Continuing education updates for Washington therapists in 2026

If you are starting or streamlining a private practice in Washington and plan to accept insurance, your time is already divided among credentialing, billing, and client care. Keeping your continuing education on track should be straightforward. Below is a clear summary of the 2026 CE requirements for LMHCs, LMFTs, LICSWs, and associates in Washington, with answers to common questions and links to primary sources so you can verify details for your renewal.

This post is informational and not legal advice. Always verify with the Washington Administrative Code and the Department of Health.

The essentials at a glance

For LMHCs, LMFTs, and LICSWs (licensed clinicians):

• Total hours: 32 hours every two years. (WAC 246‑809‑630)
• Professional ethics and law: at least 6 hours every two years. (WAC 246‑809‑630(3)(a))
• Professional roles and boundaries: 2 hours every two years, taken separately from ethics. (WAC 246‑809‑630(3)(b))
• Health equity: 2 hours at least once every four years, aligned with DOH model rules. (WAC 246‑809‑630(3)(c); WAC 246‑12‑820/830)
• Suicide assessment, treatment, and management: 6 hours at least once every six years; must be selected from the DOH Model List and counts toward the 32‑hour total. (WAC 246‑809‑630(3)(d); WAC 246‑809‑615)

Primary sources:

• WAC 246‑809‑630: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-630
• WAC 246‑809‑615: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-615
• DOH Health Equity model rules overview: https://doh.wa.gov/public-health-provider-resources/healthcare-professions-and-facilities/health-equity-continuing-education

For Associates (LMHCA, LMFTA, LSWAIC/LSWAA):

• Total hours: 16 hours every year. (WAC 246‑809‑632(1))
• Professional ethics and law: 6 hours every two years. (WAC 246‑809‑632(2))
• Professional roles and boundaries: 2 hours, separate from ethics. (WAC 246‑809‑632(3))
• Health equity: 2 hours at least once every four years. (WAC 246‑809‑632(4); WAC 246‑12‑820/830)
• Suicide training (social worker associates only): 6 hours before first renewal and another 6 hours in the following six‑year period; hours count toward the annual total. (WAC 246‑809‑632(5); WAC 246‑809‑615)

Primary sources:

• WAC 246‑809‑632: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-632
• WAC 246‑809‑615: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-615

What changed from many 2025 summaries

You may have seen 2025 summaries that listed 36 hours for licensed clinicians or 18 hours for associates. The updated rules, effective October 1, 2025, set the new baselines used for 2026 planning. Licensed clinicians now complete 32 hours per two‑year cycle, and associates complete 16 hours per year. Washington also added a distinct, recurring requirement for Professional Roles and Boundaries that cannot be combined with ethics hours. (WAC 246‑809‑630; WAC 246‑809‑632)

• WAC 246‑809‑630: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-630
• WAC 246‑809‑632: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-632

Documentation, distance learning, and course selection

Online CE is allowed. The Department of Health confirms that distance learning is acceptable for these professions, including self‑paced and live online formats. Keep proof of completion and course descriptions to show alignment with required content areas. (DOH CE overview; WAC 246‑809‑650)

• DOH CE overview: https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/mental-health-counselor/continuing-education
• WAC 246‑809‑650: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-650

Choose Washington‑specific courses. For suicide assessment, treatment, and management, select a program from the DOH Model List and confirm a full 6 hours. For Professional Roles and Boundaries, look for courses explicitly labeled to meet Washington’s two‑hour requirement. (WAC 246‑809‑615; WAC 246‑809‑630)

• DOH Suicide CE overview and Model List: https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/behavioral-health-professions-facilities-and-agencies/suicide-assessment-treatment-and-management-ce
• WAC 246‑809‑630: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-630

Health equity training must meet DOH model rule content at least once every four years. The DOH page explains standards and links to resources, including some no‑cost options made available through statewide partners. (WAC 246‑12‑820/830; DOH health equity page)

• Health Equity overview: https://doh.wa.gov/public-health-provider-resources/healthcare-professions-and-facilities/health-equity-continuing-education

Common questions

What does “Professional Roles and Boundaries” mean in Washington’s CE rules?
It refers to training that strengthens role clarity, boundary setting, and ethical decision‑making in clinical relationships. Topics typically include recognizing and preventing dual relationships or conflicts of interest, managing power dynamics, distinguishing boundary crossings from boundary violations, and applying Washington standards to everyday practice. The key point is that these 2 hours must be separate from ethics and completed every two years. (WAC 246‑809‑630(3)(b); WA training providers now label courses to meet this requirement.)

• WAC 246‑809‑630: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-630
• Example WA course pages describing the new requirement: https://cascadia-training.com/course/ethics-of-relationships-professional-roles-and-boundaries-february-2026/ (verify against WAC)

What is included in the new Health Equity CE requirement?
Washington adopted model rules that require at least 2 hours of health equity training once every four years. Courses must address skills to identify and reduce structural factors that manifest as health inequities, such as bias, racism, and poverty, and help clinicians apply equitable practices in care. The DOH site outlines minimum standards and links to qualifying trainings. (WAC 246‑12‑820/830; DOH Health Equity overview)

• Health Equity overview: https://doh.wa.gov/public-health-provider-resources/healthcare-professions-and-facilities/health-equity-continuing-education
• Model rules summary: https://doh.wa.gov/public-health-provider-resources/healthcare-professions-and-facilities/health-equity-continuing-education

Do the suicide hours count toward my total?
Yes. The 6 hours of suicide assessment, treatment, and management count toward the 32‑hour total for licensed clinicians, but you must meet the six‑year cadence and choose a course from the DOH Model List. (WAC 246‑809‑630(3)(d); WAC 246‑809‑615)

• WAC 246‑809‑630: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-630
• WAC 246‑809‑615: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-615

Is “Professional Roles and Boundaries” the same as ethics?
No. It is a separate two‑hour requirement every two years and must be taken in addition to your six hours of ethics and law. (WAC 246‑809‑630(3)(a)–(b))

• WAC 246‑809‑630: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-630

How do associates track the two‑year requirements when they renew annually?
Associates complete 16 hours each year and ensure that within any two‑year span they also meet the 6 hours of ethics and the 2 hours of roles and boundaries. Health equity is required at least once every four years. Social worker associates have additional suicide training timing requirements. (WAC 246‑809‑632)

• WAC 246‑809‑632: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-632

Can I do all of my CE online?
Yes, online CE is allowed for these professions in Washington. Keep certificates and course documentation for your records. (DOH CE overview)

• DOH CE overview: https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/mental-health-counselor/continuing-education

Final thoughts

For 2026, think of CE as part of your practice infrastructure in Washington. Licensed clinicians complete 32 hours every two years with clear content categories. Associates complete 16 hours annually and track their two‑year content requirements alongside their yearly renewal. When in doubt, verify with the WAC and DOH to ensure each course meets Washington’s definitions and timelines.

• WAC 246‑809‑630: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-630
• WAC 246‑809‑632: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-809-632
• DOH Health Equity overview: https://doh.wa.gov/public-health-provider-resources/healthcare-professions-and-facilities/health-equity-continuing-education

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