PDFWAC 246-809-130

Supervised postgraduate experience.

(1) The experience requirements for the marriage and family therapist applicant's practice area include successful completion of a supervised experience requirement. Applicants who have held an active marriage and family therapy license for the past five consecutive years or more in another state or territory, without a disciplinary record or disqualifying criminal history, are deemed to have met the supervised experience requirements for Washington state licensure in subsection (3) of this section.
(2) In accordance with RCW 18.225.090 and 18.225.095, for applicants who can demonstrate they have practiced as a substance use disorder professional for at least three years within 10 years from the date their application for a marriage and family therapist license is submitted to the department, the department shall reduce the total required supervised hours from 3,000 hours to 2,700 hours. The requirements in subsection (3)(a) through (e) of this section shall apply regardless of the reduction of total required hours.
(3) Total experience requirements include a minimum of 3,000 hours to include the following:
(a) One thousand hours of direct client contact with at least 500 hours gained in diagnosing and treating couples and families;
(b) At least 200 hours of qualified supervision with an approved supervisor.
(i) Of the 200 hours, 100 hours must be with a licensed marriage and family therapist with at least five years of clinical experience; the other 100 hours may be with an equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner;
(ii) At least 100 of the 200 hours must be one-on-one supervision; and
(iii) The remaining hours may be in one-on-one or group supervision.
(c) Applicants who have completed a master's program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy boards will be credited with 500 hours of direct client contact and 100 hours of qualified supervision with an approved supervisor;
(d) Licensed marriage and family therapist associate applicants are not required to have supervised postgraduate experience prior to becoming an associate; and
(e) Licensed marriage and family therapist associate applicants must declare they are working towards full licensure.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.225.040, 2021 c 276, 2020 c 76, and 2023 c 425. WSR 23-23-150, § 246-809-130, filed 11/20/23, effective 1/1/24. Statutory Authority: 2019 c 444, 2019 c 446, 2019 c 351, and RCW 18.19.050, 18.205.060, 18.225.040, 43.70.110, and 43.70.250. WSR 20-12-074, § 246-809-130, filed 6/1/20, effective 7/2/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.225.040. WSR 17-13-082, § 246-809-130, filed 6/16/17, effective 7/17/17. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.225 RCW. WSR 09-15-039, § 246-809-130, filed 7/8/09, effective 7/8/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.225.040 and [18.225.]090. WSR 06-18-043, § 246-809-130, filed 8/30/06, effective 9/30/06. Statutory Authority: 2001 c 251, RCW 43.70.250. WSR 01-17-113, § 246-809-130, filed 8/22/01, effective 9/22/01.]