33-38-106. Requirements for licensure and certification.

(a) The board shall issue a license as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker or addictions therapist to any applicant who files an application upon a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the following:

(i) The applicant has reached the age of majority;

(ii) The applicant has no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions that relate adversely to the practice of counseling, marriage and family therapy, clinical social work or addictions therapy or to the ability to practice counseling, marriage and family therapy, clinical social work or addictions therapy, although exceptions to this requirement may be granted by the board if consistent with the public interest;

(iii) The applicant has received a master's or doctorate degree in one (1) of the disciplines identified from an accredited program and institution of higher education, which is professional in content and which meets the academic and training content standards established by the board. The board shall use the professional training and experience standards of the appropriate professional associations as established by the rules and regulations;

(iv) The applicant has demonstrated knowledge of one (1) of the fields of professional counseling, marriage and family therapy, clinical social work or addictions therapy in general by passing a standard examination which may be written or situational, as the board prescribes. The board may develop, adopt and administer appropriate examinations. The board shall establish specific provisions for examination of applicants for licensure in the specific discipline at reasonable times and places at least twice each year;

(v) The applicant has demonstrated that he has completed three thousand (3,000) hours of supervised clinical experience including a minimum of one hundred (100) hours of face-to-face individual clinical supervision from a qualified clinical supervisor.

(b) Certification under this subsection shall allow practice as a certified social worker only under the supervision of a qualified clinical supervisor and subject to any other restrictions which may be specified by the board. The board shall grant certification as a certified social worker to any applicant who files an application upon a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the following:

(i) The applicant has reached the age of majority;

(ii) The applicant has no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions that relate adversely to the practice of clinical social work or to the ability to practice clinical social work, although exceptions to this requirement may be granted by the board if consistent with the public interest;

(iii) The applicant has received a baccalaureate degree in social work from an accredited program and institution of higher education, which is professional in content and which meets the academic and training content standards established by the board. The board shall use the professional training and experience standards of the appropriate professional associations as established by the rules and regulations;

(iv) Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 51, § 2.

(v) The applicant has demonstrated knowledge in the field of social work in general by passing a standard examination which may be written or situational, as the board prescribes. The board may develop, adopt and administer appropriate examinations. The board shall establish specific provisions for examination of applicants for certification in the specific discipline at reasonable times and places at least twice each year;

(vi) Unless extended, the applicant has six (6) months from the date of employment to become certified. The board may, for good cause shown, grant an extension of this grace period.

(c) Certification under this subsection shall allow practice as a certified addictions practitioner only under the supervision of a qualified clinical supervisor and subject to any other restrictions which may be specified by the board. The board shall grant certification as a certified addictions practitioner to any applicant who files an application upon a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the following:

(i) The applicant has reached the age of majority;

(ii) The applicant has no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions that relate adversely to the practice of addictions therapy or to the ability to practice addictions therapy, although exceptions to this requirement may be granted by the board if consistent with the public interest;

(iii) The applicant has received a baccalaureate degree in a human resource discipline from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, which is professional in content and which meets the academic and training content standards established by the board, or a baccalaureate level equivalency in addiction therapy. The board shall use the professional training and experience standards of the appropriate professional associations as established by the rules and regulations;

(iv) Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 51, § 2.

(v) The applicant has demonstrated knowledge in the field of addictions treatment in general by passing a standard examination which may be written or situational, as the board prescribes. The board may develop, adopt and administer appropriate examinations. The board shall establish specific provisions for examination of applicants for certification in the specific discipline at reasonable times and places at least twice each year;

(vi) Unless extended, the applicant has six (6) months from the date of employment to become certified. The board may, for good cause shown, grant an extension of this grace period.

(d) Provisional licensure is a means to continue progress towards satisfactory completion of all licensure requirements under this act. Upon review and approval by the designated board member or board, the board shall issue a provisional license to any applicant who files an application upon a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the following:

(i) The applicant has reached the age of majority;

(ii) The applicant has no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions that relate adversely to the practice of counseling, marriage and family therapy, clinical social work or addictions therapy or to the ability to practice counseling, marriage and family therapy, clinical social work or addictions therapy, although exemptions to this requirement may be granted by the board if consistent with public interest;

(iii) The applicant meets any of the following educational requirements:

(A) Holds a master's or doctorate degree in one (1) of the disciplines identified from an accredited program and institution of higher education which is professional in content and which meets the academic and training content standards established by the board; or

(B) Holds a master's or doctorate degree which is clinical in content from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in one (1) of the disciplines identified. During the term of provisional licensure under this subsection, the applicant shall complete any program deficiencies required to meet the academic and training content standards established by the board; or

(C) Holds a license for independent clinical practice in good standing in the identified discipline for another licensing jurisdiction which does not meet the criteria for reciprocal licensure under this act. During the term of provisional licensure under this subsection, the applicant shall complete any program deficiencies required to meet the academic and training content standards established by the board.

(iv) The provisional licensed professional counselor, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist and addictions therapist shall be allowed to practice only under the supervision of a qualified clinical supervisor and in accordance with any other restrictions specified by the board;

(v) Unless extended, the provisional license shall expire thirty-six (36) months after issuance or upon issuance of a license by the board under this act, whichever occurs first;

(vi) The board may, for good cause shown, grant an extension of a provisional license subject to any additional restrictions specified by the board.

