R156-78. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Licensing Act Rule, R156. Commerce, Occupational and Professional Licensing, Utah Administrative Code

Utah Administrative Code (Current through November 1, 2019)

R156. Commerce, Occupational and Professional Licensing

R156-78. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Licensing Act Rule

R156-78-302b. Experience Requirement

Latest version.

(1) An applicant for licensure verifying completion of the experience requirement established in Subsection 58-78-302(1)(e) with experience that was not completed under the supervision of an LVRC must apply for licensure before January 1, 2011 for the applicant's experience to count toward completion of the experience requirement. Applicants for licensure who apply on or after January 1, 2011 must verify completion of experience under the supervision of an LVRC.

(2) A maximum of 2,000 hours of supervised experience during any one year period may be credited toward the 4,000 hour supervised experience requirement.

R156-78-302d. Qualifications for Licensure - Examination Requirements

Latest version.

In accordance with Subsection 58-78-302(1)(f), the examination requirements for licensure as an LVRC include passing the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

R156-78-101. Title

Latest version.

This rule is known as the "Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Licensing Act Rule".

R156-78-102. Definitions

Latest version.

In addition to the definitions in Title 58, Chapters 1 and 78, as used in Title 58, Chapters 1 and 78 or in this rule:

(1) "Disability related work experience", as used in Subsection 58-78-302(1)(e), means the practice of providing vocational rehabilitation services as defined in Subsection 58-78-102(3).

(2) "In-service" means a continuing education course that meets the requirements in Subsection R156-78-304(4) and is hosted or sponsored by an employer and not by a professional association, society or organization related to the profession.

(3) "LVRC" means a licensed vocational rehabilitation counselor.

(4) "Related field", as used in Subsection 58-78-302(1)(d), includes any of the following:

(a) psychology;

(b) clinical psychology;

(d) professional guidance and counseling;

(e) social work;

(f) educational counseling;

(g) educational psychology with rehabilitation counseling emphasis;

(h) special education with rehabilitation counseling emphasis; and

(i) any other field deemed substantially related to the practice of rehabilitation counseling by the Board and Division.

(5) "Supervision", as used in Subsections 58-78-302(1)(e) and 58-78-304(1) means general supervision in that the supervising licensee:

(a) establishes a professional relationship with the supervisee which ensures that the work being performed is consistent with the scope and standards of the profession;

(b) is available for consultation with the person being supervised by personal face-to-face contact, or direct voice contact by telephone, radio, or some other means, whether or not the supervising licensee is located on the same premises as the person being supervised;

(d) maintains routine personal contact with the person being supervised.

(6) "Unprofessional conduct", as defined in Title 58, Chapters 1 and 78, is further defined in accordance with Subsection 58-1-203(1)(e) in Section R156-78-502.

(7) "Vocational assessment", as used in Subsection 58-78-102(3)(c), includes the performance of forensic evaluations.

R156-78-103. Authority - Purpose

Latest version.

This rule is adopted by the Division under the authority of Subsection 58-1-106(1)(a) to enable the Division to administer Title 58, Chapter 78.

R156-78-104. Organization - Relationship to Rule R156-1

Latest version.

The organization of this rule and its relationship to Section R156-1 is as described in Section R156-1-107.

R156-78-303. 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 licensees under Title 58, Chapter 78 is established by rule in Section R156-1-308a.

(2) Renewal procedures shall be in accordance with Section R156-1-308c.

R156-78-304. Continuing Education

Latest version.

(1) In accordance with Subsection 58-78-303(3), there is established a continuing education requirement for all individuals licensed under Title 58, Chapter 78 as an LVRC.

(2) During the two-year license renewal period commencing April 1 of each odd-numbered year, an LVRC shall be required to complete not less than 40 hours of continuing education directly related to the licensee's professional practice of which a minimum of four hours must be completed 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 in a pro-rata amount equal to any part of that two-year period preceding the date on which that individual first became licensed.

(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 relevant to the practice of vocational rehabilitation counseling; and

(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 not less than one hour in formally established classroom courses, seminars, conferences or training sessions which meet the criteria listed in Subsection (4) above, and which are approved by, conducted by, or under the sponsorship of:

(i) universities and colleges; or

(ii) professional associations, societies and organizations representing a licensed profession whose program objectives relate to the practice of vocational rehabilitation counselors;

(b) a maximum of 20 hours per two-year period may be recognized for:

(i) teaching courses under Subsection (5)(a); or

(ii) supervision of an individual completing the experience requirement for licensure as an LVRC;

(c) a maximum of 12 hours per two-year period may be recognized for in-service directly related to practice as an LVRC; and

(d) a maximum of 24 hours of continuing education per two-year period may be recognized for internet or distance-learning courses that include an examination and issuance of a completion certificate.

(6) A licensee shall be responsible for maintaining competent records of completed continuing education for a period of four years.

(7) A licensee requesting a waiver of the continuing education requirement must comply with requirements as established by rule in Section R156-1-308d.

(8) If a licensee completes more than the required number of hours of continuing education during a two-year renewal cycle specified in Subsection (2), up to ten hours of the excess over the required number may be carried over to the next two-year renewal cycle. No education received prior to a license being granted may be carried forward to apply towards the continuing education required after the license is granted.

R156-78-502. Unprofessional Conduct

Latest version.

(1) "Unprofessional conduct" includes:

(a) violating any provision of the Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors, published by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, effective January 1, 2017, which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference;

(b) failing to report in writing to the Division unlawful or unprofessional conduct as defined in Section 58-78-501, 58-78-502 and this Section, by a person licensed under Title 58, Chapter 78 within ten days after learning of the conduct, if the conduct:

(i)(A) results in disciplinary action taken by the licensee's employer or a professional association; or

(B) results in a significant adverse impact on the public's health, safety or welfare; and

(ii) was not known by the licensee to have already been reported to the Division; and