122.00.13 Ark. Code R. 001
The Rules are adopted pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-27-101 et seq.
Preface
The enabling legislation of the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling is codified at Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-27-101 and it provides for the licensure and regulation of Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists; and the individuals who are allowed to use the titles "licensed professional counselor", "licensed associate counselor", "licensed marriage and family therapist", and "licensed associate marriage and family therapist". The Act is both title and practice.
The Board of Examiners in Counseling shall, in all deliberations and in all adopted Rules, diligently pursue goals most consistent with the public interest and protection of the public welfare and shall, at all times, apply the provisions of Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-27-101, et seq. and the Rules in a fair and impartial manner.
The Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling is composed of nine (9) members appointed by the Governor to staggered terms of three years. The composition of the Board shall include six (6) licensed or licensable counselors (three practicing counselors (one of whom must be a supervisor) and three counselor educators or supervisors, one of which shall also be a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist educator and/or approved supervisor and one (1) non-licensed individual who represents the general public. The seven are recommended to the governor by November 1 each year by the Executive Committee of the Arkansas Counseling Association (ArCA) or the Executive Committee of the Arkansas Mental Health Counseling Association (ArMHCA). One (1) licensed Marriage and Family Therapist shall be recommended to the governor by the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (ArAMFT). One (1) non-licensed member shall represent the over sixty populations and is selected by the governor from the general population. Section (c)(l)(e)(l)
Board members shall be ineligible for reappointment for a period of three (3) years following completion of each full, three (3) year term.
The appointed replacement shall be eligible for reappointment to a full three year term upon completion of the partial term appointment created by the vacancy. Section (c) (1) (e) (1) (g)
Records of the Board shall be kept, maintained, and made available for inspection in accordance with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (Arkansas Code Annotated § 2549-101 et seq.).
Records of the Board will be maintained in accordance with the laws governing retention of documents of State agencies.
The Board will periodically release names of new licensees and the names of those licensees whose licenses have been suspended or revoked, and those who are appealing a suspension or a revocation, to the Arkansas Counseling Association, to the Arkansas Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, and the Arkansas Mental Health Counselors Association for publication in their newsletters. This information will be periodically placed on the Board website: http://www.abec.myarkansas.net/
A periodic press release may be issued to state-wide newspapers listing licenses issued, suspended, and revoked. If the suspension or revocation is under appeal it will be so noted.
Final decisions arrived at through administrative hearings will be available to requesters [including third party payers]. These decisions will be available through the Board's web site or by written request from the Board office.
The Board is responsible for the regulation of the titles and the practices of Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy and Specialization Licenses related to Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy in the State of Arkansas. This includes examining the qualifications of the applicants and approving each for licensing, as well as revoking, suspending, and renewing licenses.
Persons engaged in the practice of Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy to individuals or groups in Arkansas must hold an Arkansas license to engage in that practice. These regulations apply to all traditional approaches and to all technology-assisted distance approaches, including telephone approaches, to Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy offered to individuals or groups in Arkansas. Telephone Crisis "Hot Lines", telephone consultation between licensed mental health providers and emergency telephone calls are exempt. Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy telephone services provided as a regular scope of practice, as a business, advertised to the public with hourly fees as mental health services by Counselors or Marriage and Family Therapists requires an Arkansas license. See Section XII for the ethics, definitions and standards for the practice of internet or telephone services.
In order to protect the citizens of Arkansas, obtaining a license as a Counselor/Psychotherapist or Marriage and Family Therapist is a prerequisite to offering, rendering or delivering counseling services in Arkansas to individuals or groups located in Arkansas. The license requirement applies to traditional face to face counseling as well as to Technology-Assisted distance (electronic, computer, telephone) counseling.
If the individual or group receiving mental health services is physically located in Arkansas, the Counselor/Psychotherapist or Marriage and Family Therapist providing the services must hold an Arkansas license regardless of whether he or she is located in-state or out of state.
