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Applicant FAQ

Applicant Q&A

Below you will find helpful Q&A listed by topic.

​Q1. When can I apply for a license?
A1. You may begin submitting materials (references, transcripts, etc.) before you apply, and we will hold them for up to 6 months.  Do not complete your fingerprinting more than 90 days prior to application submission.  You are not an “applicant” until you submit your application and receive your confirmation email.  Applications are reviewed for completeness when all required items (and any additional information requested by staff) have been received.

Q2. How do I know where I am in the process?
A2. Following submission, you can log in to the Applicant Portal to see the status of your application, including documents received to date.  Please allow a few business days for staff to process your documents and update their status.  We recommend checking the Portal often to ensure you stay on track.

Q3. When will my application be reviewed?
A3. An application will be reviewed for completeness when all supporting documents (references, transcripts, verifications, etc.) are received, along with the results of your background check and any other clarifying information requested by the Board.  If your application meets the requirements, then it will be approved.

Q4. What does it mean to be an “approved applicant”?
A4. An approved applicant (candidate for licensure) is eligible to sit for the exams, and if supervised clinical experience is needed, the applicant is also a registered associate.  On approval, you will receive an email with further detail, and your application status will show "Application Approved" in the Applicant Portal.

Q5. How long does the application process take?
A5. Keep in mind that we will need all of the required items before we can review an application.  We recommend that you request your license verification(s) and the other jurisdiction file copy (if applicable) as early as possible, as some states do not complete these requests expeditiously.  You should also complete your fingerprints as soon as possible (but not more than 90 days prior to application submission), as Oregon State Police takes about a week (or longer during busy times) to process and send the background check results to the Board. 

Q6. How much time do I have to complete the application process?
A6. From the date your application is submitted, you have one year to complete your application file.  You can check your submission date in the Applicant Portal.  After an application is approved, registered associate method applicants have five years to finish the remaining requirements for licensure (exams and experience), and all other methods have one year to complete the exam(s).  Application periods cannot be extended, and there are no exceptions.

Q7. When can I take my exams?
A7. You can request to sit for an approved competency exam any time after you’ve received notice from the Board that your application for licensure has been approved.  The emailed notice from the Board contains this information, and also instructions and a link to the online Law & Rules Exam.  You may take them in whichever order you prefer.  See the Exams webpage for more information.

Q8.  What if I do not complete the application process?
A8. Your file will be archived and kept for one year from the date it was received.  Once the retention period has ended, files are securely destroyed.  If you wish to reapply later, you must submit another application and fee.  If we still possess your prior application file, records such as your competency exam score report, transcript, and supervised work experience verifications/reports may be reused.  Every application requires a new background check, so you will need to complete fingerprinting again. 

Q9.   If I do not qualify, or if I request to withdraw my application, will I be refunded?
A9.   No.  Application and background check fees are non-refundable.

Q10.   Once my license is issued, when will I first renew?
A10.   New licensees have a grace period that lasts until their next birth month.  The first renewal is due by the last day of the birth month.  If you're licensed in your birth month, then it will be the next year's birth month when you first renew.  Licensure is paid in advance for the next two years. 

Q11.   Why must I renew so soon after I'm first licensed?
A11.   Your grace period lasts less than 13 months, and the duration depends on the timing of licensure.  The application fee covers the application, and the initial license fee covers the initial license issuance- these fees are separate from the fees required to maintain your license (renewal fees).  New licensees receive a courtesy grace period (free licensure) that lasts until their next birth month.  After that, they pay a renewal fee that covers the two-year period going forward. 

​Q1. What does it mean to be a “registered associate”?
A1. A registered associate is a candidate for licensure who has a Board-approved Associate Registration Plan and is working in Oregon towards completing the supervised work experience requirement for licensure. A registered associate is also an approved applicant because the application must be approved along with the registration approval. Please see our Associate Registration webpage for more info.

DO NOT BEGIN RENDERING CLINICAL SERVICES BEFORE YOUR REGISTRATION IS ISSUED BY THE BOARD, OR AFTER YOUR REGISTRATION IS TERMINATED OR EXPIRED. THIS WILL SUBJECT YOU TO BOARD SANCTION.

