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 Utah Administrative Code (Current through November 1, 2019)
 R156. Commerce, Occupational and Professional Licensing
 R156-60c. Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensing Act Rule
 

  R156-60c. Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensing Act Rule  

R156-60c-302a. Qualifications for Licensure - Education Requirements
Latest version.

  (1) Pursuant to Subsection 58-60-405(1)(d)(i), an applicant for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor shall:

  (a) produce certified transcripts evidencing completion of at least 60 semester or 90 quarter credit hours completed as part of a master's or doctorate degree conferred to the applicant in clinical mental health counseling or counselor education and supervision from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); or

  (b)(i) produce certified transcripts evidencing completion of at least 60 semester or 90 quarter credit hours as part of a master's or doctorate degree conferred to the applicant in clinical mental health counseling or an equivalent field from a program affiliated with an institution that has accreditation that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

  (ii) A program under Subsection (1)(b)(i) shall include the following graduate level course work:

  (A) a minimum of two semester or three quarter hours in professional counseling orientation and ethical practice based on the standards of the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), or National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC);

  (B) a minimum of two semester or three quarter hours in social and cultural diversity;

  (C) a minimum of two semester or three quarter hours in group counseling and group work;

  (D) a minimum of two semester or three quarter hours in human growth and development;

  (E) a minimum of two semester or three quarter hours in career development;

  (F) a minimum of six semester or eight quarter hours in counseling and helping relationships;

  (G) a minimum of two semester or three quarter hours in substance-related and addictive disorders;

  (H) a minimum of two semester or three quarter hours in assessment and testing;

  (I) a minimum of four semester or six quarter hours in mental status examination and the appraisal of DSM maladaptive and psychopathological behavior;

  (J) a minimum of two semester or three quarter hours in research and program evaluation;

  (K) a minimum of four semester or six quarter hours of internship or practicum as defined in Subsection R156-60c-102(1) or (2) that includes combined completion of at least 1,000 hours of supervised clinical training of which at least 400 hours shall be in providing clinical mental health counseling directly to clients as defined in Subsection 58-60-102(7);and

  (L) a minimum of 34 semester or 52 quarter hours of course work related to the practice of counseling of which no more than six semester or eight quarter hours of credit for thesis, dissertation or project hours shall be counted toward the required hours in this subsection.
R156-60c-302b. Qualifications for Licensure - Experience Requirements
Latest version.

(1) The clinical mental health counselor and mental health therapy training qualifying an applicant for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor under Subsections 58-60-405(1)(e) and (f) shall:

(a) be completed in not less than two years;

(b) be completed while the applicant is licensed as a licensed associate clinical mental health counselor or licensed associate clinical mental health counselor extern;

(c) be completed while the applicant is an employee, as defined in Subsection R156-60-102(3), of a public or private agency engaged in mental health therapy under the supervision of a qualified clinical mental health counselor, psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, registered psychiatric mental health nurse specialist, physician, or marriage and family therapist; and

(c) be completed under a program of supervision by a mental health therapist meeting the requirements under Sections R156-60c-401 and R156-60c-402.

(2) An applicant for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor, who is not seeking licensure by endorsement based upon licensure in another jurisdiction, who has completed all or part of the clinical mental health counselor and mental health therapy training requirements under Subsection (1) outside the state may receive credit for that training completed outside of the state if it is demonstrated by the applicant that the training completed outside the state is equivalent to and in all respects meets the requirements for training under Subsections 58-60-405(1)(e) and (f), and Subsections R156-60c-302b(1). The applicant shall have the burden of demonstrating by evidence satisfactory to the Division and Board that the training completed outside the state is equivalent to and in all respects meets the requirements under this Subsection.
R156-60c-302c. Qualifications for Licensure - Examination Requirements
Latest version.

  Under Subsection 58-60-405(1)(g), an applicant for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor shall pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination of the National Board for Certified Counselors.
R156-60c-101. Title
Latest version.

This rule is known as the "Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensing Act Rule".
R156-60c-102. Definitions
Latest version.

  In addition to the definitions in Title 58, Chapters 1 and 60, as used in Title 58, Chapters 1 and 60, or this rule:

  (1) "Deficiency", as used in Subsection 58-60-117(1)(d), means:

  (a) no more than a combined total of six semester or nine quarter hours in:

  (i) group counseling and group work;

  (ii) human growth and development;

  (iii) career development;

  (iv) substance-related and addictive disorders; and

  (v) research and program evaluation.

  (2) "Internship" means:

  (a) one or more courses completed as part of a program at an accredited school:

  (i) in a public or private agency engaged in the clinical practice of mental health therapy as defined in Subsection 58-60-102(7); and

  (ii) under supervision provided by a qualified mental health training supervisor as defined in Section R156-60c-401.

