(1) The board shall issue a “professional clinical counselor” license to an applicant who:
(a) Has paid the application fee and the appropriate examination fee to the board; (b) Is of good moral character;
(c) Has received a master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field from a regionally accredited institution;
(d) Has completed a minimum of sixty (60) graduate semester hours in the following:
1. The helping relationship, including counseling theory and practice;
2. Human growth and development;
3. Lifestyle and career development;
4. Group dynamics, process, counseling, and consulting;
5. Assessment, appraisal, and testing of individuals;
6. Social and cultural foundations, including multicultural issues;
7. Principles of etiology, diagnosis, treatment planning, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders and dysfunctional behavior;
8. Research and evaluation; and
9. Professional orientation and ethics;
(e) Has completed a minimum of four thousand (4,000) hours of experience in the practice of counseling, all of which must have been obtained since obtaining the master’s degree and must be under approved supervision and shall include but not be limited to a minimum of one thousand six hundred (1,600) hours of direct counseling with individuals, couples, families, or groups and a minimum of one hundred (100) hours of individual, face-to-face clinical supervision with an approved supervisor. Each applicant is encouraged to include as part of the total hours of experience a minimum of ten (10) hours of direct counseling with individuals in a jail or corrections setting. All applicants shall complete an organized practicum or internship consisting of at least four hundred (400) hours; and
(f) Has achieved passing scores on all portions of the examinations required by the board.
(2) The board may issue a “professional counselor associate” license to an applicant who:
(a) Has completed all requirements under paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (1)
of this section;
(b) Has not met the requirements of paragraphs (e) or (f) of subsection (1) of this section; and
(c) Has obtained a board-approved supervisor of record.
(3) (a) On July 15, 2002, a previously certified professional counselor in Kentucky shall be entitled to use the term “licensed professional clinical counselor” and
shall be issued a professional clinical counselor license upon annual renewal. (b) An applicant who has been issued a professional clinical counselor license
shall be entitled to use the title “licensed professional clinical counselor.”
(4) (a) On July 15, 2002, a previously certified professional counselor associate shall be entitled to use the term “licensed professional counselor associate” and shall be issued a professional counselor associate license upon annual renewal.
(b) An applicant who has been issued a professional counselor associate license shall be entitled to use the title “licensed professional counselor associate.”
(5) (a) A licensed professional counselor associate shall maintain ongoing supervision as approved by the board.
(b) A licensed professional counselor associate may apply for the credential of licensed professional clinical counselor upon completion of the hours of experience and passing the examinations required under paragraphs (e) and (f) of subsection (1) of this section.
(6) The application fee for licensure and the examination fee shall be established pursuant to administrative regulation promulgated by the board.
Effective: July 15, 2002
History: Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 79, sec. 5, effective July 15, 2002. — Amended
2000 Ky. Acts ch. 252, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2000; and ch. 312, sec. 2, effective
July 14, 2000. — Created 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 364, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1996.