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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 01-502a

[31 Pa.B. 1571]

[Continued from previous Web Page]

CHAPTER 48.  STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL WORKERS, MARIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS-- LICENSURE OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec.

48.1.Definitions.
48.2.Eduational requirements.
48.3.Qualificaitons for supervisor until January 1, 2010.

LICENSURE

48.11.Licensure examination.
48.12.General qualifications for licensure.
48.13.Licensed marriage and family therapist.
48.14.Standards for supervisors.
48.15.Exemption from licensure examination.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 48.1.  Definitions.

   The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   AAMFT--The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists

   AMFTRB--The Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards.

   Accredited educational institution--A graduate school which is recognized as an institution of higher education or which is accredited by a regional accrediting association recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

   Act--The Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act (63 P. S. §§ 1901--1922).

   Board--The State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.

   COAMFTE--The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.

   Doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy--A doctoral degree which is awarded upon successful completion of a program in marriage and family therapy which is either accredited by COAMFTE, or, which includes coursework that meets the criteria in § 48.2 (relating to educational requirements).

   Field closely related to the practice of marriage and family therapy--Includes the fields of social work, counseling psychology, clinical psychology, educational psychology, counseling and child development and family studies.

   Graduate level coursework in marriage and family therapy acceptable to the Board--Coursework that meets the criteria in § 48.2.

   Institution of higher education--An independent institution of higher education, a community college, a State-related institution or a member institution of the State Sytem.

   Masters degree in marriage and family therapy--A master's degree which is awarded upon successful completion of a program in marriage and family therapy which is either accredited by COAMFTE, or, which includes coursework that meets the criteria in § 48.2.

   Planned program of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours which is closely related to marriage and family therapy--A program which includes coursework that meets the criteria in § 48.2.

   Program recognized by a National accrediting agency--A master, doctoral or postgraduate degree training program accredited by COAMFTE.

   Supervisee--An individual who is fulfilling the supervised experience requirement for licensure.

   Supervision--The act of overseeing, directing or instructing the activity or course of action of another.

   Supervisor--An individual providing supervision to a supervisee who is a marriage and family therapist licensed under the act and has received certification as an approved supervisor or supervisor-in-training by the AAMFT. However, until January 1, 2010, an individual who meets all of the criteria in § 48.3 (relating to qualifications for supervisor until January 1, 2010) shall also be included as a supervisor. A supervisor may also include an individual who holds a license in a related field and who has 5 years experience in that field.

§ 48.2.  Educational requirements.

   Educational requirements are as follows:

   (1)  Human development (3 courses minimum-9 semester or 12 quarter or 135 didactic contact hours).

   (i)  Courses in this area should provide knowledge of individual personality development and its normal and abnormal manifestations.

   (ii)  Coursework should cover human development across the life span, including special issues that affect an individual's development (that is, culture, gender and human sexuality).

   (2)  Marriage and family studies (3 courses minimum-9 semester or 12 quarter or 135 didactic contact hours). Courses in this area should be a fundamental introduction to systems theory.

   (3)  Marriage and family therapy (3 courses minimum-9 semester or 12 quarter or 135 didactic contact hours).

   (i)  Courses in this area should have a major focus of family systems theory and systemic therapeutic interventions.

   (ii)  This area is intended to provide a substantive understanding of the major theories of systems change and the applied practices evolving from each theoretical orientation.

   (4)  Professional studies (1 course minimum-3 semester or 4 quarter or 45 didactic contact hours).

   (i)  Courses in this areas are intended to contribute to the professional development of the therapist.

   (ii)  Areas of study should include the therapist's legal responsibilities and liabilities, professional ethics as a marriage and family therapist, professional socialization, and the role of the professional organization, licensure or certification legislation, independent practice and inter-professional cooperation.

   (5)  Research (1 course minimum-3 semester or 4 quarter or 45 didactic contact hours). Courses in this area should assist students in understanding and performing research.

   (6)  Practicum (minimum 1 year, 300 hours of supervised direct client contact with individuals, couples and families).