Q2.    Can I just submit a registration plan, and have it approved by the Board without applying for licensure?
A2. No.  As described above, application approval and registration issuance are simultaneous.  The Board does not just authorize individuals to practice professional counseling or marriage and family therapy in the State of Oregon without verifying that they have met the educational, character and fitness, and other requisite qualifications.

Q3.   How do I qualify for associate registration?
A3.   A Registration Plan is for licensure candidates who need to complete the post-degree supervised work experience requirement in Oregon.  It is not for those who have already completed the requirement.  You must first apply for licensure via the Associate Registration Method, and submit all of the required materials. 

Q4. When can I begin post-degree supervised practice in Oregon?
A4. When you receive notification from the Board that your plan is approved and your associate registration is issued.  Please see our Associate Registration webpage for more info.

DO NOT BEGIN RENDERING CLINICAL SERVICES BEFORE YOUR PLAN IS APPROVED BY THE BOARD.  THIS WILL SUBJECT YOU TO BOARD SANCTION.

Q5.   I am done with school, but my degree won’t be officially awarded for another month or so.  I’ve been offered a job in Oregon and they want me to start work now.  Is this possible?  Will my direct client contact hours “count”?
A5.   Not only will your hours not count, but you would be practicing illegally!  You cannot start practicing professional counseling or marriage and family therapy until your application has been approved and your registration is issued.  There is a limited exception for individuals working in an “exempt setting.”

Q6.   What is an "exempt setting"?
A6.   An exempt setting is where a person is employed by: 
  • A city, state or federal government agency;
  • A public university listed in ORS 352.002;
  • A community mental health program (CMHP) designated by the State of Oregon; or
  • A drug and alcohol treatment program licensed or certified by the State of Oregon.  
The exemption only applies when the person works at the exempt site and within their scope of employment.

Q7.   If I work in an exempt setting without Board-issued associate registration, will my hours count towards licensure?
A7.   No.  Hours accrued prior to registration issuance do not count, and there are no exceptions.

Q8. Can I complete my supervised work experience in another state, and do I need an Oregon registration?
A8. You may complete your post-degree experience outside of Oregon.  To qualify, it must have been completed pursuant to the other jurisdiction’s laws and rules in a formal arrangement under the supervision of a person who holds a graduate-level state-issued license as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or equivalent such as a psychologist or clinical social worker.  You do not need an Oregon associate registration when you are working outside of Oregon; however, you should check the regulations in the jurisdiction where you intend to practice.

Q9.   What is the criteria for my supervisor to be approved under a plan?
A9.    LPCs and LMFTs on the Board’s supervisor registry- supervisor candidates and approved supervisors- meet the basic requirements.  Note that your supervisor may not be a spouse, a relative by blood or marriage, or a person with whom you have or had a personal relationship with.  An active status LPC or LMFT not on the registry must have been actively licensed in Oregon for at least 2 years, complete 30 clock hours of post-master’s degree supervision training (which must include systems components for supervisors of marriage and family therapist associates), and pass the Supervisor Law and Rules Exam.  In lieu of the 2 years of active licensure, the person may be an approved supervisor through the AAMFT or the NBCC Center for Credentialing and Education, or hold a doctoral degree that is accredited by CACREP in the Counselor Education and Supervision specialty area.  Other actively licensed graduate-level mental health professionals (LCSWs, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc.) may qualify if they have been actively licensed in Oregon at least 3 years, complete the 30-hour training, and pass the exam.  The supervisor’s professional competence must be sufficient to meet the needs of the registered associate.  Plan review is case-by-case, and approval is at the discretion of the Board.  More detail may be found on our Become a Supervisor webpage.

Q10.   May I name more than one supervisor on my plan?
A10.   Yes, you may name up to two supervisors for each practice, including agencies offering services at more than one site.  If you make arrangements for a second supervisor after your initial plan has been approved, simply submit another plan form with the "Change in Supervisor" option checked.  Upload your fully completed and signed form via the Licensee Portal​ (select the "Associate Registration Plan" menu item and click "Plan Change Request").  Do not begin receiving supervision from the new supervisor until you receive notice from the Board that your plan change has been approved.

