(1) A certified counselor or a certified adviser must complete thirty-six credit hours of continuing education every two years.

(2) At least six hours of the thirty-six credit hours must be in law and professional ethics related to counseling.

(3) Beginning January 1, 2014, at least once every six years a certified counselor or a certified adviser must complete three hours of training in suicide assessment, including screening and referral, as specified in WAC 246-810-0298.

(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, the first training must be completed during the first full continuing education reporting period after January 1, 2014, or the first full continuing education period after initial licensure, whichever occurs later.

(b) An individual applying for initial certification as a certified counselor or a certified adviser on or after January 1, 2014, may delay completion of the first required training for six years after initial certification if he or she can demonstrate successful completion of a three-hour training in suicide assessment, screening, and referral that:

(i) Was completed no more than six years prior to the application for initial certification; and

(ii) Meets the requirements listed in WAC 246-810-0298(1).

(c) The hours spent completing training in suicide assessment count towards the total thirty-six hours of continuing education.

(4) Nothing in this section is intended to expand or limit the existing scope of practice of a certified counselor or a certified adviser as defined by WAC 246-810-0201 and 246-810-021.