Washington's professional-counselor license is the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), regulated by the Department of Health. Washington requires 36 continuing education hours every two-year CE cycle, including 6 hours of professional ethics and law. A 6-hour suicide assessment course is required every six years (from the DOH model list), and 2 hours of health equity training every four years. Licenses renew annually on your birthday. Below is the full breakdown of what you need and when it is due.
36 hours / 2 years
Thirty-six CE hours each two-year CE cycle.
6 ethics/law
At least 6 hours of professional ethics and law.
Suicide (every 6 years)
6-hour suicide assessment course from the DOH model list.
Health equity (every 4 years)
2 hours of health equity training.
How many CE hours Washington LMHCs need
Washington requires 36 CE hours every two-year CE cycle for LMHC renewal.
Mandated subject requirements
- Ethics & law: 6 hours each cycle.
- Suicide assessment, treatment & management: 6 hours every six years, from the DOH model list.
- Health equity: 2 hours every four years.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Washington LMHCs renew annually on their birthday, but CE is tracked on a two-year cycle.
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View pricingWashington Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) CME at a glance
- Professional Ethics & Law6 hrs
At least 6 of the 36 hours must cover professional ethics and law each two-year CE cycle.
- Suicide Assessment, Treatment & Management6 hrs · every 6 years
6 hours of suicide assessment, treatment, and management at least once every six years, selected from the Department's model list; counts toward the CE total.
- Health Equity2 hrs · every 4 years
2 hours of health equity training every four years.
Always confirm with your licensing board
Washington's professional-counselor license is the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), regulated by the Department of Health. Licenses renew annually on the licensee's birthday, but CE is tracked on a two-year cycle.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the Washington State Department of Health before relying on these figures.
Source: Washington State Department of Health. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Licensed in more than one state?
Counseling Compact: active. Operational; participating states issue the counseling privilege to practice across member states.
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
Washington LMHC CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do Washington LMHCs need?
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36 CE hours every two-year CE cycle.
Is suicide training required for Washington LMHCs?
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Yes — 6 hours of suicide assessment, treatment, and management every six years, from the DOH model list.
Is health equity training required in Washington?
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Yes — 2 hours every four years.
Related
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