WSR 25-20-073
PROPOSED RULES
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
[Filed September 29, 2025, 9:58 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 25-14-022.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 182-115-0100 Certified peer counselor, 182-115-0300 Peer support specialist supervisor training, 182-116-0100 Certified peer support specialist and certified peer support specialist trainee—General, and 182-116-0200 Certified peer support specialist and certified peer support trainee—Application, training, examination, and authority approval.
Hearing Location(s): On November 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The health care authority (HCA) holds public hearings virtually without a physical meeting place. To attend the virtual public hearing, you must register in advance at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_klyJXQreTC2C-q7UNWCPOg.
If the link above opens with an error message, please try using a different browser. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the public hearing.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not sooner than November 5, 2025.
Submit Written Comments to: HCA Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, email arc@hca.wa.gov, fax 360-586-9727, beginning September 30, 2025, 8:00 a.m., by November 4, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jessica Nguyen, phone 360-725-1174, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication relay service 711, email arc@hca.wa.gov, by October 17, 2025.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: HCA is amending the supervision requirements in chapter 182-116 WAC and updating the titles for certified support peer specialists and certified support peer specialist trainees to align with RCW 18.420.010 and the department of health's proposed rules filed as WSR 25-15-161.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: See purpose.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160, and 18.420.010.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 41.05.021 and 41.05.160.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Melinda Froud, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, 360-725-1408; Implementation and Enforcement: Maureen Bailey, P.O. Box 55543, Olympia, WA 98504-5543, 360-725-9997.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to HCA rules unless requested by the joint administrative rules review committee or applied voluntarily.
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rule content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.
Scope of exemption for rule proposal:
Is fully exempt.
September 29, 2025
Wendy Barcus
Rules Coordinator
RDS-6665.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 25-08-033, filed 3/26/25, effective 7/1/25)
WAC 182-115-0100Certified peer counselor.
(1) A certified peer counselor may provide medicaid-reimbursable peer services only:
(a) Through December 31, 2026;
(b) Under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional, or substance use disorder professional, or both:
(i) Who understands rehabilitation and recovery; and
(ii) Whose expertise aligns with the needs of the populations served by the certified peer counselor;
(c) When the services are provided in a licensed community behavioral health agency, as defined in WAC 246-341-0200; and
(d) When the certified peer counselor is credentialed as an agency-affiliated counselor under chapter 18.19 RCW.
(2) On January 1, 2027, the profession of certified peer support specialist, as defined in RCW 18.420.010, will supersede certified peer counselors. On and after that date, only certified peer support specialists and peer support specialist trainees may provide medicaid-reimbursable peer services.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 25-08-033, filed 3/26/25, effective 7/1/25)
WAC 182-115-0300Peer support specialist supervisor training.
Only certified peer counselors or certified peer support specialists may qualify to take the authority's training to become recognized by the department of health as an approved supervisor.
RDS-6666.1
Chapter 182-116 WAC
CERTIFIED PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 25-08-033, filed 3/26/25, effective 7/1/25)
WAC 182-116-0100Certified peer support specialist and certified peer support specialist trainee—General.
(1) A certified peer support specialist or certified peer support specialist trainee credentialed by the department of health who provides medicaid-reimbursable peer support services must meet the requirements in WAC 182-116-0200.
(2) Certified peer support specialists or certified peer support specialist trainees who provide services to people enrolled in medicaid must practice:
(a) Under the clinical supervision of a ((behavioral health provider as defined in RCW 71.24.025 or a certified peer specialist supervisor as defined in RCW 18.420.010))mental health professional or a substance use disorder professional who understands rehabilitation and recovery. The clinical supervisor's expertise must be aligned with the needs of the populations served by the certified peer support specialist or certified peer support specialist trainee; and
(b) In a community behavioral health agency licensed, certified, or subject to an approved tribal attestation by the department of health.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 25-08-033, filed 3/26/25, effective 7/1/25)
WAC 182-116-0200Certified peer support specialist and certified peer support trainee—Application, training, examination, and authority approval.
(1) People applying with the authority for peer support specialist training must:
(a) Be age 18 or older; and
(b) Attest on the authority's application that they self-identify as:
(i) A person with one or more years of recovery from behavioral health experiences/challenges; or
(ii) The parent or legal guardian of a person who has applied for, is eligible for, or has received behavioral health services.
(2) After a person meets the training requirements and passes the authority's examination, the authority issues a letter stating the person has met the ((training))educational requirements needed to apply for the credential of certified peer support specialist or certified peer support specialist trainee through the department.