If the Counselor/Psychotherapist or Marriage and Family Therapist are physically located in Arkansas, he or she must have an Arkansas license to provide Counseling/Psychotherapy or Marriage and Family Therapy services to individuals or groups located in Arkansas. If the licensee offers services to clients in another state, the licensee is subject to the laws of that state.
The Board will elect officers, within 30 days before January 2 of each year. The Board shall elect a chair and a secretary and other such officers, as it deems necessary, from its members to serve for terms of one year. Five (5) members shall at all times constitute a quorum. Additional meetings may he held at the discretion of the chair or upon written request of any three (3) members of the Boards
Meetings of the Board shall be open to the public in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. Dates, times, and places of meetings shall be furnished to anyone requesting the information and made available to the press and on the website.
Under the provisions of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act the Board may go into executive session for the purpose of giving oral licensure examinations or to develop examination questions.
The Board shall charge fees for applications, licenses, examinations and other administrative purposes deemed necessary by the Board. In addition to fees collected, the Board is empowered to accept grants from foundations and institutions to carry out its function. The Board may hire such personnel as necessary to carry out its activities. The Board Chairperson and the Executive Director shall be bonded to handle finances of the Board in compliance with state regulations.
All receipts for fees are numbered and dated.
It is intended that the provisions of Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-27-101 et seq. operate in accordance with other laws.
Individuals who offer volunteer pastoral, marriage and family therapy or counseling services are exempt from licensure requirements as long as their services are authorized and supervised by the local congregation/church, synagogue, denominational institution, agency, or organization for which the service is rendered. Volunteers must abide by the same requirements as the authorizing congregation/church, synagogue, denominational institution, agency or organization.
In order to be eligible as a Licensed Associate Counselor, an applicant:
In order to be eligible as a Licensed Professional Counselor, an applicant:
In order to be eligible as a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, an applicant:
In order to be eligible as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, an applicant:
For practitioners who possess both the LAC/LPC &. LAMFT/LMFT, a single licensure certificate will be available at a reduced cost. This is not a new licensure category, only a different certificate. The Continuing Education requirement will be 24 hours, with 3 hours minimum in Ethics. The remaining 21 hours must indicate a balance between counseling and marriage & family continuing education.
School________________ | Hypnotherapy__________ |
Career________________ | Pastoral Counseling ,_______ |
Rehabilitation__________ | Supervision-LAC____________ |
Appraisal ____________ | Supervision-LAMFT___________ |
Drug Sl Alcohol________ | Play Therapy___________ |
Addictions ________ | Dance Therapy___________ |
Art Therapy___________ | Neurofeedback___________, |
Mediation__________ | Technology-Assisted Counseling___________, |
Coaching___________ | Technology-Assisted Supervision___________ |
Recreation____________ | Behavior Analyst/Therapeutic Specialist___________ |
Music Therapy_________ | Therapeutic Humor _________ |
EMDR_______________ | Eating Disorders______________ |
Animal Assisted Therapy_____ | Trauma__________Grief |
Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA)
specialization Standard Bodies
School Counselors: https://www.schoolt:oun5elor.ors/iisca/media/asca/home/SCConipeterictes.pdf
Hypnotherapy: http://www.natboard.cotn/tndexfiles/pagc358.htm
Career Counselors: http://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/guidelines
Pastoral Counselors: hctp://www.aapc.org/Dcfault.aspx?ssid=74&.NavPTypeId= 1184
Rehabilitation: https://www.crccertification.com/eligibility-requirements
Supervision (LAC): http://www.cce-global.org/AC5
Supervision (LAMFT):
http://www.aamft.org/imis15/documents/approved supervisor handbook.pdf
Drug & Alcohol: http://www.naadac.org/mac.
