Chapter 135-5 REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE

Rule 135-5-.01 Associate Professional Counselors

Pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated 43-10A-11, the requirements for licensure and the restrictions on practice for Associate Professional Counselors are as follows:

(a)

Definitions.

1.	"The Practice of Professional Counseling" means practice in that specialty which utilizes counseling and psychotherapy to evaluate and treat emotional and mental problems and conditions, whether cognitive, behavioral, or affective. The practice is further defined in O.C.G.A. 43-10A-3(10).

2.

"Direction" means the ongoing administrative overseeing by an employer or superior of a Professional Counselor's work in the practice of professional counseling as defined by 135-5-.01(a)(1) by a director. The director shall be responsible for assuring the quality of the services rendered by that practitioner and shall ensure that qualified supervision or intervention occurs in situations, which require expertise beyond that of the practitioner.

3.	"Director" means the person who provides direction and who is either the employer of the person who receives direction or is the superior in the administrative chain of command to the person who receives direction.

4.

"Supervision" means the direct clinical review, for the purpose of training or teaching, by a supervisor of a Professional Counselor's interaction with their client(s). The purpose of supervision is to promote the development of the practitioner's clinical skills. Supervision may include, without being limited to, the review of case presentations, audiotapes, videotapes, and direct observation of the practitioner's clinical skills. Supervision does not require the supervisor to be present at the work site with the supervisee. Supervision may be provided pro bono or for a fee. Both supervisors and supervisees are required to maintain a contemporaneous record of the date, duration, type (individual, paired, or group), and a brief summary of the pertinent activity for each supervision session to be submitted to the Board upon request. If there are any discrepancies in hours, contemporaneous documentation of supervision will be requested.

(i)	Individual Supervision means one supervisor meeting with a maximum of two supervisees.

(ii)	Group Supervision means one supervisor meeting with a maximum of six supervisees.

5.

"Supervisor" means a licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist who complies with the ethical standards of practice of their profession with particular attention being paid to prohibited dual relationships. In addition,

(i)	a supervisor who holds a master's degree must have three (3) years of post-licensure experience; and

(ii)	a supervisor who holds a specialist degree must have two (2) years of post-licensure experience; and

(iii)

a supervisor who holds a doctoral degree must have one (1) year of post-licensure experience; and

(iv)

for supervision entered into after September 30, 2018, a supervisor who is a Licensed Professional Counselor must hold either a National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) Approved Clinical Supervisor credential or a Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (LPCAGA) Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor credential.

(v)	however, the Board in its discretion may approve a supervisor whose experience is substantially similar to those stated herein.

(vi)	in a supervised practicum or internship which is part of the graduate degree program, either the course instructor of record or the on-site clinical instructor must be a qualified supervisor OR, in the education of rehabilitation counselors, may be a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

6.

"Directed Experience" means time spent under direction engaging in the practice of Professional Counseling as defined in 135-5-.01(a)(1).

(i)

all work sites must include a formal structure related to the practice of professional counseling as defined in Rule 135-5-.01(a)(1). Valid work sites should have measurable detailed documentation for every candidate, to include a signed contractual agreement that outlines the job description, office hours, performance review procedures and dismissal policies.

(ii)

non-compensated experiences or services will be reviewed on a case by case basis to determine acceptability in defining the working relationship for the purposes of obtainment of the required post-master's directed work experience only if they meet these requirements. The agreement between the work site and the candidate should be akin to employment.

(iii)

applicants may, at the discretion of the Board, be required to submit documentation substantiating (a) the nature of the working relationship with the directed experience site, (b) the formal structure of the organization, and (c) whether any licensed or associate licensed individuals work there to ensure compliance and understanding of these requirements.

7.

"Directed Experience Under Supervision Contract" is a document, obtained from the Board, that defines the working relationship for the purposes of obtaining the required post-masters directed experience under supervision. Directed experience sites in the contract must meet the requirements of rule 135-5-.01(a)(6) above, the definition of "Directed Experience".

8.

"Program Primarily Counseling in Content" and "Program in Applied Psychology" means a course of study at an accredited educational institution consisting of a master's degree which includes either as part of the degree program or as additional course work completed prior to, during or after the degree program, the following graduate level courses. After September 30, 2018 the degree program must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) or a regionally accredited program recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The approved program must be substantially similar in coursework and content to a CACREP or CORE accredited program. An individual course may not be used to fulfill the requirement in more than one content area.

(i)	Counseling/Psychotherapy Theory, which includes the principles, concepts, and practice of counseling/psychotherapy and the major models of counseling/psychotherapy.

(ii)	A Counseling or Applied Psychology Practicum or Internship as part of the graduate degree program.

(iii)

Courses in six (6) of the following nine (9) content areas, after September 30, 2018, all 9 content areas of the following course work are required:

(I)

Human Growth and Development, which includes an understanding of the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels, personality theory, and learning theory, and which may provide a comprehensive overview of the factors, determinants, and stages that pertain to physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development and adaptation from infantile to geriatric stages.

(II)	Multicultural Counseling or Diversity Training, which includes an understanding of societal changes and trends, human roles, societal subgroups, diversity, social mores and interaction patterns, and differing lifestyles; and competency in counseling a diverse clientele.

(III)

Counseling Techniques or Skills, which includes an understanding of the philosophic bases of helping processes, helper self-understanding and self-development, and the facilitation of client change; OR Advanced Psychotherapy/Intervention Theory, which includes the in-depth study of the major theories, principles, methods and techniques of psychotherapy with individuals, groups or families, focusing on the treatment or prevention of behavior disorders, adjustment problems, psychopathology, or other psychological disturbance.

(IV)	Group Dynamics and Group Counseling/Psychotherapy, which includes an understanding of group development, dynamics, and counseling/psychotherapy theories; group leadership styles; group counseling/psychotherapy methods and skills; and other groupapproaches.

(V)

Lifestyle and Career Development, which includes an understanding of career development theories; occupational educational information sources and systems; career and leisure counseling, guidance and education; lifestyle and career decision making; and career development program planning, resources, and evaluation.

(VI)

Appraisal/Assessment of Individuals, which includes an understanding of psychometric theories and approaches to appraisal/ assessment; validity and reliability; psychometric statistics; the selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of various assessment instruments; and the use of appraisal/assessment results in the counseling/psychotherapy process.

(VII)

Research Methods and Evaluation, which includes an understanding of types of research, statistics, research report development, research implementation, program evaluation, needs assessment, and ethical and legal considerations in research; OR Research Statistics, which includes an understanding of the theory, analysis and interpretation of manual or computer generated statistical measures.

(VIII)

Professional Orientation and Ethics, which includes an understanding of ethical and legal standards, professional roles, responsibilities, and functions; professional goals and objectives; professional organizations and associations; professional history and trends; professional preparation standards; and professional credentialing.

(IX)

Psychopathology, which includes theories, research, descriptive characteristics, categories, dynamics, and etiology of mental, behavioral, cognitive and personality disorders with a focus on utilization of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM) and/or International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

(b)

Requirements for Licensure.

