Md. Code Regs. 10.58.12.06

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 25, December 13, 2024

Section 10.58.12.06 - Licensure Eligibility: Out-of-State Applicants

A. An applicant licensed as a clinical professional counselor or its equivalent, as established by the Board, in another state, territory, or jurisdiction is eligible for licensure if the applicant:

(1) Provides:

(a) A completed Board-approved application;

(b) An official transcript from the educational institution which awarded the master's or doctoral degree;

(c) A copy of a current license from each state, territory, or jurisdiction in which the applicant has been licensed, registered, or otherwise authorized to practice clinical professional counseling;

(d) Documentation, satisfactory to the Board, that the applicant is currently licensed in good standing to practice clinical professional counseling in another state, territory, or jurisdiction; and

(e) Verification that the applicant has:

(i) No history of disciplinary action, past or pending, in a state, territory, or jurisdiction in which the applicant holds a license to practice clinical professional counseling; and

(ii) Not committed any act or omission that would be grounds for discipline or denial of licensure under Health Occupations Article, § 17-509, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(2) Pays the application fee set forth in the COMAR 10.58.02;

(3) Has achieved a passing score on:

(a) A national certification examination approved by the Board; and

(b) An examination of:

(i) Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Annotated Code of Maryland; and

(ii) COMAR 10.58;

(4) Submits to a criminal history background check in accordance with Health Occupations Article, § 17-501.1, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(5) Meets the educational requirements for licensure in this State as a clinical professional counselor:

(a) As established in Regulation .05 of this chapter; or

(b) By providing documentation of the substitute educational and experience requirements outlined in §§B-E of this regulation;

(6) Is of good moral character; and

(7) Complies with:

(a) Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Annotated Code of Maryland; and

(b) The code of ethics as set forth in COMAR 10.58.03.

B. Waiver of Examination. The Board may waive any examination requirements for an applicant who satisfies the Board that the applicant:

(1) Obtained licensure in a state or country that grants a similar endorsement to licensees of this State;

(2) Became licensed in another state or country after passing an examination approved by the Board; and

(3) Meets the qualifications otherwise required by Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Annotated Code of Maryland, and this chapter.

C. Equivalent Educational Requirements. The applicant shall provide documentation or transcripts confirming completion of a master's or doctoral degree in a professional counseling field from an accredited educational institution.

D. Waiver of Course Requirements. The Board may waive one or more course requirements specified in Regulation .04 of this chapter, except for documentation showing completion of a minimum of 3 graduate semester credit hours or the equivalent graduate quarter hours covering each of the following primary topics or content areas:

(1) Diagnosis and psychopathology;

(2) Psychotherapy and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, as described in Regulation .02Bof this chapter; and

(3) Professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities.

E. Equivalent Experience Requirements. The Board may waive the clinical experience requirements specified in Regulation .04 of this chapter as follows:

(1) The applicant shall provide documentation, satisfactory to the Board, of one of the following for an applicant with:

(a) A master's degree consisting of:

(i) A minimum of 60 graduate credit hours; and

(ii) Not less than 3 years, with a minimum of 3,000 hours, of supervised clinical experience in clinical professional counseling, 2 years of which shall be completed after the award of the master's degree;

(b) A master's degree consisting of:

(i) Less than 60 graduate credit hours; and

(ii) Not less than 3 years' experience practicing as a licensed clinical professional counselor, with a minimum of 3,000 hours of clinical professional counseling experience; or

(c) A doctoral degree consisting of:

(i) Not less than 2 years practicing as a clinical professional counselor; or

(ii) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical professional counseling experience; and

(2) The applicant shall provide verification, on a Board-approved form, from employers, supervisors, or colleagues that the applicant has practiced clinical professional counseling for the length of time stated in §E(1) of this regulation.

Md. Code Regs. 10.58.12.06

Regulations .06 adopted effective 48:13 Md. R. 508, eff. 6/28/2021