Counseling Licensure in Washington: How to Earn Your LMHC
To become an LMHC in Washington, you need a master’s degree in counseling or a related behavioral science field, 3,000 hours of supervised post-graduate experience completed under your LMHCA credential, and a passing score on the NCE or NCMHCE. Washington does not offer traditional reciprocity but provides endorsement and probationary licensing pathways for out-of-state counselors.
Washington credentialing is administered by the Department of Health, which issues two counseling designations: the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) for graduates in the process of accumulating supervised hours, and the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) for those who’ve met all requirements and are ready to practice independently. If you’re still deciding whether the LMHC path is right for you, it helps to understand how it differs from an LCSW or an LPC. Most counselors working toward the LMHC spend close to three years at the associate level first. Here’s what that path involves from start to finish.
Understanding Washington’s Two Credential Levels
The LMHCA isn’t a lesser credential. It’s the working stage of licensure, the designation that lets you accumulate the supervised clinical hours required for full licensure while practicing in a real-world setting. Understanding the difference between the two levels helps you plan your timeline before you start your graduate program.
| Credential | Status | Exam Required | Supervised Hours | Independent Practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LMHCA | Associate (provisional) | No | None required to apply. Hours are accumulated after. | No |
| LMHC | Full license | Yes (NCE or NCMHCE) | 3,000 hours (2,500 with CACREP degree) | Yes |
How to Become an LMHC in Washington
Step 1: Complete Your Graduate Degree
Washington requires a master’s or doctoral degree in mental health counseling, behavioral science, or a closely related field. Your program needs to include coursework in at least seven content areas specified by the Department of Health, with at least five drawn from the core eight areas covering human development, counseling theory, and clinical practice. It also needs to include a supervised practicum or internship with direct client contact.
Your program doesn’t have to be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), but there’s a real benefit if it is. Graduates of CACREP-accredited programs receive credit toward their post-graduate supervised experience requirement, reducing the required hours from 3,000 to 2,500. That’s roughly four to six months less time at the associate level. If you’re still selecting a program, browse online master’s programs in counseling that meet Washington’s requirements.
Step 2: Apply for Your LMHCA
Once you have your degree, you can apply to the Washington State Department of Health for your LMHCA designation. This is the credential that authorizes you to begin accumulating the supervised post-graduate experience required for full licensure. You’ll need to pass a criminal background check as part of the application process.
- Submit your application to the Washington State Department of Health.
- Declare that you are working toward full LMHC licensure.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Application and licensing fees apply. Check the Department of Health website for current fee amounts, as these are updated periodically.
Step 3: Complete Your Supervised Experience
As an LMHCA, you’ll accumulate the supervised clinical hours required for full licensure. Washington’s requirements specify how those hours break down.
- You need 3,000 total hours of supervised post-graduate mental health counseling experience, completed over a minimum of 36 months. If you graduated from a CACREP-accredited program, this requirement reduces to 2,500 hours.
- At least 1,200 of those hours must involve direct client care, including the rendering of therapy treatments.
- You need at least 100 hours of direct, face-to-face supervision from a board-approved supervisor. Supervision can be one-on-one or with at most one other supervisee.
- Your supervisor must meet the Washington State Department of Health qualification standards.
Step 4: Pass Your Licensing Exam
Washington accepts two exams for LMHC licensure, both administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) through its partner organization, the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE). You only need to pass one.
- The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is a multiple-choice exam covering core counseling competencies.
- The National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) is more advanced and assesses your responses to simulated clinical situations.
Register through the CCE’s online ProCounselor portal. After passing, your scores must be sent directly to the Department of Health from NBCC. Washington requires that exam scores be transmitted officially.
Step 5: Apply for Your Full LMHC
Once your supervised hours are complete and you’ve passed your exam, you’re ready to apply for full licensure. Submit your application to the Washington State Department of Health along with verification of your post-graduate experience, the approved supervisor form, and your continuing education attestation. After the Department reviews your file and confirms everything is in order, you’ll receive your LMHC.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
Washington LMHCs renew their license annually, on or before their birthday. Continuing education requirements are tracked on a two-year cycle.