1.

Education. The applicant must have earned a master's degree in a program primarily counseling in content or in a program of applied psychology, which degree includes a supervised practicum or internship of at least 300 hours which was part of the degree program, from an institution which, at the time the degree was awarded, was accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. After September 30, 2018, 600 practicum or internship hours will be required. After September 30, 2018 the degree program must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) or a regionally accredited program recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The approved program must be substantially similar in coursework and content to a CACREP or CORE accredited program. The applicant must document graduate level coursework from such an accredited institution in order to demonstrate that the degree program is either primarily counseling in content or a program of applied psychology.

2.

Registration of a contract for obtaining postmaster's directed experience under supervision. The applicant shall register with the Board an acceptable contract, the Directed Experience Under Supervision Contract, for obtaining the post-master's experience required for licensure as a Professional Counselor. The applicant is responsible for notifying the Board of any changes in the contract, by submitting a new contract within fourteen (14) days of the change. Directed experience sites in the contract must meet the requirements of rule 135-5-.01(a)(6) above, the definition of "Directed Experience".

3.	Examination. To qualify for licensure as an associate professional counselor, applicant must pass the required competency examination for licensure prescribed by the Board in rule 135-3-.03(2)(a)(2).

(c)

Restrictions on Practice.

1.	A person who holds a license as an Associate Professional Counselor may only use the title "Associate Professional Counselor."

2.

A person who holds a license as an Associate Professional Counselor may engage in the practice of Professional Counseling, but only under direction and supervision, and only for a period not to exceed five years while obtaining the post-master's experience and supervision required for licensure as a Professional Counselor. Directed experience sites in the contract must meet the requirements of rule 135-5-.01(a)(6) above, the definition of "Directed Experience".

Rule 135-5-.02 Professional Counselors

Pursuant to Official Code of Georgia Annotated 43-10A-11 an applicant for a license in Professional Counseling must meet the following requirements.

(a)

Definitions.

1.	"The Practice of Professional Counseling" means practice in that specialty which utilizes counseling and psychotherapy to evaluate and treat emotional and mental problems and conditions, whether cognitive, behavioral, or affective. The practice is further defined in O.C.G.A. 43-10A-3(10).

2.

"Direction" means the ongoing administrative overseeing by an employer or superior of a Professional Counselor's work in the practice of professional counseling as defined by 135-5-.02(a)(1) by a director. The director shall be responsible for assuring the quality of the services rendered by that practitioner and shall ensure that qualified supervision or intervention occurs in situations which require expertise beyond that of the practitioner.

3.	"Director" means the person who provides direction and who is either the employer of the person who receives direction or is the supervisor in the administrative chain of command to the person who receives direction.

4.

"Supervision" means the direct clinical review, for the purpose of training or teaching, by a supervisor of a Professional Counselor's interaction with their client(s). The purpose of supervision is to promote the development of the practitioner's clinical skills. Supervision may include, without being limited to, the review of case presentations, audiotapes, videotapes, and direct observation of the practitioner's clinical skills. Supervision does not require the supervisor to be present at the work site with the supervisee. Supervision may be provided pro bono or for a fee. Both supervisors and supervisees are required to maintain a contemporaneous record of the date, duration, type (individual, paired, or group), and a brief summary of the pertinent activity for each supervision session to be submitted to the Board upon request. If there are any discrepancies in hours, contemporaneous documentation of supervision will be requested.

(i)	Individual Supervision means one supervisor meeting with a maximum of two supervisees.

(ii)	Group Supervision means one supervisor meeting with a maximum of six supervisees.

5.

"Supervisor" means a licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist, who complies with the ethical standards of practice of their profession with particular attention being paid to prohibited dual relationships. In addition,

(i)	a supervisor who holds a master's degree must have three (3) years of post-licensure experience; and

(ii)	a supervisor who holds a specialist degree must have two (2) years of post-licensure experience; and

(iii)

a supervisor who holds a doctoral degree must have one (1) year of post-licensure experience; and

(iv)

for supervision entered into after September 30, 2018, a supervisor who is a Licensed Professional Counselor must hold either a National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) Approved Clinical Supervisor credential or a Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (LPCAGA) Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor credential.

(v)	however, the Board in its discretion may approve a supervisor whose experience is substantially similar to those stated herein.

(vi)	in a supervised practicum or internship which is part of the graduate degree program, either the course instructor of record or the on-site clinical instructor must be a qualified supervisor OR, in the education of rehabilitation counselors, may be a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.

6.

"Directed Experience" means time spent under direction engaging in the practice of Professional Counseling as defined in 135-5-.02(a)(1).

(i)

all work sites must include a formal structure related to the practice of professional counseling as defined in Rule 135-5-.01(a)(1). Valid work sites should have measurable detailed documentation for every candidate, to include a signed contractual agreement that outlines the job description, office hours, performance review procedures and dismissal policies.

(ii)

non-compensated experiences or services will be reviewed on a case by case basis to determine acceptability in defining the working relationship for the purposes of obtainment of the required post-master's directed work experience only if they meet these requirements. The agreement between the work site and the candidate should be akin to employment.

(iii)

applicants may, at the discretion of the Board, be required to submit documentation substantiating (a) the nature of the working relationship with the directed experience site, (b) the formal structure of the organization, and (c) whether any licensed or associate licensed individuals work there to ensure compliance and understanding of these requirements.

7.

"Years of Directed Experience"

(i)	"One year of Directed Experience" means a minimum of 600 hours of directed experience acquired within a period of not less than twelve months and not more than twenty months.

(ii)	"Two years of Directed Experience" means a minimum of 1200 hours of directed experience under supervision acquired within a period of not less than twenty-four months and not more than 60 months.

(iii)

"Three years of Directed Experience" means a minimum of 1800 hours of directed experience under supervision acquired within a period of not less than thirty-six months and not more than 60 months.

(iv)	"Four years of Directed Experience" means a minimum of 2400 hours of directed experience under supervision acquired within a period of not less than forty-eight months and not more than 60 months.

(v)

After September 30, 2018 "One year of Directed Experience" means a minimum of 1000 hours of directed experience acquired in not less than a twelve (12) month period. The number of required years of Directed Experience is based on the applicant's educational credentials as defined in Rule 135-5-.02 (b, c, d, e and f).

(vi)	After September 30, 2018, all Directed Experience must be obtained within the sixty (60) months prior to the date of application. Endorsement applications will be considered on a case by case basis at the discretion of the Board.

8.

"Years of Supervision"

(i)	"One year of Supervision" means a minimum of 30 hours of supervision obtained during one year of Directed Experience as defined in Rule 135-5-.02(7).

(ii)	"Two years of Supervision" means a minimum of 60 hours of supervision obtained during two years of Directed Experience as defined in Rule 135-5-.02(7).

(iii)

"Three years of Supervision" means a minimum of 90 hours of s supervision obtained during three years of Directed Experience as defined in Rule 135-5-.02(7).

(iv)	"Four years of Supervision" means a minimum of 120 hours of supervision obtained during four years of Directed Experience as defined in Rule 135-5-.02(7).