  (3) "Practicum" means:

  (a) one or more courses completed as part of a program at an accredited school:

  (i) in a public or private agency engaged in the clinical practice of mental health therapy as defined in Subsection 58-60-102(7); and

  (ii) under supervision provided by a qualified mental health training supervisor as defined in Section R156-60c-401.

  (4) "Unprofessional conduct" as defined in Title 58, Chapters 1 and 60 is further defined, in accordance with Subsection 58-1-203(1)(e), in Section R156-60c-502.
R156-60c-103. Authority - Purpose
Latest version.

This rule is adopted by the Division under the authority of Subsection 58-1-106(1) to enable the Division to administer Title 58, Chapter 60, Part 4.
R156-60c-104. Organization - Relationship to Rule R156-1
Latest version.

The organization of this rule and its relationship to Rule R156-1 is as described in Section R156-1-107.
R156-60c-303. Renewal Cycle - Procedures
Latest version.

(1) In accordance with Subsection 58-1-308(1), the renewal date for the two-year renewal cycle applicable to licenses under Title 58, Chapter 60, is established by rule in Section R156-1-308a.

(2) Renewal procedures shall be in accordance with Section R156-1-308c.
R156-60c-304. Continuing Education
Latest version.

  (1) There is hereby established a continuing education requirement for all individuals licensed under Title 58, Chapter 60, Part 4, as a clinical mental health counselor and associate clinical mental health counselor.

  (2) During each two year period commencing October 1st of each even numbered year, a clinical mental health counselor or licensed associate clinical mental health counselor shall complete at least 40 hours of continuing education directly related to the licensee's professional practice of which at least six hours shall be in ethics/law.

  (3) The required number of hours of continuing education for an individual who first becomes licensed during the two year period shall be decreased proportionally, according to the date of licensure.

  (4) Continuing education under this section shall:

  (a) be relevant to the licensee's professional practice;

  (b) be prepared and presented by individuals who are qualified by education, training and experience to provide continuing education regarding clinical mental health counseling; and

  (c) document and verify attendance and completion.

  (5) Credit for continuing education shall be recognized in accordance with the following:

  (a) unlimited hours shall be recognized for continuing education completed in blocks of time of at least one hour in formally established classroom courses, seminars, or conferences;

  (b) a maximum of 10 hours per two year period may be recognized for teaching in a college or university, teaching qualified continuing education courses in the field of clinical mental health counseling, or supervising of an individual completing the experience requirement for licensure in a mental health therapist license classification; and

  (c) a maximum of 10 hours per two year period may be recognized for distance learning, clinical readings, or internet-based courses directly related to practice as a clinical mental health counselor or as otherwise approved by the Division.

  (6) A licensee shall be responsible for maintaining competent records of completed continuing education for at least four years after close of the two year period to which the records pertain. It is the responsibility of the licensee to maintain such information with respect to continuing education to demonstrate it meets the requirements under this section.

  (7) A licensee who documents having engaged in full-time activities or is subjected to circumstances that prevent the licensee from meeting the continuing education requirements established under this Section may be excused from the requirement for a period of up to three years. However, it is the responsibility of the licensee to document the reasons and justify why the requirement could not be met.

  (8) If a licensee completes more than the required number of continuing education hours during a two-year renewal cycle specified in Subsection (2), up to ten hours of the excess may be carried over to the next two-year renewal cycle.

  (9) No education received prior to licensure in Utah may be used towards the continuing education requirements of Subsection (2).
R156-60c-306. License Reinstatement - Requirements
Latest version.

In addition to the requirements established in Section R156-1-308e, an applicant for reinstatement of his license after two years following expiration of that license shall be required to meet the following reinstatement requirements:

(1) if deemed necessary, meet with the Board for the purpose of evaluating the applicant's current ability to engage safely and competently in practice as a clinical mental health counselor and to make a determination of any additional education, experience or examination requirements which will be required before reinstatement;

(2) upon the recommendation of the Board, establish a plan of supervision under an approved supervisor which may include up to 4,000 hours of clinical training as an associate clinical mental health counselor extern;

(3) pass the National Counseling Examination of the National Board for Certified Counselors if it is determined by the Board that current taking and passing of the examination is necessary to demonstrate the applicant's ability to engage safely and competently in practice as a clinical mental health counselor;

(4) pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination if it is determined by the Board that current taking and passing of the examination is necessary to demonstrate the applicant's ability to engage safely and competently in practice as a clinical mental health counselor; and

(5) complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education in subjects determined by the Board as necessary to ensure the applicant's ability to engage safely and competently in practice as a clinical mental health counselor.
R156-60c-401. Requirements to be Qualified as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Training Supervisor
Latest version.

