| Board Information |
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| Brief History |
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In 1989, the State of Oregon passed a licensing law for Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists. Oregon Revised Statues (ORS) 675.705-835, is a "title act". It restricts the use of certain titles, "Licensed Professional Counselor" or "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist", to individuals who have obtained licensure from the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists.
It does not prevent the practice of counseling, or marriage and family therapy ... "as long as the person does not represent to the public by title that the person is licensed".
[However, 1995 and 1999 law changes make it illegal to practice "psychology" without a license or exemption and those new provisions are interpreted and enforced by the Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners.]
The counselor and therapist licensing law address’s educational/training standards for counselors and therapists, a mechanism for the disclosure of relevant information by licensees, and provides a means to adopt and enforce ethical standards for practice.
The law creates a seven-member citizen board appointed by the Governor which administers the law, through the adoption of Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR Chapter 833). This is a policy board, responsible for making all the decisions regarding licensure within the authority granted by the law.
The Board issues two different licenses: the Professional Counselor License (LPC) and the Marriage and Family therapy License (LMFT). The licenses cover the application of theories and techniques to assist individuals, families, and groups to solve mental health problems or facilitate change. The primary difference between the licenses involves the specific training and experience in the delivery of family systems theories and techniques required for the LMFT.
To be a"Licensed Professional Counselor", an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- Hold a graduate degree in counseling in a program approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
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Hold a graduate degree determined by the Board to be comparable in content and quality (CORE accredited or meets degree standards adopted by the Board).
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Hold a graduate degree determined by the Board to meet a majority of the degree standards and have completed supplemental graduate training to meet the professional counselor curriculum standards.
- Supervised experience documenting 2,400 direct client contact hours that meet the criteria for setting, level of supervision, and credentials of the supervisor.
- Pass (or have already passed) a Board-approved examination.
To be a“Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist”, an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- Hold a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy in a program approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
OR Hold a graduate degree determined by the Board to be comparable in content and quality.
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Hold a graduate degree determined by the Board to meet a majority of the degree standards for either; marriage and family therapy or counseling degrees with supplemental graduate training to meet the marriage and family curriculum standards.
- Have 2,000 post-degree hours of supervised direct client contact work experience in marriage and family therapy that meets the criteria for setting, level of supervision and credentials of the supervisor.
- Pass (or have passed) an examination prescribed by the Board.
Licensure Responsibilities
Licensees are required to:
- Renew License annually.
- Meet Continuing Education requirements every two years; 40 clock hours, to be reported on even-numbered years.
- Distribute Professional Disclosure Statements to all potential clients.
- Abide by the Code of Ethics adopted by the Board.
"Licensure requires licensees, as public officials, to follow state requirements for reporting child abuse, elderly abuse, and abuse of the mentally or developmentally disabled; to reveal intent to commit a crime or harmful act; and prohibits the disclosure of any other communication without consent (except in certain legal/investigatory situations)"
The licensing law does not address insurance payments and licensees are not listed in statute as mandatory recipients of third-party payments.
Board Responsibilities
The Board serves the public by making sure the licensee has met the standards set by the state for education, supervised training, and has passed an examination to indicate that the licensee has the basic knowledge necessary to practice within the standards described in law and rules. Through regulation, the Board verifies that licensees continue their education and are providing the written disclosure of information to clients, including an explanation of the licensee’s approach to counseling, training, and client rights. The Board investigates complaints regarding violations of the law and rules as well as the competency of its licensees. Forms are available by calling the Board office.
Methods of Application
- "Registered Intern Method" Effective July 1, 2002, all applicants in Oregon are required to obtain supervised work experience for licensure while registered as Interns.
- "Direct Method" application is available for those who have obtained all hours for licensure in another state.
- "Reciprocity Method" application is available for those licensed in another state who meet the Oregon State Board licensure requirements.
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“This summary is provided to give an overview of the program and does not list all requirements or regulations pertaining to licensure. Application forms, copies of the law, rules, and/or degree standards are available on our website or may be obtained by request made to the Board office.”
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| Current Board Members |
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Created by ORS 675.775, the Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor: three professional counselors; two marriage and family therapists; a member of faculty of a school that trains counselors or therapists; and a public member. Members serve three year terms and may be reappointed for a second term. For information about Executive Appointments, please contact the Governors office at:
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/boards.shtml#Executive_Appointment.
Marlin D. Schultz, LMFT, was appointed to his second term beginning October 1, 2004 and will serve until September 30, 2007. Mr. Schultz is serving as Board Chair.
Art Tolentino, LMFT, was appointed to his first term beginning April 21, 2008 through September 30, 2010.
Loretta C. Slepikas, Public Member, was appointed for a term beginning March 15, 2005 and will serve until September 30, 2010.
Julia A Smith, Faculty Member, was appointed for a term beginning December 1, 2006 and ending September 30, 2007. Ms. Smith has been reappointed to serve until 9/30/2010.
Ryan Melton, LPC, was appointed for a term beginning February 1, 2007 and will serve until September 30, 2009.
Elizabeth Wosley-George, LPC, was appointed for a term beginning April 8, 2004 and will serve until September 30, 2010.
Linda White, LPC, was appointed for a term beginning May 8, 2006 and reappointed until September 30, 2010
BOARD STAFF
Connie L. Brown is the Licensing coordinator. She works part-time doing exams and licensing. She began in the Fall of 1995. She may be contacted at the Board office, (503) 378-5499 Ext 32
Martha Steen is the Intake Coordinator. She works full time answering phones, and answering licensing and intern questions. She began April 2007 and may be contacted at the board office, (503) 378-5499 Ext 33
Becky Eklund is the Board Executive Director. She began January 22, 2008 and may be contacted at the board office, (503) 378-5499 Ext 26
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| Meeting Calendar |
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(Subject to Change)
- FEBRUARY 8
- APRIL 11
- JUNE 27 (revised date)
- AUGUST 8
- OCTOBER 10
- DECEMBER 12
Unless specifically noted otherwise, the Board meets in a conference room located on the second Floor of the Morrow Crane Building, 3218 Pringle Road SE, Salem, OR 97302.
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| Agendas / Minutes |
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Please contact the board for a copy of Board agendas / minutes.
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