PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-809-240 Examination for licensed mental health counselors.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.79.202.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) administers the mental health examination required for Washington licensure. NBCC is proposing changes to how they administer the exam. Currently applicants must complete their education and training before they apply to the department of health (DOH) for approval to sit for the exam. The proposed changes would allow an applicant to apply directly to NBCC. NBCC would verify the applicant's master's degree and allow the applicant to take the exam. Applicants would complete supervision and submit documentation to DOH for licensing. The rules need to be amended to implement the proposed changes in process.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Department of Health, Betty Moe, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47869, Olympia, WA 98504-7869, phone (360) 236-4912, fax (360) 236-4909, e-mail Betty.Moe@doh.wa.gov.
October 2, 2007
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary