SURVIVOR S MAP to LICENSURE in TENNESSEE Purpose of Presentation The purpose of this presentation is to provide direction in the LPC-MHSP licensing process. There will be five presenters each covering a critical aspect of the licensing process.
SURVIVOR S MAP to LICENSURE in TENNESSEE Topics to be Covered 1. Academic Requirements 2. Licensure Exams 3. Post-Master Experience 4. Supervision Requirements 5. Application Process Disclosure This presentation does not purport to replace the Statutes, the Rules & Regulations or any Policy Statements of the TN Licensure Board. This presentation is designed to bring clarity, and hit the highlights of the licensing process, but always consult the documents above for details.
Academic Requirements Melissa McGee Academic requirements must be completed prior to date of licensure application. If one has a Sixty (60) hour CACREP accredited degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, requirements are automatically met. Otherwise, one must have a degree in counseling or closely related field which includes a master s degree in counseling.
Degree Requirements Other degree requirements: 1. Degree must have been completed from an institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or a comparable accrediting body. 2. Degree must be either a 60 hour degree or if less than 60 hours, additional coursework bringing the hours completed to 60 hours.
Graduate Coursework 3. Graduate coursework should include courses in the following study areas: (Special note: One course may satisfy study in more than one of the study areas). Theories of human behavior, learning and personality Abnormal behavior Theories of counseling and psychotherapy Evaluation and appraisal procedures Group dynamics, theories and techniques Counseling techniques Multicultural counseling Ethics Research Use of the DSM Treatment and Treatment Planning
Graduate Coursework 4. For the MHSP designation, a minimum of nine (9) graduate semester hours of coursework must be specifically related to diagnosis, treatment, appraisal and assessment of mental disorders. 5. One s academic training must also include a supervised field experience as either a practicum or internship that includes: A minimum of five hundred (500) clock hours of training, With at least three hundred (300) of which must be completed in a mental health or community agency setting. This field experience must be supervised by an individual with at least a master s degree in counseling, social work, psychology or psychiatry.
Licensure Exams Jennifer Castner Licensure as an LPC-MHSP in TN requires passing three exams: 1. National Counselors Examination (NCE) 2. National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) 3. Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam for Professional Counselors (TJEPC)
National Counselors Exam (NCE) Register through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC - www.nbcc.org) 200 Questions: - Multiple Choice - 160 is the top score - 40 questions are being tested for future use Designed to assess knowledge skills and abilities determined to be important in providing effective counseling services
National Counselors Exam (NCE) NBCC has contracted with Pearson VUE to assist in the electronic administration of the examination. NBCC has developed a preparation guide for the NCE (This guide can be purchased for $34.95 at www.nbcc.org). -Most graduate programs also suggest using The Encyclopedia of Counseling by Howard Rosenthal.
National Counselors Exam (NCE) Passing the NCE can lead to certification as a NCC counselor. Many educational institutions have been approved by NBCC to provide the opportunity for students to take the NCE prior to graduation. In this case the exam is referred to as the GSA-NCC. In Tennessee, if a student is graduating with a 60-hour counseling degree and has passed the GSA-NCC (NCE) as a student, he/she can apply for a Temporary License upon graduating.
National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) The NCMHCE is the exam that is required to receive the MHSP designation; also administered by the NBCC. The NCMHCE consists of 10 clinical simulations designed to sample broad areas of competencies, not the recall of isolated facts. - There are various right answers to every question, but the goal is to pick the best answer. - Answer choices are assigned a point value, and the higher the point value of the answers picked the higher the test score
National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) The NBCC publishes study guides for this test and gives options for other study guides (http://www.nbcc.org/exams/examprep). - It s important to practice answering the questions so that the format of the test is familiar. NBCC has contracted with Pearson VUE to assist in the electronic administration of the examination.
Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam (TJEPC) Generally taken AFTER passing the NCE and NCMHCE. Administered by the NBCC. Find registration form at the following link: http://www.nbcc.org/assets/stateforms/reg/tn-juris.pdf Presently the TJE is a 50 true/false questions/paper/pencil test. The board is currently considering a major change on the TJE and how it is administered.
Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam (TJEPC) To study for the TJEPC, individuals need to review the most current ACA code of ethics and the Tennessee rules and regulations. Currently, the test is only offered four times a year plan it out!
Post-Master s Experience Lynece Benton-Stewart Those pursuing licensure as LPC-MHSP must have 3000 post-master s supervised experience, including: 1500 face-to-face direct client contact hours Must be obtained in a clinical setting with focus on the opportunity to diagnose, treat, appraise and assess mental health disorders. Ideally, complete ten (10) direct client contact hours per week (at this rate will accumulate 1500 hours in three (3) years). All post-master s hours must be accrued under the supervision of an approved supervisor.
Post Master s Experience 1500 hours of clinically-related activities These hours include 150 hours of licensure supervision, and may include other collateral experiences such as completing reports and paperwork, trainings, workshops, and other experiences necessary for the completion of licensure requirements.
Post Master s Experience The 3000 hours must be completed in a minimum of two years and maximum of four years. Permission from the Board must be sought before exceeding the four year limit. If accumulating post-master s hours under the Temporary License, the Temporary License is good for three years only and cannot be renewed. Accordingly, it is best to complete your 3000 hours in the two to three year period.
Post Master s Experience It is advised and encouraged that one track and document his/her clinical hours weekly on a Post Master s documentation log, with both your signature and the signature of your approved supervisor. It is critical that post-master s hours be obtained in a setting that fits the definition of a Clinical Setting. If the Board determines at any time that the clinical setting is not appropriate, the hours earned in that setting will not count for licensure.
