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DOH Rules Workshops on Licensure Requirements
Please see the notice from the Washington Department of Health below seeking an LASW for the advisory committee.
The board will be considering rule amendments to implement recent legislation, including 2SHB 1724 and E2SHB 2247. To implement this legislation, the board will consider:
- (1) lowering or removing barriers to entering and remaining in the behavioral health care workforce
- (2) measures to streamline and shorten the credentialing process
- (3) establishing a psychological associate license
- (4) amending the licensure process for experienced psychologists licensed outside of Washington, and
- (5) other amendments to the chapter as appropriate. This may include streamlining the licensure process for graduates of non-American Psychological Associate (APA) programs and addressing other issues raised by the board, partners, or interested parties.
Additionally, this rulemaking project will continue previous work where the board began considering amendments related to licensure requirements, changes to the national examination, supervision requirements, the role of technology and telepsychology in the profession, additional options for sanctions, and other topics.
As part of the rulemaking process, the department welcomes your participation in a series of rulemaking workshops. During the workshops we welcome ideas, concerns, and general comments on how to best develop regulations pertaining to the proposed amendments. Click here to read the entire notice including dates in June.
Past DOH Listening Sessions - Recordings and Materials
Please see the notice from the Washington Department of Health regarding past listening sessions related to 2SHB 1724.
Thank you to everyone who was able to participate in the 2024 Department of Health Listening Sessions regarding behavioral health licensing barriers. We appreciate your thoughtful feedback! The recordings of the sessions and slides are now available on our website, linked here.
The department will reach back out in late summer with our new draft recommendations and dates for virtual feedback sessions. We look forward to continuing to work with you all to improve licensing for behavioral health professions in Washington. Please contact Cori Tarzwell at 1724publiccomment@doh.wa.gov if you have any questions or would like to submit written comments regarding licensing barriers.
Recruitment Notice for Advisory Committee
Please see the notice from the Washington Department of Health below seeking an LASW for the advisory committee.
The Department of Health is recruiting to fill upcoming vacancies on the Washington State Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers Advisory Committee. The committee provides advice to the secretary of health on issues related to licensees’ practice. The secretary appoints all committee members.
Current vacancies on the committee:
• Public members (2)
• Licensed Advanced Social Worker (1)
To qualify, an applicant must:
• Must be resident of Washington state.
• Not hold an office in a professional association for mental health, social work, or marriage and family therapy.
• May not be employed by Washington State.
• Must have worked as a licensee for five years.
• Public members represent the public and may not be affiliated with the professions listed in RCW 18.225.
Meetings
The committee meets four times a year at or close to the Department of Health offices in Tumwater. Committee members will be reimbursed for travel expenses. In addition, members are compensated $50 per day for attending a meeting. More information can be found on the committee web page and the more general DOH page regarding serving on board, commissions, and committees. If you are interested in applying for a position, please complete the application and return it by August 31, 2024, along with a current résumé and a letter of interest. Please email your application packet to Lana Crawford, program manager. Mrs. Crawford is also available to answer any questions you have regarding serving on the committee. View the notice as a webpage here.
National Updates
NASW continues to advocate nationally on issues of concern for social workers. Please click the link to find out more about our National Congressional Legislative Advocacy Opportunities, including:
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