Certification

Certification Process

Any program wishing to provide treatment to perpetrators of domestic violence must request certification from the Department of Social and Health Services.

Registered Counselor Program

Program staff of perpetrator treatment programs are required to be certified counselors. For more information about the Counselor Program, see the Department of Health Counselor Program.

A program may not provide direct treatment services to domestic violence perpetrators without being certified by the department. DSHS considers each geographical location of a program an individual program, and must certify each program separately.

If approved, DSHS grants certification for a two-year period.

Get Application

The application and the Staff Statement of Qualifications forms are made available in the following ways:
Online Application for Program
Certification (form #10-209)- Shana or PDF
Staff Statement of Qualifications (form #10-210) – Shana or PDF
These forms are also listed on the Electronic DSHS Forms page.

By Mail
To request an application by mail, write to:
Domestic Violence Perpetrator Treatment Program
Attn: Dr. Roy Carson, Phd
Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Children’s Administration
P.O. Box 45710 Olympia, WA 98504-5710

Submit Application

Your program must submit the application, an application fee of $100, and the following documentation:

1. A written statement signed by your director that the program complies with the standards contained in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 388-60.
2. Results of current criminal history background checks conducted by the Washington State Patrol for all current direct treatment program staff.
3. A statement for each current paid or volunteer staff person whether or not the staff person has ever been a party to any civil proceedings involving domestic violence.
4. Proof that each direct treatment staff is registered as a counselor or certified as a mental health professional with the Department of Health.
5. Evidence that your program maintains cooperative relationships with agencies providing services related to domestic violence.
   • At least three items of evidence that you have established and continue to maintain cooperative relationships with local domestic violence victim programs and other local agencies involved with domestic violence intervention.
   • Documentation that you have established a referral process between your program and the local domestic violence victim services programs.
   • Proof that you participate in a local domestic violence task force, intervention committee or workgroup if one exists in your community.

This evidence must include:

6. The program may also submit evidence of the following:
   • Participation in public awareness activities sponsored by the local domestic violence victim services agency.
   • Service agreements between the local domestic violence victim services agency(ies) and the treatment program.
   • Letters of support for the program from other agencies or parties involved in domestic violence intervention.
   • Evidence that the program maintains cooperative relationships with agencies involved in domestic violence intervention