Rule 24-3-1.1 - Statutory Authority - DMH Professional CredentialingA. Statutory authority for DMH professional credentials was granted in 1996 by the Mississippi Legislature. B. Section 41-4-7 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated authorizes the Mississippi State Board of Mental Health (through the Mississippi Department of Mental Health) to certify/license case managers [i.e., community support specialists], mental health therapists, intellectual and developmental disabilities therapists, and others as deemed appropriate by the Mississippi State Board of Mental Health. In 1997, authority was expanded to include the certification/licensure of mental health/intellectual and developmental disabilities program administrators and addiction counselors [i.e., addictions therapists]. Section 41-4-7 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated