HB 7132 Summary

• Creates new license category of "professional counselor associate" requiring a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling and 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised experience under professional supervision; application fee is $220

• Requires professional counselor associates to practice under professional supervision and prohibits independent practice, while licensed professional counselors can practice independently

• Establishes "marital and family therapist associate" license requiring completion of a graduate degree in marital and family therapy and postgraduate supervised experience; associate license expires after 24 months and may be renewed once for an additional 24 months with $220 renewal fee

• Updates continuing education requirements for both professional counselors and marital and family therapists to include training on cultural competency, veteran mental health conditions, and professional ethics

• Effective date is October 1, 2019 for all provisions