Remote LCSW & LMFT Jobs in Washington

How To Become an LCSW or LMFT in Washington

How to Become an LCSW in Washington

The equivalent of an LCSW in Washington state is a Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW). The first step to becoming a licensed social worker in Washington is to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW). The degree must be conferred by an accredited four-year college or university.

Once prospective remote social workers in Washington meet the preliminary requirements, you need to pursue the following:

• Education and additional coursework: You must have a master's or doctorate social work degree. The degree must come from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

• Experience: If you want to become a licensed social worker in Washington state, you must complete a minimum of 3,200 hours of postgraduate, supervised experience. Requirements include 800 hours of direct client contact. A licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or a Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW), who has been licensed for at least two years, must supervise 90 hours of the candidate’s work. Other requirements include 50 hours of direct supervision (one-on-one or group) by the LASW or LICSW.

• Exams: Applicants must pass the national clinical exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The 170-question exam covers topics such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and interventions. It also covers ethics and values.

• Fees: Washington requires a $116 application fee and a $100 license fee. There is a $260 fee for the ASWB clinical exam. Additional fees are required for specialized certification.

How to Become an LMFT in Washington

A bachelor’s degree is the first step toward becoming licensed as a marriage and family therapist in Washington. Once prospective remote LMFTs in Washington meet the preliminary requirements, you need to pursue the following:

• Education and additional coursework: You must obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy. A master’s or doctoral degree in behavioral science is also acceptable.

• Experience: Candidates must complete two calendar years of full-time marriage and family therapy. Another requirement is 3,000 hours of experience including 1,000 hours of direct client contact, 500 hours of diagnosing and treating couples and families, and 200 hours of supervised work. At least 100 hours of those 200 hours must be one-on-one supervision.

• Exams: Candidates must pass the Marital and Family Therapy Exam developed by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).

• Fees: Washington requires candidates pay a total of $306 for the application and initial license fee. Candidates must pay a $365 fee for the AMFTRB exam.

Requirements for Remote Mental Health Workers (LCSWs & LMFTs) in Washington

Once you are a licensed social worker or therapist in Washington, you can decide which type of position suits you best whether you live in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Olympia, or elsewhere in the state.

If you want to become a remote LCSW or remote LMFT, there are plenty of full-time and part-time virtual work opportunities available in Washington.

Here’s what you should know before applying for a position as a remote mental health therapist:

• Work-from-home therapist: One of the main benefits of working remotely is the opportunity to work for any employer in the state—without a daily commute. As a remote therapist, you must provide the same level of treatment as your on-site colleagues. You’ll use web platforms, your smartphone, mobile applications, and other technology to conduct virtual sessions with clients. Therapists can only treat clients in the state in which they are licensed, so a LCSW or LMFT licensed in Washington must only accept clients from that state.

• Skills of successful remote therapists: Remote therapists need excellent technical and communication skills for virtual mental health therapy. Many therapists actually refine their skills by working in person with clients before shifting to teletherapy.

• Necessary documentation: An updated resume and professional documentation are critical for mental health professionals. You may need these documents for prospective or current employers.

• Additional training: Telemedicine companies often provide training to educate clinicians on how to use relevant technology and platforms, as well as best practices for good webside manner.

Companies hiring remote LCSWs and LMFTs in Washington often post open positions on job posting sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn, so this is a great place to start looking for virtual therapy work opportunities.