§ 48.3.  Qualifications for supervisor until January 1, 2010.

   Qualifications are as follows:

   (1)  The individual is a marriage and family therapist licensed under the act or by a statutory board of another state, if, in the opinion of the Board, the requirements for licensure are substantially equivalent to the requirements of the act.

   (2)  The individual has completed a 1-semester graduate course in MFT supervision (at least 30 contact hours) or the equivalent.

   (3)  The individual has 5 years experience as an MFT.

LICENSURE

§ 48.11.  Licensure examination.

   (a)  The examination required as a prerequisite to being granted a license to hold oneself out as a licensed marriage and family therapist is the AMFTRB National MFT Examination. It will be given annually and at other times deemed appropriate by the Board, in consultation with the third-party testing organization providing the examination to license applicants of the Board.

   (b)  The applicant shall apply to the testing organization for admission to the applicable licensure examination and shall pay the required fee at the direction of the testing organization.

   (c)  The applicant shall be responsible for directing that the testing organization send examination results and other information requested to the Board.

   (d)  The passing grade for the examination will be determined by the Board.

§ 48.12.  General qualifications for licensure.

   General qualifications and requirements for applicants for licensure are as follows:

   (1)  The applicant is of good moral character.

   (2)  The applicant has not been convicted of a felony, which shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere, under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (35 P. S. §§ 780-101--780-144), or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, unless the following apply:

   (i)  At least 10 years have elapsed from the date of conviction.

   (ii)  The applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the Board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction, so that licensure of the applicant would not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of the applicant's clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations.

   (3)  The applicant has submitted an application for licensure on forms furnished by the Board. The application for licensure may be obtained by contacting the Board by mail at: State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, Post Office Box 2649, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-2649, (717) 783-1389 or by e-mail at: socialwopados.state.pa.us.

   (4)  The applicant has submitted the required application licensure fee by check or money order, payable to the ''Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.''

   (5)  The applicant has submitted two certificates of Recommendation on forms furnished by the Board.

   (6)  The applicant has submitted an affirmation signed by the applicant verifying the information on the application.

§ 48.13.  Licensed marriage and family therapist.

   (a)  Conditions for licensure. To be issued a license to hold oneself out as a licensed marriage and family therapist, an applicant shall provide proof satisfactory to the Board, that the applicant has met the following conditions:

   (1)  Satisfied the general requirements for licensure in § 48.12 (relating to general qualifications for licensure).

   (2)  Passed the examination required by § 49.11 (relating to licensure examination).

   (3)  Successfully met one of the following educational requirements:

   (i)  By _____ (Editor's Note:  The blank refers to a date 5 years after the effective date of adoption of this proposed rulemaking.), has completed a planned program of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate coursework which is closely related to marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1 (relating to definitions), including one of the following:

   (A)  A master's degree in marriage and family therapy from an accredited educational institution.

   (B)  A master's degree in a field closely related to the practice of marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1 from an accredited educational institution, with graduate level coursework in marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1 and § 48.2 (relating to educational requirements) from an accredited educational institution or from a program recognized by a National accrediting agency as defined in § 48.1.

   (ii)  Successfully completed a planned program of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate coursework which is closely related to marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1 including one of the following:

   (A)  A 48 semester hour or 72 quarter hour master's degree in marriage and family therapy from an accredited educational institution.

   (B)  A 48 semester hour or 72 quarter hour master's degree in a field closely related to the practice of marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1 with graduate level coursework in marriage and family therapy as defined in §§ 48.1 and 48.2 from an accredited educational institution or from a program recognized by a National accrediting agency as defined in § 48.1.

   (iii)  Holds a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy as defined in §§ 48.1 and 48.2 from an accredited educational institution.

   (iv)  Holds a doctoral degree in a field closely related to marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1 from an accredited educational institution with graduate level coursework in marriage and family therapy as defined in §§ 48.1 and 48.2 from an accredited educational institution or from a program recognized by a national accrediting agency as defined in § 48.1.

