Here’s what the Washington State Department of Health asks of Licensed Mental Health Counselors and LMHC associates for continuing education, and the courses I built around each requirement.
Renewal requirements
Who this covers
- Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associates
LMHCs: 32 hours every 2 years
- At least 6 hours in professional ethics and law.
- At least 2 hours in professional roles and boundaries, separate from the ethics and law hours.
- 2 hours of health equity training every 4 years (WAC 246-12-830).
- 6 hours of suicide training every 6 years (WAC 246-809-615), which counts toward the 32 (WAC 246-809-630).
Associates
- 6 hours of ethics and law every 2 years, attested at the second, fourth, and sixth renewals.
- At least 2 hours in professional roles and boundaries, separate from ethics and law.
- 2 hours of health equity training every 4 years (WAC 246-809-632).
Rules for every license
- DOH doesn’t approve or endorse CE providers. Courses count when they meet the rules in WAC 246-809-610 and 246-809-620.
- NBCC courses count. WAC 246-809-620 lists NBCC among the industry-recognized organizations. I’m an NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider.
- Online courses count. Distance learning includes a test of comprehension (WAC 246-809-610).
- Suicide training comes from a course on the DOH model list. I don’t offer it for Washington.
- No carryover: extra hours don’t move to the next reporting period (WAC 246-12-230).
- Keep your records for 4 years. DOH audits (WAC 246-12-190, 246-12-200).
Courses for each requirement
Ethics and law (6 hours)
Washington Law and Ethics for Mental Health Counselors. Built on RCW 18.225, the Uniform Disciplinary Act, WAC 246-809, RCW 70.02, Volk v. DeMeerleer, abuse reporting, adolescent consent at 13, and the Counseling Compact. Self-paced, 6 hours, $24.
See the courseRoles and boundaries (2 hours)
Professional Roles and Boundaries for Washington Mental Health Counselors. Covers multiple relationships, forensic roles, supervision, and WAC 246-809-049, which bars sexual contact with former clients with no time limit. Self-paced, 2 hours, $9.
See the courseHealth equity (2 hours)
Health Equity Training for Washington Behavioral Health Professionals. Includes the implicit bias training on assessment and diagnosis that WAC 246-12-830 requires. Self-paced, 2 hours, $7.
See the courseBundles
Washington Required Training Bundle
Law and Ethics (6), Roles and Boundaries (2), and Health Equity (2), the three Washington required topics I offer. 10 hours, $34.
See the bundleCommon questions
How many CE hours do Washington LMHCs need?
32 hours every 2-year reporting period, including at least 6 hours in professional ethics and law and 2 hours in professional roles and boundaries. Health equity (2 hours every 4 years) and suicide training (6 hours every 6 years) are also required.
Do NBCC-approved courses count in Washington?
Yes. WAC 246-809-620 lists NBCC among the industry-recognized organizations whose courses count.
Do the roles and boundaries hours count toward the ethics and law hours?
No. The rule keeps them separate, so you complete 6 hours of ethics and law plus 2 hours of roles and boundaries.
When do Washington LMHC licenses renew?
Every year on your birthday. CE hours are counted in two-year reporting periods.
Is there one bundle for the required topics?
Yes. My Washington Required Training Bundle covers ethics and law (6 hours), professional roles and boundaries (2 hours), and health equity (2 hours) for $34.
How fast do I get my certificate?
As soon as you pass the post test with a score of 80 percent or higher and complete the program evaluation, your certificate is ready to download from your account.
Last reviewed October 20, 2026.
My Washington courses are designed around the continuing education requirements of the Washington State Department of Health but are not approved or endorsed by the Department.
Dr. Paulson Professional Counseling LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7987. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Dr. Paulson Professional Counseling LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.