To become a licensed counselor in Washington state, you will need to complete a qualifying graduate degree, accrue the necessary supervised experience, and pass a specialized exam. These core criteria represent the major requirements you must satisfy to become eligible for licensure in Washington.
Additional details vary, depending on your preferred counseling specialization and the type of license you plan to seek. Explore all the specifics in the sections below, which explain the entire process.
Typical Requirements to Become a Counselor in Washington
Below is a high-level overview of the process for becoming a licensed or certified counselor in Washington. Each counseling role has its own requirements, but most pathways include these six steps:
Earn a bachelor's degree.
Complete a master's degree in counseling or a related field.
Finish supervised experience requirements (hours vary by credential).
Pass any required licensing or certification exams.
Apply for state licensure or certification.
Complete continuing education to maintain your credential.
Popular Counseling Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Washington State Counselor Licensure Requirements
Before you can work as a counselor in Washington, you must satisfy specific state licensure requirements. The Washington State Department of Health administers the licensing process for licensed mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists.
The certification and renewal procedure for school counselors is handled by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Washington state requirements for licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) include:
A master's degree in mental health counseling, behavioral science, or a related field from an approved school
Completion of a practicum or internship that incorporates direct client contact
At least 36 months of full-time counseling experience or 3,000 hours of postgraduate mental health counseling experience, supervised by an approved licensed practitioner
Passing score on the National Counselor Exam (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE)
The Washington State Department of Health issues a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) credential to pre-licensure candidates who need to acquire postgraduate supervised experience and pass the required exam.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Washington state requirements for licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) include:
A master's degree in marriage and family therapy, or a behavioral science degree with equivalent course requirements from an approved school
Two years of full-time marriage and family therapy experience, including at least 3,000 hours of supervision and 1,000 hours of direct client contact
Passing score on the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam
Pre-licensure candidates must obtain a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA) credential to provide client services and accrue the required experience. The state board reduces the number of required supervised experience hours for MFT applicants who have practiced as substance use disorder professionals for three years within the past 10 years.
School Counselor
Washington state's first-issue certification requirements for school counselors include:
Completion of a master's degree in school counseling from a state-approved program recognized by the Professional Educator Standards Board
Passing score on a comprehensive counseling examination, including either a graduate school comprehensive exam, NCE exam, or Praxis exam
After earning your tier-one, first-issue certification, you may apply for tier-two professional certification. Additional requirements for tier-two certification include a school counselor certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, suicide prevention training, and qualifying professional development coursework.
Note: OSPI refers to first-issue certification as a "Residency ESA" certificate and tier-two professional certification as a "Professional ESA" certificate.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor in Washington State?
It typically takes at least six years to fulfill the educational requirements for Washington state counseling licensure. In addition to earning the appropriate degree, you may need to complete specific supervised work experience and examination requirements depending on your license type.
Several factors affect how much time you need before you obtain your license, including how long it takes you to complete your undergraduate and graduate degrees and pass the required exams for your license level.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in Washington
If you hold an active LMHC or LMFT license with a substantially similar scope of practice from another state, you may apply for a probationary license through the Washington State Department of Health. This license allows you to practice for up to two years while you fulfill any educational, experience, or exam requirements needed for full Washington state counseling licensure.
Candidates with three years of certified out-of-state experience as a PK-12 school counselor may apply for a tier-one, first-issue certification in Washington state. Complete an application and have your credentials evaluated by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to determine if you need to complete other requirements.
Salary Expectations for Counselors in Washington State
In Washington state, licensed counselors earn median wages that compare favorably against national averages. Counseling specializations also have strong growth outlooks, with Projections Central citing expected job growth of 17.3% for school counselors and 10.2% for marriage and family therapists from 2022-32.
Both trends align to create positive prospects for licensed counselors in Washington state. The table below explores wage and employment figures using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
| Counseling Career | Median Annual Wage | Total Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $60,000 | N/A |
| Mental Health Counselor | $68,910 | 14,250* |
| School Counselor | $82,670 | 6,610 |
Professional Organizations for Counselors in Washington State
Washington Mental Health Counselors Association
WMHCA, chartered through the American Mental Health Counselors Association promotes quality mental health services and represents the interests of licensed mental health counselors. The association provides members with several resources, including continuing education courses, a job bank, and a clinician and supervisory directory.
Washington School Counselor Association
Established in 1965, WSCA represents over 1,000 school counselors, school counselor educators, and graduate students. The association offers conferences, continuing education training, free legal advice, and other professional development opportunities. The website also provides students and families with useful healthcare, educational, immigration, and career resources.
Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
As an affiliate of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, WAMFT advances the field of marriage and family therapy through legislative advocacy, educational programs, and professional development events. The association prioritizes training, scholarship, and mentoring opportunities for students and emerging professionals.
Washington State Addiction Professionals
WAADAC, the Washington state affiliate of the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), represents the interests of addiction counselors, educators, and other addiction-focused professionals who specialize in addiction prevention, treatment, recovery, and education. Membership benefits include conferences, publications, reduced rates for professional liability insurance, and access to the NAADAC career center.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Counselor in Washington
Washington state school counseling licensure requirements include a master's degree from a state-approved school counselor program. You may also have to pass a comprehensive exam in counseling if you did not complete one in your graduate program.