   (4)  Has met the following experience requirements:

   (i)  Individuals who meet the education requirements of subsection (a)(3)(i) or (ii), shall have completed at least 3 years or 3,600 hours of supervised clinical experience meeting the criteria in subsection (b), obtained after the completion of 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours of graduate coursework. Supervision for the supervised clinical experience shall be provided by a supervisor as defined in § 48.1.

   (ii)  Individuals who meet the education requirements of subsection (a)(3)(iii) or (iv) shall have complete at least two years or 2,400 hours of supervised clinical experience which meets the criteria set forth in subsection (b), one year or 1,200 hours of which was obtained subsequent to the granting of the doctoral degree. Supervision for the supervised clinical experience shall be provided by a supervisor as defined in § 48.1.

   (b)  Supervised clinical experience--Experience acceptable to the Board means experience as a supervisee in a setting that is organized to prepare the applicant for the practice of marriage and family therapy consistent with the applicant's education and training.

   (1)  At least one-half of the experience shall consist of providing services in one or more of the following areas:

   (i)  Assessment.

   (ii)  Couples therapy.

   (iii)  Family therapy.

   (iv)  Other systems interventions.

   (v)  Consultation.

   (2)  Supervision for the clinical experience shall be provided by a supervisor as defined in § 47.1 (relating to definitions). However, the first 1,800 hours shall be supervised by a licensed marriage and family therapist who has received certification as an approved supervisor or supervisor-in-training by AAMFT or, until January 1, 2010, a marriage and family therapist who meets all the criteria listed in § 48.3 (relating to qualifications for supervision until January 1, 2010).

   (3)  A supervisee shall disclose his status as a supervisee to each patient and obtain written permission to discuss the patients case with the supervisor.

   (4)  The supervisor shall delegate, order and control the marriage and family therapy activities of the supervisee.

   (i)  A supervisor who is temporarily unable to provide supervision shall designate a qualified substitute. However, for the first 1,800 hours delegation must be to another licensed marriage and family therapist who has received certification as an approved supervisor by AAMFT or, until January 1, 2010, a marriage and family therapist who meets all the criteria listed in § 48.3.

   (ii)  Although the supervisor shall continue to bear the ultimate responsibility for supervision, those to whom supervisory responsibilities are delegated shall be individually responsible for activities of the supervisee performed under their supervision.

   (5)  The supervisor, or one to whom supervisory responsibilities have been delegated, shall meet with the supervisee for a minimum of 2 hours for every 40 hours of supervised clinical experience. At least 1 of the 2 hours shall be with the supervisee individually and in person, and at least 1 of the 2 hours shall be with the supervisee in a group setting and in person.

   (6)  A supervisor shall supervise no more than 6 supervisees at the same time. If this provision creates an undue hardship on a supervisee, the supervisor and supervisee may request an exception to this provision. The request shall state, in writing, the reasons why this provision creates a hardship on the supervisee and why the supervisee is not able to obtain a supervisor who meets the requirements of this provision. Before making a determination, the Board may require a personal appearance by the supervisee and supervisor.

   (7)  A supervisor who wishes to terminate supervision during the training period shall give the supervisee 60 days written notice to enable the supervisee to obtain another qualified supervisor. A supervisor may not terminate supervision when termination would result in abandonment of the supervisee's client/patients.

   (8)  Supervised work activity will be counted toward satisfying the experience requirement only if it takes place in a single setting for either, first, at least 30 hours per week but no more than 40 hours per week during at least a 3-month period or, second, at least 15 hours per week for a period of at least 6 months. The experience shall have been obtained within the most recent 10 calandar years, at least half within the most recent 5 calendar years.

§ 48.14.  Standards for supervisors.

   Supervisors, and those to whom supervisory responsibilities are delegated, under § 48.13(a)(4) (relating to licensed marriage and family therapists) shall comply with this section. Supervisors will be asked to attest to compliance on the verification of experience form which shall accompany the supervisee's application for licensure. The Board reserves the right to require a supervisor by documentation or otherwise to establish to the Board's satisfaction that compliance occurred.

