Rule 135-12-.02 - Diagnosis(1) Persons licensed under this chapter as a professional counselor, clinical social worker or marriage and family therapist who comply with this section shall be authorized to diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders through the use of current classification systems such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and/or the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD).(2) On or before January 1, 2018, any person licensed under O.C.G.A. 43-10A working with people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse shall complete a curriculum of education relating to diagnosing mental disorders, as reflected on an official transcript, to be submitted to the Board upon request. Existing licensees whose transcripts demonstrate completion of an acceptable three semester hours or five quarter hours (forty-five clock hours) graduate level course or an organized training program recognized by the Board shall be deemed to have met this requirement of training and education. A graduate level course, such as psychopathology, DSM or other course with similar content, by a regionally accredited university or an organized training program recognized and/or approved by the Board in mental disorders and diagnosing mental disorders consisting of a minimum of three semester hours or five quarter hours (forty-five clock hours) may satisfy this requirement. The Board recognizes courses may have a variety of names depending on the course provider; the Board may request additional information to determine course or program approval. The Board will recognize training programs that are approved by the Georgia chapters of the Licensed Professional Counselors Association (LPCA-GA), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Georgia Society of Clinical Social Work (GSCSW) and/or Georgia Marriage and Family Therapist Association (GAMFT).(3) As of April 26, 2016, persons licensed under this chapter with at least ten years of experience as a professional counselor, clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist working with people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse and in good standing with the Board are exempt from this requirement.(4) Licensees who complete an acceptable graduate level course consisting of three semester hours or five quarter hours (forty-five clock hours), or an organized training program recognized by the Board, relating to diagnosing mental disorders as defined in (2) above, and which was completed between October 1, 2016 and January 1, 2018 will satisfy the required 35 continuing education hours for the renewal ending September 30, 2018.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 135-12-.02
O.C.G.A. §§ 43-1-24, 43-1-25, 43-10A-3, 43-10A-5, 43-10A-6, 43-10A-7, 43-10A-12, 43-10A-13, 43-10A-16, 43-10A-22.
Original Rule entitled "Diagnosis" adopted. F. Sep. 1, 2017; eff. Sept. 21, 2017.