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Rules checked October 25, 2026 · by Dr. Emily Turinas, PhD

How to start a private practice in Washington

The steps are the same everywhere. Washington's rules are what change: your board, your entity, your ads, your paperwork. Here they are for counselors, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and psychologists, each linked to the official source.

Business education, not legal, tax, or clinical advice. Confirm each rule at the linked source before you rely on it.

Show rules for:
Usual entityA PLLC (professional LLC)
Yearly state filing$70
Recording sessionsAll-party consent state; get written consent either way
AI note toolsNo Washington-specific AI note law found as of October 25, 2026
MinorsA minor 13 or older can agree to outpatient therapy on their own.

By license

Starting a private practice in Washington, by license

Find your license for its Washington title, board, and what associates should know. The full rules for every license follow below, each linked to the official source.

Counselors · LMHC

Starting a private practice in Washington as an LMHC

License: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Board: Washington State Department of Health (DOH), which licenses these professions with advice from the Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers Advisory Committee.

  • Title in ads: Use the title "Licensed Mental Health Counselor" only because you hold that license, and don't use any title you aren't licensed for.
  • Continuing education: Complete 32 hours of CE every 2 years.
  • Renewal: Renew your license every year, by your birthday.
Before full licensure: Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA)

Our research didn't find a Washington board rule on this level's ads or private practice. Whether you may own a practice, bill insurance in your own name, or see private-pay clients outside your supervisor's practice: confirm with your board before you set anything up.

Rules checked October 25, 2026 · Official board site · Ad rules · Consent and records

MFTs · LMFT

Starting a private practice in Washington as an LMFT

License: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Board: Washington State Department of Health (DOH), which licenses these professions with advice from the Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers Advisory Committee.

  • Title in ads: Use the title "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist" only because you hold that license, and don't use any title you aren't licensed for.
  • Continuing education: Complete 32 hours of CE every 2 years.
  • Renewal: Renew your license every year, by your birthday.
Before full licensure: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA)

Our research didn't find a Washington board rule on this level's ads or private practice. Whether you may own a practice, bill insurance in your own name, or see private-pay clients outside your supervisor's practice: confirm with your board before you set anything up.

Rules checked October 25, 2026 · Official board site · Ad rules · Consent and records

Social workers · LICSW

Starting a private practice in Washington as an LICSW

License: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Board: Washington State Department of Health (DOH), which licenses these professions with advice from the Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers Advisory Committee.

  • Title in ads: Use the title "Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker" only because you hold that license, and don't use any title you aren't licensed for.
  • Continuing education: Complete 32 hours of CE every 2 years.
  • Renewal: Renew your license every year, by your birthday.
Before full licensure: Licensed Social Worker Associate–Independent Clinical (LSWAIC)

Our research didn't find a Washington board rule on this level's ads or private practice. Whether you may own a practice, bill insurance in your own name, or see private-pay clients outside your supervisor's practice: confirm with your board before you set anything up.

Rules checked October 25, 2026 · Official board site · Ad rules · Consent and records

Psychologists

Starting a private practice in Washington as a psychologist

License: Psychologist. Board: Washington State Department of Health (DOH) with the Examining Board of Psychology.

  • Title in ads: Call yourself a psychologist only because you are licensed, and use no "psychology" title you aren't licensed for.
  • Continuing education: Complete 60 hours of CE every 3 years.
  • Renewal: Renew your license every year, by your birthday.
If you're not fully licensed yet

Our research didn't find a Washington board rule on this level's ads or private practice. Whether you may own a practice, bill insurance in your own name, or see private-pay clients outside your supervisor's practice: confirm with your board before you set anything up.

Rules checked October 25, 2026 · Official board site · Ad rules · Consent and records

Licensing

Your licensing board in Washington

Read your board's rules before you name your practice or write your website.

LicenseBoardContinuing educationRenewal
CounselorsWashington State Department of Health (DOH), which licenses these professions with advice from the Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers Advisory CommitteeComplete 32 hours of CE every 2 years.Renew your license every year, by your birthday.
Marriage and family therapistsWashington State Department of Health (DOH), which licenses these professions with advice from the Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers Advisory CommitteeComplete 32 hours of CE every 2 years.Renew your license every year, by your birthday.
Clinical social workersWashington State Department of Health (DOH), which licenses these professions with advice from the Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers Advisory CommitteeComplete 32 hours of CE every 2 years.Renew your license every year, by your birthday.
PsychologistsWashington State Department of Health (DOH) with the Examining Board of PsychologyComplete 60 hours of CE every 3 years.Renew your license every year, by your birthday.

Advertising

Advertising rules for therapists in Washington

Every ad counts: your website, directory profiles, business cards, and often your bills.

