Issue 23 - 06-06-2024 | Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board | Permanent Administrative Regulations

Volume 43 - Issue 23 - June 6, 2024

State of Kansas

Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board

Permanent Administrative Regulations

Article 2.—LICENSING OF SOCIAL WORKERS

102-2-6. Program approval. (a) Definitions. The following terms shall be defined as follows:

(1) “Core faculty member” means an individual who is part of the program’s teaching staff and who meets the following conditions:

(A) Is an individual whose education, training, and experience are consistent with the individual’s role within the program and are consistent with the published description of the goals, philosophy, and educational purpose of the program;

(B) is an individual whose primary professional employment is at the institution in which the program is housed; and

(C) is an individual who is identified with the program and is centrally involved in program development, decision making, and student training as demonstrated by consistent inclusion of the individual’s name in public and departmental documents.

(2) “In residence,” when used to describe a student, means that the student is completing coursework during which the student and one or more core faculty members are in face-to-face contact either in person or by synchronous, real-time videoconferencing.

(3) “Primary professional employment” means a minimum of 20 hours per week of instruction, research, any other service to the institution in the course of employment, and the related administrative work.

(b) To be recognized and approved by the board, an undergraduate or graduate social work program shall be accredited by the council on social work education or shall be in substantial compliance with all of the following standards:

(1) The program shall have a curriculum plan that has been or will be fully implemented during the current academic year.

(2) The program shall have graduated a class of students or shall graduate a class of students during the current academic year.

(3) The social work program shall meet the following conditions:

(A) Have autonomy with respect to an identified budget and an established governance and administrative structure;

(B) have responsibility for participation in personnel recruitment, retention, promotion, and tenure decisions;

(D) have other necessary resources and authority required for the achievement of specified program objectives.

(4) The program shall have a field education program that is clearly incorporated as an integral component of the curriculum and the social work degree requirements. The field education program shall engage the student in supervised social work practice and experiential opportunities that apply classroom learning in the field setting.

(5) The program shall have a clear plan for the organization, implementation, and evaluation of the class and field curricula.

(6) The program shall have social work faculty advisors who are sufficiently knowledgeable about the social work program and who are available to advise social work students.

(7) The program’s written policies shall make explicit the criteria for evaluation of student academic and field performance.

(8) The program’s written policies shall include procedures for the termination of student participation in the professional social work degree program, and each student shall be informed of these termination procedures.

(9) The social work program shall be contained within a college or university that is regionally accredited.

(10) No less than 50% of the required program coursework shall be completed “in residence” at one institution, and the field education program shall be completed at the same institution.

(c) In addition to the standards in subsection (b) of this regulation, each undergraduate social work program that is not accredited by the council on social work education shall meet all of the following standards:

(1) The program shall specify in the university or college course catalog that its primary educational objective is preparation for beginning professional social work practice.

(2) The program coursework shall be identified and described in the course catalog of the university or college.

(3) The program shall have a designated director whose educational credentials include either a baccalaureate or a graduate degree in social work and who holds a full-time appointment in the educational institution.

(4) Each program faculty member who teaches the content on social work practice and each program faculty member who coordinates the field education program shall fulfill these requirements:

(A) Hold a graduate degree in social work; and

(B) have had two or more years of professional social work practice experience.

(5) The core faculty shall be responsible for essential program functions, including the following duties:

(A) Regular design, modification, approval, implementation, and evaluation of the program curriculum and educational policies;

(B) systematic and continual evaluation of program results in view of the specified objectives of the program;

(D) coordination of field education program experiences and provision of instruction for the field education program; and

(E) establishment and maintenance of program integrity and attainment of program visibility.

(6) The program director shall have primary responsibility for the coordination and educational leadership of the program and shall be provided with the time and financial resources needed to fulfill those responsibilities.

(7) The program shall have a minimum of two full-time, core faculty members whose primary assignment is to the program.

(8) The field education program provided as part of the program shall consist of a minimum of 400 clock-hours successfully completed in the field setting. Except as provided by paragraph (b)(3)(B)(ii) of K.A.R. 102-2-2a, each student participating in the field education program shall be directly supervised by an individual either licensed or academically eligible for licensure in social work in the jurisdiction in which the supervised field education program is completed.

(d) In addition to the standards of subsection (b) of this regulation, each graduate social work education program that is not accredited by the council on social work education shall meet all of the following standards:

(1) The program shall be an integral part of an educational institution that is institutionally accredited to award the master’s or doctoral degree in social work.

(2) The program shall specify in the university or college course catalog that it prepares graduate students for advanced social work practice.

(3) The educational level for which accreditation has been received shall be specified in any program documents referring to accreditation.

(4) The program shall have a full-time dean or director as its chief executive officer.

(5) The graduate program shall offer, as its basic program design, two full-time academic years of professional education that leads to a graduate degree in social work. A minimum of one academic year of the program shall be in full-time status, as defined by the educational institution.

(6) Each program faculty member who teaches the content on social work practice and each program faculty member who coordinates the field education program shall fulfill these requirements:

(A) Hold a master’s degree in social work;

(B) have had post-master’s professional social work practice experience; and

(7) The program faculty shall have responsibility for curriculum design, modification, approval, and implementation and for systematic, continual evaluation of the program.

(8) The faculty shall be responsible for educational policy in matters of admission, advising, retention, and graduation of students.

(9) The faculty shall be responsible for continual and systematic guidance of students through the professional educational program.

