Advocacy Updates
CRCC continues to work for the recognition of rehabilitation counselors in general counseling licensure. CRCC representatives are also in the process of creating a new resolution to clarify its position in opposition to separate licensure for rehabilitation counselors. A work group has already met and is considering a draft that will ultimately be finalized for use in the states to express why separate licensure is not a substitute for the inclusion of the CRCE in the requirements for licensed professional counselors.
Highlights of Current Activity
April, 2010
AASCB Conference Participation
In addition to work in individual states, CRCC is active at the Annual Conference of the American Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB). Of particular note was the AASCB Testing Commission meeting where there was discussion about an endorsement process for counselor examinations. AASCB continues its consideration of this topic with participants at the meeting commenting that an AASCB endorsement should be an expression that a particular examination tests the core competencies for counseling. In a follow up letter to the Commission, CRCC expressed its support of the process and for the discussion to move forward.
Maine
CRCC is working with local rehabilitation educators in Maine to petition the Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure to change the regulations for License Professional Counselors to recognize the CRCE for licensure as a professional counselor. The petition has already received the support of members of the Maine State Rehabilitation Council as well as members of the board itself. The petition’s contents are the same rule changes proposed by CRCC last year and CRCC is providing logistical support for certification of the petition.
New Jersey
Since last fall, the Department of Law and Public Safety's Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners adopted rules that will specify CACREP graduate programs for all LPC applicants. This will be delayed three years. The new rules allow for licensure by endorsement and stipulate a broader educational requirement that could allow for CORE accredited programs. Educational requirements for rehabilitation counselors will specify CORE, again delayed three years from the effective date of the rule change to obtain such accreditation.
New York
There is pending legislation in the State that would provide for an extension until 2014 of special exemptions that would allow CRCs to continue to provide certain services without the requirement to become licensed as a mental health counselor. CRCC is actively engaged with CRCs and organizations in the State to support efforts to continue the exemption.
Texas
CRCC participated in a discussion with regulators at the Texas Department of Insurance regarding proposed changes in Texas rules governing Workers’ Compensation case management. The Department proposed rules to implement Senate Bill 1814, which requires workers’ compensation case managers to be certified. CRCC discussed changes with regulators and submitted comments to the Department that would serve to prevent confusion concerning the term “certified case manager” and to clarify that CRCs would be permitted to engage in case management. CRCC requested changing the term “certified case manager” in the rules to simply “case manager.” The Department is currently reviewing the rules. Sources in Texas have indicated that the Department may completely revise the rules based on comments received.
Utah
CRCC continues to work with the Department of Commerce Occupational and Professional Licensing and the new Licensed Rehabilitation Counseling Board. Staff requested input from CRCC concerning degrees consistent with CRCC education criteria. Utah continues to make sure that their licensure requirements parallel CRCC requirements. The Department is working with in-state employers so that they realize that, outside the grandfathering period, their counselors will need to have the appropriate coursework to be able to obtain licensure.
Wyoming
The Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board approved the CRCE for licensure as a professional counselor as part of draft rule revisions in 2008. In the intervening months then, staff gathered internal approval for public notice of the final proposed rules. At the AASCB meeting in January, Board staff confirmed that the rules would proceed and be published as final. Wyoming Board staff have reiterated that the rules will be finalized in the Spring of 2010, delayed due to staffing changes.