Counselors

Your title

Use the title "Licensed Mental Health Counselor" only because you hold that license, and don't use any title you aren't licensed for.

  • Your name and Washington license number go on your client disclosure form.
  • Write the full title or the abbreviation LMHC.

Not yet confirmed: We didn't find a rule saying how the title must appear in ads or that your license number must be in them. Check with DOH if you want to be sure.

RCW 18.225.020

What you can't say

Keep every ad truthful, because false or misleading advertising is unprofessional conduct.

  • Misrepresentation anywhere in your business is also covered.
  • Promising results or cures is the kind of claim DOH could treat as misleading.

Not yet confirmed: We found no counselor-specific rule on testimonials, the word "specialist," or guarantees. Avoid them or ask DOH first.

RCW 18.130.180(3) and (13)

Marriage and family therapists

Your title

Use the title "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist" only because you hold that license, and don't use any title you aren't licensed for.

  • Your name and Washington license number go on your client disclosure form.
  • Write the full title or the abbreviation LMFT.

Not yet confirmed: We didn't find a rule saying how the title must appear in ads or that your license number must be in them. Check with DOH if you want to be sure.

RCW 18.225.020

What you can't say

Keep every ad truthful, because false or misleading advertising is unprofessional conduct.

  • Misrepresentation anywhere in your business is also covered.
  • Promising results or cures is the kind of claim DOH could treat as misleading.

Not yet confirmed: We found no counselor-specific rule on testimonials, the word "specialist," or guarantees. Avoid them or ask DOH first.

RCW 18.130.180(3) and (13)

Clinical social workers

Your title

Use the title "Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker" only because you hold that license, and don't use any title you aren't licensed for.

  • Your name and Washington license number go on your client disclosure form.
  • Write the full title or the abbreviation LICSW.

Not yet confirmed: We didn't find a rule saying how the title must appear in ads or that your license number must be in them. Check with DOH if you want to be sure.

RCW 18.225.020

What you can't say

Keep every ad truthful, because false or misleading advertising is unprofessional conduct.

  • Misrepresentation anywhere in your business is also covered.
  • Promising results or cures is the kind of claim DOH could treat as misleading.

Not yet confirmed: We found no counselor-specific rule on testimonials, the word "specialist," or guarantees. Avoid them or ask DOH first.

RCW 18.130.180(3) and (13)

Psychologists

Your title

Call yourself a psychologist only because you are licensed, and use no "psychology" title you aren't licensed for.

  • Any title using "psychology," "psychological" or "psychologist" counts.

Not yet confirmed: We didn't find a rule on how the title or your license number must appear in ads. Check with DOH.

RCW 18.83.020

What you can't say

Keep ads truthful, because false or misleading advertising and deception are prohibited.

  • Fraud or misrepresentation in providing psychological services is banned.
  • Promising results is the kind of claim DOH could treat as misleading.

Not yet confirmed: The old public statements rule was repealed, and we found no rule on testimonials, "specialist," or guarantees. Avoid them or ask DOH first.

WAC 246-924-366 and RCW 18.130.180(3)

Your business

Forming your practice in Washington

Most therapists form a PLLC (professional LLC). Check what your licensing board allows.

Washington has a business and occupation (B&O) tax on gross receipts instead of income tax: about 1.5% of receipts for service businesses, with a small-business credit that wipes it out for lower earners. You file with the Department of Revenue.

Then get your free EIN, open a business bank account, and get your free NPI. More in do therapists need a PLLC or LLC?

WhatWashington
Usual entityPLLC (professional LLC)
Yearly state filing$70
When it's dueBy the end of your anniversary month
Where to filewww.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities

Paperwork

Informed consent and records in Washington

What your intake paperwork must cover, and how long to keep records. For the full form, see informed consent for therapy and the Good Faith Estimate guide.

Counselors

Informed consent

Give every client a written disclosure statement before treatment starts, and have you both sign and date it.

  • Include your practice name, address, phone, your name and license number.
  • Cover your approach, education, fees, billing, refunds and the extent of confidentiality.
  • Tell clients they can refuse treatment and choose another provider.
  • Include DOH contact information so clients can get the list of unprofessional conduct acts.

RCW 18.225.100 and WAC 246-809-710

Records

Keep client records for 5 years after the last visit.

  • Store them safely with limited access.
  • Have a written plan for your records if you close your practice, die or become incapacitated.
  • Insurers or HIPAA may require longer.

Not yet confirmed: We found no longer rule for minors' records in this chapter. If you see children, ask DOH or your insurer whether to keep them longer.

WAC 246-809-035(4)

Complaints

Put DOH's complaint contact information in your disclosure statement.

  • The rule asks for the name, address and phone of the health professions complaint process.
  • DOH complaint intake: 360-236-4700 or [email protected].
  • Mail: PO Box 47857, Olympia, WA 98504-7857.