(v)	After September 30, 2018, "One year of Supervision" means a minimum of thirty five (35) hours of supervision obtained during one twelve (12) month period of Directed Experience as defined in Rule 135-5-.02(7).

(vi)	After September 30, 2018, all Supervision must be obtained within the sixty (60) months prior to the date of application. Endorsement applications will be considered on a case by case basis at the discretion of the Board.

9.

"Work settings acceptable to the Board" means a directed work settings in which the practice of Professional Counseling takes place and may include, but is not limited to, education, rehabilitation, career development, mental health, community, or industrial organizations. Practice without direction is not a work setting acceptable to the Board. Directed experience sites in the contract must meet the requirements of rule 135-5-.02(a)(6) above, the definition of "Directed Experience".

10.	"Certified Rehabilitation Counselor" means a person who is certified as a rehabilitation counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

11.

"Program Primarily Counseling in Content" and "Program in Applied Psychology" means a course of study at an accredited educational institution consisting of a master's, specialist or doctoral degree which includes either as part of the degree program or as additional course work completed prior to, during or after the degree program, the following graduate level courses. After September 30, 2018 the degree program must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) or a regionally accredited program recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The approved program must be substantially similar in coursework and content to a CACREP or CORE accredited program. An individual course may not be used to fulfill the requirement in more than one content area.

(i)	Counseling/Psychotherapy Theory, which includes the principles, concepts, and practice of counseling/psychotherapy and the major models of counseling/psychotherapy.

(ii)	A Counseling or Applied Psychology Practicum or Internship as part of the graduate degree program.

(iii)

Courses in six (6) of the following nine (9) content areas: After September 30, 2018, all 9 content areas of the following course work are required:

(I)

Human Growth and Development, which includes an understanding of the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels, personality theory, and learning theory, and which may provide a comprehensive overview of the factors, determinants, and stages that pertain to physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development and adaptation from infantile to geriatric stages.

(II)	Multicultural Counseling or Diversity Training, which includes an understanding of societal changes and trends, human roles, societal subgroups, diversity, social mores and interaction patterns, and differing lifestyles and competency in counseling a diverse clientele.

(III)

Counseling Techniques or Skills, which includes an understanding of the philosophic bases of helping processes, helper self-understanding and self-development, and the facilitation of client change; OR Advanced Psychotherapy/Intervention Theory, which includes the in- depth study of the major theories, principles, methods and techniques of psychotherapy with individuals, groups or families, focusing on the treatment or prevention of behavior disorders, adjustment problems, psychopathology, or other psychological disturbance.

(IV)	Group Dynamics and Group Counseling/Psychotherapy, which includes an understanding of group development, dynamics, and counseling/psychotherapy theories; group leadership styles; group counseling/psychotherapy methods and skills; and other group approaches.

(V)

Lifestyle and Career Development, which includes an understanding of career development theories; occupational educational information sources and systems; career and leisure counseling, guidance and education; lifestyle and career decision making; and career development program planning, resources, and evaluation.

(VI)

Appraisal/Assessment of Individuals, which includes an understanding of psychometric theories and approaches to appraisal/assessment; validity and reliability; psychometric statistics; the selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of various assessment instruments; and the use of appraisal/assessment results in the counseling/psychotherapy process.

(VII)

Research Methods and Evaluation, which includes an understanding of types of research, statistics, research report development, research implementation, program evaluation, needs assessment, and ethical and legal considerations in research; OR Research Statistics, which includes an understanding of the theory, analysis and interpretation of manual or computer generated statistical measures.

(VIII)

Professional Orientation and Ethics, which includes an understanding of ethical and legal standards, professional roles, responsibilities, and functions; professional goals and objectives; professional organizations and associations; professional history and trends; professional preparation standards; and professional credentialing.

(IX)

Psychopathology, which includes theories, research, descriptive characteristics, categories, dynamics, and etiology of mental, behavioral, cognitive and personality disorders, with a focus on utilization of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM) and/or International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

(b)

An applicant who holds a master's degree from a program primarily counseling in content must meet the following requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor.

1.

Education. The applicant must have earned a master's degree from an institution which, at the time the degree was awarded, was accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). After September 30, 2018 the degree program must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) or a regionally accredited program recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The approved program must be substantially similar in coursework and content to a CACREP or CORE accredited program. The applicant must document graduate level coursework from such an accredited institution in order to demonstrate that the degree program is primarily counseling in content and meets the requirements in Rule 135-5-.02(a)11.

2.	A "Masters" degree must be so designated by the educational institution awarding the master's degree and indicated on the official transcript.

3.

Directed Experience under Supervision. The applicant must present evidence of four (4) years of post-master's directed experience under supervision [see definitions in Rule 135-5-.02(a) ] in the practice of Professional Counseling in a work setting acceptable to the Board OR three (3) years of post-master's directed experience under supervision in the practice of Professional Counseling in a work setting acceptable to the Board and a supervised counseling practicum or internship of at least 300 hours which was part of the graduate degree program. After September 30, 2018, 600 practicum or internship hours will be required. A minimum of two (2) years of the supervision must be provided by a supervisor who is a licensed Professional Counselor and meets the requirements in Rule 135-5-.02(a)5, except that if the supervision was acquired prior to September 23, 1993, such supervision may have been provided by any qualified supervisor. Directed experience sites in the contract must meet the requirements of rule 135-5-.02(a)(6) above, the definition of "Directed Experience".

4.	Examination. To qualify for licensure as a professional counselor, applicant must pass the required competency examination for licensure prescribed by the Board.

(c)

An applicant who holds a specialist degree from a program primarily counseling in content must meet the following requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor.

1.

Education. The applicant must have earned a specialist degree from an institution, which, at the time the degree was awarded, was accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. After September 30, 2018 the degree program must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) or a regionally accredited program recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The approved program must be substantially similar in coursework and content to a CACREP or CORE accredited program. The applicant must document graduate level coursework from such an accredited institution in order to demonstrate that the degree program is primarily counseling in content and meets the requirements in Rule 135-5-.02(a)11.

2.	A "Specialist" degree must be so designated by the educational institution awarding the specialist degree and indicated on the official transcript.

3.

Directed Experience under Supervision. The applicant must present evidence of two (2) years of post-master's directed experience under supervision [see definitions at 135-5-.02(a) ] in the practice of Professional Counseling in a work setting acceptable to the Board and a supervised counseling practicum or internship of at least 300 hours which was part of the graduate degree program OR three (3) years of post-master's directed experience under supervision in the practice of Professional Counseling in a work setting acceptable to the Board. After September 30, 2018, 600 practicum or internship hours will be required. A minimum of one (1) year of the supervision must be provided by a supervisor who is a licensed Professional Counselor and meets the requirements in Rule 135-5-.02(a)5, except that if the supervision was acquired prior to September 23, 1993, such supervision may have been provided by any qualified supervisor. Directed experience sites in the contract must meet the requirements of rule 135-5-.02(a)(6) above, the definition of "Directed Experience".

