CT SB00903

Establishes definitions and educational standards for licensed professional counselors (LPCs) under the Department of Public Health, effective October 1, 2017

Requires applicants licensed before January 1, 2019 to complete 60 graduate semester hours in counseling, earn a master's or doctoral degree in a related mental health field, accumulate 3,000 hours of supervised postgraduate experience (including 100 hours of direct supervision), and pass a prescribed examination

Increases requirements for applicants on or after January 1, 2019 to include either CACREP accreditation or 60+ graduate semester hours plus a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship, plus 3,000 hours of supervised experience (including 100 hours of direct supervision) over at least two years

Mandates continuing education requirements including not less than one contact hour annually on cultural competency, two hours on veteran mental health conditions (after January 1, 2016), and three hours on professional ethics (after January 1, 2018)

Allows licensure by endorsement for applicants licensed in other states with substantially similar or higher requirements, and permits substitution of three years of licensed work experience in lieu of supervised experience requirements