FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1802

                     Synopsis as Enacted

                         C 259 L 93

Brief Description:  Modifying marriage and family therapist certification.

By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Veloria, Dellwo, Ballasiotes, Romero, Flemming, Lisk and Thibaudeau).

House Committee on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

Background:  Marriage and family therapists are counselors who are certified for practice by the Department of Health. The requirements for certification include:

(1)a minimum of a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or its equivalent from a school approved by the secretary of the Department of Health that offers coursework in specified subjects;

(2)two years of postgraduate practice under the supervision of a qualified therapist; and

(3)passing scores on both written and oral examinations.

The practice of marriage and family therapy is described as an assessment and treatment of impaired marriage or family relationships by the use of educational, sociological, and psychotherapeutic techniques.

Summary:

Qualifications for licensure include:

(1)a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, or in the alternative a master's or doctoral degree in the behavioral sciences and program equivalency based on nationally recognized professional standards;

(2)after receiving a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, two years of postgraduate practice under supervision is required.  Or in the alternative, after receiving a master's or doctoral degree in the behavioral sciences, two years of postgraduate practice in marriage and family therapy is required under the supervision of a qualified marriage and family therapist which can be accumulated concurrently with the program equivalency training; and

(3)a written examination that includes knowledge of Washington's statutes, including the Uniform Disciplinary Act, as approved by the department.

The specification of subjects covered by the master's and doctoral degrees and the requirement for an oral examination are repealed.

The description of the practice of marriage and family therapy is clarified to include services to individuals directly or through public and private organizations for a fee or otherwise. It includes the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within the context of the family.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  98 0

Senate 39 3 (Senate amended)

House  97 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  July 25, 1993