4.	Examination. To qualify for licensure as a professional counselor, applicant must pass the required competency examination for licensure prescribed by the Board.

(d)

An applicant who holds a doctoral degree from a program primarily counseling in content must meet the following requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor.

1.

Education. The applicant must have earned a doctoral degree from an institution which, at the time the degree was awarded, was accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. After September 30, 2018 the degree program must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) or a regionally accredited program recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The approved program must be substantially similar in coursework and content to a CACREP or CORE accredited program. The applicant must document graduate level coursework from such an accredited institution in order to demonstrate that the degree program is primarily counseling in content and meets the requirements in Rule 135-5-.02(a)11.

2.	A "Doctoral" degree must be so designated by the educational institution awarding the doctoral degree and indicated on the official transcript.

3.

Directed Experience under Supervision. The applicant must present evidence of one (1) year of supervised counseling internship of at least seven hundred fifty (750) hours during the doctorate degree program in a work setting acceptable to the Board OR one (1) year of post master's directed experience under supervision [see definitions in Rule 135-5-.02(a) ] in the practice of Professional Counseling in a work setting acceptable to the Board. A minimum of half of the one year of supervision must be provided by a supervisor who is a licensed Professional Counselor and meets the requirements in Rule 135-5-.02(a)5, except that if the supervision was acquired prior to September 23, 1993, such supervision may have been provided by any qualified supervisor. Directed experience sites in the contract must meet the requirements of rule 135-5-.02(a)(6) above, the definition of "Directed Experience".

4.	Examination. To qualify for licensure as a professional counselor, applicant must pass the required competency examination for licensure prescribed by the Board.

(e)

An applicant who is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor must meet the following requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor.

1.

Education. The applicant must have earned a master's degree from a rehabilitation counseling program which, at the time the degree was awarded, was accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education OR a master's degree from an institution which, at the time the degree was awarded, was accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation with documented graduate level coursework demonstrating that the degree program is primarily counseling in content and meets the requirements in Rule 135-5-.02(a)11.After September 30, 2018 the degree program must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) or a regionally accredited program recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The approved program must be substantially similar in coursework and content to a CACREP or CORE accredited program.

2.	A "masters" degree must be so designated by the educational institution awarding the master's degree and indicated on the official transcript.

3.

Directed Experience under Supervision. The applicant must present evidence of three (3) years of post-master's directed experience providing rehabilitation services in a rehabilitation setting acceptable to the Board under the supervision [see definitions in Rule 135-5-.02(a) ] of a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor or other qualified supervisor OR two (2) years of post- master's directed experience providing rehabilitation services in a rehabilitation setting acceptable to the Board under the supervision [see definitions in Rule 135-5-.02(a) ] of a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor or other qualified supervisor and a supervised counseling practicum or internship of at least 300 hours which was part of the graduate degree program. After September 30, 2018, 600 practicum or internship hours will be required. A minimum of one (1) year of the supervision must be provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor or a supervisor who is a licensed Professional Counselor and meets the requirements in Rule 135-5-.02(a)5. Directed experience sites in the contract must meet the requirements of rule 135-5-.02(a)(6) above, the definition of "Directed Experience".

4.	Certification. The applicant must hold the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor designation.

5.	Examination. To qualify for licensure as a professional counselor, applicant must pass the required competency examination for licensure prescribed by the Board.

(f)

An applicant who holds a master's degree in psychology must meet the following requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor.

1.

Education. The applicant must have earned a master's degree in a program of applied psychology from an institution, which, at the time the degree was awarded, was accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. After September 30, 2018 the degree program must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) or a regionally accredited program recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The approved program must be substantially similar in coursework and content to a CACREP or CORE accredited program. The applicant must document graduate level coursework from such an accredited institution in order to demonstrate that the degree program is a program of applied psychology. The degree program must meet the requirements in Rule 135-5-.02(a)11.

2.	A "Masters" degree must be so designated by the educational institution awarding the master's degree and indicated on the official transcript.

3.

Directed Experience under Supervision. The applicant must present evidence of four (4) years of post-master's directed experience under supervision [see definitions in Rule 135-5-.02(a) ] in the practice of Professional Counseling in a work setting acceptable to the Board OR three (3) years of post-master's directed experience under supervision in the practice of Professional Counseling in a work setting acceptable to the Board and a supervised counseling or applied psychology practicum or internship of at least 300 hours which was part of the graduate degree program. A minimum of two (2) years of the supervision must be provided by a supervisor who is a licensed Professional Counselor who meets the requirements in Rule 135-5-.02(a)5, or a licensed Psychologist, except that if the supervision was acquired prior to January 1, 2004, such supervision may have been provided by a person with a master's degree from an accredited educational institution in a program of applied psychology. Directed experience sites in the contract must meet the requirements of rule 135-5-.02(a)(6) above, the definition of "Directed Experience".

4.	Examination. To qualify for licensure as a professional counselor, applicant must pass the required competency examination for licensure prescribed by the Board.

Rule 135-5-.03 Master's Social Workers

(1)

The Practice of Licensed Master's Social Workers.

(a)

The Practice of Licensed Master's Social Work. A licensed Master's Social Worker may render or offer to render to individuals, marriages, couples, families, groups, organizations, governmental units, or the general public, service which is guided by knowledge of social resources, social systems, and human behavior. The licensee may provide evaluation, prevention and intervention services which include but are not restricted to community organization, counseling techniques, and supportive services such as administration, direction, supervision of bachelor's level social workers, consultation, research or education.

(b)	First Two Years of Practice. The first two years of practice after the issuance of the Master of Social Work license shall be under direction and supervision.

(c)

Practice After Two Years of Experience. After two years of Social Work practice under direction and supervision, the licensee may engage in private practice however, a master's licensee whose practice includes counseling or psychotherapeutic techniques may only engage in such practice under supervision and only for such period of time as is prescribed for qualification to take the clinical social work licensing examination.

(d)

Private Practice by a Licensed Master Social Worker After Qualifying for Clinical Social Work Licensure. In order to continue in the private practice of social work that includes counseling or psychotherapy, a licensed master's social worker must apply for a Clinical Social Work license within 60 days of meeting the experience and supervision requirements for that license. The licensee must then take the first scheduled examination for which he/she qualifies, unless good cause is shown for postponement, in which case the licensee shall take the next scheduled examination. Upon receipt of notification that the licensee has passed the Clinical Social Work licensing examination and after meeting all requirements as prescribed in O.C.G.A. 43-10A-8 and 43-10A-72, the Board will issue a Clinical Social Work license. If the Licensee fails the examination, the Board shall require that the licensee's work remain supervised until the applicant has taken and passed the examination. The exam must be taken at the next scheduled exam date unless the Board, in its sole discretion, approves the postponement for good cause. The exam may be taken a total of three times. If the licensee fails the examination three times the licensee shall not engage in the private practice of counseling or psychotherapy in the State of Georgia until such time as he/she has taken and passed the examination, absent a statutory exemption.

2)

Licensure Process-(Please refer to the section entitled "Definitions" for clarification of terms).

