ok-2174: State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure — Licensed Professional Counselors

Summary

The proposed amendments to 86:10-1-2. strikes the definition for “On-site supervisor”. The proposed amendments to 86:10-7-2 strikes required documentation that is no longer needed to complete the Supervision Agreement form. The proposed amendments to 86:10-9-1 more clearly defines the regional accrediting bodies, more clearly defines the graduate degree requirements and aligns the requirement language with language used in surrounding states, strikes the sequenced mental health program language to allow more flexibility for degree programs to be deemed qualifying for licensure, more clearly defines the Board’s graduate degree review process, includes additional option for the Board to utilize a designated credentialing agency to determine the fitness of a graduate degree program, and more clearly defines the process of review for degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States. The proposed amendments to 86:10-9-2 more clearly defines the required core and additional academic knowledge areas to be in alignment with national standards and the graduate degree requirements of the Counseling Compact Commission, reduces the required graduate coursework in Appraisal/assessment techniques from two (2) required courses to one (1) required course, reduces the required graduate coursework in Counseling theories/methods from two (2) required courses to one (1) required course, provides more flexibility in accruing the academic requirements by striking the requirement for five (5) elective courses to be obtained from specific knowledge areas, and strikes the language regarding additional courses as this language is no longer needed. The proposed amendments to 86:10-11-3 strikes the requirement for the use of technology-assisted supervision to be approved by the Board and the factors to be considered for approval, strikes duplicative language regarding supervised experience that is no longer needed, strikes the requirement for an On-site supervisor to be employed at the same facility where a candidate for licensure is accruing supervised experience, and more clearly defines that a Board approved supervisor shall be immediately available to the candidate for licensure any time the candidate is engaging in the practice of counseling. The proposed amendments to 86:10-11-4 strikes the requirement for a Board approved supervisor to be “on call” on a twenty-four (24) hour basis and strikes duplicate language regarding approval to become a Board approved supervisor that is no longer needed. The proposed amendments to 86:10-11-5 strikes the requirement for two (2) observations to be performed each six (6) month evaluation period and strikes the requirement for the Board approved supervisor to consult with the approved On-site supervisor each six (6) month reporting period. The proposed amendments to 86:10-11-6 strikes the requirement to document observations and the date of consultation between the Board approved supervisor and on-site supervisor when submitting the Evaluation of Supervised Experience. The proposed amendments to 86:10-15-2 more clearly defines the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Examination (OLERE). The proposed amendments to 86:10-15-4 more clearly defines the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Examination (OLERE), amends the examination eligibility notification requirements to allow for electronic notification, strikes language regarding examination eligibility that is no longer needed, more clearly defines the Board’s ability to accept the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or other equivalent examination, and strikes the requirement limiting the date a subsequent exam may be scheduled. The proposed amendments to 86:10-15-8 more clearly defines the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Examination (OLERE) and amends the failure to apply notification requirement to allow for electronic notification.

The agency’s own summary, as published.