Q11.   Do I need to name my Group Supervisor on the plan?
A11.   No, the Board does not need to approve group supervisors.  Your Board-approved supervisor may select a competent licensed mental health professional to lead group supervision sessions with up to five other supervisees.

Q12.   What title do I use?
A12.   You must be designated at all times by the title “professional counselor associate” or “marriage and family therapist associate.”  “Registered associate” generally is OK as well.  There are no acceptable abbreviations.  Titles like "LPCa," "LMFT-A," "LPC-Associate," or other variations are NOT acceptable.  All signed materials, letterhead, business cards, advertisements and directory listings, brochures, and any other representation must include your appropriate title and the supervisor’s name and designation as “supervisor.”

Q13.   What does one clock hour of direct client contact mean?
A13.   This means a full 60-minute duration of time spent providing direct therapeutic or a combination of assessment and subsequent therapeutic interactions to a client or clients.  Clinical experience clock hours should be rounded down to the nearest tenth for purposes of reporting to the Board on your hours report​.  It does not include supervision, consultation, credentialing, research, writing reports or notes, billing, or training.
 
Q14.   Does my supervisor need to work at the same site as me?
A14.   No.  But you will need to meet with your supervisor at least twice monthly (three times when you complete 46+ hours of direct client contact) in different weeks, either in-person in a professional setting or through live, synchronous confidential electronic communications.  The supervisor must have appropriate access to review your charts, case records, evaluation and treatment plans, etc. to fulfill their responsibilities as a supervisor.  

Q15.   Do I need to receive monthly supervision?
A15.   Yes.  If you have 45 or fewer hours of direct client contact in a month, then you need at least two hours of supervision in that month.  If you have 46 or more hours of direct client contact, then the required supervision increases to at least three hours in that month.  Remember, the supervision must take place in different weeks.  If your supervision in a particular month does not comply with the supervision requirements, then those hours cannot be counted towards the supervised clinical experience requirement (duration or hours).  Also, you and your supervisor may be subject to Board review for improper supervision in violation of rule.

Q16.   What is a “month” on the Registered Associate Supervisor Evaluation & Hours Report (“hours report”)?
A16.   On your very first report, the start date of your first month is the date you began rendering direct client contact hours, which is on or after the day your associate registration was issued.  Thereafter, monthly start and end dates should reflect the first and last day of the month, with the exception of your very last report, which should list the last month’s end date as the day you ceased rendering direct client contact hours.  Reports must never include anticipated hours for services or supervision not yet rendered- this will result in rejection of your report submission.

Q17.   If I don’t work in a month, do I still need supervision?
A17.   No.  Your hours report does not need to reflect any supervision for months that you did not have any direct client contact.  Report the month on your hours report, and list “0” in the direct hours column.

Q18.   If I don’t receive enough supervision in one month, can I make it up the next month? 
A18.   No, supervision hours apply in the month in which they are completed, and may not be transferred to future or past months.

Q19.   Who pays for a registered associate’s supervision?
A19.   In Oregon, ORS 675.661​ requires the employer to pay.

​Q1.   I’m taking a leave from my work.  Do I need to notify the Board?
A1.   A brief leave such as a week-long vacation does not need to be reported.  Leaves that you know or expect to exceed two weeks, such as medical or administrative leave, need to be reported.  See the Registration website.

Q2.   I will be changing supervisors - what do I need to do?
A2.   You will need to submit another plan form, this time with the "Change in Supervisor" option checked.  Upload your fully completed and signed form via the Licensee Portal (select the "Associate Registration Plan" menu item and click "Plan Change Request").  Do not begin receiving supervision from the new supervisor until you receive notice from the Board that your plan change has been approved.  You’ll also need to submit your completed Registered Associate Supervisor Evaluation & Hours Report for work under the prior supervisor.

Q3.   I am moving to a new practice location, but my supervisor will remain the same.  Do I need to submit another plan form?
A3.   Yes.  You need to do so whenever there is a change in supervisor or practice site/employer.

