Mental Health Professions Practice Act-amendments.

WORKING DRAFT

ORIGINAL SENATE

FILE

NO.
0013

ENROLLED ACT NO. 24, SENATE

FIFTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
WYOMING
2008 BUDGET SESSION

AN ACT relating to the Mental Health Professions Practice Act; modifying certification and provisional licensing requirements; clarifying licensure and certification reciprocity; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of
Wyoming
:

Section 1.
W.S. 33
‑
38
‑
106(b)(intro), (c)(intro), (d)(i), by creating a new paragraph (iii), by renumbering (iii) as (iv), by amending and renumbering (iv) as (v), by renumbering (v) as (vi)
and
(n)(intro) and 33
‑
38
‑
108 are amended to read:

33
‑
38
‑
106.

Requirements for licensure and certification.

(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:

(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:

(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
satisfied all requirements for licensure other than the requirements for examination and completion of the required hours of supervised clinical experience
reached the age of majority
;

(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.

(iii)
(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;

(iv)
(v)

Unless extended, the provisional license shall expire thirty-six (36) months after issuance or upon
receipt by the board of the applicant's passing examination results, and completion of the required hours of supervision
issuance of a license by the board under this act,

whichever occurs first;

(v)
(vi)

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

(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:

33
‑
38
‑
108.

Reciprocity.

(a)

The board may issue a license or certification by endorsement
Any individual holding a license in good standing
to engage in the practice of professional counseling, clinical social work,
social work,
marriage and family therapy
and
or
addictions therapy
and treatment to any applicant who has a license or certificate in good standing with no formal complaints or sanctions as a professional counselor, a marriage and family therapist, a clinical social worker,
under the laws of another state having licensure requirements substantially similar to those required by this act may, upon approval of the board, be issued a license to practice in this state.

(b)

Any individual holding a certification in good standing to engage in the practice of
social
worker, mental health worker, addictions practitioner
work
or
an
addictions
therapist
therapy
under the laws of another
jurisdiction if the applicant presents proof satisfactory to the board that, at the time of application for a Wyoming license or
state having
certification
by endorsement, the applicant possesses credentials and qualifications
requirements
substantially
comparable
similar
to those required by this act
as determined by
may, upon approval of
the board
, be issued certification to practice in this state
.

(c)

The board shall promulgate rules and regulations setting forth the manner in which credentials
will
shall
be reviewed by the board.

Section 2.
W.S. 33
‑
38
‑
106(b)(iv), (c)(iv) and (n)(iv) is repealed.

Section 3.
This act is effective July 1, 2008.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

1