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About the Board

Mission

The mission of the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists is to protect the public by identifying and regulating the practice of qualified mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists.

Through prudent management of resources and courteous, prompt service:

  • Issue new and renew licenses to qualified persons
  • Deter and discipline misconduct by licensees, registered associates, and license applicants
  • Communicate information about licensure, practice, and discipline
  • Work cooperatively with professional associations, educational institutions, employers of professionals, consumers, and government and credentialing agencies to develop policies and standards and establish guidelines for professional practice
  • Develop and maintain standards of education and training, experience, and examination for entry into the professions of mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy

The Board’s goals are to:

  • Maintain a credentialing and discipline process that is fair, prompt, clear, and accurate
  • Provide clear and accurate information to applicants, licensees, and the interested public
  • Balance the needs and concerns of the consumers and professionals when setting policies, standards, and processes
  • Develop partnerships that will facilitate expanding services, educating constituents, and removing barriers to licensure

Organization

The Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OBLPCT) was created for the purpose of licensing and regulating licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs). The Board is also charged with safeguarding the people of the State of Oregon from the dangers of unqualified and improper practice of professional counseling and marriage and family therapy. 
  
“Marriage and family therapy” means the assessment, diagnosis or treatment of mental, emotional or behavioral disorders involving the application of family systems or other psychotherapeutic principles and methods in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, children, families, groups or organizations.
 
“Professional counseling” means the assessment, diagnosis or treatment of mental, emotional or behavioral disorders involving the application of mental health counseling or other psychotherapeutic principles and methods in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, children, families, groups or organizations.
 
Unless exempted, it is unlawful for a person not licensed by OBLPCT to engage in or purport to the public to be engaged in the practice of professional counseling under the title “licensed professional counselor,” or to engage in or purport to the public to be engaged in the practice of marriage and family therapy under the title of “licensed marriage and family therapist."
 
The Board consists of eight members: three professional counselors; two marriage and family therapists; a member of faculty of a school that trains counselors or therapists; and two public members.  All members are appointed by the Governor to three-year terms and confirmed by the Senate. The Board hires staff to administer all official business. The Board meets regularly in even-numbered months, usually via videoconference and at its office in Salem. The Board is funded solely from licensing fees and other miscellaneous revenues such as publication sales and civil penalties. Decisions are made in open public meetings where guests are encouraged to attend.

Programs

The Board carries out its mission through three major programs areas: Applications; Licensure and Continuing Education; and Consumer Protection. Through the application program, the Board accomplishes its legislative mandate to establish standards of service and training and educational qualifications for the rendering of ethical professional counseling and marriage and family therapy services in Oregon. Because the Board believes that regular continuing education ensures the highest quality of professional services to the public, the Board requires that all licensed LPCs and LMFTs complete 40 clock hours of continuing education (see our Continuing Education webpage for more detail). The Board protects consumers by promptly investigating all complaints made concerning either the unethical or unlicensed practice of professional counseling and marriage and family therapy in Oregon.

MHRA Diversity and Inclusion Statement

The Mental Health Regulatory Agency is dedicated to building and maintaining a cultural of inclusiveness.  We believe that all forms of diversity—age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, military status and perspective—create immense value within the agency and helps drive our strong core commitment to public protection.  We strive to create a workplace that reflects the stakeholders we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Access, advantages, and benefits are not universal, so we must dismantle barriers to ensure that everyone can succeed and is valued and feels like they matter. We believe that all people are worthy simply by existing, and our work aims to show that in words and actions. We ask that all members of our boards, staff, and our community work to uphold these values, together.

Commitment to Racial Equity

The Board is committed to promoting policies and practices that uphold racial justice and promote equity and inclusion.  This includes working towards dismantling historical, institutional, and structural inequities and unfair practices.  We strive to ensure inclusive and welcoming spaces so that everyone can thrive.  We will boldly put this commitment at the forefront, prioritize the work, foster partnerships, strengthen public involvement, and lean into taking responsibility and accountability. This work is aligned with our mission, informed by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Plan, and championed by our Education and DEI Committee

Board Education, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (EDEIC)

The addition of the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) role for the Education Committee was adopted by the Board during its annual Strategic Planning Meeting on June 3, 2023. The DEI scope of work includes:
  • Advise the Board on DEI strategy and planning, and monitor progress towards goals.
  • Support and encourage the recognition of issues of equity and diversity as key components of the Board and its mission.
The EDEIC will help facilitate the Board’s consideration and implementation of the initiatives recommended in the 2022 Diversity Study and the Board’s 2023-23 DEI Plan.