ND HB1217

Issues provisional two-year licenses to individuals with a bachelor's degree in counseling who are enrolled in graduate counseling programs, allowing them to provide school guidance and counseling services while completing their graduate degree.

Requires provisional licensees to obtain a graduate degree in counseling from a state-approved program within two years to be eligible for license renewal.

Allows persons with graduate degrees in counseling to provide school services if they hold or will obtain a North Dakota teaching license within seven years of first employment.

Mandates criminal history record checks for all persons hired under this section, with background check costs borne by the employee.

Requires the board to monitor provisional licensees' progress, ensuring they complete at least one-half of graduate counseling credits within the first calendar year and monitor other counselors to ensure they annually complete one-seventh of teaching license requirements.