(a)

Education. An applicant for licensure as a Master's Social Worker must have earned a master's degree in Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Candidacy, conditional or accreditation status must have been in effect at the school when the degree was awarded.

(b)

Practice while Preparing to Take the Licensing Examination. Persons who have obtained a master's degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and who are practicing social work under direction and supervision while preparing to take the master's social work licensing examination, may practice for a period of up to one year following the granting of such degree.

(c)

Examination. Within one year of graduating from a social work graduate program the individual practicing social work in the State of Georgia must apply to take the licensing examination. If the applicant fails the exam the first time it is taken, then the applicant is required to take the examination at the next scheduled exam date, unless good cause is shown for postponement. The applicant mays it for the examination a total of three times. An applicant who fails the examination three times, shall not continue to engage in the practice of social work in the state of Georgia, until such time as the applicant has taken and passed the exam absent of statutory exemption. [Certain exemptions may apply, these are designated in O.C.G.A. 43-10A-7(b)].

(3)

Definitions.

(a)

Direction means the ongoing administrative oversight by a director of the work of a Social Worker. The person providing direction shall be responsible for assuring the quality of the services rendered by the practitioner and shall ensure that qualified supervision or intervention occurs in situations which require expertise beyond that of the practitioner.

(b)	Director means the person who provides direction and who is either the employer of the person who receives direction or is the superior in the employment chain of command to the person who receives direction.

(c)

Supervision means the direct clinical review, for the purpose of training or teaching, by a supervisor of a Social Worker's interaction with clients. The purpose of supervision shall be to promote the development of the practitioner's clinical skills. Supervision may include, without being limited to, the review of case presentations, audiotapes, videotapes and direct observation. For supervision to enable the applicant to qualify for Clinical Social Work licensure, it must comply with requirements specified in Rule 135-5-.04.

(d)

Supervisor means an individual who promotes the development of the Social Worker's clinical skills and who is a licensed Clinical Social Worker, Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychologist or Psychiatrist and has met the requirements to be considered a supervisor in their particular discipline. Supervision provided for an individual seeking licensure as a clinical social worker must be in compliance with Rule 135-5-04. A supervisor of a bachelor level social worker must meet the requirements specified in O.C.G.A. 43-10A-7(b)(14).

(e)	For Experience acquired prior to 7/1/96, one year means 800 hours acquired in no less than 12 months and no more than 36 months.

(f)	For Experience acquired on or after 7/1/96, one year means 1000 hours acquired in no less than 12 months and no more than 36 months.

Rule 135-5-.04 Clinical Social Workers

(1)

The Practice of Clinical Social Work. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker may practice all authorized services of licensed master's social workers and may provide: supervision; direction; psychosocial evaluation through data collection and analyses to determine the nature of an individual's mental, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal problems or conditions; counseling, and psychotherapy to individuals, marriages, couples, families and groups; interpretation of the psychosocial dynamics of a situation and recommend and implement a course of action to individuals, marriages, couples, families, or groups. This practice may occur in such settings as private practice, family service and counseling agencies, health care facilities and schools and may provide direct evaluation, casework, social work advocacy, education, training, prevention and intervention services in situations threatened or affected by social, intrapersonal stress, interpersonal stress or health impairment.

(2)

Licensure Process (Please refer to the section entitled "Definitions" for clarification of terms).

(a)	Education The applicant must have earned a master's degree in Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education in which candidacy, conditional or accreditation status was in effect when the degree was awarded.

(b)

Experience - Masters Degree in Social Work. The applicant with a master's degree must have completed three years' full-time supervised experience in the practice of social work following granting of the master's degree. Of the three years of supervised experience, only the first two must be under direction.

1.

The applicant must present evidence of having practiced clinical social work for a minimum of 3000 hours post social work master's degree supervised experience acquired over a period of no less than 36 months or more than 108 months, the first 2000 hours of experience must be under supervision and direction in the practice of clinical social work. Applicant must submit documentation of having acquired 120 hours of supervision during this time, no more than 50% of which may be group supervision and at least 50% must be provided by a licensed clinical social worker who meets requirements to be a duly qualified supervisor.

2.

Both supervisors and supervisees are required to maintain a contemporaneous record of the date, duration, type (individual, paired, or group), and a brief summary of the pertinent activity for each supervision session to be submitted to the Board upon request. If there are any discrepancies in hours, contemporaneous documentation of supervision will be requested.

(c)

Experience - Masters Degree in Social Work and a Doctoral Degree. An applicant who holds a master's degree in social work and holds a doctoral degree in Professional Counseling; Social Work; Marriage and Family Therapy; Medicine; Psychiatric Nursing; Applied Psychology; Pastoral Counseling; or Applied Child and Family Development and whose degree program included a supervised clinical internship may substitute this for one year of experience.

1.

An individual who holds a master's degree in Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and holds a doctoral degree in Professional Counseling; Social Work; Marriage and Family Therapy; Medicine, Psychiatric Nursing; Applied Psychology; Pastoral Counseling; or Applied Child and Family Development must also present evidence of two years full time supervised post master's degree experience (defined as 2000 hours) under direction in the practice of Clinical Social Work obtained in no less than 24 months or no more than 72 months. Such applicant must also submit evidence of 80 hours of supervision provided by a duly qualified supervisor, 50% of which may be group supervision. Fifty percent of the supervision must be provided by a licensed Clinical Social Worker.

2.

Both supervisors and supervisees are required to maintain a contemporaneous record of the date, duration, type (individual, paired, or group), and a brief summary of the pertinent activity for each supervision session to be submitted to the Board upon request. If there are any discrepancies in hours, contemporaneous documentation of supervision will be requested.

(3)	Extension. The Board, in its sole discretion, may extend the period of time in which the applicant must have acquired supervision and/or experience with adequate showing of hardship or good cause.

(4)

Examination. After having completed the above experience requirements the applicant must submit an application to the board for licensure and upon approval the applicant must take the first scheduled examination for which he/she qualifies, unless good cause is shown for postponement, in which case the applicant shall take the next scheduled examination. [Upon receipt of notification that the applicant has passed the Clinical Social Work licensing examination, the Board will issue a Clinical Social Work license.] If the applicant fails the examination, the Board shall require that the applicant's work remain supervised until the applicant has taken and passed the examination. The exam must be taken at the next scheduled exam date unless good cause is shown for postponement. The exam may be taken a total of three times. An applicant who fails the examination three times, applicant shall not engage in the private practice of counseling or psychotherapy in the State of Georgia until such time as he/she has taken and passed the examination, absent a statutory exemption.

(5)

Definitions.

(a)

Direction means the ongoing administrative oversight by an employer or superior of a Social Worker. The person providing direction shall be responsible for assuring the quality of the services rendered by the practitioner and shall ensure that qualified supervision or intervention occurs in situations which require expertise beyond that of the practitioner.

(b)	Director means the person who provides direction and who is either the employer of the person who receives direction or is the superior in the employment chain of command to the person who receives direction.