Addictions: http://www.nbcc.org/Certtification/masterAddictionsCounselor
Play Therapy: http://a4pt.site-ym.com/?page=Credentials
Dance Therapy: http://www.adta.orK/DMTCB
Art Therapy: http://www.atcb.org/
Neurofeedback: http://www.bcia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfin?pageid=3435
Mediation: http://www.msb.org.au/mediator-standards/standards
Tech-Assisted:
http://www.nbcc.org/Assets/Ethics/NBCCPoltcyRcgardingPracticeofDistanceCounselingBoard.pdf
Coaching: http://www.cce-global.org/Credenrialing/BCC
Recreation: http://nctrc.org/about--certification/certification-standards/
Behavior Analyst, Therapeutic Specialist: http://bacb.com/
Music Therapy: http://www.cbmt.org/
Therapeutic Humor: http://www.aath.org/aath-code-of-ethics
EMDR: http://www.emdria.Org/?page=21
Eating Disorders: http://www.iaedp.com/certification/certificfttion.htm
Animal Assisted Therapy:http://www.animaledu.com/programs/Animals-Assisted-Therapy
Trauma: http://traumapro.net/certiftcation/certified-clinical'trauma-professional
Grief: http;//aihcp.net/american-academy-of-grief-counseling
ATSA: hftp://www.atsa.com/atsa-practice-guidelines
OR
When the information (j) (k) (1-8) is received, reviewed, and approved by the Board, the administrative office staff may use the information to review current and future transcripts from graduates of the endorsed institution. The institution has the responsibility to keep the syllabi and other university materials current to expedite any applications received from graduates of the institution. The institution has the responsibility to ensure that all courses meet the requirements set forth in the Rules/Regulations.
Supervision hours for applicants moving into the state must be approved by the Board.
The Standards for Clinical Approved Supervisor (CAS) by the National Board for Certified Counselors are adopted by the Board as the standards to ensure the preparation in methods and techniques for practicing counselors who offer clinical supervision services to Associate Counselors for the protection of the client.
Supervision hours for applicants moving into the state must be approved by the Board.
The Standards for Clinical Approved Supervisor (CAS) by the National Board for Certified Counselors are adopted by the Board as the standards to ensure the preparation in methods and techniques for practicing counselors who offer clinical supervision services to Associate Marriage and Family Therapists for the protection of the client.
The LAC and LAMFT are required to have a minimum of 3000 hours of cUent contact, 2200 hours defined as work related to direct, face-to-face counseling practice and 800 hours of indirect client contact. The supervisee may accumulate more than 800 hours, but they do not reduce the 1700 direct client contact hours required to complete the 3000 hours of supervised practice.
During the first 500 hours of supervision, no indirect hours will be applicable. The total hours of supervised practice will remain 175 clock hours of supervision-Supervisors may engage in Dyad /TriaJic supervision after the first 500 hours in addition to traditional group supervision.
Post-master's course work may be applied toward supervised experience in accordance with the rules and regulations governing both Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. The Board may accept thirty (30) hours of acceptable graduate coursework with the exception of Section 4.1 (i). These hours will adhere to the '80 - 20' rule, meaning 80 hours will go toward direct hours & 20 hours will go toward indirect hours.
The Statement of Intent (Scope of Practice) to practice must be completed signed and dated on each page. The statement must be consistent with the credentials documented in the application for licensure and include a satisfactory response to all items on the Statement of Intent (Scope of Practice) form.
The applicant (licensed in another state or with an Arkansas state agency) will submit a record of post-master's supervised counseling work related experience and/or Marriage and Family Therapy work related experience for Board approval. The approved experience will determine the applicant's license (Associate or Professional) level.
An affirmative vote of a majority of those Board members present and voting will be held as evidence of the following:
ORGANIZATIONS AND BOARDS
Applications from individuals who are under investigation, sanction, probation, disciplinary supervision, revocation, or rehabilitation by counseling, psychology, social work, or other related Boards or credentialing bodies will not be considered for an Arkansas license until documentation from the issuing body is received that the sanctions are removed or completed
All licenses expire biennially on June 30 of the renewal year. Licensing dates and payment of fees will be set to conform to the State's fiscal year, July 1 through June 30.