   (1)  The supervisor shall be qualified by training and experience to practice in the supervisee's areas of supervised practice.

   (2)  The supervisor may not be a relative of the supervisee by blood or marriage, may not be involved in a dual relationship which obliges the supervisor to the supervisee and may not engage in treatment of the supervisee.

   (3)  An individual who is the subject of a disciplinary action by a licensing Board will not qualify as a supervisor.

   (4)  The supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring that the requirements of § 48.13(b) are met.

   (5)  The supervisor shall be accessible to the supervisee for consultation.

   (6)  The supervisor shall be empowered to recommend the interruption or termination of the supervisee's activities in providing services to a client/patient and, if necessary, to terminate the supervisory relationship. Any hours accumulated for activities not approved by the supervisor will not count towards satisfying the 3,600 hours of supervised experience.

   (7)  The supervisor shall ensure that the supervisee's status as a supervisee is made known to the supervisee's patients, and also ensure that the supervisee has obtained written permission from each patient to discuss his case with the supervisor.

   (8)  The supervisor shall establish objectives to be achieved by the supervisee during supervision.

   (9)  The supervisor shall review issues of practice and ethics with the supervisee.

   (10)  The supervisor shall maintain notes or records of scheduled supervisory sessions and provide these records to the Board upon request.

   (11)  The supervisor shall observe client/patient sessions of the supervisee or review recordings of these sessions on a regular basis.

   (12)  In supervisory meetings, the supervisor shall discuss the supervisee's level of work--for example, the supervisee's areas of competence and areas of needed improvement.

   (13)  The supervisor shall provide the supervisee with recommendations bearing on further professional development, professional study and skills necessary for independent practice.

   (14)  The supervisor shall prepare written evaluations or reports of progress which shall delineate the supervisee's strengths and weaknesses. These evaluations or reports shall be discussed with the supervisee on at least a quarterly basis.

   (15)  The supervisor shall encourage the supervisee to work with professionals in other disciplines as indicated by the needs of each client/patient and shall periodically observe these cooperative encounters.

   (16)  The supervisor shall encourage the supervisee to access multidisciplinary consultation, as necessary.

§ 48.15.  Exemption from licensure examination.

   A license will be issued without examination to an applicant who meets the following requirements. The applicant shall have:

   (1)  Satisfied the general requirements for licensure of § 48.12 (relating to general qualifications for licensure).

   (2)  Submitted an application provided by the Board and accompanied by the required fee.

   (3)  Submitted an application by March 25, 2002.

   (4)  Demonstrated proof of practice of marriage and family therapy for at least 5 of the 7 years immediately prior to the date of application for license. To satisfy the practice of marriage and family therapy requirement, the applicant's practice shall have consisted of at least 15 hours per week, with 10 of those hours consisting of direct client contact.

   (5)  Have successfully met one of the following educational requirements:

   (i)  Have a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1 (relating to definitions) from an accredited educational institution.

   (ii)  Have a doctoral degree in a field closely related to the practice of marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1 from an accredited educational institution with graduate level coursework in marriage and family therapy acceptable to the Board as defined in § 48.1.

   (iii)  Have a master's degree of at least 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours in marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1 from an accredited educational institution.

   (iv)  Have a master's degree of at least 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours in a field closely related to marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1 from an accredited educational institution with graduate level course-work in marriage and family therapy acceptable to the Board as defined in § 48.1.

   (v)  Have a master's degree of less than 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours but not less than 36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours in marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1 from an accredited educational institution and have within the past 10 years completed sufficient continuing education satisfactory to the Board to equal the number of hours needed to achieve a total of 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours at a ratio of 15 continuing education hours equaling 1 semester hour. Continuing education satisfactory to the Board shall meet the following requirements:

   (A)  Masters level difficulty.

