(1) The authority recognizes a person as a certified peer counselor who can provide medicaid-reimbursable peer counseling services when the person meets the requirements in WAC 182-115-0200.

(2) Certified peer counselors who provide services to people enrolled in medicaid must be under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional and/or substance use disorder professional who understands rehabilitation and recovery. The clinical supervisor's expertise should be aligned with the needs of the populations served by the certified peer counselor.

(3) Certified peer counselors must provide services to people enrolled in medicaid under a licensed community behavioral health agency as defined in WAC 246-341-0200 and certified under WAC 246-341-0724.

(1) A certified peer counselor may provide medicaid-reimbursable peer services only:

(a) Through December 31, 2026;

(b) Under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional, or substance use disorder professional, or both:

(i) Who understands rehabilitation and recovery;and

(ii) Whose expertise aligns with the needs of the populations served by the certified peer counselor;

(c) When the services are provided in a licensed community behavioral health agency, as defined in WAC 246-341-0200; and

(d) When the certified peer counselor is credentialed as an agency-affiliated counselor under chapter 18.19 RCW.

(2) On January 1, 2027, the profession of certified peer specialist, as defined in RCW 18.420.010, will supersede certified peer counselors. On and after that date, only certified peer specialists and peer specialist trainees may provide medicaid-reimbursable peer services.