Fall 2026 Board Newsletter

A Word From The Executive Director

Greetings from the Mental Health Regulatory Agency.

We hope your transition from summer activities to fall activities is going smoothly, and you and your families are well.  

The Agency has continued to work through our various projects as we head into the upcoming 2027 Legislative Session.  These projects have kept staff and board members busy.  Both boards will be accomplishing strategic planning in the next couple of months, and they will attempt to line out projects and work plans for the upcoming year.

2027 Legislative Session.  The Agency is preparing to present our budget during the session.  We are updating Key Performance Measures and completing required state reports to ensure we have the most current information when outlining for our budget committees the work we do and the impacts the Boards have on Oregon’s citizens.  While neither Board has any specific legislation request for the session, MHRA has participated in planning for a cleanup bill to ensure our authorizing statutes for fingerprint-based background checks remain accepted by our federal partners.  Additionally, the Board of Psychology has provided input into an anticipated legislative concept that provides cleanup for a couple of administrative issues in the legislation for the Board’s new Licensed Behavioral Health and Wellness Practitioner license.

Speaking of LBHWPs, the Board of Psychology is wrapping up its intensive rulemaking around this new license.  The proposed changes are out for comment and the Board is well-positioned to meet the January 1st, 2027 deadline to have all rules in place to implement the license.

New licensing system.  MHRA was selected to participate in reviewing the proposals received in response to the recent statewide request for licensing system vendors.  Next steps will include getting additional information from some vendors and beginning to narrow down the remaining vendors who will be selected for a statewide price agreement.  We are still anticipating being able to begin new system work by the fall of 2027.

As always, we invite you to attend a board meeting to learn more about your Board, and/or take a trip through our website to stay current on licensing and compliance issues.  

Thank you,

Todd Younkin

Supervisor Title

Supervisors play a vital role in the counseling and therapy professions.  Achieving placement on the Board’s Supervisor Registry, though not mandatory to supervise registered associates, demonstrates that a licensee has met the minimal requirements and is approved and available to provide supervision services.

To recognize this milestone, provide clear utility to associates seeking supervisors, and ensure transparency for the public, licensees may use the descriptor "Board-Approved Supervisor" within professional disclosures.  This professional title honors and elevates supervisory status and tells consumers, registrants, and employers exactly what the designation means without requiring them to decipher any acronym jargon.  It aligns with the transparent language used in the Board's online license search function.

As a reminder, a helpful Overview for Supervisors now provides important information and guidance, including a checklist of initial and ongoing necessary items and tasks.

Administrative Rulemaking

On August 12, 2026, the Board filed a Permanent Administrative Order, making the following rule amendments effective on August 12, 2026:

Associate registration plans, registrant remedial action, duplicate licenses, continuing education, and records retention.

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