WAMFT is pleased to announce that effective January 2024, Washington State Department of Health requires two hours of health equity continuing education (CE) training every four years for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and associates. This does not increase overall CE training. This requirement addresses discrimination and bias that currently exists in the healthcare system and across healthcare professions, and supports MFTs in providing more equitable care to clients. Click here or see below for more details on the bill, requirements, and training courses.
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5229 (Chapter 276, Laws of 2021), directed the rule-making authority for each health profession licensed under Title 18 RCW that is subject to continuing education to adopt rules requiring a licensee to complete health equity CE training at least once every four years. The statute also directed the department to create model rules establishing the minimum standards for health equity CE programs. The department filed model rules for health equity CE minimum standards on November 23, 2022, under WSR 22-23-167.
The department is now adopting amendments to WACs 246-809-610, 246-809-630, and 246-809-632 that require two hours of health equity CE every four years for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and associates. The health equity CE requirement is counted under existing, unspecific CE requirements for the profession and does not change the total number of CE hours required. The department has identified a list of training courses that meet the requirements, some of which are offered at no cost.