- Complete 36 hours of continuing education every two years.
- At least six of those hours must cover professional ethics and law.
- Every six years, you must complete at least six hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. This is a Washington-specific requirement that catches some counselors off guard at renewal.
- Acceptable CE includes courses, seminars, workshops, and post-graduate institutes offered through recognized professional organizations or accredited institutions.
Out-of-State Counselors
Washington does not offer traditional reciprocity but provides endorsement and probationary licensing pathways for out-of-state counselors. If the Department determines that your home state’s credentialing standards are substantially equivalent to Washington’s, you can apply for a probationary license that lets you practice for up to two years while you complete any outstanding education, experience, or exam requirements.
Applicants with five or more years of qualifying out-of-state licensure may qualify for a waiver of supervised experience, subject to board review. To start the process, submit an application for LMHC licensure and have your out-of-state board send a Credential Verification Form to Washington Mental Health Credentialing.
Counselor Salaries in Washington
Washington pays counselors well above the national median. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Washington earned a median annual salary of $64,220 as of May 2024, compared to a national median of $59,190. The state employed approximately 13,150 counselors in this category, with mean annual wages reaching $70,230.
Entry-level counselors at the 10th percentile earned around $45,450, while experienced counselors at the 90th percentile earned $100,210 or more. Washington’s urban centers, particularly the Seattle metro area, tend to offer the strongest compensation for licensed counselors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a CACREP-accredited degree to become an LMHC in Washington?
No. Washington doesn’t require CACREP accreditation, but it’s worth considering if you want to reduce your supervised hours requirement. Graduates of CACREP-accredited programs can credit 500 hours of experience and 50 hours of supervision toward their post-graduate requirement, effectively reducing the total from 3,000 to 2,500 hours.
Can I practice as a counselor in Washington before I finish my supervised hours?
Yes, that’s what the LMHCA credential is for. Once you have your graduate degree and apply for the associate designation, you can work under the supervision of a board-approved LMHC while building toward the full licensure requirement. You can’t practice independently as an LMHCA, but you can work in agencies, nonprofits, and clinical settings.
Does Washington accept out-of-state LMHC licenses?
Washington does not offer traditional reciprocity but does provide a probationary license for out-of-state counselors whose credentials are considered substantially equivalent. The probationary license is issued for one year and can be renewed once. Applicants with five or more years of qualifying out-of-state licensure may qualify for a waiver of the supervised experience requirement, subject to board review.
How long does it take to become an LMHC in Washington?
Plan for at least six years from the start of your undergraduate education. A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years, and a master’s in counseling takes two to three more. Then you’ll need at least 36 months to complete the supervised hours required for full licensure. Exam preparation and application processing add additional time to that timeline.
What continuing education is required to renew my Washington LMHC?
Washington requires 36 hours of continuing education every two years, with at least six of those hours covering professional ethics and law. You also need to complete six hours of training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management at least once every six years. Renewal is annual, due on or before your birthday.
Key Takeaways
- Two-step credential path: Washington requires you first to earn the LMHCA designation, then complete supervised hours and pass an exam before applying for the full LMHC.
- CACREP accreditation reduces your hours: A CACREP-accredited graduate program cuts the supervised experience requirement from 3,000 to 2,500 hours, saving you several months of pre-licensure work.
- Two exams are accepted: Washington accepts either the NCE or the NCMHCE for LMHC licensure. You only need to pass one.
- Renewal is annual with biennial CE: Your license renews each year on your birthday, but continuing education is tracked on a two-year cycle. Don’t forget the six-hour suicide assessment requirement due every six years.
- Out-of-state counselors have options: Washington’s probationary license program lets qualifying out-of-state LMHCs practice while meeting any outstanding requirements. Applicants with five or more years of qualifying out-of-state licensure may qualify for a waiver of supervised experience, subject to board review.
Ready to find a counseling program in Washington? Explore CACREP-accredited master’s programs that prepare you for LMHC licensure in the state.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers, Social and Human Services Assistants, Social and Community Service Managers, and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.