Failure to renew a license within twelve (12) months from the date of expiration will necessitate applying for the license as a new applicant meeting all requirements in effect as of the date the new application is received in the Board office. In this circumstance, prior to the application being processed, the applicant may be required to appear before the Board to explain the failure to meet the renewal deadlines.
Notices of renewal will be sent on or about December 15 of the renewal year. A percentage of all annual renewals may be randomly audited based on file number of the applicant. Forms are available on-line and will be sent on or about January 15 for the licensee to use for the documentation of continued education, statement of intent, and other related professional activities. Completion of such documentation by the licensee is mandatory prior to license renewal.
Renewals from individuals who are under investigation, sanction, probation, disciplinary supervision, revocation, or rehabilitation by counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychology, social work, or other related Boards or credentialing bodies will not be considered for an Arkansas license renewal until documentation from the issuing body is received that the sanctions are removed or completed.
Non-Practicing status is available for extenuating circumstances, whether health related, leaving the field temporarily, retirement or military deployment. There is a $50 bi-annual fee for file maintenance.
The Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act (APA) provides the basic framework for the conducting of adjudicative hearings.
These rules apply in all administrative adjudications conducted by the Board.
The Board Chairperson shall preside at the hearing or may designate one or more members of the Board or one or more examiners, referees, or hearing officers to preside at a hearing.
If there are separate matters that involve similar issues of law or fact, or identical parties, the matters may be consolidated if it appears that consolidation would promote the just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution of the proceedings, and would not unduly prejudice the rights of a party,
If it appears that the determination of the rights of parties in a proceeding will necessarily involve a determination of the substantial interests of persons who are not parties, the presiding officer may enter an order requiring that an absent person be notified of the proceeding and be given an opportunity to be joined as a party of record.
Unless the presiding officer otherwise orders, every pleading and every other paper filed for the proceeding, except applications for witness subpoenas and the subpoenas, shall be served on each party or the party's representative at the address on file with the Board.
A statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing;
A statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held; and
A short and plain statement of the matters of fact and law asserted.
All requests for relief will be made by motion. Motions must be in writing or made on the record during a hearing. A motion must fully state the action requested and the grounds relied upon. The original written motion will be filed with the agency. When time allows, the other parties may, within seven (7) days of the service of the written motion, file a response in opposition. The presiding officer may conduct such proceedings and enter such orders as are deemed necessary to address issues raised by the motion. However, a presiding officer, other than the Counseling Board, will not enter a dispositive order unless expressly authorized in writing to do so.
A respondent may file an answer no later than ten (10) days before the scheduled hearing.
The Board Chairman may grant a continuance of hearing for good cause shown. Requests for continuances will be made in writing. The request must state the grounds to be considered and be made as soon as practicable and, except in cases of emergencies, no later than five (5) days prior to the date noticed for the hearing. In determining whether to grant a continuance, the Board Chairman may consider:
The Board Chairman may require documentation of any grounds for continuance.
The presiding officer will conduct the hearing in the following manner:
If a party fails to appear or participate in an administrative adjudication after proper service of notice, the agency may proceed with the hearing and render a decision in the absence of the party.
The responsibility to record the testimony heard at a hearing is borne by the Board. In the event of the filing of a petition for judicial review, the Board_will provide a verbatim transcript of testimony taken before the Board. If requested under FOI, copies of the transcript will be provided at a cost per page.
In addition to any other considerations permitted by Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-27-101 et seq. if applicable, the agency in imposing any sanction may consider the following:
The Board_will serve on the respondent a written order that reflects the action taken by the agency. The order will include a recitation of facts found based on testimony and other evidence presented and reasonable inferences derived from the evidence pertinent to the issues of the case. It will also state conclusion of law and directives or other disposition entered against or in favor of the respondent.
In addition, the Board may, after a hearing, impose upon a licensee, alternative sanctions provided by Ark. Code Ann. § 25-15-217, which include a civil penalty not to exceed $500.00 per violation.
