The Board offers waivers to two requirements of licensure:
· Waivers from participating in and reporting continuing education.
· Waivers from Professional Disclosure Statement requirements for content and or filing and distribution.
How do you get a waiver? Except where noted below, you must specifically seek approval in written form, give rationale, and wait for the Board to make a decision. Waivers cannot be granted for a time period prior to receipt of the request by the Board. Waivers continue in place until an established date, or until the circumstances that allowed the waiver change.
Who can apply for Continuing Education Waivers? (1) Persons who cannot attend the required number of hours of training due to a medical condition. (2) Persons who do not offer or engage in the practice of counseling/therapy and do not plan to for an extended period of time.
How do CE waivers work? Waivers may allow completion of fewer than the number of hours requested, allow completion of more distance learning hours, defer a number of hours, or allow continuation of licensure without completing any hours of continuing education.
How do you apply for a CE Waiver? The Board requires filing of the request for waiver on a specific form. Medical CE Waiver Request and Not Practicing CE Waiver Request forms are available by calling, e-mailing, or writing the Board office. Persons filing medical waiver requests must provide verification from a medical professional that a medical condition prevented training. Persons filing not practicing waivers must not be offering or providing any therapy and must be willing to agree to seek and obtain permission before returning to practice or offering practice until approved by the Board and to “makeup” 20 hours of continuing ed as a condition to return to practice.
What kind of PDS waivers are available? Licensees or registered interns may be exempt from some of the specific requirements, such as name, practice address and telephone number; or fee schedule; exempt from distribution to all or select clients; or exempt from all PDS requirements; or the waiver may allow an alternative or modified “disclosure” form or mechanism.
Are there any automatic waivers? Yes. Licensees/interns not practicing in Oregon are exempt from filing, maintaining, and distributing disclosure statements. Licensees providing crisis response are exempt from distributing the PDS to clients prior to the performance of counseling or therapy (but they must still file, maintain, and distribute to other clients).
How do you apply for a PDS Waiver? Licensee/intern must submit a written request (letter) explaining what needs to be waived, and why there is good cause.
What is the most important thing to remember about waivers?
1. Asking isn’t enough, you have to get approval.
2. The worst time to apply is during renewal. If possible, obtain CE waivers and PDS waivers before applying for renewal.
CE Waiver Form
CE Medical Waiver Form
833 025 0050
Continuing Education and Supervision Requirements
(1) Effective after renewal date April 1, 1998, licensees shall complete 40 clock hours of approved continuing education every two license years, April 1 through April 1, as a condition of renewal on April 1 of even-numbered years, except:
(a) For the first renewal after initial licensure, if first renewal is on an even-numbered year which will require no continuing education hours; or after the second renewal after initial licensure, if second renewal is on an even-numbered year which will require only 20 clock hours completed between licensure and second renewal;
(b) Following Board approval of a petition for waiver or extension of time based on documentation showing that the licensee was prevented from completing the requirements because of serious illness or disability.
(c) Following a contractual agreement with the Board that the licensee will not be practicing counseling or marriage and family therapy for an extended period of time because the licensee is retired; on maternity leave; or voluntarily not working; and that the licensee will not resume practice without a Board-approved plan for participating in 20 clock hours of continuing education or clinical supervision.
(2) Up to 20 hours may be satisfied through receipt of professional supervision by any licensed mental health professional. Supervision hours may be obtained by participation in a supervision group with a designated supervisor who is a state licensed mental health professional.
(3) Up to 10 hours claimed may be obtained through:
(a) Distance learning, such as correspondence courses
(b) For a professional publication, not to exceed 5 hours per publication.
(4) Approved continuing education shall consist of professional education in one or more of the following program areas:
(a) For professional counselors:
(A) Counseling theory;
(B) Human growth and development;
(C) Social and cultural foundations;
(D) The helping relationship;
(E) Group dynamics;
(F) Life style and career development;
(G) Appraisal of individuals;
(H) Research and evaluation;
(I) Professional orientation and ethics; or
(J) Professional supervision training.
(b) For marriage and family therapists:
(A) Theory of marital and family therapy;
(B) Assessment and treatment in marital and family therapy;
(C) Human development and family studies;
(D) Ethics and professional studies;
(E) Research; or
(F) Professional supervision training.
(5) A "clock hour" shall be defined as one hour spent in a program meeting the requirements for continuing education. Clock hours exclude refreshment breaks, receptions and other social gatherings, and meals that do not include an approved program:
(a) Fifteen clock hours shall be granted for one academic semester hour;
(b) Ten clock hours shall be granted for one academic quarter hour;
(c) Ten clock hours shall be granted for one continuing education unit;
(d) The number of clock hours granted for a program offered by an approved provider, as defined in section (6) of this rule, will be determined by the definition of clock hour in this rule.
(6) Approved programs shall include:
(a) Academic courses offered in accredited degree counseling or marriage and family therapy programs; or
(b) Presentations sponsored by departments of accredited educational institutions; national, regional, state, or local professional organizations or associations; public or private human services agencies or organizations; private consultants; or individuals that meet the following approved provider guidelines:
(A) Program is presented by competent individuals as documented by appropriate academic training, professional licensure or certification, or professionally recognized experience. Presenters should have an identifiable involvement with human services;
(B) Program meets the professional needs of the licensee´s intended clientele;
(C) Program has a minimum duration of one clock hour;
(D) Except for non-classroom distance learning, program is offered in a place which is accessible to persons with disabilities;
(E) Distance learning program includes mechanism for evaluation, measurement, or confirmation of exchange of information;
(F) Programs approved by National Association of Social Workers, National Board for Certified Counselors, Oregon Psychological Association, and American Counseling Association.
Stat. Auth.: ORS Ch. 675.785 Stats. Implemented: ORS 675.725 & 675.785
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