MS HB708

Establishes a new "Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor" (P-LPC) credential requiring a master's degree in counseling, board-approved supervision, and practice confined to a board-approved site, renewable for up to four years at $50 per year.

Reduces the licensing fee for full Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) applications from $100 to $50 and requires master's degree holders (instead of doctoral degree) in counseling or related fields from accredited programs.

Requires fingerprint-based criminal history background checks through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and FBI for all applicants and license renewals.

Adds board authority to assess investigation and prosecution costs (including attorney's fees) against licensees in disciplinary actions and changes appeal venue to the applicant's county of residence or Hinds County if out-of-state.

Removes the July 1, 2020 repeal date for the licensing chapter and deletes exemptions for postsecondary institution counselors, counselor educators, and social workers from regulation requirements.