L Prior to the entry of a final order to suspend, revoke, annul or withdraw a license, or to impose other sanctions upon a licensee, the Board will serve the licensee a notice of hearing in the manner set out in Arkansas Code Annotated § 25-15-208.
personal delivery on the same day that the order issues, the Board shall make reasonable immediate efforts to contact by telephone the persons who are required to comply with the order.
emergency action taken pursuant to paragraph 8.2 (4) of this rule, the agency must initiate a formal suspension or revocation proceeding.
The licensee, in lieu of formal disciplinary proceedings, may offer to surrender his or her license, subject to the Board's determination to accept the proffered surrender, rather than conducting a formal disciplinary proceeding.
In every case in which a professional's license is revoked, suspended or surrendered, the licensee must:
the requirements of section VIII (K) Q) of these rules pertaining to the duty of a sanctioned professional;
surrendered his or her license will be licensed, except on petition made to
the Board. The application for re-licensure is not allowed until at least five years after the revocation or surrender of license took effect.
No reciprocity agreement exists between other states or other Arkansas agencies. Applicants from other states or Arkansas agencies must apply and complete the formal application process prior to license issue. The following rules apply to the process:
(clWaiver of the NCE, NCMHCE, or the AMFIRB may be granted when the Board has determined that another examination is equivalent or an endorsement agreement has been reached with the other boards or agencies responsible for licensing Counselors/Therapists.
The client of persons licensed by this Board has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent any other person from disclosing his medical records or confidential communications made for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of his physical, mental or emotional condition, including alcohol or drug addiction, among himself, the licensee, and persons who are participating in the diagnosis or treatment under the direction of the licensee, including members of the client's family. See Rules 501, 502 and 503, Arkansas Rules of Evidence. The licensee is presumed to have authority to claim the privilege on behalf of the patient. The privilege is subject to the exceptions listed in Rule 503(d). The following communications are not protected by the privilege:
The Board adopts the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) document titled The Practice of Internet Counseling. The NBCC document is adopted as part of Arkansas Rules to further extend and clarify Technology-Assisted Distance Counseling Ethics, Definitions and Standards for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in the state of Arkansas. The adoption of the document is to support and extend the American Counseling Code of Ethics for the practice of Internet Counseling.
COPIED FROM WWW.NBCC.ORG
THE PRACTICE OF INTERNET COUNSELING
This document contains a statement of principles for guiding the evolving practice of Internet counseling. In order to provide a context for these principles, the following definition of Internet counseling, which is one element of technology-assisted distance counseling, is provided. The Internet counseling standards follow the definitions presented below.
A Taxonomy for Defining Face-To-Face and Technology-Assisted Distance Counseling
The delivery of technology-assisted distance counseling continues to grow and evolve. Technology assistance in the form of computer-assisted assessment, computer-assisted information systems, and telephone counseling has been available and widely used for some time. The rapid development and use of the Internet to deliver information and foster communication has resulted in the creation of new forms of counseling. Developments have occurred so rapidly that it is difficult to communicate a common understanding of these new forms of counseling practice.
The purpose of this document is to create standard definitions of technology-assisted distance counseling that can be easily updated in response to evolutions in technology and practice. A definition of traditional face-to-face counseling is also presented to show similarities and differences with respect to various applications of technology in counseling. A taxonomy of forms of counseling is also presented to further clarify how technology relates to counseling practice.
Nature of Counseling
Counseling is the application of mental health, psychological, or human development principles, through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic intervention strategies, that address wellness, personal growth, or career development, as well as pathology.
Depending on the needs of the client and the availability of services, counseling may range from a few brief interactions in a short period of time, to numerous interactions over an extended period of time. Brief interventions, such as classroom discussions, workshop
presentations, or assistance in using assessment, information, or instructional resources, may be sufficient to meet individual needs. Or, these brief interventions may lead to longer-term counseling interventions for individuals with more substantial needs. Counseling may be delivered by a single counselor, two counselors working collaboratively, or a single counselor with brief assistance from another counselor who has specialized expertise that is needed by the client.