Q4.   What if I complete my 1,500 direct client clock hours in 23 months?
A4.   Assuming you completed the full allowed 400 hours and 12 months pre-degree, you must then complete the remaining 1,500 hours in a period not less than 24 months.  Both elements of the requirements- duration and hours- are key to the success of the post-degree supervised clinical experience.

Q5.   How long is my associate registration good for?  Can I extend it?
A5.   A registration, as long as it is timely renewed and remains in good standing, is valid for up to five years.  You may request an extension for good cause for up to one additional year if you have not yet achieved the hours required for licensure.  Your request must be submitted to the Board prior to the expiration of the registration.  An expired registration cannot be extended, and you will need to reapply.

Q6.   I have completed the overall required 1,900 hours and 36 months, but I still need the exam(s).  Can I get an extension or a new plan?
A6.   Registered associate status is a transitional step toward licensure and is not intended as a means to avoid licensure.  A registration will not be approved or extended for someone who has already completed the supervised work experience requirement.  There is only one exception: the Board may consider granting an extension for extraordinary circumstances, and only if the registrant has demonstrated sufficient progress towards meeting the examination requirements for licensure.  Again, an expired registration cannot be extended, and a new contract cannot be approved for those who have met the experience requirement.  The purpose of registration is to authorize a candidate to provide supervised clinical services in Oregon for a limited time to complete their hours so they can qualify for licensure.  It is not meant to allow a person to continue to practice unlicensed.  Note that an original registration will be approved for five years, and you may continue to work until the expiration date, regardless of whether you have reached 36 months and 1,900 hours.

DO NOT CONTINUE TO PROVIDE CLINICAL SERVICES AFTER YOUR REGISTRATION HAS EXPIRED.  THIS WILL SUBJECT YOU TO BOARD SANCTION.

Q7.   Will I have to start my hours all over if I don’t complete them within the registration timeframe?
A7.   No.  Your documented hours will transfer to a new plan if you reapply.  On re-registration, you will have another five years to complete your hours.  Older hours no longer on file with the Board will require additional documentation.

Q8.   How do I know the status of my plan?
A8.   You may log in to the Licensee Portal and select the "Associate Registration Plan" menu item.  Note that this option will not appear until you are registered, or if you are past your renewal deadline.  There you can see your approved supervisors and a summary of your reported hours.  

Q9.   I do not wish to complete the licensure process.  How do I end my registration?
A9.   You may contact us to request a voluntary termination of your registration per OAR 833-050-0151, and later reapply when you are ready to complete the requirements.  It is very important that you submit your completed Supervision Report without delay to ensure that your experience is on file with the Board.  

Q10.   I’ve completed my experience- how do I get my license?
A10.   If you’re ready for licensure- meaning you have completed both exams and the requisite 1,900 hours and 36 months of experience- then submit your Supervision Report via the Licensee Portal (select the "Associate Registration Plan" menu item and click "Submit Supervision Report").  If your report is approved and you have indeed met the requirements, you will receive an email with instructions for submitting your Promotion Application.  If you believe you have met the requirements but have not yet received your promotion email within one week of report approval, please contact us​.

Q11.   I’ve met the experience requirement for licensure.  Can I just continue practicing as a registered associate but without supervision?
A11.   No.  You must continue to practice under the terms of your Board-approved plan, including meeting the minimum monthly supervision requirements and using approved designations- until your license is issued by the Board.

​Q1.   Do I qualify for the reciprocity application method if my other state license is not active?
A1.   No.  To qualify for licensure by reciprocity, you must possess a current, active license to practice professional counseling or marriage and family therapy issued by another state credentialing entity.  This includes semi-retired or semi-active statues, so long as you are currently authorized by the jurisdiction to practice. It does not include inactive status licenses, or those that have not been renewed or re-registered to practice in the jurisdiction.

