Washington Ethics and Law: 6 CE Hours

About this course

Every Washington associate licensed under chapter 18.225 RCW must complete 6 hours of continuing education in professional ethics and law every two years, attested at the second, fourth, and sixth renewals (WAC 246-809-632(2)). This course is written for that requirement, from the associate’s point of view. It covers your associate license and CE rules, supervision, client disclosure, the Uniform Disciplinary Act, sexual misconduct rules, confidentiality and records, child and vulnerable adult reporting, the duty to warn, treating minors, and telehealth, with worked examples and a composite case.

Washington accepts distance learning approved by an industry-recognized organization when it ends with a test of comprehension (WAC 246-809-610(3)(b)). This course is from a CAMFT-approved provider and ends with a 30-question post-test. It does not count toward the separate 2 hours of professional roles and boundaries (WAC 246-809-632(3)).

Learning objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Describe the role of the Department of Health, the limits on associate practice, the 120-day pending application window, and the associate CE rules, including six hours of ethics and law every two years.
2. Apply the supervision standards in WAC 246-809-020, identify who may serve as an approved supervisor, and explain the associate's duty to share clinical information with the supervisor.
3. List the required client disclosure information, including the associate supervision disclosure at the first professional contact, and apply scope, competence, and advertising rules.
4. Identify categories of unprofessional conduct under RCW 18.130.180, describe sanctions under RCW 18.130.160, and state self-reporting and mandatory reporting duties and timelines.
5. Define key party, list conduct that constitutes sexual misconduct, and apply the permanent prohibition with former clients in WAC 246-809-049.
6. Apply the confidentiality rule and exceptions in RCW 18.225.105, describe a valid authorization under RCW 70.02.030, and apply record access and retention rules.
7. Apply the child abuse and vulnerable adult reporting duties, destinations, and timelines, and the associate's duty to inform the approved supervisor.
8. Apply the duty to warn in RCW 71.05.120(3) and the Volk v. DeMeerleer standard, the permissive imminent danger disclosures, and the rules for minors' consent to outpatient treatment.
9. Apply the telemedicine training requirement, the client location principle, and the limits of the Counseling Compact for associates, and integrate the course rules in a composite case.

Who this course is for

Instructor

John Oliver Ycaro, LPCC (also the course developer and CE provider). About 10 years of clinical experience in community mental health, the VA, and private practice. Expertise relevant to this course: professional ethics, mental health law, and outpatient mental health practice.

Under CAMFT CEPA rules, the named instructor meets instructor qualifications by current related licensure and a related master’s degree (and related practice experience). A current CV is kept in the provider’s CE records.

How it works

1. Enroll through the secure Payhip checkout. You get the course right away.
2. Read the self-study text at your own pace.
3. Take the online post-test (70% to pass; retakes free) and confirm you did the work yourself.
4. Complete a short course evaluation (required for CE credit).
5. Receive your certificate by email within 1 business day after you pass and complete the evaluation.

Completion records are kept for at least 4 years.

Price

$19

Enroll for $19

Pay securely on Payhip. CE credit is awarded after you complete the reading, pass the post-test at 70% or higher, and complete the evaluation.

CE information

Self-study course in professional ethics and Washington law for associates (WAC 246-809-632(2)), offered as distance learning with a test of comprehension (WAC 246-809-610(3)(b)). 6 CE hours.

California Counselor CEUs (John Oliver Ycaro) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs. California Counselor CEUs (John Oliver Ycaro) maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

Included in the $69 bundle, or sold on its own. Every board makes its own final call, so it’s always good to check with the Washington Department of Health.

Provider mailing address: 200 San Mateo Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030

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