   (B)  Excludes courses in office management or practice building.

   (C)  Any course approved by AAMFT.

   (vi)  Have a master's degree of less than 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours but not less than 36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours in a field closely related to the practice of marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1, from an accredited educational institution with graduate level coursework in marriage and family therapy as defined in § 48.1 and have within the past 10 years completed sufficient continuing education satisfactory to the Board to equal the number of hours needed to achieve a total of 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours at a ratio of 15 continuing education hours equaling 1 semester hour. Continuing education satisfactory to the Board shall meet the following requirements:

   (A)  Masters level difficulty.

   (B)  Excludes courses in office management or practice building.

   (C)  Any course approved by AAMFT.

   (6)  Demonstrated holding clinical membership status from AAMFT and passing the AMFTRB National MFT Examination or an examination given by another state as a requirement for licensure in that state.

   (Editor's Note:  The following chapter is new. It has been printed in regular type to enhance readability.)

CHAPTER 49. STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL WORKERS, MARIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS-- LICENSURE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec.

49.1.Definitions.
49.2.Educational requirements.

LICENSE

49.11.Licensure examination.
49.12.General qualifications for licensure.
49.13.Licensed professional counselor.
49.14.Standards for supervisors.
49.15.Exemption from licensure examination.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 49.1.  Definitions.

   The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   Accredited educational institution--A graduate school which is recognized as an institution of higher education or which is accredited by a regional accrediting association recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

   Act--The Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act (63 P. S. §§ 1901--1922).

   Board--The State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.

   CACREP--Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs.

   CORE--Council on Rehabilitation Education.

   Doctoral degree in a field closely related to the practice of professional counseling--A doctoral degree which is awarded upon successful completion of a program in a field closely related to the practice of professional counseling and which includes coursework that meets the criteria in § 49.2 (relating to educational requirements).

   Doctoral degree in professional counseling--A doctoral degree which is awarded upon successful completion of a program which includes coursework that meets, and builds upon, the criteria in § 49.2.

   Field closely related to the practice of professional counseling--Includes the fields of social work, clinical psychology, educational psychology, counseling psychology and child development and family studies.

   Institution of higher education--An independent institution of higher education, a community college, a State-related institution or a member institution of the State System.

   Planned program of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate coursework in counseling or a field closely related to the practice of professional counseling-- A program which includes coursework that meets the criteria in § 49.2.

   Supervisee--An individual who is fulfilling the supervised experience requirement for licensure.

   Supervision--The act of overseeing, directing or instructing the activity or course of action of another.

   Supervisor--An individual providing supervision to a supervisee who is a professional counselor licensed under the act and has 5 years experience as a professional counselor. However, until January 1, 2006, the term shall include an individual who is a professional counselor with 5 years experience as a professional counselor. A supervisor may also include an individual who holds a license in a related field and who has 5 years experience in that field.

§ 49.2.  Educational requirements.

   Education requirements are as follows:

   (1)  Human growth and devlopment--(2 semester or 3 quarter hours) studies that provide anunderstanding of the nature and needs of individual at all developmental stages.

   (2)  Social and cultural foundations--(2 semester or 3 quarter hours) studies that provide an understanding of issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society.

   (3)  Helping relationships--(2 semester or 3 quarter hours) studies that provide an understanding of counseling and consultation processes.

   (4)  Group work--(2 semester or 3 quarter hours) studies that provide an understanding of group development, dynamics, counseling theories, group counseling methods and skills and other group approaches.

   (5)  Career and lifestyle development--(2 semester or 3 quarter hours) studies that provide an understanding of career development and related life factors.

   (6)  Appraisal--(2 semester or 3 quarter hours) studies that provide an understanding of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation.

   (7)  Research and program evaluation--(2 semester or 3 quarter hours) studies that provide an understanding of types of research methods, basic statistics, and ethical and legal considerations in research.

   (8)  Professional orientation--(2 semester or 3 quarter hours) studies that provide an understanding of all aspects of professional functioning including history, roles, organizational structures, ethics, standards and credentialing.