Q2.   How do I document my post-degree work experience completed in another state?
A2.   All applicants must provide information on all of their supervised clinical experience in their online application.  Post-degree experience is documented via the Post-Degree Supervised Clinical Experience Form.  Applicants must request that each of their supervisors complete this form and submit it directly to the Board’s office.  Another option is to request that your other licensing state send a copy of your file materials directly to the Board's office.  Those documents must have sufficient information to verify that the requirements were met.  There is an exception for reciprocity method applicants who have maintained an active license to practice professional counseling or marriage and family therapy issued by another state credentialing entity for three or more years- they do not need to document post-degree experience. 

To qualify, post-degree experience must consist of direct client contact clock hours that are completed after degree conferral (as posted on your transcript) and must be supervised by an actively licensed graduate-level mental health professionals (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.).  Hours completed prior to degree conferral do not qualify as post-degree experience, regardless of when the coursework, internship, or thesis degree requirements were completed.

Q3.   What if I fall short on the experience requirement?
A3.   If you wish to complete the requisite experience in Oregon, you will need to apply via the associate registration method.  Please visit our Associate Registration​ webpage for more information.  Note that supervised work experience completed in another state while you are licensed in that state may qualify if the supervisor is an actively licensed graduate-level mental health professionals (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.).

​Q1.   Must I have completed a practicum or internship to qualify for licensure?
A1.   No.  For graduates of unaccredited programs that provided no clinical experience (or insufficient experience), the requirement of 280 direct client contact clock hours as part of the graduate program- in part or in whole- may be remedied on an hour-for-hour basis via experience completed in a Board-approved associate registration.  Note that this is in addition to the 1,900 hours required for licensure.

Q2.   May I personally deliver a sealed transcript from my school?
A2.   No. The Board requires primary source verification.  Official transcripts must be transmitted (emailed or mailed) directly from the school to the Board. Please request that those be sent to lpct.board@mhra.oregon.gov.  We can also accept transcripts sent directly from your other state licensing board (file copy).

Q3.   Can I have my program send a degree verification letter in lieu of a transcript showing my degree conferral date?
A3.   No. There is no substitute for an official transcript showing the date of degree conferral.

Q4.   Does my graduate degree need to be from an accredited program to qualify?
A4.   Not necessarily.  Degrees from programs in the United States that were programmatically accredited as of the date the degree was awarded will qualify if they included at least two semester credit hours or three credit quarter hours of coursework in the diagnosis of mental disorders.  Approved programmatic accreditors include the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) for LPC.  For LMFT, the Board accepts programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and by the Counsel for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in the marriage, couple, and family counseling specialty area.  Degrees from unaccredited programs must meet additional requirements.  Programs in the U.S. must be from an institution that was regionally accredited as of the date the degree was conferred.  Degrees from programs in other countries must be evaluated by a Board-approved credentialing body.  See the Educational Requirements page.

Q5.   Do I qualify for licensure with a graduate degree in psychology or another related profession?
A5.   You may, if the degree is from an accredited program, or if it meets the requirements for programs within a regionally accredited institution.  Namely, you must have completed the required coursework and pre-degree experience, which may be remedied outside of the degree-granting program in another regionally accredited institution if there were deficiencies in the degree program.  The degree duration must be at least two years, and this component may not be remedied outside of the degree.

Q6.   Can I become licensed with a bachelor’s degree?
A6.   No.  You must possess a graduate-level degree- a master’s or doctorate.

A7.   Can I complete continuing education to remedy my unaccredited program’s coursework deficiencies?
A7.   No.  Only graduate level courses for academic credit completed at a regionally accredited institution are accepted as remedial coursework.

Q8.   I received my degree in Germany- do I qualify for licensure?
A8.   All applicants for licensure with degrees from educational institutions outside the United States must be evaluated by a Board-recognized credentialing body.  Board staff cannot pre-review and advise on a person’s qualifications prior to a completed licensure application.  We recommend a careful review of the educational requirements before making a decision to apply.

​Q1.   What if I have met only part of the clinical experience requirement?
A1.   If you wish to complete the requisite experience in Oregon, you will need to apply via the associate registration method.  Please visit our Associate Registration webpage for more information.  Note that supervised work experience completed in another state while you are licensed in that state may qualify if the supervisor an actively licensed graduate-level mental health professionals (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.).

