S-4183.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6630

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1998 Regular Session

By Senators Wood, Fairley, Strannigan, Wojahn, Rasmussen and Thibaudeau

Read first time 01/23/98.  Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.

Clarifying continuing education requirements for counselors.

    AN ACT Relating to counselors; and amending RCW 18.19.170.

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

    Sec. 1.  RCW 18.19.170 and 1996 c 191 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

    A certificate issued under this chapter shall be renewed as provided in RCW 43.70.250 and 43.70.280.  The secretary ((may)) shall establish continuing competence requirements by rule in consultation with the mental health quality assurance council.  Certified counselors are responsible for obtaining thirty-six clock hours of continuing education during the two-year reporting period immediately preceding renewal of certification, at least six hours of which must be in professional ethics and law.

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