How to Become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State

Washington State licenses counselors as Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) through the Department of Health (DOH). Before full licensure, you'll hold the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) credential while completing supervised hours.

Step 1: Earn a Qualifying Master's Degree

You need a master's or doctoral degree in mental health counseling, behavioral science, or a related field. Your program should include a supervised practicum or internship of at least 300 hours, with at least 100 hours of direct client contact.

Step 2: Apply for Your LMHCA Credential

Complete 4 hours of AIDS education and training, secure a qualified supervisor, and have your supervisor submit a Declaration of Supervision with your application. Submit online or by mail to Mental Health Credentialing.

Step 3: Complete Your Supervised Experience

Washington requires a minimum of 36 months full-time counseling or 3,000 hours of postgraduate mental health counseling under supervision, with at least 1,200 hours in direct counseling with individuals, couples, groups, or families, and at least 100 hours of immediate supervision (no more than two supervisees per supervision meeting).

Step 4: Pass the NCE or NCMHCE

Washington accepts either the National Counselor Examination or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination, both registered through CCE's ProCounselor portal, with scores sent directly from NBCC.

Step 5: Apply for Full LMHC Licensure

Have your supervisor submit a Supervision and Experience Verification Form to Mental Health Credentialing, then submit your LMHC application with your 36 hours of attested continuing education, including 6 hours in ethics.

Apply for Your License

Start or continue your application directly with Washington State Department of Health, Mental Health Credentialing, the official licensing authority. Applications submitted anywhere else won't be processed.

Apply on the Board's Website

A Note on Accuracy

This post reflects information from the Washington State Department of Health. Licensing rules, fees, and statutes change. Verify current requirements directly at doh.wa.gov before making any licensure decision.

Washington's requirement of no more than two supervisees per immediate-supervision session is a specific structural detail worth confirming with your supervisor before you assume a larger group session will count.