Q2.   What changes to the experience requirements did the Board make, effective July 1, 2023?
A2.   Here is the summary of rule changes:
  • The supervised clinical experience requirement for LPC and LMFT licensure was reduced by 500 hours, from a minimum of 2,400 hours to 1,900 hours supervised direct client contact hours.  Since 400 of these hours may be completed pre-degree, this means that a minimum 1,500 direct client contact hours must be post-degree.
  • The minimum requirement of supervised direct client contact hours working with couples and families for LMFT licensure was reduced by 250 hours, from 1,000 to 750 hours.
  • The requirement that registered associates must complete at least 1,000 of their required hours of direct client contact while in a Board-approved associate registration plan was removed. (Those with qualifying hours from another state do not need to complete extra hours if they need less than 1,000 to meet the requirements).
  • The post-licensure clinical experience that reciprocity applicants (both LPC and LMFT) may substitute for the required hours of supervised direct client contact was reduced from 1,000 to 500 hours.
Note that the three-year (36 month) duration requirement did not change.  As a reminder, one year and 400 of the required direct client contact hours may be completed as part of the degree program.  Nearly all counseling and therapy programs have practicum/internship components that meet or exceed these standards.  Therefore, the post-degree clinical experience requirement for registered associates typically amounts to two years and 1,500 hours.  While the Diversity Study​ concluded that Oregon’s (former) 1,900 post-degree hours requirement was higher than most states, it found that a minimum requirement of two years was typical.  Of the states that have a minimum duration requirement, 71% require at least two years.  The Study cautioned that establishing requirements that are lower than typically found in other states introduces risks to practitioners, consumers, and educational programs.  It found that “supervised clinical experience is helpful to clinicians who need support for the challenging and stressful work they do, particularly early in their careers, and this support may be especially useful for clinicians from marginalized groups.”  The Board agreed with these findings and accordingly did not propose any reduction to the minimum 2 years of post-degree supervised clinical experience required for licensure.

​Q1.   I heard that the Board requires licensees to retake the national exam every 10 years- is this true?
A1.   No, this is not true for current licensees. To qualify for initial licensure, applicants who have already passed the competency exam need to have done so within 10 years prior to applying for licensure.  Reciprocity applicants (coming from another state) who have been licensed at for least two years may choose to either 1) retake an exam, or 2) within the past 24 months complete the same continuing education (CE) required for license renewal (40 total clock hours). Most applicants already meet the CE requirement as they have completed CE to maintain their other state license.

​Q1.   May I obtain the license verification or a copy of my licensure file from my other state and forward it to the Board?
A1.   No.  Primary source verification is required, so verification and files must be sent to the Board’s office directly from the other state. The state may send the documents to us electronically at lpct.board@mhra.oregon.gov.

Q2.   May I collect the supervisor reference forms and send them in myself?
A2.   No.  Reference forms must be sent directly from the person who completes the form.

Q3.   Will the Board reach out to my references for me?
A3.   No.  Applicants are responsible for contacting and requesting that their references complete and submit necessary forms, and following up as necessary to ensure timely application processing.  

Q4.   When do I have my supervisor complete a reference form?
A4.   The form should be completed only after your supervised work experience is complete.  The reference form cannot verify experience that has not actually been completed (i.e., include expected hours).  If you apply while you are completing your experience out-of-state, then we need the supervisor reference form as a part of the initial application in order to approve you, and then later another form once the experience is complete to verify licensure requirements.

Q5.  My graduate program representative who was there when I completed my pre-degree experience is no longer working at my school.  Do I need to track this person down?
A5.   No, the person who is currently in the appropriate position (and has access to your records) should complete the Degree Program Direct Client Contact Hours Form.  Note that reciprocity method applicants who have maintained an active license to practice professional counseling or marriage and family therapy issued by another state credentialing entity for three or more years do not need to document experience.

Q6.   Why all the reference forms?
A6.   The forms have two purposes: 1) to verify that education and experience meet the requirements for licensure, and 2) to endorse an applicant’s character and fitness.

​Q1: Who must get fingerprinted?
A1: All applicants for licensure must submit fingerprints for a state and national criminal background check.

