FAQ’s
Q. What happens to an application once it reaches the Board office?
A. All mail is opened in a central location and distributed to the appropriate staff person. The assigned Technical Records Specialist reviews the application file and sends a status letter to the applicant.
Q. Is there a deadline for applications?
A. Rule 149(05) Deadline. To be considered by the Board, a properly completed application together with all supporting documentation and required fees must be received by the Bureau at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the next scheduled meeting of the Board.
Q. How often does the Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists meet?
A. Regular Board Meetings are held on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of February, May and October. The Board also meets in July, the date of which is set at their May meeting.
Q. When may I expect a response regarding my application?
A. Within 2-4 weeks after the Board meeting, you will receive written communication regarding the Board’s review. If a license has been approved, you may verify this on our website at www.ibol.idaho.gov. Select License and Registration Search and choose the Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists in the drop down box and enter your last name.
Information relative to Board decisions concerning applications will NOT be provided by telephone.
Q. Will the Board pre-approve my courses before I apply for licensure?
A. No, the Board can only take action in response to an application. You may familiarize yourself with the courses required for your specific license by reading the laws and rules. You may also want to review your application materials with your supervisor or graduate advisor. It is their job to be familiar with licensure laws and rules and to assist their supervisees in preparing for the application process.
Q. If I need more courses what should I do?
A. Determine which curriculum areas you need additional courses to fulfill and then you can determine which educational institution you want to attend. The law requires the institution to be accredited:
An accredited university or college shall be a college or university accredited by one (1) of the following: the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
A number of Idaho educational institutions offer curriculum in counseling, in marriage and family therapy, and in mental health:
Boise State University - Counselor Education Department
http://education.boisestate.edu/counselored/
Idaho State University - Counselor Education Department
http://www.isu.edu/hpcounsl/index.shtml
- including their Boise campus and their Professional Development Seminars (http://www.isu.edu/hpcounsl/workshops.shtml)
University of Idaho - Counselor Education Department offers some courses in Boise
http://www.students.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=81847
Northwest Nazarene University - Counselor Education Department
You may also wish to research online and distance education programs, remembering to ascertain that they are accredited consistent with Idaho law. University of Phoenix courses may be a possibility.
Q. Can I count PSR hours toward my supervision?
A. During the July 18th, 2006 meeting, the Board took a position to accept PSR experience for the licensure requirement if all other conditions for supervised experience are met. The Board noted that PSR experience must be within the “Scope of Practice” and comply with Section 54-3401, Idaho Code.
Q. How do I prove my supervision hours?
A. All application materials are available on the website. Your supervisors complete Section 2 of the verification of supervision form (http://ibol.idaho.gov/COU/Forms/COU_EVSE_form2.pdf).
Q. Can I have a supervisor who is a clinical social worker?
A. Applicants for the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor may receive half of their supervision from Registered Social Work supervisors as outlined in Rule 225.01.b.i.
Applicants for the Marriage and Family Therapist license may receive supervision from Registered Social Work supervisors who meet the criteria in Rule 238.03.b.i, ii, and iii.
Q. If I move to another state will the Bureau provide proof of my supervision?
A. Other states will tell you how to document your supervision. That generally is a process between you, your supervisors, and the state to which you are applying. You should keep copies of your Verification of Supervision forms when you complete your Idaho application.
Q. Does the Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists have reciprocity with other states?
A. Idaho has an endorsement rule. For more information on the requirements, please review Rule 300.
Q. Should I apply as a registered MFT Intern or should I apply for the Associate Marriage and Family Therapist license?
A. Your supervisors would be better equipped to help you decide which to pursue.
The LAMFT requires that you have completed all the educational requirements as stipulated in Section 54-3405B(1), Idaho Code, including the practicum, and you must pass the exam.
Candidates for licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy are advised to become familiar with the specific course requirements because they may differ from the curriculum offered by your graduate program, regardless of its accreditation. Specifically, Idaho law requires six (6) graduate semester credits in Psychological and Mental Health Competency, as described in Section 54-3405B and C(1)(d), Idaho Code. Other licensure requirements may not match your graduate program as well.
Q. What must I do to renew my license?
A. You may submit a complete renewal application by mail or submit a renewal application online by clicking the **ONLINE RENEWAL APPLICATION** link.
The responsibility of license renewal remains with the license holder. You must also maintain documentation of the required number of annual Continuing Education hours (see Idaho Board Rule 425 for specific continuing education requirements).
Q. Do I need to have an ethics course each time I renew my license?
A. Yes. Three hours of ethics are required annually. Please note: Course content or title MUST be specific to legal issues, law and ethics.
Q. How many hours of continuing education are required to renew my license?
A. Every person holding an Idaho license as a Professional Counselor, Clinical Professional Counselor or a Marriage and Family Therapist must annually complete twenty (20) contact hours of continuing education prior to license renewal, of which 3 hours must be in ethics.
Q. Do I submit my continuing education hours to the Board office?
A. Only those licensees randomly selected for continuing education audit or renewing late must submit proof of their continuing education credits along with their audit or renewal application.
Q. Will the Board issue a temporary license?
A. No. Temporary licenses are not issued.
Q. Should I have a copy of the laws and rules if I practice as a Professional Counselor, Clinical Professional Counselor or Marriage & Family Therapist for years?
A. Yes. As a professional, you should always have an up-to-date copy of the governing laws and rules for your profession. It is important to be aware that the laws and rules can change, which may impact the way you are allowed to practice.
Q. I am moving to another state and I need my certification of license sent to another state board. What is the process?
A. You must submit a request in writing for certification of licensure, together with $10.00 (money order, cashier’s check, certified check, or personal check). The processing time is 5-10 working days. The Bureau does not accept credit cards over the phone.
Q. What is the Job market in Idaho?
A. The Board office does not maintain state job information. Please contact the Idaho Department of Commerce or the Idaho Department of Labor.
Q. Does the Licensing Board set standards for Sex Offender Treatment?
A. The Licensing Board has not set specific standards. Idaho laws/rules require any licensee to practice within the scope of their training. Idaho also has a practice law, so unlicensed practice is prohibited. The courts and Department of Corrections determine where they refer Sex Offenders. The benchmark for those providing Sex Offender treatment is to be a clinical/associate member of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (www.atsa.com) and abide by their code of ethics.
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Last Modified - July 14, 2008