CT SB00133

Establishes two levels of professional counselor licensure: "licensed clinical professional counselor" (independent practice) and "licensed master professional counselor" (practice only under professional supervision).

Clinical professional counselor applicants must complete 60 graduate semester hours in counseling with specific coursework requirements, 3,000 hours of postgraduate-degree supervised experience with minimum 100 hours of direct supervision, and pass an examination; on and after October 1, 2017, applicants must complete a graduate degree or sixth-year certificate in counseling with practicum and internship requirements from accredited programs.

Master professional counselor applicants on and after October 1, 2017, must complete a graduate degree or sixth-year certificate in counseling that included 100+ hours in practicum with 40+ hours direct client contact and 600+ hours in clinical internship with 240+ hours direct client contact, plus 60 graduate semester hours in counseling.

Master professional counselor licenses may not be renewed more than two times; all licensed counselors must complete continuing education including one contact hour annually on cultural competency and three contact hours on professional ethics (effective January 1, 2017).

Application fee is $315; renewal fee is $195; makes clinical and master professional counselors eligible for Medicaid reimbursement, mandated reporters of abuse, covered under telehealth provisions, and includes them in professional services and liability provisions throughout state law.