   (9)  Clinical instruction--(Includes 100 clock hours of supervised practicum experience and 600 clock hours of supervised intership experience). The supervised internship experience shall begin after completion of the supervised practicum experience.

LICENSURE

§ 49.11.  Licensure examination.

   (a)  The examination required as a prerequisite to being granted a license to hold oneself out as a licensed professional counselor shall be one of the following:

   (1)  The National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC)

   (2)  The Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Examination administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)

   (3)  The Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) Certification Examination given by ATCB

   (4)  The Board Certification Examination given by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).

   (b)  The applicant shall apply to the testing organization for admission to the applicable licensure examination and shall pay the required fee at the direction of the testing organization.

   (c)  The applicant shall be responsible for directing that the testing organization send examination results and other information requested to the Board.

   (d)  The passing grade for the examination will be determined by the Board.

§ 49.12.  General qualifications for licensure.

   General qualifications and requirements for applicants for licensure are as follows:

   (1)  The applicant is of good moral character.

   (2)  The applicant has not been convicted of a felony, which shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere, under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (35 P. S. §§ 780-101--780-144), or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction, which, if committed in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, unless the following apply:

   (i)  At least 10 years have elapsed from the date of conviction.

   (ii)  The applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the Board that the applicant has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction, so that licensure of the applicant would not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of the applicant's clients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations.

   (3)  The applicant has submitted an application for licensure on forms furnished by the Board. The application for licensure may be obtained by contacting the Board by mail at: State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, Post Office Box 2649, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-2649, (717) 783-1389 or by e-mail at: socialwo@pados. state.pa.us.

   (4)  The applicant has submitted the application licensure fee required by the Board, by check or money order, payable to the ''Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.''

   (5)  The applicant has submitted two certificates of recommendation on forms furnished by the Board.

§ 49.13.  Licensed professional counselor.

   (a)  Conditions for licensure. To be issued a license to hold oneself out as a licensed professional counselor, an applicant shall provide proof satisfactory to the Board, that the applicant has met the following conditions:

   (1)  Satisfied the general requirements for licensure of this subsection.

   (2)  Passed the examination required by § 49.11 (relating to licensure exaimination).

   (3)  Successfully met one of the following educational requirements:

   (i)  By _____ (Editor's Note:  The blank refers to a date 5 years after the effective date of the adoption of this proposal.), has successfully completed a planned program of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate coursework in counseling or a field closely related to the practice of professional counseling as defined in § 49.1 (relating to definitions) including one of the following:

   (A)  A master's degree in professional counseling from an accredited educational institution.

   (B)  A master's degree in a field closely related to the practice of professional counseling as defined in § 49.1 from an accredited educational institution.

   (ii)  Has successfully completed a planned program of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate coursework in counseling or a field closely related to the practice of professional counseling as defined in § 49.1 including one of the following:

   (A)  A 48 semester hour or 72 quarter hour master's degree in professional counseling from an accredited educational institution.

   (B)  A 48 semester hour or 72 quarter hour master's degree in a field closely related to the practice of professional counseling as defined in § 49.1 from an accredited educational institution.

   (iii)  Holds a doctoral degree in counseling from an accredited educational institution.

   (iv)  Holds a doctoral degree in a field closely related to the practice of professional counseling as defined in § 49.1 from an accredited educational institution.

   (4)  Has met the following experience requirements:

   (i)  Individuals who meet the educational requirements of paragraph (3)(i) or (ii), shall have completed at least 3 years or 3,600 hours of supervised clinical experience meeting the criteria in subsection (b), obtained after the completion of 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours of graduate coursework. Supervision for the supervised clinical experience shall be provided by a supervisor as defined in § 49.1.

   (ii)  Individuals who meet the educational requirements of paragraph (3)(iii) or (iv) shall have completed at least 2 years or 2,400 hours of supervised clinical experience meeting the criteria set forth in subsection (b), 1 year or 1,200 hours of which was obtained subsequent to the granting of the doctoral degree. Supervision for the supervised clinical experience shall be provided by a supervisor as defined in § 49.1.

