CT HB06861

Creates new "licensed marital and family therapist associate" license category for individuals who have completed a graduate degree in marital and family therapy and passed an examination, with initial fee of $125, while working toward full licensure requirements.

Licensed marital and family therapist associate licenses expire after 36 months and may be renewed once for an additional 36 months with a $220 renewal fee, with renewal contingent on demonstrating progress toward completing full licensure requirements.

Requires all licensed marital and family therapists to complete continuing education including at least one contact hour on cultural competency per registration period, with details to be established by commissioner regulations.

Maintains existing full licensure requirements for licensed marital and family therapists, including a graduate degree, 500 direct clinical hours with 100 hours supervision, 12 months postgraduate experience with 1,000 direct client contact hours and 100 hours supervision, and passing an examination; initial fee set at $315 with $315 annual renewal fee.

All provisions effective October 1, 2015.