Forms of Counseling
Counseling can be delivered in a variety of forms that share the definition presented above. Forms of counseling differ with respect to participants, delivery location, communication medium, and interaction process. Counseling participants can be individuals, couples, or groups. The location for counseling delivery can be face-to-face or at a distance with the assistance of technology. The communication medium for counseling can be what is read from text, what is heard from audio, or what is seen and heard in person or from video. The interaction process for counseling can be synchronous or asynchronous. Synchronous interaction occurs with little or no gap in time between the responses of the counselor and the client. Asynchronous interaction occurs with a gap in time between the responses of the counselor and the client.
The selection of a specific form of counseling is based on the needs and preferences of the client within the range of services available. Distance counseling supplements face-to-face counseling by providing increased access to counseling on the basis of necessity or convenience. Barriers, such as being a long distance from counseling services, geographic separation of a couple, or limited physical mobility as a result of having a disability, can make it necessary to provide counseling at a distance. Options, such as scheduling counseling sessions outside of traditional service delivery hours or delivering counseling services at a place of residence or employment, can make it more convenient to provide counseling at a distance.
A Taxonom-y of Forms of Counseling Practice.Table 1 presents a taxonomy of currently available forms of counseling practice. This schema is intended to show the relationships among counseling forms.
Table 1
A Taxonomy of Face-To-Face and Technology-Assisted Distance Counseling
Counseling
* Face-To-Face Counseling
* Individual Counseling
* Couple Counseling
* Group Counseling
*Technology-Assisted Distance Counseling
* Telecounseling
* Telephone-Based Individual Counseling
* Telephone-Based Couple Counseling
* Telephone-Based Group Counseling
* Internet Counseling
* E-Mail-Based Individual Counseling
* Chat-Based Individual Counseling " Chat-Based Couple Counseling
* Chat-Based Group Counseling
* Video-Based Individual Counseling
* Video-Based Couple Counseling
* Video-Based Group Counseling
Definitions
Counseling is the application of mental health, psychological, or human development principles, through cognitive, affective, behavioral or systemic intervention strategies, that address wellness, personal growth, or career development, as well as pathology.
Face-to-face counseling for individuals, couples, and groups involves synchronous interaction between and among counselors and clients using what is seen and heard in person to communicate.
Technology-assisted distance counseling for individuals, couples, and groups involves the use of the telephone or the computer to enable counselors and clients to communicate at a distance when circumstances make this approach necessary or convenient.
Telecounseling involves synchronous distance interaction among counselors and clients using one-to-one or conferencing features of the telephone to communicate.
Telephone-based individual counseling involves synchronous distance interaction between a counselor and a client using what is heard via audio to communicate.
Telephone-based couple counseling involves synchronous distance interaction among a counselor or counselors and a couple using what is heard via audio to communicate.
Telephone-based group counseling involves synchronous distance interaction among counselors and clients using what is heard via audio to communicate.
Internet counseling involves asynchronous and synchronous distance interaction among counselors and clients using e-mail, chat, and videoconferencing features of the Internet to communicate.
E-mail-based individual Internet counseling involves asynchronous distance interaction between counselor and client using what is read via text to communicate.
Chat-based individual Internet counseling involves synchronous distance interaction between counselor and client using what is read via text to communicate.
Chat-based couple Internet counseling involves synchronous distance interaction among a counselor or counselors and a couple using what is read via text to communicate.
Chat-based group Internet counseling involves synchronous distance interaction among counselors and clients using what is read via text to communicate.
Video-based individual Internet counseling involves synchronous distance interaction between counselor and client using what is seen and heard via video to communicate.
Video-based couple Internet counseling involves synchronous distance interaction among a counselor or counselors and a couple using what is seen and heard via video to communicate.