In accordance with Subsections 58-60-405(1)(e) and (f), in order for an individual to be qualified as a clinical mental health counselor training supervisor, the individual shall have the following qualifications:

(1) be currently licensed in good standing in a profession set forth for a supervisor under Subsection 58-60-405(1)(e) in the state in which the supervised training is being performed;

(2) have engaged in lawful practice of mental health therapy as a physician, clinical mental health counselor, psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, registered psychiatric mental health nurse specialist, or marriage and family therapist for not fewer than 4,000 hours in a period of not less than two years prior to beginning supervision activities; and

(3) be employed by or have a contract with the mental health agency that employs the supervisee, but not be employed by the supervisee, nor be employed by an agency owned in total or in part by the supervisee, or in which the supervisee has any controlling interest.
R156-60c-402. Duties and Responsibilities of a Supervisor of Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Latest version.

The duties and responsibilities of a licensee providing supervision to an individual completing supervised clinical mental health counselor training requirements for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor are to:

(1) be professionally responsible for the acts and practices of the supervisee which are a part of the required supervised training;

(2) be engaged in a relationship with the supervisee in which the supervisor is independent from control by the supervisee and in which the ability of the supervisor to supervise and direct the practice of the supervisee is not compromised;

(3) be available for advice, consultation, and direction consistent with the standards and ethics of the profession and the requirements suggested by the total circumstances including the supervisee's level of training, diagnosis of patients, and other factors known to the supervisee and supervisor;

(4) provide periodic review of the client records assigned to the supervisee;

(5) comply with the confidentiality requirements of Section 58-60-114;

(6) monitor the performance of the supervisee for compliance with laws, standards, and ethics applicable to the practice of clinical mental health counseling and report violations to the Division;

(7) supervise only a supervisee who is an employee of a public or private mental health agency;

(8) submit appropriate documentation to the Division with respect to all work completed by the supervisee evidencing the performance of the supervisee during the period of supervised clinical mental health counselor training, including the supervisor's evaluation of the supervisee's competence in the practice of clinical mental health counseling;

(9) supervise not more than three supervisees at any given time unless approved by the Board and Division; and

(10) assure each supervisee is licensed as a licensed associate clinical mental health counselor or licensed associate clinical mental health counselor extern prior to beginning the supervised training of the supervisee as required under Subsection 58-60-405(1)(e) and (f).
R156-60c-502. Unprofessional Conduct
Latest version.

"Unprofessional conduct" includes:

(1) acting as a supervisor or accepting supervision duties of a supervisor without complying with or ensuring the compliance with the requirements of Sections R156-60c-401 and R156-60c-402;

(2) engaging in the supervised practice of mental health therapy when not in compliance with Subsections R156-60c-401(3) and R156-60c-402(7);

(3) engaging in and aiding or abetting conduct or practices which are dishonest, deceptive or fraudulent;

(4) engaging in or aiding or abetting deceptive or fraudulent billing practices;

(5) failing to establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with a client or former client;

(6) engaging in dual or multiple relationships with a client or former client in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client;

(7) engaging in sexual activities or sexual contact with a client with or without client consent;

(8) engaging in sexual activities or sexual contact with a former client within two years of documented termination of services;

(9) engaging in sexual activities or sexual contact at any time with a former client who is especially vulnerable or susceptible to being disadvantaged because of the client's personal history, current mental status, or any condition which could reasonably be expected to place the client at a disadvantage recognizing the power imbalance which exists or may exist between the counselor and the client;

(10) engaging in sexual activities or sexual contact with client's relatives or other individuals with whom the client maintains a relationship when that individual is especially vulnerable or susceptible to being disadvantaged because of his personal history, current mental status, or any condition which could reasonably be expected to place that individual at a disadvantage recognizing the power imbalance which exists or may exist between the counselor and that individual;

(11) engaging in physical contact with a client when there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client resulting from the contact;

(12) engaging in or aiding or abetting sexual harassment or any conduct which is exploitive or abusive with respect to a student, trainee, employee, or colleague with whom the licensee has supervisory or management responsibility;

(13) failing to render impartial, objective, and informed services, recommendations or opinions with respect to custodial or parental rights, divorce, domestic relationships, adoptions, sanity, competency, mental health or any other determination concerning an individual's civil or legal rights;

(14) exploiting a client for personal gain;

(15) using a professional client relationship to exploit a person that is known to have a personal relationship with a client for personal gain;

(16) failing to maintain appropriate client records for a period of not less than ten years from the documented termination of services to the client;

(17) failing to obtain informed consent from the client or legal guardian before taping, recording or permitting third party observations of client care or records;

(18) failing to cooperate with the Division during an investigation; and

(19) failing to abide by the provisions of the American Mental Health Counselors Association Code of Ethics, last amended March 2010, which is adopted and incorporated by reference.