H678 - Professional Licensing Acts Summary

• Renames "Licensed Professional Counselors Act" to "Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselors Act" with updated terminology throughout related statutes effective January 1, 2020.

• Restructures the Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board from a Governor-appointed board to a 9-member board with appointments divided between the General Assembly (6 members) and Governor (3 members), effective July 1, 2020.

• Increases Board-approved education hours required for substance abuse counselor certification from 270 to 300 hours and discontinues the certified substance abuse residential facility director credential, effective October 1, 2019.

• Creates a North Carolina Impaired Professionals Program for substance abuse professionals experiencing substance use disorders, mental health concerns, or professional sexual misconduct, with confidentiality protections and independent operation, effective October 1, 2019.

• Amends the Social Worker Certification and Licensure Act to revise qualification requirements, remove mandatory examination renewal, extend record retention periods, and modify board composition requirements, effective January 1, 2021.