Becoming a Hypnotist in Washington State

Train to become a certified hypnotist in the state of Washington.

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Please note: The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.

In Washington state, where I live, hypnosis professionals are officially referred to as registered hypnotherapists. Registration is granted and administered by the Washington State Department of Health under the authority of Revised Code of Washington RCW 18.19.030.

Washington Hypnotherapist Registration Requirements

The hypnotherapist registration requirements are outlined on the Washington State Department of Health website. Here is a summary of the requirements:

• Hypnosis training is implied: Make sure you get the very best hypnosis and hypnotherapy training available. You want to feel comfortable and confident seeing clients and being able to help them when your training is complete.
• Read RCW 18.130.170: Capacity of license holder to practice; hearing; mental or physical examination; implied consent. This is about your capacity to practice and outlines how the state can require proof of physical and/or mental capacity.
• Read RCW 18.130.180: Unprofessional conduct. This outlines what determines unprofessional conduct.
• Fill out an application: See application details below.
• Complete telemedicine training if applicable: Beginning January 1, 2021, health care professionals, excluding physicians, who offer telemedicine services to patients are required to complete telemedicine training. See the Department of Health policy statement, the Washington State Telehealth Collaborative Training page, and the Washington State Medical Professional Telemedicine Training.
• HIV/AIDS training: As of June 11, 2020, Washington state two-, four-, and seven-hour HIV/AIDS trainings are no longer required.

The application and supporting documents are reviewed by credentialing staff to make an initial determination on eligibility. As far as I am aware, as long as you have taken some type of formal hypnosis and hypnotherapy training, you should be just fine.

Hypnotherapist Registration Application Details

The application consists of several sections, including:

1. Demographic information: Your name, social security number, age, and address.
2. Personal data questions: Questions such as whether you have ever been convicted of a crime or use illegal substances.
3. Other licenses, certifications, and registrations: Any other professional credentials that you have.
4. Title description: The application asks, “Give a brief description of your therapeutic orientation, discipline, theory, or technique.” This is an essay question where you are expected to include that you are a hypnotherapist and describe the hypnosis techniques you plan on using in your practice.

Send in your application or fill it out online. The fee listed in the migrated content is $155, with an $80 renewal fee. Please confirm current fees with the Washington State Department of Health before applying.

What about Training?

You will notice that there are no specific requirements for hours or type of training, but you will want to provide documentation that you have completed a hypnotherapy training program.

It should go without saying that you want to get the best training available so you feel confident working with clients right away.

What happens next?

Your application will be reviewed and you will receive a response within a few weeks. Your registration expires on your birth date every year, and you will receive a renewal notification in the mail. I received my response a few weeks after applying online.

What else should I be doing when I first open my practice?

I recommend the following:

• Join a professional organization. I highly recommend the National Guild of Hypnotists. They are the oldest and largest hypnosis organization and have a yearly convention in August that brings together leading hypnotists and the latest information in the profession.
• Join the National Federation of Hypnotists Union. The union protects our right to practice hypnosis.
• Obtain general and professional liability insurance.
• Obtain a state business license and any county or city licenses required where you do business.
• Include an information disclosure for all clients.

If you have other questions about how to become a certified hypnotherapist in Washington State, I would be happy to answer them.

Is there a difference between a hypnotist and a hypnotherapist?

The short answer is “it depends.” At one time these may have meant different things, but today they are basically interchangeable. However, differing laws in each U.S. state govern the titles that can or cannot legally be used by hypnotism professionals.

To read my full answer, see What’s the Difference Between a Hypnotist and a Hypnotherapist?.