(e) The board shall issue a license without examination as a licensed professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist or a licensed addictions therapist to any applicant who files an application upon a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the following:

(i) The applicant has reached the age of majority;

(ii) The applicant meets all requirements for licensure other than the requirement for examination or completion of the required hours of supervised clinical experience;

(iii) The applicant has no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions that relate adversely to the practice of counseling, marriage and family therapy, clinical social work or addictions therapy or to the ability to practice counseling, marriage and family therapy, clinical social work or addictions therapy, although exemptions to this requirement may be granted by the board if consistent with the public interest;

(iv) The applicant was primarily employed in this state in an area of practice defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997 or the applicant, while on active military duty, was domiciled in this state and was primarily employed in an area of practice defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997;

(v) The application and satisfactory supporting evidence are received by the board no later than July, 1, 1998.

(f) The board shall issue a license without examination as a licensed addictions therapist to any applicant who meets the requirements of paragraphs (e)(i), (ii), (iv) and (v) of this section and who files an application upon a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the following:

(i) The applicant holds a bachelor's degree in a related field and has addictions education and training equivalent to a master's program and has five (5) years experience practicing in that area;

(ii) The applicant was primarily employed in this state in an area of practice defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997 or the applicant, while on active military duty, was domiciled in this state and was primarily employed in an area of practice defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997.

(g) The board shall issue a license without examination as a licensed professional counselor, to any applicant who meets the requirements of paragraphs (e)(i), (ii), (iv) and (v) of this section and who files an application upon a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the following:

(i) The applicant has received a master's or doctorate degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, which is clinical in content and has at least two (2) years supervised clinical experience;

(ii) The applicant was primarily employed in this state in an area of practice defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997 or the applicant, while on active military duty, was domiciled in this state and was primarily employed in an area of practice defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997.

(h) The board shall issue a license with examination as a licensed professional counselor, to any applicant who meets the requirements of paragraphs (e)(i), (ii), (iv) and (v) of this section and who files an application upon a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the following:

(i) The applicant has received a master's or doctorate degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, which is clinical in context and has less than two (2) years clinical experience;

(ii) The applicant was primarily employed in this state in an area of practice defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997 or the applicant, while on active military duty, was domiciled in this state and was primarily employed in an area of practice defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997.

(j) The board shall grant certification without examination as a certified social worker to any applicant who files an application upon a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the following:

(i) The applicant was primarily employed in this state in an area of practice defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997 or the applicant, while on active military duty, was domiciled in this state and was primarily employed in an area of practice defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997;

(ii) The applicant has no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions that relate adversely to the practice of clinical social work or to the ability to practice clinical social work, although exceptions to this requirement may be granted by the board if consistent with the public interest;

(iii) The applicant meets all requirements for certification as a social worker other than the requirement for examination;

(iv) The application and satisfactory supporting evidence are received by the board no later than July 1, 1998.

(k) The board shall grant certification without examination as a certified addictions practitioner to any applicant who files an application upon a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the following:

(i) The applicant meets all requirements for certification as a certified addictions practitioner other than the requirement of holding a bachelor's degree and examination;

(ii) The applicant has no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions that relate adversely to the practice of addictions therapy or to the ability to practice addictions therapy, although exceptions to this requirement may be granted by the board if consistent with the public interest;

(iii) The applicant possesses professional training and experience meeting criteria established by the board;

(iv) The applicant was primarily employed in this state in the practice of addictions therapy defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997 or the applicant, while on active military duty, was domiciled in this state and was primarily employed in the practice of addictions therapy defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997;

(v) The application and satisfactory supporting evidence are received by the board no later than July 1, 1998.

(m) The board shall issue certification without examination as a certified mental health worker to any applicant who files an application upon a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the following:

(i) The applicant was primarily employed in this state in an area of practice defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997, and has five (5) years experience practicing in that area or the applicant, while on active military duty, was domiciled in this state and was primarily employed in an area of practice defined by W.S. 33-38-102(a)(iv) through (vii) within two (2) years prior to December 31, 1997;

(ii) The applicant has no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions that relate adversely to the practice of counseling or mental health work or to the ability to practice counseling or mental health work, although exemptions to this requirement may be granted by the board if consistent with public interest;

(iii) The applicant has reached the age of majority.

(n) Certification under this subsection shall allow practice as a certified addictions practitioner assistant only under the supervision of a qualified clinical supervisor and subject to any other restrictions which may be specified by the board. Unless extended, an applicant has six (6) months from the date of employment to become certified. The board may for good cause grant an extension of this period. The board shall grant certification as a certified addictions practitioner assistant to any applicant who files an application upon a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, accompanied by the appropriate fee and who furnishes satisfactory evidence to the board of the following:

(i) The applicant has completed two hundred seventy (270) contact hours of education and training in alcoholism and drug abuse or related counseling subjects that meet the academic and training content standards established by the board. The board shall use the professional training standards of the appropriate professional association as established by the rules and regulation;

(ii) The applicant has reached the age of majority;

(iii) The applicant has no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions that relate adversely to the practice of addictions therapy or to the ability to practice as an addictions practitioner assistant, although exceptions to this requirement may be granted by the board if consistent with the public interest;

(iv) Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 51, § 2.

(v) The applicant has demonstrated knowledge in the field of addictions treatment in general by passing a standard examination which may be written and situational, as the board prescribes. The board may develop, adopt and administer appropriate examinations. The board shall establish specific provisions for examination of applicants for certification in the specific discipline at reasonable times and places at least twice each year.

(o) Upon examination of all credentials the board may consider the credentials adequate evidence of professional competence and recommend to the chairperson of the board that a license or certification be approved.

(p) Persons currently licensed in one (1) of these disciplines in this state as of July 1, 1997 in a discipline required to be licensed under this act, shall be presumed to have met all requirements for licensure under this act and shall be eligible for renewal of licensure in accordance with the provisions of this act.