House Bill 501 Summary

• Creates a new license category for "licensed clinical professional counselor" requiring a valid licensed professional counselor license, 2,000 hours of supervised direct client contact experience over at least two years, and passage of a written examination.

• Revises board composition to require two members licensed as clinical professional counselors or professional counselors, with other specified positions for educators, marriage and family therapists, and a public member.

• Establishes endorsement provisions allowing licensure of professional counselors, clinical professional counselors, associate marriage and family therapists, and marriage and family therapists licensed in other states, territories, or foreign countries who meet board-established qualifications.

• Requires licensees to provide clients with informed consent documentation at the beginning of treatment, including disclosure of education, training, therapeutic orientation, treatment modalities, and financial requirements, with written acknowledgment by both parties.

• Expands the Bureau of Occupational Licenses authority to investigate complaints and prosecute violations involving professional counselors, clinical professional counselors, associate marriage and family therapists, and marriage and family therapists.