Washington Mental Health Counselors Association 901 Boren Ave #701 Seattle, WA 98104 www.wmhca.org 206-714-5560 Washington Mental Health Counselors Association Continuing Education Provider Approval Program APPLICATION GUIDELINES 1. Application Submit your fully completed application with supporting materials and the non-refundable application fee to WMHCA. Please submit your application by email. Please mail the last page of your signed application along with your check to WMHCA. Please allow ample time for the review process to conclude and note that you must receive your approval prior to advertising CE credits. 2. Clarification of application types Limited Event(s) Application A Limited Event is a single event or course of events contained in a block of time. Any course can be repeated within one year from the date of approval. SEMINAR Type Presenters Sessions Length WORKSHOP/ CONFERENCE INSTITUTE Single Multiple Multiple Not Simultaneous or not Simultaneous or not One day One or more days Longer intensive experience
WMHCA Application Guidelines 2 One Year Unlimited Events Application Events produced by organizations that offer trainings as part of their regular business, are experienced with such offerings, and offer multiple trainings with various instructors and topics over a one year period. 3. General information about the scope of approval Expiration of yearly approval 1. Limited Event(s) approval expires at the final presentation of the event within a one year period 2. Unlimited Events approval expires one year from the approval date Renewal of previously approved events 1. There is a reduced application fee for an event that has been approved and is offered unchanged again in the next year. 2. If an event is offered more than once in the same year, the initial approval for the current year holds for multiple offerings of that event. 3. For applicants renewing their Unlimited Events approval, please request the Unlimited Events Renewal application. Unlimited Events application 1. To qualify for an Unlimited Events approval, thorough documentation from 3 previously held events, one of which was held in the previous year, is required. (See application for specifics.) 2. Those programs currently being planned must meet the application standards or this type of application cannot be approved or may be revoked.
WMHCA Application Guidelines 3 4. Course content requirements The content of a course shall be related to direct or indirect patient/client care. Such courses shall cover pragmatic aspects of practice (i.e. counseling theory and skills, consultation, insurance risks and benefits, managed care issues, supervision training). The applicant must state at least 2 learning objectives in the course outline or brochure. Course objectives must be relevant to mental health counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy, and shall state clearly how the course content will help the clinician become a more proficient practitioner in providing direct patient/client care. We have included a document entitled Scope of Practice Definitions to assist you in ascertaining whether your course content is appropriate for accreditation. Courses or workshops primarily designed to increase practice income or office efficiency are specifically not eligible for CE credit. Each credit reflects one hour (60 minutes) of instruction. Breaks are not included. Please submit a copy of the evaluation mechanism you intend to use at the end of the course. WMHCA only approves courses designed for post-graduate level professionals. 5. Instructor requirements The applicant shall include the CVs of the primary instructor(s) and proof of the following: A CV indicating a master s or higher degree from an educational institution in an area related to the subject matter of the course and demonstrating at least 5 years of work experience in an area related to the subject matter of the course. A copy of the license (or certification) in an area related to the subject matter of the course. The license or certification shall be current, valid, and free from restrictions due to disciplinary action by any association, governmental agency, or other industry recognized entity. Exceptions to these instructor requirements are subject to WMHCA board approval.
WMHCA Application Guidelines 4 6. Re-application If an application is rejected by the reviewing team, a notice stating the specific reason(s) for rejection and that which is needed to bring the application into compliance will be sent to the applicant. An applicant may either revise the application according to the requests of the reviewers, or the applicant may appeal the decision, but must do so within 30 calendar days of the date the rejection notice is sent to the applicant. The application fee is non-refundable. However, no additional fee will be required to appeal or resubmit an application for approval. 7. Appeal process An applicant must contact WMHCA within 30 calendar days of the date the rejection is sent to the applicant for the purpose of requesting a meeting or to confer with the review committee to defend the information provided in the application. This may be done in person or in writing. The applicant may request one additional review. If the application is rejected a second time, the application will not be accepted until the requested revisions are made. 8. Provider requirements A program evaluation must be obtained from each attendee prior to awarding certificates. Participants requesting CE credits must be provided with a certificate or document that includes the participant s name, the name of the activity, the number of CE credit hours approved, the date(s) of the activity, the signature of the program coordinator, and the WMHCA provider number. Following the event(s) there are 2 final WMHCA requirements: Submit within 45 days of the completion of the event(s): A copy of each completed evaluation OR a composite of the completed evaluations A copy of the program flyer or brochure
WMHCA Application Guidelines 5 9. Submission of completed application and fee. Submit fee to: WMHCA 901 Boren Ave #701 Seattle, WA 98104 Email your application to: WMHCABoardAssistant@gmail.com