(1) The Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists is established. The board consists of eight members appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate in the manner provided in ORS § 171.562 and 171.565. All members of the board must be residents of this state. Of the members of the board:

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(a) Three must be licensed as professional counselors under ORS § 675.715;

(b) Two must be licensed as marriage and family therapists under ORS § 675.715;

(c) One must be from the faculty of a school within this state that has programs to train persons to become professional counselors or marriage and family therapists; and

(d) Two must be members of the public who have demonstrated an interest in the fields of professional counseling and marriage and family therapy but who are not a:

(A) Licensed professional counselor or marriage and family therapist; or

(B) Spouse, domestic partner, child, parent or sibling of a licensee.

(2)(a) Board members required to be licensees may be selected by the Governor from a list of three to five nominees for each vacancy, submitted by any professional organization representing licensees.

(b) In selecting the members of the board, the Governor shall strive to balance the representation according to:

(A) Geographic areas of this state; and

(B) Ethnic group.

(3)(a) The term of office of each member is three years, but a member serves at the pleasure of the Governor. The terms must be staggered so that no more than three terms end each year.

(b) By October 1 of each year, the Governor shall appoint persons to fill positions on the board that are due to become vacant on October 1 of that year. A member is eligible for reappointment. If there is a vacancy for any cause, the Governor shall make an appointment to become immediately effective for the unexpired term.

(c) A board member shall be removed immediately from the board if, during the member’s term, the member:

(A) Is not a resident of this state;

(B) Has been absent from three consecutive board meetings, unless at least one absence is excused; or

(C) Is not a licensee or a retired licensee whose license was in good standing at the time of retirement, if the board member was appointed to serve on the board as a licensee.

(4) Members of the board are entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS § 292.495. The board may provide by rule for compensation to board members for the performance of official duties at a rate that is greater than the rate provided in ORS § 292.495. [1989 c.721 § 10; 2001 c.120 § 5; 2009 c.535 § 4]