How much supervision does an LMHC in Washington require?

100 hours of immediate supervision

Can I be supervised by video in Washington?

Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum. Group supervision is defined as 'face-to-face or virtual' (WAC 246-809-210(5)). The required 100 hours are 'immediate supervision', defined only as 'a meeting' with an approved supervisor and at most two candidates (WAC 246-809-210(6)), with no format stated. The rule sets no in-person requirement for immediate supervision, and the MFT and social work rules say 'face-to-face or virtual' for all supervision. Whether a video meeting counts as immediate supervision is not stated (see board_questions).

Washington requirements

LMHC requirements in Washington

What it takes to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington: 3,000 supervised hours, plus supervision, time limits, exams and whether you can be supervised by video. Every figure is sourced to the state board and dated.

Sourced to Washington State Department of Health — Mental Health Counselor program (Ch. 18.225 RCW)Checked September 25, 2026Not individually reviewed by a clinicianAbout this site

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (professional counselor) · Washington · regulated by Washington State Department of Health — Mental Health Counselor program (Ch. 18.225 RCW) · high confidence

Pre-license credential	LMHCA (Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate)
Supervised experience	a minimum of 36 months full-time counseling or 3,000 hours of postgraduate mental health counseling
Direct client contact	At least 1,200 hours direct counseling with individuals, couples, families, or groups
Supervision	100 hours of immediate supervision
Exams	NCE or NCMHCE (NBCC)

Supervision

How much: 100 hours of immediate supervision
Group supervision: Group = one supervisor and no more than six candidates (face-to-face or virtual); the 100 hours must be 'immediate' supervision (1 supervisor, ≤2 candidates)
Who may supervise: LMHC or equally qualified licensed MH practitioner (LMFT, LICSW, psychologist, psychiatrist, psych NP); licensed 2 yrs in good standing; 15 hrs supervision training + 25 hrs supervising

When hours count and what to keep

Before your degree: Not counted generally; CACREP master's/doctoral graduates credited with 50 hrs supervision + 500 hrs experience
Paperwork: DOH 670-027 Verification of Supervised Postgraduate Experience + DOH 670-130 Approved Supervisor Declaration, one per supervisor, sent by supervisor

Can you be supervised remotely in Washington?

Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.

Video supervision: Group supervision is defined as 'face-to-face or virtual' (WAC 246-809-210(5)). The required 100 hours are 'immediate supervision', defined only as 'a meeting' with an approved supervisor and at most two candidates (WAC 246-809-210(6)), with no format stated. The rule sets no in-person requirement for immediate supervision, and the MFT and social work rules say 'face-to-face or virtual' for all supervision. Whether a video meeting counts as immediate supervision is not stated (see board_questions).
In-person minimum: None set by the state
Supervisor credential: No state supervisor registry or approval. The 'approved supervisor' is an LMHC or equally qualified practitioner (LMFT, LICSW, psychologist, psychiatrist, psychiatric NP), licensed without restrictions and in good standing for 2 years, with 15 clock hours of supervision training and 25 hours of supervising experience. Before supervision starts, the supervisor gives the candidate a declaration on a DOH form (670-130).
Supervisee cap: Per session: immediate supervision is 1 supervisor to at most 2 candidates, and group is at most 6. No cap on a supervisor's total supervisees was found.
Board approval first: No approval of a supervision plan. Before supervision begins, the supervisor must give the candidate a declaration of qualification (DOH form 670-130). The associate application counts as complete only once the supervisor has submitted the Approved Supervisor Form to DOH. A pending-license associate may practise for 120 days only once a complete application is on file and approved supervision is in place.
If you live outside Washington: None set by the state

The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.

Recent and pending changes

WAC 246-809-230 amended WSR 25-11-019 (eff. 6/12/25). 2024 c 371 removed the six-renewal cap on associate licenses. From 10/1/2025 applicants may practice up to 120 days after applying (RCW 18.225.145).

Where the rules are unclear

Washington’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:

Does 'immediate supervision' (WAC 246-809-210(6), 'a meeting with an approved supervisor') count when held by video? Group supervision is expressly 'face-to-face or virtual', and the MFT and social work definitions say the same for one-on-one supervision.
Must the approved supervisor hold a Washington license, or does an out-of-state LMHC or equivalent qualify? WAC 246-809-020(3)(a) says 'under this chapter'.

In the board’s own words

“a minimum of 36 months full-time counseling or 3,000 hours of postgraduate mental health counseling” — WAC 246-809-230(3)(a)✓ matched in the source

“One hundred hours spent in immediate supervision with the qualified licensed mental health counselor or equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner” — WAC 246-809-230(3)(b)(i)✓ matched in the source

“involving one supervisor and no more than six licensure candidates” — WAC 246-809-210✓ matched in the source

“"Group supervision" means face-to-face or virtual supervision with an approved supervisor, involving one supervisor and no more than six licensure candidates.” — WAC 246-809-210(5)✓ matched in the source

“"Immediate supervision" means a meeting with an approved supervisor, involving one supervisor and no more than two licensure candidates.” — WAC 246-809-210(6)✓ matched in the source

“Before beginning supervision, the approved supervisor must provide the licensure candidate a declaration stating that the supervisor has met the requirements of WAC 246-809-234” — WAC 246-809-234(3)✓ matched in the source

“A minimum of fifteen clock hours of training in clinical supervision” — WAC 246-809-234(4)(a)✓ matched in the source

“Approved Supervisor Form: Submitted directly by your supervisor who meets WAC 246-809 requirements.” — DOH Mental Health Counselor FAQ✓ matched in the source

“Regular supervision, meeting at least one hour for every 80 hours of the licensure candidate's clinical practice time” — WAC 246-809-020(2)(b)✓ matched in the source

“is not qualified to exercise the privilege to practice under the counseling compact established in chapter 18.17 RCW unless” — RCW 18.225.090(1)(b)(i)(B)✓ matched in the source

Other licenses in Washington

Sources

Checked against Washington State Department of Health — Mental Health Counselor program (Ch. 18.225 RCW)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.

Track your hours as you earn them

Practice Harbor is free while you are pre-licensed. It counts your clinical hours from the sessions you mark as attended, and you can add outside hours by hand.

Start free with Practice Harbor All requirements

General information, not legal advice. Requirements are summarized from each state’s licensing board, statutes and regulations on the date shown; the board decides, and rules change. Becoming Licensed is not affiliated with any licensing board.