Washington legal term
Professional person in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Professional person” 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 “Professional person” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Professional person" means: (a) A psychiatrist licensed as a physician and surgeon in this state who has, in addition, completed three years of graduate training in psychiatry in a program approved by the American medical association or the American osteopathic association and is certified or eligible to be certified by the American board of psychiatry and neurology or the American osteopathic board of neurology and psychiatry; (b) A psychologist licensed as a psychologist pursuant to chapter 18.83 RCW; (c) A psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner, as defined in RCW 71.05.020; or (RCW 10.77.010)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.