DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed May 19, 2026, 8:05 a.m., effective June 19, 2026]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: Advanced suicide prevention training requirements for mental health professionals.

The department of health (department) is adopting rules to implement advanced suicide prevention training requirements for certain mental health professionals in new WAC 246-12-633, 246-12-635, and 246-12-637 as mandated by ESHB 2411 (chapter 229, Laws of 2020). The rule establishes clear standards for advanced suicide prevention training, including required timing, content, and approval criteria. It applies to fully licensed and associate-level psychologists, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and social workers, and requires completion of advanced training during a licensee's second training cycle. The rule builds upon the existing minimum six-hour suicide prevention training requirements in WAC 246-12-630 and ensures that all qualifying trainings are approved by the department and included on the department's model training list.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: WAC 246-12-633, 246-12-635, and 246-12-637.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.70.442.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 26-04-090 on January 30, 2026.

A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Kelsey Cato, Office of Health Professions, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 564-669-1196, TTY 711, email kelsey.cato@doh.wa.gov.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 3, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 3, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: May 18, 2026.

Kristin Peterson, JD

for Dennis E. Worsham

WAC 246-12-633Content for advanced trainings.

The department shall approve advanced training in suicide assessment, treatment, and management as required by RCW 43.70.442 if the training:

(1) Is at least a total of six hours in length;

(2) Provides at least three hours of training on one advanced training option in either WAC 246-12-635 or 246-12-637;

(3) Provides the remaining hours of training, which may include additional time in the required content areas or topics covered in standard suicide prevention training under WAC 246-12-630; and

(4) Meets quality standards under WAC 246-12-640.

WAC 246-12-635Advanced training topics—Advanced training in suicide management, suicide care protocols, or effective treatments.

An advanced suicide prevention training must meet the requirements in this section OR the requirements in WAC 246-12-637. To qualify as an advanced training in suicide management, suicide care protocols, or effective treatments, a training must include a minimum of three hours in at least one of the following three content areas:

(1) In-depth discussion and application of suicide care protocols when treating clients or patients who are experiencing immediate suicidal thoughts or have attempted suicide, including how to appropriately refer a client based on lived experience, assessed risk and resources available through the health care system, community, tribal behavioral health system or alternative sources;

(2) The application and follow-up of short-term acute risk interventions that are evidence-based, culturally relevant or otherwise recognized as best practices; and

(3) Culturally relevant protocols, tools, and resources to be used when assisting family members, friends, peers, or community members following a completed, or attempted suicide.

WAC 246-12-637Advanced training topics—Treatment modalities.

(1) An advanced suicide prevention training must meet the requirements in this section OR the requirements in WAC 246-12-635. To qualify as an advanced training in a suicide prevention treatment modality proven to reduce acute or chronic suicide risk that provides a basic understanding of treatment components for patients or clients in crisis and encourages participants to pursue further training and supervision, a training must include a minimum of three hours on at least one of the following:

(a) Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT);

(b) Collaborative assessment and management of suicide risk (CAMS);

(d) Another evidence-based treatment modality.

(2) Content must include:

(a) Core theoretical principles of the treatment modality and supporting research;

(b) The treatment modality's approach to:

(i) Lethal means safety;

(ii) Safety planning;

(iii) Developing reasons for hope and reducing hopelessness; and

(iv) Inspiring delay, reducing impulsivity, and teaching coping skills.

(c) Techniques to develop the therapeutic alliance and engage with a client or patient in a collaborative, compassionate, and supportive manner;

(d) Strengths and limitations of the treatment modality; and

(e) Approaches to managing acute suicidal ideation.