Quarterly Newsletter, December 2006, Vol. 15 No.3

The Importance of Licensing Portability for Counselors:

Movement Towards 60 hours of Graduate Studies

John Leitz

Our Lady of Holy Cross College

A year and a half ago we as Mental Health Therapists learned the importance of license portability. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina many counselors had difficulties trying to practice in their new residences, because licensure requirements vary from state to state. Currently, counselors who move out of the state in which they are licensed cannot be certain that they can take their credential with them. Some must apply for another license in their new state of residency which means they are faced with the hassle of digging out old school documents, supervisor evaluations and test scores to start the application process all over again. But what happens if these records are lost to fire or like so many counselors to flood waters?

The licensing standards across the country vary from state to state. Currently in Louisiana the applicant must have graduated from a 48-hour program and attain 3,000 hours of Post-Master’s pre-license supervised experience with 1900 direct client contact hours, plus 100 hours of face-to-face supervision. So, why does this need to be changed? Currently 24 states require 60 hours of graduate coursework. In most of these states, LPCs from Louisiana would not be able to obtain a license without gaining more graduate hours.

What is the solution to this problem? Well, in 1986 the American Counseling Association (ACA) formed a committee to "establish an organization to encourage communication of state licensing boards." The outcome of this committee was the formation of The American Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB). AASCB is currently working with 20 states to change their current licensure laws to facilitate adoption of the AASCB Group I/Group II Portability Model. Because some of the states require legislative changes in their respective laws, adoption of the NCR may take extra time. The goal of NCR is to eventually have every state that has licensure accept the Registrants documentation, and subsequently license that person – regardless of which state he/she is moving to.  As mentioned above, there are currently 20 states making strides to change their laws. The AASCB Portability Plan, combined with the service of the National Credential Registry, will make it easier for licensing boards to allow counselors to obtain licensure in their new state when they move. The National Credential Registry will provide counselors a storage facility for all the documentation required by state licensing boards. For a fee, counselors will be able to store documentation of coursework, supervision reports, continuing competency hours, recommendations, and work history as they proceed to accumulate them throughout their careers.  The NCR will also forward these credentials to any state licensure board upon request.

 AASCB Group I/Group II Portability Model, gives each state the choice to become part of two different groups based on their requirements. All counselors must have a current license from a member state and no disciplinary action taken against their license. The group requirements are based on three areas; education, post-master’s experience, and post-license experience.  In order to be considered for special inclusion as a Registrant, a licensee must have 5 years post license experience.  The expectation is that this person will be allowed to become licensed in any state.

Group I requires:

·        A master’s degree with 48 graduate credit hours in counseling or a counseling related field.

·        3,000 hours of post-master’s supervision experience with 1900 direct client contact hours.

·        5 years of experience in a counseling setting.

Group II requires:

·        A minimum of a master’s degree with 60 graduate credit hours in counseling or counseling related field.

·        4,000 hours of post-master’s supervision experience with 2500 hours of direct client contact.

·        5 years of clinical counseling experience.

Once states designate themselves as either a Group I or Group II state, licensed counselors who previously practiced in another state with the same group designation would be able to apply for licensure with virtually no hassles, and the receiving state will accept all the documentation from the NCR.  Counselors from Group II will have greater flexibility in their movement. They will be able to practice in all the states that belong to AASCB’s portability plan.

 The movement towards the 60 hours of graduate coursework would give our counselor the greatest flexibility and credentials, to move throughout the country. They will have the educational requirements to obtain a license in any state that has a LPC licensure. An in return, this will hold our counselors to the highest standards for LPC licensure.

 Currently, there are eight CACREP master’s degree programs in Louisiana. Five of these have already moved to 60 hour programs. The following colleges and universities require 60 hours of graduate studies in counseling:

·        Our Lady of Holy Cross College

·        University of New Orleans

·        Southeastern Louisiana University

·        Southern University in Baton Rouge

·        University of Louisiana at Monroe

SUPERVISOR’S TRAINING

 For Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) &

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)

  30-Hour

AAMFT Approved Supervision Fundamentals Course

 February 16-17 and

  March 9-10, 2007

Granberry Counseling Center at the

7200 DeSiard St.

Monroe, Louisiana  71203

We are offering the required supervisor’s training for prospective LMFT supervisors for 30 contact hours which will satisfy the educational requirements of the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners. The 30 hour Marriage and Family Therapy supervision workshop has been approved by AAMFT. This 30 hour workshop also serves for dual supervision for MFT’s and LPC’s. And prospective LPC supervisors for 25 contact hours. Please note: Due to the nature of the training, enrollment will be limited to 30 participants on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information, call Kelly Barnett at (318) 237-4623

Email: Kelly@lbch.org

Be Sure to Mark Your Calendar -

The 2007 LAMFT Annual Conference is scheduled for February 22 - 24, 2007 at the Hilton in Baton Rouge. 

Featured Presenters Are:

• Craig Everett, Ph.D. and Sandra Volgy Everett, Ph.D.
• Douglas Flemons, Ph.D. and Shelley Green, Ph.D.
• Frank Thomas, Ph.D.
• Michael Chafin

Eight complaints have been filed in FY 05/06.  Two remain under investigation

Five complaints have been filed in FY 06/07.  Three remain under investigation

 John P. Kadair denied for licensure as both Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and his status as a Counselor Intern and MFT Intern has been revoked for violation of:  RS 37:1110 (A)(1), 37:1107 (A)(2) & (5), 37:1116 (A)(2) and 37:1120 (A)(2).

ADDRESS CHANGES FOR:   LPC/COUNSELOR INTERNS/LMFT/MFT INTERNS

 Notify the Board in writing of your change of address. Be sure to let us know what address you wish to use for correspondence and what address you wish to use for the website.   There is a rule which gives you 30 days to notify the Board of any and all changes in name, address, and phone number.  Failure to comply with this rule will result in a $50.00 fine.  It is very important that the Board have a current address for all of their licensees especially at renewal time..  Please help us by sending in your changes.  You can change your address by e-mailing lpcboard@eatel.net, faxing 225/7652514, or by calling the Board office 225/7652515. mailto:lpcboard@eatel.net,

BOARD MEMBERS AND

MFT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Gloria Bockrath, PhD, LPC, LMFT

Chair

Roxane L Dufrene, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT

Vice Chair

Lin Falcon, Member At Large

Secretary

June Williams, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT

Board Member

Anthony Williams, MA, LPC, LMFT

Board Member

Anna Cole, MS, LMFT

Board Member

MFT Advisory Committee Chair

Tom Moore, MA, LPC, LMFT

Board Member

MFT Advisory Committee Secretary

Lynn Pearlmutter, Ph.D., LCSW, LMFT

Board Member

MFT Advisory Committee Vice Chair

Charles A. Gagnon, M.Ed., LPC, LMFT

Board Member

Vera Triplett, Ph.D., LPC

Board Member

NCE INFORMATION FOR 2007

Exam Date Deadline to Register Exam Location

January 20,2007 December 1, 2006 New Orleans

April 21, 2007 March 2, 2007 New Orleans/Shreveport

July 21, 2007 June 1, 2007 New Orleans

October 20, 2007 August 31, 2007 Baton Rouge/Monroe

Exam registration forms can be obtained by calling the LPC Board office at 225/765-2515.

Fee $120.00 make checks payable to NBCC.

Questions about the Exam: Tel: 336/547-0607 FAX: 336/547-0017

E-mail: nbcc@nbcc.org