Video-based group Internet counseling involves synchronous distance interaction among counselors and clients using what is seen and heard via video to communicate.
Standards for the Ethical Practice of Internet Counseling
These standards govern the practice of Internet counseling and are intended for use by counselors, clients, the public, counselor educators, and organizations that examine and deliver Internet counseling. These standards are intended to address practices that are unique to Internet counseling and Internet counselors and do not duplicate principles found in traditional codes of ethics.
These Internet counseling standards of practice are based upon the principles of ethical practice embodied in the NBCC Code of Ethics. Therefore, these standards should be used in conjunction with the most recent version of the NBCC ethical code. Related content in the NBCC Code are indicated in parentheses after each standard.
Recognizing that significant new technology emerges continuously, these standards should be reviewed frequently. It is also recognized that Internet counseling ethics cases should be reviewed in light of delivery systems existing at the moment rather than at the time the standards were adopted.
Internet Counseling Relationship
Confidentiality in Internet Counseling
Encryption methods should be used whenever possible. If encryption is not made available to clients, clients must be informed of the potential hazards of unsecured communication on the Internet. Hazards may include unauthorized monitoring of transmissions and/or records of Internet counseling sessions.
Session data may include Internet counselor/Internet client e-mail, test results, audio/video session recordings, session notes, and counselor/supervisor communications. The likelihood of electronic sessions being preserved is greater
because of the ease and decreased costs involved in recording. Thus, its potential use in supervision, research, and legal proceedings increases.
Because of the relative ease with which e-mail messages can be forwarded to formal and casual referral sources, Internet counselors must work to insure the confidentiality of the Internet counseling relationship.
Legal Considerations, Licensure, and Certification
Local, state, provincial, and national statutes as well as codes of professional membership organizations, professional certifying bodies, and state or provincial licensing boards need to be reviewed. Also, as varying state rules and opinions exist on questions pertaining to whether Internet counseling takes place in the Internet counselor's location or the Internet client's location, it is important to review codes in the counselor's home jurisdiction as well as the client's. Internet counselors also consider carefully local customs regarding age of consent and child abuse reporting, and liability insurance policies need to be reviewed to determine if the practice of Internet counseling is a covered activity.
The Internet counselor's Web site provides links to websites of all appropriate certification bodies and licensure boards to facilitate consumer protection.
License Application Fees
*Application Fee Initial LAC/LPC/LAMFT/LMFT license | $200 |
Application LAC to LPC or LAMFT to LMFT License | $ 100 |
*Application for Specialization License/Licenses | $ 50 |
First license fee for LAC/LAMFT is prorated based on the biennial $250.00 license fee, according to the number of months licensed, one time only, beginning July 1 of the fiscal year of license issue.
First license fee for LPC/LMFT is prorated based on the biennial $300.00 license fee, according to the number of months licensed, one time only, beginning July 1 of the fiscal year of license issue.
License Renewal Fees | |
Biennial license renewal-Associates (LAC/LAMFT) | $250 |
Biennial license renewal-Professionals (LPC or LMFT) | $300 |
Biennial Dual license renewal fee: LAC/LAMFT | $400 |
Biennial Dual license renewal fee: LPC/LMFT | $450 |
Late renewal fee July 1 to December 1 | $100 |
Late renewal fee December 2 to June 30 | $200 |
Specialization renewal fee $0.00 (renewal based on generic license renewal) if required continuing education submitted with renewal. If late, the late renewal fee will apply to specialization license renewal.
*If Specialization License applied for with initial application for the LAC/LPC, LAMFT/LMFT license the Specialization License fee of $50.00 does not apply.
License Examination Fees
NCE Examination - pay to | NBCC |
NCMHCE Examination - pay to | NBCC |
AMFTRB Examination -pay to | AMFTRB |
Rules shall be in effect ten (10) days following the Legislative Council approval date for individuals who hold a current Arkansas License, have an Arkansas application in process or for applications filed thereafter.
122.00.13 Ark. Code R. 001