) Ethnic studies;
      5. (v) History of culture(s); and

      6. (vi) Sociology.

         Table 1

         Knowledge Areas	Examples of Course Topics. Requirements may be met by courses in topic areas including, but not limited to, those listed below.
         Human Behavior and Counseling	Counseling, psychology, applied behavior science, social work, social welfare, behavioral health care, human development
         Justice in Society	Ethics, political science, philosophy, criminal justice, social justice
         Cultural Competence	Communications, gender studies, human services, ethnic studies, history of culture(s), sociology

2. (2) An applicant who has a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or behavioral health care is considered to have met the coursework requirements outlined in this section.

3. (3) An applicant is deemed to have met coursework requirements under RCW 18.19.090(6) if they:

   1. (a) Satisfy the requirements of RCW 18.19.090(3) by the effective date of this rule; and
   2. (b) Apply for certification by July 1, 2027.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.19.050, 18.19.090, 18.19.020, 2021 c 170, 2023 c 425, and 2024 c 371. WSR 25-06-010, s 246-810-0153, filed 2/20/25, effective 7/1/25.]