How to Serve as a Clinical Supervisor in Washington as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

If you're an MFT (Marriage and Family Therapist) in Washington wondering how to serve as a supervisor, this guide breaks down the Washington clinical supervisor requirements with precise code references, CE expectations, pitfalls, and how the Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI) can help you meet your continuing education needs.

✅Supervisor Eligibility Requirements

To serve as a clinical supervisor, you must meet the following criteria as per WAC 246-809-134:

• Hold a license as defined per WAC 246-809-110 — that is, a full, unrestricted license as an LMFT in good standing for the past two years.

• You must not be a blood or legal relative, cohabitant, peer of the candidate, or someone who has provided psychological services to the candidate in the past two years.

• Before beginning supervision, you must provide a declaration (on a department form) stating you meet these requirements.

• You must have completed both:

  • At least 15 clock hours of training in clinical supervision, which can be met via a supervision course, continuing education credits on supervision, supervision of supervision, or any combination; AND

  • At least 25 hours of experience in supervision of clinical practice.

• Alternatively, being an AAMFT-approved supervisor automatically meets the qualifications.

📖 Source: Washington Administrative Code – WAC 246-809-134: Approved supervisor

🔄Ongoing / Renewal CE Requirements

While there are no continuing education (CE) requirements specific to clinical supervision in Washington, to remain eligible to serve as a supervisor, your LMFT license must be active and in good standing. This means you must meet the general CE requirements for licensed marriage and family therapists, as outlined in WAC 246-809-630.

✅ General CE Requirements for LMFTs (Every 2-Year Cycle)

• ✔ 32 total hours of continuing education

• ✔ 6 hours in professional law and ethics

  • May include topics under RCW 18.130.180 (e.g., confidentiality, professional conduct)

• ✔ 2 hours in professional roles and boundaries

  • Must be taken separately from the ethics requirement

• ✔ 6 hours in suicide assessment, treatment, and management

  • Required once every 6 years

  • Must be selected from the Department of Health’s approved model list (per WAC 246-809-615)

  • These hours count toward the 32-hour total

• ✔ 2 hours in health equity training

  • Required once every 4 years

  • Must meet standards established in WAC 246-12-830

⚠️ Pitfalls to Avoid

Many candidates run into these frequent issues:

• Supervisees not being registered — supervision hours may not count if the supervisee wasn’t properly registered or working under applicable rules.

• Supervision hours not counting due to improper documentation — lack of signed logs, missing declarations, or unsanctioned formats may render the hours invalid.

• Supervisor not meeting state requirements at time of supervision — e.g., not having the required 15 CE hours in supervision or not being in good standing at the time you provided supervision, thus invalidating those supervision hours.

Avoiding these mistakes ensures your supervision is fully valid when submitted to the state board.

📘 How the Telehealth Certification Institute Helps You Meet Supervision CE Requirements

The Telehealth Certification Institute (TCI) offers a variety of continuing education (CE) courses and certificate programs that help Washington LMFTs:

• ✅ Fulfill the initial 15-hour clinical supervision training requirement

• ✅ Strengthen your skills and confidence as a competent clinical supervisor

Recommended Courses:

• 15 CE Clinical Supervision Training Bundle
  Ideal for clinicians completing the initial 15 hours of supervision training required to serve as a clinical supervisor in Washington.

  Covers key topics such as:

  • Supervision ethics

  • Models and methods of supervision

  • Telesupervision practices

• Clinical Supervision Certificate Program
  Designed for those seeking comprehensive training in clinical supervision.

  This program exceeds Washington's minimum supervision requirements, covering a broad range of competencies — but does not include:

  • Suicide prevention

  • Health equity

  • Professional roles and boundaries

• Law and Ethics Courses
  Browse our ethics library to fulfill Washington's 6-hour law and ethics requirement

• Cultural Competence Courses
  Browse our cultural competence courses to fulfill Washington's 2 hour health equity training requirement.

• Washington requires 6 hours of suicide assessment, treatment, and management CE every six years, and those hours must be completed through a training program on the Washington Department of Health’s Model List (per WAC 246-809-615).

  Because only courses approved on the Department’s Model List qualify for this requirement, clinicians must verify that the training they select appears on the official list:
  🔗 Washington DOH Model List.

• Individual Clinical Supervision CE Courses
  Looking to build expertise in a specific area of supervision? Explore our course catalog to choose targeted CE options that support your supervision goals, including multicultural supervision, legal risk reduction, and telesupervision.

🤝 Free Clinical Supervision Forum

Join our live, bi-monthly forum designed for clinical supervisors—open to all behavioral health professionals!

• ✅ Earn free live CE hours
• 💬 Engage in real-world case discussions
• 🌐 Connect with supervisors nationwide

🔗 Register now and be part of the conversation

🌟 Why Choose TCI for Your Training?

• ✅ Trusted by thousands of behavioral health professionals across the country
• ✅ 100% online and self-paced — learn on your schedule, wherever you are
• ✅ Accredited continuing education from top industry experts
• ✅ Flexible, modular courses — pay only for the training you need

⚠️ Disclaimer

“The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Licensing and supervision requirements may change, and interpretations may vary. It is the responsibility of each individual to verify the current rules and qualifications directly with their state licensing authority.”

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