Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official page posted by the Washington Legislature, fetched 2026-08-29. This is the chaptered version. The official bill page.
CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2363 Chapter 27, Laws of 2026 69TH LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION MUSIC THERAPY—LICENSE APPLICANTS EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2028 Passed by the House February 12, 2026 Yeas 94 Nays 0 LAURIE JINKINS Speaker of the House of Representatives Passed by the Senate March 3, 2026 Yeas 48 Nays 0 DENNY HECK President of the Senate CERTIFICATE I, Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2363 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth. BERNARD DEAN Chief Clerk Chief Clerk Approved March 11, 2026 10:32 AM FILED March 12, 2026 BOB FERGUSON Governor of the State of Washington Secretary of State State of Washington SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2363 Passed Legislature - 2026 Regular Session State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By House Postsecondary Education & Workforce (originally sponsored by Representatives Reed, Berry, Goodman, and Fosse) READ FIRST TIME 02/04/26. AN ACT Relating to temporary exemptions from licensure for certain applicants for a license to practice music therapy; amending RCW 18.233.050; and providing an effective date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON: Sec. 1. RCW 18.233.050 and 2023 c 175 s 6 are each amended to read as follows: (1) Beginning January 1, 2025, a person may not practice music therapy or use any title or designation of "music therapist" that indicates that the person is authorized to practice music therapy unless the person is licensed under this chapter ((175, Laws of 2023 )). (2) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to prohibit or restrict the practices, services, or activities of the following: (a) Any person licensed, certified, or regulated under the laws of Washington state in another profession or occupation or personnel supervised by a licensed professional in this state performing work, including the use of music, incidental to the practice of the licensed, certified, or regulated profession or occupation, if the person does not represent that the person is a music therapist; (b) Any person whose training and national certification attests to the individual's preparation and ability to practice the certified profession or occupation, if the person does not represent that the person is a music therapist; ((and )) (c) Any use and practice of music therapy as an integral part of a program of study for students enrolled in a music therapy education program; and (d) Any applicant for a license to practice music therapy providing music therapy under the supervision of a licensed music therapist for a period not to exceed six months from the start of practice if the applicant's application meets all of the requirements for licensure established in RCW 18.233.030, except the results of the examination required by RCW 18.233.030 have not been verified by the department . (3) Unless authorized to practice speech-language pathology, music therapists may not evaluate, examine, instruct, or counsel on speech, language, communication, or swallowing disorders or conditions. An individual licensed as a professional music therapist may not represent to the public that the individual is authorized to treat a communication disorder. This does not prohibit an individual licensed as a professional music therapist from representing to the public that the individual may work with clients who have a communication disorder and address communication skills. (4) Before providing music therapy services to a client for an identified clinical or developmental need, it is recommended that the licensee review the client's diagnosis, treatment needs, and treatment. (5) Before providing music therapy services to a student for an identified educational need, the licensee shall review the student's diagnosis, treatment needs, and treatment plan with the individualized family service plan's team or the individualized education program's team. NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act takes effect January 1, 2028. Passed by the House February 12, 2026. Passed by the Senate March 3, 2026. Approved by the Governor March 11, 2026. Filed in Office of Secretary of State March 12, 2026.
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