   (b)  Supervised clinical experience. Experience acceptable to the Board means experience as a supervisee in a setting that is organized to prepare the applicant for the practice of counseling consistent with the applicant's education and training.

   (1)  At least one-half of the experience shall consist of providing services in one or more of the following areas:

   (i)  Assessment.

   (ii)  Counseling.

   (iii)  Therapy.

   (iv)  Psychotherapy.

   (v)  Other therapeutic interventions.

   (vi)  Consultation.

   (2)  Supervision for the clinical experience shall be provided by a supervisor as defined in § 49.1. The first 1,800 hours shall be supervised by a licensed professional counselor, or, until January 1, 2006, a professional counselor with 5 years experience as a professional counselor.

   (3)  A supervisee shall disclose his status as a supervisee to each patient and obtain written permission to discuss the patient's case with the supervisor.

   (4)  The supervisor shall delegate, order and control the professional counseling activities of the supervisee.

   (i)  A supervisor who is temporarily unable to provide supervision shall designate a qualified substitute. However, for the first 1,800 hours delegation shall be to another licensed professional counselor, or, until January 1, 2006, a professional counselor with 5 years experience as a professional counselor.

   (ii)  Although the supervisor shall continue to bear the ultimate responsibility for supervision, those to whom supervisory responsibilities are delegated shall be individually responsible for activities of the supervisee performed under their supervision.

   (5)  The supervisor, or one to whom supervisory responsibilities have been delegated, shall meet individually and in person with the supervisee for a minimum of 1 hour for every 20 hours of supervised clinical experience.

   (6)  A supervisor shall supervise no more than 6 supervisees at the same time. If this provision creates an undue hardship on a supervisee, the supervisor and supervisee may request an exception to this provision. The request shall state, in writing, the reasons why this provision creates a hardship on the supervisee and why the supervisee is not able to obtain a supervisor who meets the requirements of this provision. Before making a determination, the Board may require a personal appearance by the supervisee and supervisor.

   (7)  A supervisor who wishes to terminate supervision during the training period shall give the supervisee 60 days written notice to enable the supervisee to obtain another qualified supervisor. A supervisor may not terminate supervision when termination would result in abandonment of the supervisee's client/patients.

   (8)  Supervised work activity will be counted toward satisfying the experience requirement only if it takes place in a single setting for either, first, at least 30 hours per week but no more than 40 hours per week during at least a 3-month period or, second, at least 15 hours per week for a period of at least 6 months. The experience shall have been obtained within the most recent 10 calandar years, at least half within the most recent 5 calendar years.

§ 47.14.  Standards for supervisors.

   Supervisors, and those to whom supervisory responsibilities are delegated under § 49.13(a)(4) (relating to licensed professional counselors) shall comply with this section. Supervisors will be asked to attest to compliance on the verification of experience form which shall accompany the supervisee's application for licensure. The Board reserves the right to require a supervisor by documentation or otherwise to establish to the Board's satisfaction that compliance occurred.

   (1)  The supervisor shall be qualified by training and experience to practice in the supervisee's areas of supervised practice.

   (2)  The supervisor may not be a relative of the supervisee by blood or marriage, may not be involved in a dual relationship which obliges the supervisor to the supervisee and may not engage in treatment of the supervisee.

   (3)  An individual who is the subject of a disciplinary action by a licensing Board will not qualify as a supervisor.

   (4)  The supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring that the requirements of § 49.13(b) are met.

   (5)  The supervisor shall be accessible to the supervisee for consultation.

   (6)  The supervisor shall be empowered to recommend the interruption or termination of the supervisee's activities in providing services to a client/patient and, if necessary, to terminate the supervisory relationship. Any hours accumulated for activities not approved by the supervisor will not count towards satisfying the 3,600 hours of supervised experience.

