MS HB183

Allows licensure as a licensed professional counselor for applicants who have completed certification requirements from the State Department of Mental Health and have two years of direct counseling services experience at a board-approved site, with or without supervision.

Provides an alternative pathway to full licensure that does not require the post-graduate supervised experience otherwise mandated in the statute for applicants meeting the State Department of Mental Health certification requirements.

Maintains existing requirements for provisional licensure including master's degree in counseling or related field, passing board-approved examination, age 21 or older, good moral character, and U.S. citizenship or legal work authorization.

Requires full application fee of $50.00 and fingerprint-based criminal history background checks through Mississippi and FBI databases for all applicants.

Effective date: July 1, 2020.