Washington legal term
Mental health professional in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Mental health professional” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Washington criminal code.
What does “Mental health professional” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Mental health professional" means a psychiatrist, psychologist, or physician assistant working with a psychiatrist who is acting as a participating physician as defined in RCW 18.71A.010, psychiatric *advanced registered nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse, social worker, mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, or such other mental health professionals as may be defined in statute or by rules adopted by the department of health pursuant to the provisions of chapter 71.05 RCW. (RCW 9.41.010)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.