Q2. May I use a background check recently done by my employer or another state agency?
A2. No.  All applicants must be fingerprinted for a background check.  Background checks contain highly sensitive information, and Oregon State Police and the FBI do not allow secondary dissemination of criminal history information, even between state agencies.

Q3: How do I start my background check?
A3: Follow the fingerprinting instructions.  The background check fee is included with the application fee.

Q4: Is there a separate fingerprinting fee?
A4: Yes. The background check fee paid to the Board covers the actual cost for us to have your Oregon and FBI background check performed.  The fingerprinting fee is separate and assessed by the business providing fingerprint services.  The state has contracted with Fieldprint, Inc. to provide low-cost electronic fingerprint capture services across the country. The current contracted fee is $12.50/ print.

Q5: Can I have electronic fingerprint capture done from out of state?
A5: Yes, starting March 26, 2015.  Fieldprint, Inc. has locations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  Click here to search for a Fieldprint location near you.

Q6: May I still use the “standard” fingerprinting method (ink prints) if I am completing my fingerprinting out of state and am not located near a Fieldprint location?  
A6: Yes.  Please request a standard fingerprinting packet via lpct.board@mhra.oregon.gov and we will mail it to you.  Fingerprinting services are available from local law enforcement agencies.  Search for “fingerprinting services” to find one near you.  We recommend that you utilize a reputable technician to avoid rejected prints that could delay the process for you.  Note that you will need to use the FD-258 card that we send to you.

Q7: What is the difference between standard fingerprinting and electronic capture?
A7: Standard fingerprinting is done with ink on the provided FD-258 card.  You must follow the instructions on the ID Verification form and return the card to the Board, and then we forward the cards to the Oregon State Police for processing.  With electronic fingerprint capture via Fieldprint, digital images of your fingerprints are taken and then sent electronically to Oregon State Police.  The standard fingerprinting can usually be completed from start to finish in 2-3 weeks.  Electronic capture typically takes a week or so.

Q8: Will I be charged again if my fingerprints are rejected?
A8: No, not if your prints are only rejected once.  We will send you a new card (if applicable) and you will need to get reprinted.  If the prints are rejected for a second time, we will be charged (and we will charge you) another fee of $45 for a third submission.  Cards will be rejected if they do not meet FBI quality standards or if the instructions are not followed.

Q9.   Do I need to disclose on my application any arrest or conviction?
A9. The Board expects applicants to be forthright and to disclose any misdemeanor or felony arrests or convictions – even if they have been expunged, and to provide a complete explanation.  You do not need to disclose expunged juvenile records.

Q10.   Will my criminal conviction prevent me from becoming licensed?
A10.    Every situation is different and is considered on a case-by-case basis.  You will be asked on your application to provide a complete explanation, and that is your opportunity to convey to the Board what happened.  Under current Oregon law, ORS 181A.195(10)(c), the Board must consider:
(A) The nature of the crime;
(B) The facts that support the conviction or pending indictment or that indicate the making of a false statement;
(C) The relevancy, if any, of the crime or the false statement to the specific requirements of the subject individual’s present or proposed position, services, employment, license, certification or registration; and
(D) Intervening circumstances relevant to the responsibilities and circumstances of the position, services, employment, license, certification, registration or permit, such as:
      (i) The passage of time since the commission of the crime;
      (ii) The age of the subject individual at the time of the crime;
      (iii) The likelihood of a repetition of offenses or of the commission of another crime;
      (iv) The subsequent commission of another relevant crime;
      (v) Whether the conviction was set aside and the legal effect of setting aside the conviction; and
      (vi) The recommendation of an employer.

At this time, there is no list of crimes that create an automatic bar to licensure.  Please also refer to OAR Ch. 833, Div. 120, Criminal History Checks, and OAR Ch. 125, Div. 7​, Criminal Records Checks and Fitness Determination Rules.
 
Q11.   Can I learn whether my criminal conviction will prevent me from becoming licensed before I begin an educational program for a psychologist license?
A11.   Yes, you may petition the Board for a predetermination as to whether your criminal conviction will prevent you from becoming licensed.