(c)	Directed Experience in the practice of Clinical Social Work means time spent under direction engaging in the activities defined as Clinical Social Work in Rule 135-5-.04(1).

(d)

Supervision means the direct clinical review, for the purpose of training or teaching, by a supervisor of a Social Worker's interaction with clients. The purpose of supervision shall be to promote the development of the practitioner's clinical skills. Supervision may include without being limited to, the review of case presentations, audiotapes, videotapes and direct observation.

1.	Individual Supervision means one supervisor meeting with a maximum of two supervisees.

2.	Group Supervision means one supervisor meeting with a maximum of six supervisees.

(e)	Supervisor means a person who is licensed as a Clinical Social Worker, Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist and must have practiced in their specialty for at least 2000 clock hours over a minimum of 2 years following licensure.

Rule 135-5-.05 Associate Marriage and Family Therapists

(1)

Definitions and Requirements:

(a)

Board Approved Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor means a person who is licensed as a marriage and family therapist and who has been approved by the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists to provide supervision of the practice of marriage and family therapy. To obtain such approval the person shall submit documentation of the following:

1.	Three years of full-time post-licensure experience in the practice of marriage and family therapy;

2.	180 hours of experience providing marriage and family therapy supervision for at least two supervisees during a period of no less than two years and no more than five years;

3.

36 hours of supervision received from an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor or a Georgia Board Approved Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor, specifically in the skill of providing marriage and family therapy supervision, minimum of 24 hours of which shall have been individual supervision-of-supervision;

4.	A recommendation from each of the supervisors who provided supervision-of-supervision attesting to the applicant's competence as a supervisor; and,

5.	The Board may, in its discretion, approve a supervisor who is licensed, in good standing, as a Marriage and Family Therapist and designated an approved marriage and family therapy supervisor in another jurisdiction.

(b)

Contract for Post-graduate Experience and Supervision means a statement, on forms provided by the Board, made by a person who has completed one of the degree programs required for licensure as an associate marriage and family therapist, specifying that person's plan for obtaining the remaining experience and supervision required for licensure as a marriage and family therapist. Such a statement, once reviewed and approved by the Board, shall be considered an approved contract. An approved contract may be amended, so long as any changes have been approved by the Board.

(c)

Course in Human Development means a graduate course in any aspect of human development across the life span, including but not limited to theories of individual development, theories of learning, theories of personality, theories of normal and abnormal behavior, gender, human sexuality, and either psychopathology or the diagnosis of mental problems and conditions.

(d)	Course in Marriage and Family Studies means a graduate course in the principles, concepts or history of marriage and family life, family systems, family relations and family development.

(e)	Course in Marriage and Family Therapy means a graduate course in the theory and practice of various treatment modalities in marriage and family therapy.

(f)	Course in Marriage and Family Therapy Ethics means a graduate course in professional ethics, legal responsibilities and liabilities, standards of practice, licensure regulation, and professional socialization relevant to the practice of marriage and family therapy.

(g)	Course in Research means a graduate course in research design, methods and statistics.

(h)	Direct Clinical Experience means time spent in client contact as therapist or co-therapist, in supervision, in case staffing, or in case consultation.

(i)

Direction means ongoing oversight by an employer or superior of the work of a person practicing professional counseling, social work or marriage and family therapy. The director shall be responsible for assuring the quality of services rendered by that practitioner, and shall ensure that qualified supervision or intervention occurs in situations which require expertise beyond that of the practitioner. In order to be acceptable to the Marriage and Family Therapy Standards Committee of the Board, a director must attest to having performed the functions specified in this paragraph, and when not an employer must have entered into a contractual agreement with the practitioner to perform these functions.

1.

Directors may not provide direction to family members. In addition, directors shall not provide direction for any practitioner when that practitioner has, or any of that practitioner's family members have, an ownership interest in, operate, or manage the business entity in which the director is employed and/or where the professional marriage and family therapy services are to be provided by that practitioner.

2.	Family member means a member of a person's immediate or extended family, by direct descent or by marriage, including intimate or cohabitation relationships.

(j)	One Year Practicum means twelve months of supervised experience obtained while enrolled in graduate courses designated practicum at an educational institution which, at the time, was accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

(k)

Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy means evaluating, diagnosing, and treating emotional and mental problems and conditions, whether cognitive, affective or behavioral, resolving intrapersonal and interpersonal conflicts, and changing perception, attitudes and behavior; all within the context of marital and family systems. Marriage and family therapy includes, without being limited to, individual, group, couple, sexual, family and divorce therapy. Marriage and family therapy involves an applied understanding of the dynamics of marital and family therapy systems, including individual psychodynamics, the use of assessment instruments that evaluate marital and family functioning, designing and recommending a course of treatment, and the use of psychotherapy and counseling.

(l)

Program Equivalent to a Marriage and Family Therapy Degree Program means an organized course of study at an accredited educational institution consisting of a master's degree and additional post-master's degree coursework which includes three courses in marriage and family studies; three courses in marriage and family therapy; three courses in human development, one of which must be a course in either psychopathology or the diagnosis of mental problems and conditions; one course in marriage and family therapy ethics; and one course in research.

(m)

Program in Marriage and Family Therapy means a master's degree program at an accredited educational institution which includes three courses in marriage and family studies; three courses in marriage and family therapy; three courses in human development, one of which must be a course in either psychopathology or the diagnosis of mental problems and conditions; one course in marriage and family therapy ethics; and one course in research.

(n)

Supervision means the direct clinical review, for the purpose of training or teaching, by a supervisor of the interactions with clients of a person practicing professional counseling, social work or marriage and family therapy. Supervision may include, without being limited to, the review of case presentations, audio tapes, video tapes, and direct observation in order to promote the development of the practitioner's clinical skills. Both supervisors and supervisees are required to maintain a contemporaneous record of the date, duration, type (individual, paired, or group), and a brief summary of the pertinent activity for each supervision session to be submitted to the Board upon request. If there are any discrepancies in hours, contemporaneous documentation of supervision will be requested.

1.

Supervisors may not provide supervision to family members. In addition, supervisors shall not provide supervision for any practitioner when that practitioner, or any of that practitioner's family members have, an ownership interest in, operate, or manage the business entity in which the supervisor is employed and/or where the professional marriage and family therapy services are to be provided by that practitioner.

2.	Family member means a member of a person's immediate or extended family, by direct descent or by marriage, including intimate or cohabitation relationships.

(2)

Requirements for Licensure:

(a)

Education. The applicant must have earned a master's degree from a program in marriage and family therapy, from a program equivalent to a marriage and family therapy degree program, or from any program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Such program shall be in an educational institution which, at the time the degree was awarded, was accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

(b)

Practicum. The applicant must have completed a one year practicum in the practice of marriage and family therapy before or after the granting of the master's degree.

1.	Such practicum shall include a minimum of 500 hours of direct clinical experience.

2.

Such practicum shall include 100 hours of supervision provided by a licensed marriage and family therapist, professional counselor, clinical social worker, psychiatrist or psychologist, who was also an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor, a Georgia Board Approved Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor, or a person who was receiving supervision-of-supervision in order to qualify for either designation.

