Section 246-341-1200 - Problem gambling and gambling disorder services-Certification standards(1) Each agency licensed by the department to provide problem gambling and gambling disorder services that includes diagnostic screening and assessment, and individual, group, couples, and family counseling and case management must ensure the following requirements are met: (a) Meet the behavioral health agency licensure, certification, administration, personnel, and clinical requirements in WAC 246-341-0300 through 246-341-0640;(b) Be a problem gambling certified agency with the department;(c) Maintain a list of resources, including self-help groups, and referral options that can be used by staff to refer an individual to appropriate services; and(d) Maintain a written procedure for the response to medical and psychiatric emergencies.(2) An agency certified to provide problem gambling and gambling disorder services must ensure: (a) All problem gambling and gambling disorder treatment services are provided by: (i) An individual credentialed by the department under chapter 18.19, 18.83, or 18.225 RCW and is a certified Washington state, national, or international gambling counselor; or(ii) An individual credentialed by the department under chapter 18.19, 18.83, or 18.225 RCW, under the supervision of a certified gambling counselor, and in training to become a certified gambling counselor.(b) Before providing problem gambling and gambling disorder treatment services, an individual in training to become a certified gambling counselor must have a minimum of:(i) At least 1,500 hours of professionally supervised postlicensure, postcertification, or postregistration experience providing mental health or substance use disorder treatment services; and(ii) Thirty hours of unduplicated gambling specific training, including the basic training. One of the following state, national, or international organizations must approve the requirements of certification training: (A) The Washington state gambling counselor certification committee is an independent body comprised of certified gambling counselors and advisory members as deemed appropriate by the committee and is responsible for determining the training and continuing education requirements for gambling counselor certification and gambling counselor supervision and any additional requirements not otherwise specified here;(B) National or international gambling counselor certification board; or(C) The health care authority problem gambling program.(c) An individual who meets subsection (3) of this section must complete training within two years of acceptance to the certification program to become a certified gambling counselor.(d) All staff members in training to become a certified gambling counselor must receive clinical supervision. The clinical supervisor must:(i) Hold a valid international gambling counselor certification board-approved clinical consultant credential, a valid Washington state certified gambling counselor II certification credential, or a valid national certified gambling counselor II certification credential; and(ii) Complete training requirements on problem gambling and gambling disorder specific clinical supervision approved by a state, national, or international organization including, but not limited to, the: (A) Washington state gambling counselor certification committee;(B) National or international gambling counselor certification board; or(C) The health care authority problem gambling program.(3) An agency that provides only problem gambling-related services, including diagnostic screening, brief intervention, case management, referral to certified problem gambling agencies, and educational sessions, but does not provide problem gambling assessment and treatment, is not required to be certified for problem gambling services.Wash. Admin. Code § 246-341-1200
Adopted by WSR 22-24-091, Filed 12/6/2022, effective 12/10/2022 and 5/1/2023