Notice of Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therap
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B4-31.007: Definition of a "Licensed Mental Health Counselor, or the Equivalent, Who Is a Qualified Supervisor."
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes to review the existing rule text to determine whether changes are necessary.
SUMMARY: The definition requirements in subsection (1)(a) of this rule are reduced solely to that of holding an active license as a mental health counselor issued by the Florida Department of Health and the educational requirements for Qualified Supervisor are revised.
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 491.004(5), 491.005(4)(c) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 491.005(4)(c) FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Susan Foster, Executive Director, Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3258.

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B4-31.007 Definition of a “Licensed Mental Health Counselor, or the Equivalent, Who Is a Qualified Supervisor.”

(1) A “licensed mental health counselor, or the equivalent, who is a qualified supervisor,” as used in Section 491.005(4)(c), F.S., is defined as an individual who, during the period for which the applicant claims supervision, meets one of the following:

(a) Holds an active license as a mental health counselor issued by the Florida Department of Health or is not required to hold such license, but nevertheless meets the education and experience requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor under Section 491.005(4), F.S.;

(b) No change.

(c) Is licensed as a clinical social worker or marriage and family therapist in Florida or in the state in which the supervision took place and can demonstrate a three semester or four quarter hour graduate level course in three of the following six content areas: counseling theories, counseling practice, assessment, career counseling, substance abuse, or legal, ethical, and professional standards from a clinical counseling program in an institution fully accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and/or the U.S. Department of Education an accredited graduate program in mental health counseling;

(d) through (3) No change.

Specific Authority 491.004(5), 491.005(4)(c) FS. Law Implemented 491.005(4)(c) FS. History–New 8-14-88, Amended 1-3-91, Formerly 21CC-31.007, 61F4-31.007, Amended 12-29-96, Formerly 59P-31.007, Amended 8-8-99, 8-9-00, 6-14-05,________.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling.
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling.
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: October 28, 2005
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: March 31, 2006