Clinical Setting Defined Place of practice shall be a public, private, or community agency/mental health setting and must have integrated programs for the delivery of clinical mental health counseling. The place or practice shall not be owned, or independently be operated by the applicant. At the March, 2017, Board meeting the Board voted to require the temporary license for any LPC/MHSP intern/trainee working on post master s hours in a private practice setting.
Clinical Setting Defined At least one licensed mental health professional must be on site for a cumulative minimum of 20 hours per week. The licensed mental health professional can serve as supervisor if he or she meet the requirements. The 20 hours should overlap with the time in which the applicant is working so that the licensed professional is actually available for consultation. Regardless, a written emergency plan should be in place as to how to contact a supervisor when a supervisor is not available on-site.
Clinical Setting Defined The place or practice shall offer adequate physical resources, such as a private space that meets HIPAA requirements, necessary to allow for supervision and appropriate service delivery. Compensation for services provided by the trainee shall be paid directly to the place or practice unless the trainee has a temporary license, at which time the trainee may be paid on an agreed upon basis.
Supervision Requirements Frankie Fachilla There were significant revisions made to the supervision rules in 2013. These requirements went into effect on January 31, 2013.
Supervision Requirements All potential supervisors must have been licensed at least five years as one of the following: LPC-MHSP, LMFT, Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapist, Licensed Psychologist with Health Service Provider designation, Licensed Senior Psychological Examiner, Licensed Psychiatrist, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker All supervisors must be in good standing with their respective licensing boards and professional associations, and they must have received the required supervision training.
Half and Half 150 contact (it s supposed to be 60 minutes) hours of supervision are required. Half of these (75) MUST be with a LPC-MHSP designated as an approved supervisor by the state board of professional counselors. The other half can be from one of the other licensure types for supervisors that 1) have been licensed for five years; 2) are in good standing with their state licensing board; and 3) have received the required supervision training.
It s on you... All supervisors must meet the following training criteria (at least one of these): - Training that has led to certification as an approved supervisor (AAMFT, NBCC, & AAPC) - Academic course in supervision or - Completed at least 12 CEU contact hours related to supervision It s the supervisee s job to make sure that all supervisors meet training requirements and that the approved LPC-MHSP supervisor meets criteria as approved supervisor. Ask for this documentation before signing a supervision contract.
It s on you... Approved supervisors must also complete three (3) CEU hours on supervision every two years. Supervisors can submit qualifications to the board to be designated as an approved supervisor. Even if they are designated as an approved supervisor, the supervisee should verify that the supervisor is getting the required 3 CEU supervision hours every other year.
Conflicts of Interest Your supervisor cannot be A family member; Your employee; Anyone that is considered part of your household.
Supervision Hours You must accrue 150 hours of supervision in (no less than) two and (no more than) four years. 50 hours of this 150 hours can be group supervision, and individual supervision can also be done with 2 supervisees. You can have more than one supervisor. You must have one hour of supervision for every ten sessions. If you hope to complete licensure in two years, a good plan is to have weekly individual supervision and group supervision every other week for two years.
Application Process Stephanie Evans LPC LPC/MHSP Temporary Reciprocity
Dual Licensure in Tennessee LPC -LPC is an available license but not recommended -Does not allow one to diagnose -Is useful in only a limited amount of work settings LPC-MHSP -Greater scope of practice. -Allows one to diagnose. -Opens multiple avenues for employment. -Strongly encourage that anyone pursuing the LPC-MHSP do so under a temporary license.
When Can One Apply for the Temporary License Once an individual has met the academic requirements for licensure and has passed the NCE exam, he or she can apply for the LPC-MHSP (temp). The advantages of the temporary license are: 1. Keeps your application open and active. 2. Board is aware that you are practicing and who is supervising you. 3. With temporary license, a trainee can be paid directly for their work.
LPC-MHSP Application (including Temporary License) You Send Completed application with Temporary application Fee ($360.00) $200 application fee, $10 state regulatory fee, $150 temporary licensure fee Photograph (passport style taken within past 12 months) Notarized Declarations of Citizenship Form Birth Certificate (certified copy) Two letters of recommendation from Licensed M H Professionals Completed Course Work Summary Sheet Completed Mandatory Practitioner Profile Questionnaire
LPC-MHSP Application Others Send Official transcript (s) showing a completed counseling degree and at least 60 credit hours Verification of additional licenses (if applicable) NCE exam results from NBCC Criminal Background Check https://www.tn.gov/health/health-professionals/criminal-background-check.html
LPC-MHSP (upgrade from Temporary) Have your approved supervisor(s) complete and you send to the Board: -Verification of Supervised Post-Masters Experience Sent by NBCC: -NCMHCE exam results -Tennessee Jurisprudence Exam for Professional Counselor exam results
LPC-MHSP (Reciprocity) Board may issue a license to any individual who holds a current professional counselor license from another state of the United States which has entered into a mutual reciprocity agreement with the Tennessee Board for Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapists and who meet the qualifications stated in Rule 0450-01-.04(3). At this time, Kentucky is the only state who has entered into a reciprocal agreement with Tennessee.
Methods for Applying Online Mail Due to technological advancements applicants can apply online, upload various documents, and submit payment all through the state website. Individual can mail all items to the Board (allow 14 business days to process): Tennessee Board For Professional Counselors, Marital And Family Therapists and Clinical Pastoral Therapists 665 Mainstream Drive Nashville, TN 37243 (37228 for courier service only)
Methods for Applying Average processing time for submitted applications is eight (8) weeks. Once approved, the applicant will receive an initial determination letter.
Incomplete Application If items are missing from your application you will receive an initial deficiency letter. Therapists have 60 days to submit items which are missing. If missing items are not received during that time frame your file will be closed (remember, application fee is non-refundable).
Questions?