Not yet confirmed: The rule text we read didn't list the exact contact details to print. Use the DOH details above and confirm them on DOH's site.

WAC 246-809-710

Marriage and family therapists

Informed consent

Give every client a written disclosure statement before treatment starts, and have you both sign and date it.

  • Include your practice name, address, phone, your name and license number.
  • Cover your approach, education, fees, billing, refunds and the extent of confidentiality.
  • Tell clients they can refuse treatment and choose another provider.
  • Include DOH contact information so clients can get the list of unprofessional conduct acts.

RCW 18.225.100 and WAC 246-809-710

Records

Keep client records for 5 years after the last visit.

  • Store them safely with limited access.
  • Have a written plan for your records if you close your practice, die or become incapacitated.
  • Insurers or HIPAA may require longer.

Not yet confirmed: We found no longer rule for minors' records in this chapter. If you see children, ask DOH or your insurer whether to keep them longer.

WAC 246-809-035(4)

Complaints

Put DOH's complaint contact information in your disclosure statement.

  • The rule asks for the name, address and phone of the health professions complaint process.
  • DOH complaint intake: 360-236-4700 or [email protected].
  • Mail: PO Box 47857, Olympia, WA 98504-7857.

Not yet confirmed: The rule text we read didn't list the exact contact details to print. Use the DOH details above and confirm them on DOH's site.

WAC 246-809-710

Clinical social workers

Informed consent

Give every client a written disclosure statement before treatment starts, and have you both sign and date it.

  • Include your practice name, address, phone, your name and license number.
  • Cover your approach, education, fees, billing, refunds and the extent of confidentiality.
  • Tell clients they can refuse treatment and choose another provider.
  • Include DOH contact information so clients can get the list of unprofessional conduct acts.

RCW 18.225.100 and WAC 246-809-710

Records

Keep client records for 5 years after the last visit.

  • Store them safely with limited access.
  • Have a written plan for your records if you close your practice, die or become incapacitated.
  • Insurers or HIPAA may require longer.

Not yet confirmed: We found no longer rule for minors' records in this chapter. If you see children, ask DOH or your insurer whether to keep them longer.

WAC 246-809-035(4)

Complaints

Put DOH's complaint contact information in your disclosure statement.

  • The rule asks for the name, address and phone of the health professions complaint process.
  • DOH complaint intake: 360-236-4700 or [email protected].
  • Mail: PO Box 47857, Olympia, WA 98504-7857.

Not yet confirmed: The rule text we read didn't list the exact contact details to print. Use the DOH details above and confirm them on DOH's site.

WAC 246-809-710

Psychologists

Informed consent

Keep clients informed about their care and get written consent before sharing their information.

  • Explain the purpose and nature of evaluation and treatment.
  • Explain limits of confidentiality at the start, including for minors and guardians.
  • Get documented consent to observe or record sessions.
  • Tell clients if you use telehealth and document their agreement.

Not yet confirmed: We found no required written disclosure statement for psychologists like the one counselors have. Ask the board whether you need one.

WAC 246-924-359 and 246-924-363

Records

Keep records at least 8 years after your last contact with a client.

  • For a minor: until they turn 22 or 8 years, whichever is longer.
  • Include the presenting problem, fees, dates, tests, consultation notes and progress notes.
  • Store them securely with limited access.

WAC 246-924-354

Complaints

We found no rule that requires you to tell clients how to file a complaint.

  • DOH complaint intake: 360-236-4700 or [email protected].
  • Mail: PO Box 47857, Olympia, WA 98504-7857.

Not yet confirmed: Giving clients DOH's contact details is a good habit even if it isn't required. Confirm with the board.

Practice

Telehealth, recording, AI notes, and reporting in Washington

Telehealth consent

  • Describe the technology and boundaries for electronic messages

Recording

Washington is an all-party consent state: everyone must agree before a conversation is recorded (RCW 9.73.030). Whatever the law, get written consent before recording a session or using an AI tool that listens to one.

AI note tools

No state law or board rule specific to AI note tools confirmed as of Oct 2026. Federal HIPAA, state confidentiality law, and board ethics rules still apply.

More in AI scribe consent for therapists.

Your consent should
  • Get consent from everyone in the session before any recording or transcription starts (all-party consent state)
  • Name the AI tool and what it does (drafts notes from a recording, transcript, or the therapist's summary)
  • Say whether the session is recorded or transcribed, and how long any audio, transcript, and AI data is kept before deletion

Reporting abuse

Report suspected child abuse or neglect at the first opportunity, and no later than 48 hours, yourself.

  • Call DCYF intake at 1-866-363-4276, or call law enforcement.
  • If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
  • The statute we read doesn't require you to follow up in writing.

