201 KAR 36:070. Application, education, and examination requirements

      Section 1. (1) Degree in counseling. To qualify as a degree in counseling under KRS 335.525(1)(c), a degree shall:

      (a) Clearly indicate that it is a degree in counseling from a counseling program as evidenced by the description in the program's catalogues and brochures outlining the intent to educate and train the individual for the practice of professional counseling as defined in KRS 335.500(5);

      (b) Include the word "counseling" in the name of the degree, the academic program of study, or the major field of study;

      (c) Be from a counseling program that stands as a recognizable organizational entity within the institution and has a counseling faculty who identify with the professional counseling profession; and

      (d) Include practicum or internship experience of at least 600 hours in a counseling program that stands as a recognizable organizational entity within the institution and which has a counseling faculty who identify with the professional counseling profession.

      (2) Degree in a related field.

      (a) To qualify as a degree in a related field under KRS 335.525(1)(c), a degree shall:

      1. Be awarded from an academic program of study for the degree that follows an organized sequence of graduate coursework with at least one (1) course in a minimum of seven (7) of the nine (9) content areas established in KRS 335.525(1)(d);

      2. Include a three (3) semester hour course, at the minimum, on Professional Orientation and Ethics that has as its concentration the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics; and

      3. Include practicum or internship experience of at least 600 hours in a counseling program that stands as a recognizable organizational entity within the institution and which has a counseling faculty who identify with the professional counseling profession.

      (b) The degree shall be designed to educate and train the individual for the practice of professional counseling as defined by KRS 335.500(5).

      (3) Examples of degrees that shall not be accepted as a degree in counseling or a degree in a related field for purposes of licensure include a degree in Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or Special Education.

      (4) If an applicant proffers a degree in a related field, the applicant shall also provide evidence of additional graduate coursework in each area listed in KRS 335.525(1)(d)1-9 that is not included in the applicant's degree. The coursework in the degree program, in addition to the other coursework, shall demonstrate that the applicant has documented coursework in all nine (9) of the content areas listed in KRS 335.525(1)(d).

 

      Section 2. Accreditation. (1) All coursework submitted for licensure shall be from a regionally accredited educational institution which is accredited by any one (1) of the following: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, New England Association of Colleges and Schools, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, North Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

      (2) An applicant shall have a degree from a program that is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs. This requirement shall not apply to an applicant who:

      (a) Is enrolled in a counseling or a related field program on or before January 15, 2015;

      (b) Maintains continuous enrollment; and

      (c) Receives a degree in the counseling or a related field program no later than May 31, 2020.

 

      Section 3. Examination. Applicants for licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor shall obtain a passing score on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

 

      Section 4. Application for Licensure. (1)(a) Each applicant for licensure as a licensed professional clinical counselor shall:

      1. Submit an Application for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Licensing Via Endorsement for Reciprocity to the board;

      2. Pay the fee as established in 201 KAR 36:020; and

      3. Submit proof of passage of one (1) of the examinations required under Section 3 of this administrative regulation.

      (b) If applying for licensure via endorsement for reciprocity, an applicant shall:

      1. Meet the requirements in paragraph (a)1. and 2. of this subsection; and

      2. Submit an official transcript.

      (2) Each applicant for licensure as a licensed professional counselor associate shall:

      (a) Submit an Application for Licensed Professional Counselor Associate to the board;

      (b) Pay the fee as established in 201 KAR 36:020; and

      (c) Submit an official transcript.

 

      Section 5. Incorporation by Reference. (1) The following material is incorporated by reference:

      (a) "Application for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Licensing Via Endorsement for Reciprocity", October 2011; and

      (b) "Application for Licensed Professional Counselor Associate", October 2011.

      (2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Division of Occupations and Professions, 911 Leawood Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (27 Ky.R. 1116; Am. 2727; eff. 4-9-2001; 2516; eff. 6-16-2003; 32 Ky.R. 2078; 33 Ky.R. 84; eff. 7-24-2006; 3242; eff. 6-20-2007; 35 Ky.R. 1871; 2007; eff. 3-11-2009; 38 Ky.R. 1021; 1560; eff. 3-21-2012; 41 Ky.R. 305; 1077; 1311; eff. 12-17-2014.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 335.500, 335.525(1)(c), (d), (f), 335.527(1)(a)

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 335.515(1), (3)

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 335.515(3) requires the board to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out and enforce the provisions of KRS 335.500 to 335.599. KRS 335.525(1)(c) requires that applicants for licensure shall have received a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field from a regionally-accredited institution. KRS 335.525(1)(d) requires that applicants for licensure shall have sixty (60) graduate semester hours in specified areas. KRS 335.525(1)(f) requires that applicants achieve passing scores on the examination required by the board. This administrative regulation establishes the application, educational, and examination requirements for licensure.