Credentialing by state / Washington
Therapist Credentialing in Washington
Enrollments are billed 50% at the start and 50% at submission; everything else 100% at the start.
Washington belongs to all three behavioral health licensure compacts, which decides how easily LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychologists in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma and Bellevue can treat clients across state lines. It does not change payer enrollment: Apple Health, Premera Blue Cross and Regence BlueShield and Medicare each credential you on their own, whatever your license route.
| PSYPACT (psychologists) | Effective, since June 9, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Counseling Compact (LPC/LMHC) | Member, privileges not yet issued |
| Social Work Compact (LCSW) | Member, not yet operational |
| LMFTs | No interstate compact; license in each state |
| Medicare contractor | Noridian Healthcare Solutions, jurisdiction JF |
| Medicaid | Apple Health, 5 managed-care plans |
| Commercial decision deadline | 90 days (RCW 48.43.750) |
Licensure Compacts in Washington
PSYPACT for psychologists
Washington's PSYPACT law took effect on June 9, 2022. A psychologist whose home state is Washington can apply through ASPPB for the E.Passport, which supports the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT), and for the IPC, which supports temporary in-person practice (TAP) in other PSYPACT states. Both depend on holding an unrestricted Washington license, and both are separate from payer enrollment.
Across the border, Idaho also participates; Oregon does not, so telepsychology with clients located there still needs that state's own license.
Counseling Compact for LPCs
Washington has passed the Counseling Compact, but as of October 2026 it is not one of the 10 states issuing privileges, so membership does not yet let a counselor practice across the Washington line. The Commission says members must finish readiness steps, including data sharing and testing, before going live.
Social Work Licensure Compact for LCSWs
Washington is one of the 33 jurisdictions listed as members of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Washington was the fourth state, in March 2024 (HB 1939). The compact will offer a multistate license rather than a per-state privilege, but the Commission's July 2026 update says multistate licenses are not yet available and puts completion of the data system at spring 2027, so Washington LCSWs still need each state's license today.
Compacts Grant a License Route, Not a Network Seat
A compact privilege is permission to practice; it is not enrollment. A Washington therapist who adds clients in another state through a compact still needs that state's Medicaid enrollment, a practice location the plans accept there, and a separate application to each commercial plan or behavioral health network in that state. CAQH (DataSpring) carries the extra license or privilege, but every payer decides on its own timeline.
Medicare for Washington LMFTs and Counselors
Since January 1, 2024, Medicare pays marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors directly, and a Washington LPC qualifies as a mental health counselor when the license and degree meet the federal definition. Enrollment is the CMS-855I in PECOS, reviewed for Washington by Noridian Healthcare Solutions; payment is 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. LCSWs and psychologists were already eligible, so for Washington practices this is the first time every licensed therapist on staff can be a Medicare provider.
Apple Health and Its Plans
Apple Health enrollment is filed with the Washington State Health Care Authority through ProviderOne. Most members are in managed care, and each plan credentials therapists as its own application once the state enrollment is active. The largest by 2024 enrollment:
- Molina Healthcare of Washington: 837,457 members, owned by Molina
- Community Health Plan: 252,143 members
- UnitedHealthcare: 208,078 members, owned by UnitedHealth Group
See all 5 plans; confirm with each one whether it credentials behavioral health directly or through a vendor.
Washington Rules for Commercial Plans
Washington law gives commercial plans 90 days to decide, counted from a complete application, with the carrier's average required to stay under 60 days (RCW 48.43.750). Carriers must use ProviderSource by OneHealthPort, the state-selected credentialing database. (RCW 48.43.750) A provider added to an existing contract is paid from submission of the completed application. (Laws 2020 (EHB 1552))
Neighboring States
- Idaho: PSYPACT yes; Counseling Compact no; Social Work Compact no
- Oregon: PSYPACT no; Counseling Compact no; Social Work Compact no
The full checklist, the carve-out networks and timelines are in our therapist credentialing guide; Medicare, Medicaid and commercial basics for every clinician type are on credentialing in Washington.
Questions Washington Therapists Ask
Can a Washington LPC see clients in another state by telehealth?
Not through the compact yet. Washington has passed the Counseling Compact but is not issuing privileges as of October 2026, so a license in the client's state is still required. Either way, each payer in that state needs its own enrollment.
Is Washington a PSYPACT state?
Yes. Washington's PSYPACT law took effect on June 9, 2022. Washington psychologists can practice telepsychology into other participating states under APIT once ASPPB issues the E.Passport, but each payer still credentials them per state.
How does a Washington therapist join Apple Health?
Enroll with the Washington State Health Care Authority through ProviderOne. Apple Health enrolls 1,660,905 people across 5 managed-care plans (2024), and each plan you want, such as Molina Healthcare of Washington, Community Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, credentials you separately once the state enrollment is active.
Can Washington LMFTs and counselors bill Medicare?
Yes, since January 1, 2024. Marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors licensed in Washington enroll on the CMS-855I through PECOS, reviewed by Noridian Healthcare Solutions, and Medicare pays them 75% of the clinical psychologist amount. They need 2 years or 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised clinical experience.
Answers cover PECS services, prices and process. For legal, tax or clinical questions please consult a professional.
Sources: PSYPACT Commission, participating states map and legislation table; Counseling Compact Commission, member states and news and go-live announcements; Social Work Licensure Compact Commission, member jurisdictions and news and status updates; CMS, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors; KFF, Medicaid MCO Enrollment by Plan and Parent Firm, 2024; Washington statute. Compact status as of October 8, 2026; confirm with the Washington licensing board before relying on it.