News!

The Washington Small Business Fair is Saturday, September 25, 2010, from 8:00am - 3:30pm.  It's being held at Renton Technical College.

CLICK HERE to visit the website.

Now you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

I'm pleased to announce that the testing of our online Membership Directory is complete. 

All current members, in good standing, will have their profiles updated over the next few weeks.  Those members will receive an individual email with their website sign-in and online profile instructions.

I greatly appreciate your patience, as this latest website functionality is rolled out for our members.

Please email me with any questions that you may have.

As most of you know, July 1st was the official start date of the new certified counseling credentials in the State of Washington.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!  ...to all newly credentialed counselors.

In order to ensure that you are practicing with the guidelines of your new credential, please be certain that you have the appropriate consultant or supervisor declaration document filed with the WA State Dept. of Health.  More information will be included in our Newsletter.  Please be sure to sign-up for our Newsletter at any one of the designated links on our website.

Again, Congratulations!

Hello, 

Join our email listserv to receive updated news, training course offerings, and legislative updates by clicking on the link below.

This important update has been communicated, by the Dept. of Health:

The following blurb has will be added to the Professions in Mental Health
website http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Counseling/Default.htm and the
Certified Counselor website
http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/CertCounselor/Default.htm

*   Important Update For Registered Counselors Applying For
Certified Counselor Under Alternative C

This notice applies only to registered counselors applying for certified
counselor under Alternative C. Applicants using this alternative must
have an active registered counselor credential and have had it for at
least five years.

The counseling-related degree requirement for certified counselor
applicants may be waived until June 30, 2010. Applicants must submit
applications and meet other requirements by June 30, 2010. The only
exception is the examination for certified counselor. Applicants have
until September 30, 2010 to complete and pass the examination.

Failure to submit the application and meet requirements by June 30 and
pass the examination by September 30 will disqualify applicants for the
degree waiver.

Note: Anyone providing counseling in Washington must have an active
credential. The above policy does not change this requirement.
Registered counselors who do not have a new credential by July 1, 2010
must stop practicing.

Certified Counselor and Certified Advisor testing facilities are located in the following cities, in Washington State.  The specific locations, dates, and times available for testing are provided to you - upon approval by the Dept. of Health to schedule your exam.

If you have not submitted your application, or recently submitted it, please be sure to create your Webassessor account today, so that it’s available for the department to ‘approve’ you for scheduling your exam.  If you are not approved to take the exam, you will notice that Webassessor will tell you that a ‘pre-requisite’ has not been met.

Go here to read more about setting up your Webassessor account:  http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Counseling/Exam.htm

• Redmond, WA
• Bellingham, WA
• Ellensburg, WA
• Lacey, WA
• Richland, WA
• Spokane, WA
• Tacoma, WA

Two new updates have been communicated by the Dept. of Health.

• The initial three (3) week re-examination process has been changed to a one (1) week waiting period, prior to retaking the exam.  This is for those who may not pass the examination the first time.
  
  
• Wording on the Certified Counselor/Certified Advisor Application has been updated, to reflect the correct process for applying under Alternative C.  In order to apply for the new credential under Alternative C, all requirements must be met prior to June 30, 2010.  Those applying after June 30, 2010 must apply under Alternative A or Alternative B, and are required to have a supervisory agreement.
  
  The application can be found by clicking on this link: http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/CertCounselor/Forms.htm

"Counsel for counselors: Get a new credential by July 1 or stop practicing.  Law abolishes registered counselor category; thousands haven’t turned in applications yet"

"More than 10,000 counselors may not be able to practice in Washington after June 30. Many people who work as registered counselors haven’t taken the necessary steps to stay in practice, and the time for them to act is growing short."

Read the full story here:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2010_news/10-063.htm

The Certified Counselor Exam Prep Course is coming to Spokane, WA.  Please click here to register for the course.

If you have any questions, please email me at tim@waproca.org.

Thank you,
Tim