(c)

Contract. The applicant must submit and obtain the Board's approval of a Contract for Post-Graduate Experience and Supervision.

1.

Applicants who have not yet secured employment or begun supervision at the time of submission of their application for licensure shall so indicate on the Contract for Post-Graduate Experience and Supervision. The applicant shall submit an updated Contract for Post-Graduate Experience and Supervision to the Board for approval within thirty (30) days of securing post-graduate employment or beginning post-graduate supervision;

2.	Once the Contract for Post-Graduate Experience and Supervision is approved by the Board, any change in the contract must be submitted to the Board within thirty (30) days for approval;

3.	The Board, at its discretion, may request that the applicant and/or licensee submit verification of the information in the Contract for Post-Graduate Experience and Supervision and, if necessary, submit a revised Contract for Post-Graduate Experience and Supervision; and,

4.	Any post-graduate experience or supervision obtained by an associate marriage and family therapist without Board approval may not be applied toward licensure as a marriage and family therapist.

(d)	Examination. The applicant shall register and sit for the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy following Board review of his/her application for licensure as an associate marriage and family therapist and approval to take the examination. Passing the examination is a requirement for licensure.

(3)

Restrictions on Practice:

(a)	A person who holds a license as an associate marriage and family therapist may only use the title "associate marriage and family therapist."

(b)

A person who holds a license as an associate marriage and family therapist may engage in the practice of marriage and family therapy, but only while under direction and supervision, and only for a period not to exceed five years while obtaining the post-master's experience and supervision required for licensure as a marriage and family therapist.

Rule 135-5-.06 Marriage and Family Therapists

(1)

Definitions and Requirements:

(a)	Approved Practicum or Internship Program means supervised experience obtained while enrolled in graduate courses designated practicum or internship at an educational institution which, at the time, was accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

(b)

Board Approved Graduate Level Course means a course in Marriage and Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Marriage and Family Therapy Ethics which is offered by a training institute, is comparable to a graduate course offered by an accredited educational institution, and has received prior approval by the Board. No new requests or applications for Board approval of graduate courses offered by training institutes will be accepted as of the effective date of this rule amendment. Individuals enrolled in, or who plan to enroll in, prior approved courses must complete the courses by January 1, 2020 for the courses to be considered for licensure purposes.

(c)

Board Approved Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor means a person who is licensed as a marriage and family therapist and who has been approved by the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists to provide supervision of the practice of marriage and family therapy. To obtain such approval the person shall submit documentation of the following:

1.	Three years of full-time post-licensure experience in the practice of marriage and family therapy;

2.	180 hours of experience providing marriage and family therapy supervision for at least two supervisees during a period of no less than two years and no more than five years;

3.

36 hours of supervision received from an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor or a Georgia Board Approved Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor, specifically in the skill of providing marriage and family therapy supervision, minimum of 24 hours of which shall have been individual supervision-of-supervision;

4.	A recommendation from each of the supervisors who provided supervision-of-supervision attesting to the applicant's competence as a supervisor; and,

5.	The Board may, in its discretion, approve a supervisor who is licensed, in good standing, as a Marriage and Family Therapist and who is designated as an approved marriage and family therapy supervisor in another jurisdiction.

(d)	Course in Clinical Content Area means a graduate course in the etiology, dynamics, evaluation, assessment, diagnosis, or treatment of emotional or behavioral problems and conditions.

(e)	Course in Marriage and Family Studies means a graduate course in the principles, concepts or history of marriage and family life, family systems, family relations and family development.

(f)	Course in Marriage and Family Therapy means a graduate course in the theory and practice of various treatment modalities in marriage and family therapy.

(g)	Course in Marriage and Family Therapy Ethics means a graduate course in professional ethics, legal responsibilities and liabilities, standards of practice, licensure regulation, and professional socialization relevant to the practice of marriage and family therapy.

(h)	Direct Clinical Experience means time spent in client contact as therapist or co-therapist, in supervision, in case staffing, or in case consultation.

(i)

Direction means ongoing oversight by an employer or superior of the work of a person practicing professional counseling, social work or marriage and family therapy. The director shall be responsible for assuring the quality of services rendered by that practitioner, and shall ensure that qualified supervision or intervention occurs in situations which require expertise beyond that of the practitioner. In order to be acceptable to the Marriage and Family Therapy Standards Committee of the Board, a director must attest to having performed the functions specified in this paragraph, and when not an employer must have entered into a contractual agreement with the practitioner to perform these functions.

1.

Directors may not provide direction to family members. In addition, directors shall not provide direction for any practitioner when that practitioner, or any of that practitioner's family members have, an ownership interest in, operate, or manage the business entity in which the director is employed and/or where the professional marriage and family therapy services are to be provided by that practitioner.

2.	Family member means a member of a person's immediate or extended family, by direct descent or by marriage, including intimate or cohabitation relationships.

(j)	Full-time Experience means a minimum of 20 hours per week spent in direct clinical experience.

(k)	Group Supervision means a maximum of six supervisees meeting with one supervisor.

(l)	Individual Supervision means a maximum of two supervisees meeting with one supervisor.

(m)	One Year means twelve months, or any periods of time which sum to twelve months.

(n)

Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy means evaluating, diagnosing, and treating emotional and mental problems and conditions, whether cognitive, affective or behavioral, resolving intrapersonal and interpersonal conflicts, and changing perception, attitudes and behavior; all within the context of marital and family systems. Marriage and family therapy includes, without being limited to, individual, group, couple, sexual, family and divorce therapy. Marriage and family therapy involves an applied understanding of the dynamics of marital and family therapy systems, including individual psychodynamics, the use of assessment instruments that evaluate marital and family functioning, designing and recommending a course of treatment, and the use of psychotherapy and counseling.

(o)

Supervision means the direct clinical review, for the purpose of training or teaching, by a supervisor of the interactions with clients of a person practicing professional counseling, social work or marriage and family therapy. Supervision may include, without being limited to, the review of case presentations, audio tapes, video tapes, and direct observation in order to promote the development of the practitioner's clinical skills. Both supervisors and supervisees are required to maintain a contemporaneous record of the date, duration, type (individual, paired, or group), and a brief summary of the pertinent activity for each supervision session to be submitted to the Board upon request. If there are any discrepancies in hours, contemporaneous documentation of supervision will be requested.

1.

Supervisors may not provide supervision to family members. In addition, supervisors shall not provide supervision for any practitioner when that practitioner, or any of that practitioner's family members have, an ownership interest in, operate, or manage the business entity in which the supervisor is employed and/or where the professional marriage and family therapy services are to be provided by that practitioner.

2.	Family member means a member of a person's immediate or extended family, by direct descent or by marriage, including intimate or cohabitation relationships.

(2)

Requirements for Licensure:

(a)

An applicant who holds a current license as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist must meet the following requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist:

1.

Experience. The applicant must document two years of full-time post-master's experience or its equivalent, under direction and supervision.

(i)	Such experience shall have been in the practice of marriage and family therapy, and shall include a minimum of 2,000 hours of direct clinical experience.