   (7)  The supervisor shall ensure that the supervisee's status as a supervisee is made known to the supervisee's patients, and also ensure that the supervisee has obtained written permission from each patient to discuss his case with the supervisor.

   (8)  The supervisor shall establish objectives to be achieved by the supervisee during supervision.

   (9)  The supervisor shall review issues of practice and ethics with the supervisee.

   (10)  The supervisor shall maintain notes or records of scheduled supervisory sessions and provide these records to the Board upon request.

   (11)  The supervisor shall observe client/patient sessions of the supervisee or review recordings of these sessions on a regular basis.

   (12)  In supervisory meetings, the supervisor shall discuss the supervisee's level of work--for example, the supervisee's areas of competence and areas of needed improvement.

   (13)  The supervisor shall provide the supervisee with recommendations bearing on further professional development, professional study and skills necessary for independent practice.

   (14)  The supervisor shall prepare written evaluations or reports of progress which shall delineate the supervisee's strengths and weaknesses. These evaluations or reports shall be discussed with the supervisee on at least a quarterly basis.

   (15)  The supervisor shall encourage the supervisee to work with professionals in other disciplines as indicated by the needs of each client/patient and shall periodically observe these cooperative encounters.

   (16)  The supervisor shall encourage the supervisee to access multidisciplinary consultation, as necessary.

§ 49.15.  Exemption from licensure examination.

   A license will be issued without examination to an applicant who meets the following requirements. The applicant shall have:

   (1)  Satisfied the general requirements for licensure of § 49.12 (relating to qualifications for licensure).

   (2)  Submitted an application provided by the Board and accompanied by the required fee.

   (3)  Submitted an application by March 25, 2002.

   (4)  Demonstrated proof of practice of professional counseling for at least 5 of the 7 years immediately prior to the date of application for license. To satisfy the practice of professional counseling requirement, the applicant's practice shall have consisted of at least 15 hours per week with 10 of those hours consisting of direct client contact.

   (5)  Have successfully met one of the following educational requirements:

   (i)  Holds a doctoral degree in professional counseling from an accredited educational institution.

   (ii)  Holds a doctoral degree in a field closely related to the practice of professional counseling from an accredited educational institution.

   (iii)  Have a master's degree of at least 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours in professional counseling or a field closely related to the practice of professional counseling from an accredited educational institution.

   (iv)  Have a masters degree of less than 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours but not less than 36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours in professional counseling or a feild closely related to the practice of professional counseling and has within the past 10 years completed sufficient continuing education satisfactory to the Board to equal the number of hours needed to achieve a total of 48 semester hour or 72 quarter hours at a ratio of 15 continuing education hours equaling 1 semester hour. Continuing education satisfactory to the Board shall meet the following requirements:

   (A)  Masters level difficulty.

   (B)  Excludes courses in office management or practice building.

   (C)  Any course approved by NBCC, CRC, CBMT or ATCB, and which does not include a course in office management or practice building.

   (6)  Demonstrated holding one of the following:

   (i)  The National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and having passed the National Counselor Examination given by the NBCC.

   (ii)  The Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) and having passed the CRC Examination giving by the CRCC.

   (iii)  The Registered Art Therapist (ATR) certification from the the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) and having passed the Board Certification Examination given by the ATCB.

   (iv)  The Academy of Dance Therapists Registered certification (ADTR) from the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) and having passed the National Counselor Examination given by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).

   (v)  The Music Therapist-Board Certified certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) and having passed the Board certification Examination given by the CBMT.

   (vi)  The Registered Drama Therapist (RDT) certification from the National Association for Drama Therapy (NADT) and having passed the National Counselor Examination given by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).

   (vii)  The Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) certification from the Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors (ACCMHC) and having passed the credentialing examination given by ACCMHC.

   (viii)  The Nationally Certified Psychologist (NCP) certification from the Northamerican Association of Masters in Psychology (NAMP), and having passed the Practice Exam of Psychological Knowledge given by NAMP.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-502. Filed for public inspection March 23, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]



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