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Emergency Rule Update

The Washington State Department of Health is actively working to reduce barriers to licensure and streamline the credentialing process for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers. This effort is part of implementing the provisions of 2SHB 1724 (2023) and E2SHB 2247 (2024).

Key updates include:

• Continuing emergency rules to amend specific sections of the Washington Administrative Code (WSR 25-06-007, filed on February 20, 2025)
• These rules aim to address issues like substituting professional experience for practicum requirements, lowering licensure-by-endorsement requirements, lowering continuing education requirements and improving equity in credentialing.
• Emergency rules initially filed in June 2024 (WSR 24-14-080) are being renewed while permanent rulemaking progresses (WSR 24-10-012, filed in April 2024).

This initiative is part of a broader effort to support the behavioral health workforce and improve access to care. If you'd like more details, please visit the departments Rules In Progress page!