(ii)	For applicants who have worked less than full-time, equivalent experience may be accrued over a total of not less than two years and not more than five years.

2.

Supervision. The applicant must have obtained 100 hours of supervision, concurrent with his/her documented experience.

(i)

Such supervision shall have been provided by:

(I)	a licensed marriage and family therapist, professional counselor, clinical social worker, psychiatrist, or psychologist who shall have been licensed and in good standing for a minimum of three years; or

(II)	an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Approved Supervisor, a Georgia Board Approved Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor, or a person who was receiving supervision-of-supervision in order to qualify for either designation.

(ii)	A minimum of 50 of these 100 hours must have been in individual supervision, and a maximum of 50 of these 100 hours may have been in group supervision; and

(iii)

A minimum of 5 hours of such supervision must have been obtained concurrent with each 100 hours of direct clinical experience.

3.	Examination Waived. The applicant is not required to re-take the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy following Board approval of his/her application for licensure as a marriage and family therapist.

(b)

An applicant who holds a Master's Degree and does not have an active Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) license must meet the following requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist:

1.

Education. The applicant must have earned a master's degree in marriage and family therapy, counseling, social work, medicine, applied psychology, psychiatric nursing, pastoral counseling, applied child and family development, applied sociology, or from any program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Such degree shall be from an educational institution which, at the time the degree was awarded, was accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

(i)

For the purpose of licensure under this rule, a degree in psychology, child and family development or sociology shall be considered an applied degree and a degree in divinity or in theology shall be considered a degree in pastoral counseling if the applicant has completed, as part of the degree program or as additional post-master's coursework, either of the following two options:

(I)	Three courses in clinical content areas; or

(II)	Two courses in clinical content areas, plus an approved practicum or internship, which shall include a minimum of 500 hours of direct clinical experience in the practice of professional counseling, clinical social work or marriage and family therapy.

(III)

The coursework required under this section shall be in addition to the five required courses in Marriage and Family Therapy, Marriage and Family Studies, and Marriage and Family Therapy Ethics.

(ii)

The applicant shall have completed, as part of the degree program or as additional post-master's coursework, at least two courses in Marriage and Family Therapy, two courses in Marriage and Family Studies, one course in Marriage and Family Therapy Ethics, and one course in either psychopathology or the diagnosis of mental problems and conditions. These courses shall have been obtained from an educational institution accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or, prior to January 1, 2020, from a training institute which offers Board approved graduate courses.

2.

Experience. The applicant must document three years of full-time post-master experience, or its equivalent, under direction and supervision, which shall include a minimum of 2,500 hours of direct clinical experience.

(i)	One year of such experience may have been in an approved practicum before or after the granting of the master's degree, which shall include a minimum of 500 hours of direct clinical experience in the practice of professional counseling, clinical social work or marriage and family therapy.

(ii)	At least two years of such experience shall have been in the practice of marriage and family therapy, which shall include a minimum of 2,000 hours of direct clinical experience.

(iii)

For applicants who have worked less than full-time, equivalent experience may be accrued over a total of not less than three years and not more than five years.

3.

Supervision. The applicant must have obtained 200 hours of supervision, concurrent with his/her documented experience.

(i)

Such supervision shall have been provided by:

(I)	a licensed marriage and family therapist, professional counselor, clinical social worker, psychiatrist, or psychologist who shall have been licensed and in good standing for a minimum of three years; or,

(II)	an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Approved Supervisor, a Georgia Board Approved Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor, or a person who was receiving supervision-of-supervision in order to qualify for either designation.

(ii)

At least 100 hours of such supervision shall have been provided by an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor, a Georgia Board Approved Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor, or a person who was receiving supervision-of-supervision in order to qualify for either designation. A minimum of 50 of these 100 hours must have been in individual supervision, and a maximum of 50 of these 100 hours may have been in group supervision;

(iii)

A minimum of 5 hours of such supervision must have been obtained concurrent with each 100 hours of direct clinical experience; and

(iv)	Up to 100 hours of such supervision may have been obtained during an approved practicum before or after the granting of the master's degree.

4.	Examination. The applicant shall register and sit for the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy following Board review of his/her application for licensure as a marriage and family therapist and approval to take the examination. Passage of the exam is a requirement to issue a license.

(c)

An applicant who holds a Doctoral Degree must meet the following requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist:

(i)

Education. The applicant must have earned a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, counseling, social work, medicine, applied psychology, psychiatric nursing, pastoral counseling, applied child and family development, applied sociology, or from any program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Such degree shall be from an educational institution which, at the time the degree was awarded, was accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

(I)

For the purpose of licensure under this rule, a degree in psychology, child and family development or sociology shall be considered an applied degree and a degree in divinity or in theology shall be considered a degree in pastoral counseling if the applicant has completed, as part of the degree program or as additional post-master's coursework, either of the following two options:

I.	Three courses in clinical content areas; or

II.	Two courses in clinical content areas, plus an approved practicum or internship, which shall include a minimum of 500 hours of direct clinical experience in the practice of professional counseling, clinical social work or marriage and family therapy.

III.	The coursework required under this section shall be in addition to the five required courses in Marriage and Family Therapy, Marriage and Family Studies, and Marriage and Family Therapy Ethics.

(II)

The applicant shall have completed, as part of a master or doctoral degree program, or as additional post-graduate degree coursework, at least two courses in Marriage and Family Therapy, two courses in Marriage and Family Studies, one course in Marriage and Family Therapy Ethics, and one course in either psychopathology or the diagnosis of mental problems and conditions. These courses shall have been obtained from an educational institution accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or, prior to January 1, 2020, from a training institute which offers Board approved graduate courses.

(ii)

Experience. The applicant must document two years of full-time post-master or post-doctorate experience, in the practice of marriage and family therapy, under direction and supervision, which shall include a minimum of 1,500 hours of direct clinical experience.

(I)	One year of such experience may have been in an approved internship program before or after the granting of the doctoral degree, which shall include a minimum of 500 hours of direct clinical experience.

(II)	At least one year of such experience shall have been full-time post-master or post-doctorate experience, which shall include a minimum of 1,000 hours of direct clinical experience.

(iii)

Supervision. The applicant must have obtained 100 hours of supervision, concurrent with their documented experience.

(I)

Such supervision shall have been provided by a licensed marriage and family therapist, professional counselor, clinical social worker, psychiatrist, or psychologist, who was also an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor, a Georgia Board Approved Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor, or a person who was receiving supervision-of-supervision in order to qualify for either designation.

(II)	A minimum of 50 of these 100 hours must have been in individual supervision, and a maximum of 50 of these 100 hours may have been in group supervision;

(III)

A minimum of 5 hours of such supervision must have been obtained concurrent with each 100 hours of direct clinical experience; and

(IV)	A maximum of 50 of these 100 hours may have been obtained during the applicant's doctoral degree or internship program.

(iv)	Examination. The applicant shall register and sit for the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy following Board review of his/her application for licensure as a marriage and family therapist and approval to take the examination. Passing the examination is a requirement for licensure.

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