RCW 26.44.030

Seeing minors

In Washington, a minor 13 or older can agree to outpatient therapy on their own. Custody orders, parent access to records, and medication consent are separate questions, so confirm the details before you see minors.

The order

The order to do it in

The same steps as anywhere, with Washington's rules above plugged in. The full walk-through, with costs and a timeline, is in how to start a private practice.

01.

Read your board's rules

02.

Decide who you help and how clients pay

03.

Name it and set up the business

04.

Get malpractice insurance

05.

Set up HIPAA-ready systems

06.

Write your paperwork with these rules

07.

Set your fee

08.

Get found, early

Your Washington checklist, done for youThe free checklist fits every step to your license and Washington: your board's rules, your entity steps with filing links, and starter intake forms filled in with Washington's requirements.
Get your Washington checklist →

Next steps

Guides for your Washington practice

Free, and written for therapists. Start with the free private practice checklist for Washington: it fits each step to your license.

Do therapists need a PLLC or LLC?Entity types, costs, and taxes, state by state.How much should I charge for therapy?A simple fee formula and a free calculator.Credentialing with insurance companiesGetting on insurance panels, in order.Informed consent for therapyWhat your form must include, with a checklist.AI scribe consent for therapistsState laws on AI note tools in 2026.Good Faith Estimate for therapistsWhat it must include and when to give it.Google Business Profile for therapistsSetup and privacy for a therapy practice.How much does it cost to start a private practice?Every cost, line by line, with three budgets.Liability insurance for therapistsWhat malpractice coverage costs and what to ask.How much do therapists make?Pay by license, and private practice math.

Nearby states: How to start a private practice in Oregon · How to start a private practice in Idaho · How to start a private practice in California · How to start a private practice in Alaska

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a PLLC to start a private practice in Washington?

Not always, but most Washington therapists who form an entity use a PLLC (professional LLC). Most therapists form a PLLC (professional LLC). A sole proprietorship needs no state filing, but it doesn't separate your business from your personal assets. Check what your licensing board allows before you file.

How many CE hours do therapists need in Washington?

Counselors: Complete 32 hours of CE every 2 years. Marriage and family therapists: Complete 32 hours of CE every 2 years. Clinical social workers: Complete 32 hours of CE every 2 years. Psychologists: Complete 60 hours of CE every 3 years.

How long do I have to keep therapy records in Washington?

Counselors: Keep client records for 5 years after the last visit. Marriage and family therapists: Keep client records for 5 years after the last visit. Clinical social workers: Keep client records for 5 years after the last visit. Psychologists: Keep records at least 8 years after your last contact with a client.

Is Washington a one-party or all-party consent state for recording sessions?

Washington is an all-party (two-party) consent state: everyone in the conversation must agree to a recording (RCW 9.73.030). ethics rules and HIPAA mean you should get your client's written consent before recording any session or using an AI note tool that records.

Can an LMHC open a private practice in Washington?

The Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) is Washington's full license for counselors, issued by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), which licenses these professions with advice from the Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers Advisory Committee. The level before it is Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA). On your website and ads: use the title "Licensed Mental Health Counselor" only because you hold that license, and don't use any title you aren't licensed for. Then set up your business (in Washington, usually a PLLC, professional LLC) and confirm with the board that nothing else applies to your setup, such as a separate private-practice approval.

Can an LICSW open a private practice in Washington?

The Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) is Washington's full license for clinical social workers, issued by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), which licenses these professions with advice from the Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers Advisory Committee. The level before it is Licensed Social Worker Associate–Independent Clinical (LSWAIC). On your website and ads: use the title "Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker" only because you hold that license, and don't use any title you aren't licensed for. Then set up your business (in Washington, usually a PLLC, professional LLC) and confirm with the board that nothing else applies to your setup, such as a separate private-practice approval.

What title do LMFTs use on their website in Washington?

Use the title "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist" only because you hold that license, and don't use any title you aren't licensed for. Your name and Washington license number go on your client disclosure form. Write the full title or the abbreviation LMFT. Source: RCW 18.225.020.

Can associates see private-pay clients in Washington?

Washington's associate and pre-licensed levels include Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA), and Licensed Social Worker Associate–Independent Clinical (LSWAIC). Our research did not confirm whether Washington lets associates own a practice, bill in their own name, or see private-pay clients outside a supervisor's practice, so confirm with your board and your supervisor before you set one up.

Which board licenses psychologists in Washington?

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) with the Examining Board of Psychology. Continuing education: complete 60 hours of CE every 3 years. Renewal: renew your license every year, by your birthday. Confirm current requirements on the board's site.

Sources

Board rules checked October 25, 2026 from official board, statute, and state filing sites. If something has changed, email [email protected] and we'll update it.

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