H-1024.2                  _______________________________________________

                                                      HOUSE BILL 1802

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By Representatives Veloria, Dellwo, Ballasiotes, Romero, Flemming, Lisk and Thibaudeau

Read first time 02/10/93.  Referred to Committee on Health Care.

Modifying marriage and family therapist certification.

          AN ACT Relating to certification of marriage and family therapists; and amending RCW 18.19.130.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  RCW 18.19.130 and 1991 c 3 s 28 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) The department shall issue a certified marriage and family therapist certificate to any applicant meeting the following requirements:

          (a)(((i))) A master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy ((or its equivalent from an approved school that shows evidence of the following course work:  (A) Marriage and family systems, (B) marriage and family therapy, (C) individual development, (D) assessment of psychopathology, (E) human sexuality, (F) research methods, (G) professional ethics and laws, and (H) a minimum of one year in the practice of marriage and family therapy under the supervision of a qualified marriage and family therapist)), or an equivalent program approved by the department by rule, based on nationally recognized professional standards;

          (((ii) Two years of postgraduate practice of marriage and family therapy)) (b) After receiving a master's or doctorate degree, two years of practice of marriage and family therapy, as defined by rule, which is under the supervision of a qualified marriage and family therapist; and

          (((iii))) (c) Passing scores on ((both written and oral examinations administered by the department for)) a written examination, which includes a section on Washington's statutes and regulations, including the provisions of the uniform disciplinary act, approved by the department for certified marriage and family therapists; or

          (((b) In the alternative, an applicant completing a master's or doctoral degree program in marriage and family therapy or its equivalent from an approved graduate school before or within eighteen months of July 26, 1987, may qualify for the examination.))

          (2) ((Except as provided in RCW 18.19.160, an applicant is exempt from the examination provisions of this section under the following conditions if application for exemption is made within twelve months after July 26, 1987:

          (a) The applicant shall establish to the satisfaction of the secretary that he or she has been engaged in the practice of marriage and family therapy as defined in this chapter for two of the previous four years; and

          (b) The applicant has the following academic qualifications:  (i) A doctorate or master's degree in marriage and family therapy or its equivalent from an approved graduate school; and (ii) two years of postgraduate experience under the supervision of a marriage and family therapist who qualifies for certification under this chapter or under the supervision of any other professional deemed appropriate by the secretary.

          (3))) The practice of marriage and family therapy is that aspect of counseling that involves ((the assessment and treatment of impaired marriage or family relationships including, but not limited to, premarital and postdivorce relationships and the enhancement of marital and family relationships via use of educational, sociological, and psychotherapeutic theories and techniques)) the rendering of professional marriage and family therapy services to individuals, couples, and families, singly or in groups, whether such services are offered directly to the general public or through organizations, either public or private, for a fee, monetary or otherwise.  "Marriage and family therapy" means the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems.  Marriage and family therapy involves the professional application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

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