(e) Upon request of the board, each school shall present documentation to the board that it has satisfactorily met the standards of subsection (b) and the standards of either subsection (c) or (d), as applicable. (Authorized by K.S.A. 74-7507 and K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-6306; implementing K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-6306; effective May 1, 1982; amended May 1, 1987; amended Oct. 24, 1997; amended Oct. 27, 2006; amended June 21, 2024.)

Article 3.—PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS; FEES

102-3-3a. Education requirements. To qualify for licensure as a professional counselor or a clinical professional counselor, the applicant’s education shall meet the applicable requirements specified in this regulation.

(a) Each of the following terms, as used in this regulation, shall have the meaning specified in this subsection:

(1) “Core faculty member” means an individual who is part of the program’s teaching staff and who meets the following conditions:

(B) is an individual whose primary professional employment is at the institution in which the program is housed; and

(3) “Primary professional employment” means at least 20 hours per week of instruction, research, any other service to the institution in the course of employment, and the related administrative work.

(b) At the time of application, each applicant shall have met the following requirements:

(1) Received either a master’s or a doctoral degree in counseling, or a related field, from a program that meets one of the following requirements:

(A) Is not below the accreditation standards of the council for the accreditation of counseling and related educational programs; or

(B) meets the requirements in subsections (f) and (g); and

(2) as a part of or in addition to the coursework completed for the graduate degree in counseling or a related field, completed at least 60 graduate semester hours, or the academic equivalent, of which at least 45 graduate semester hours, or the academic equivalent, shall clearly meet the coursework requirements in subsection (c).

(c) Each applicant shall have satisfactorily completed formal academic coursework that contributes to the development of a broad conceptual framework for counseling theory and practice as a basis for more advanced academic studies. This formal academic coursework shall consist of at least 45 graduate semester hours, or the academic equivalent, that are distributed across the substantive content areas provided in this subsection. None of these credit hours shall be earned through independent study courses. There shall be at least two discrete and unduplicated semester hours, or the academic equivalent, in each of the following substantive content areas:

(1) Counseling theory and practice, which shall include studies in the basic theories, principles, and techniques of counseling and their applications to professional settings;

(2) the helping relationship, which shall include studies in the philosophical bases of helping relationships and the application of the helping relationship to counseling practice, as well as an emphasis on the development of practitioner and client self-awareness;

(3) group dynamics, processes, and counseling approaches and techniques, which shall include studies in theories and types of groups, as well as descriptions of group practices, methods, dynamics, and facilitative skills;

(4) human growth and development, which shall include studies that provide a broad understanding of the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels and in multicultural contexts;

(5) career development and lifestyle foundations, which shall include studies in vocational theory, the relationship between career choice and lifestyle, sources of occupational and educational information, approaches to career decision-making processes, and career development exploration techniques;

(6) appraisal of individuals and studies and training in the development of a framework for understanding the individual, including methods of data gathering and interpretation, individual and group testing, and the study of individual differences;

(7) social and cultural foundations, which shall include studies in change processes, ethnicity, subcultures, families, gender issues, the changing roles of women, sexism, racism, urban and rural societies, population patterns, cultural mores, use of leisure time, and differing life patterns. These studies may come from the behavioral sciences, economics, political science, and similar disciplines;

(8) research and evaluation, which shall include studies in the areas of statistics, research design, development of research, development of program goals and objectives, and evaluation of program goals and objectives;

(9) professional orientation, which shall include studies in the goals and objectives of professional organizations, codes of ethics, legal considerations, standards of preparation and practice, certification, licensing, and the role identities of counselors and others in the helping professions; and

(10) supervised practical experience, which shall include studies in the application and practice of the theories and concepts presented in formal study. This experiential practice shall be performed under the close supervision of the instructor and on-site supervisor with the use of direct observation and the preparation and review of written case notes. Direct observation may include the use of one-way mirrors in a counseling laboratory, the use of videotaped or audiotaped sessions, or the use of synchronous videoconferencing or similar synchronous communication devices.

(d) Each applicant for licensure as a clinical professional counselor whose master’s or doctoral degree is earned before July 1, 2003 shall have earned the graduate degree in accordance with subsections (b) and (c).

(e) Each applicant for licensure as a clinical professional counselor whose master’s or doctoral degree is earned on or after July 1, 2003 shall meet the following education requirements:

(1) Have earned a graduate degree in accordance with subsections (b) and (c);

(2) in addition to or as a part of the academic requirements for the graduate degree, have completed 15 graduate semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, supporting diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders using the “diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders” adopted in K.A.R. 102-3-15. The 15 graduate semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, shall include both of the following:

(A) The applicant shall have satisfactorily completed two graduate semester hours, or the academic equivalent, of discrete coursework in ethics and two graduate semester hours, or the academic equivalent, of discrete coursework in psychopathology and diagnostic assessment, including the study of the latest edition of the “diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders” and assessment instruments that support diagnosis.

(B) The applicant shall have satisfactorily completed coursework addressing treatment approaches and interdisciplinary referral and collaboration; and

(3) Have met one of the following experience requirements:

(A) Satisfactory completion of a graduate-level, supervised clinical practicum of professional experience that includes psychotherapy and assessment. The practicum shall integrate diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders with use of the “diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders” adopted in K.A.R. 102-3-15 and shall include at least 280 hours of direct client contact; or

(B) completion of additional direct client contact hours providing psychotherapy and assessment as part of the postgraduate supervised experience. The experience shall consist of the number of hours that the applicant was lacking to attain 280 hours of direct client contact during the practicum. The postgraduate hours and the practicum hours completed shall total at least 280 hours. This experience shall be in addition to the 3,000 hours of postgraduate, supervised experience required for each licensed clinical professional counselor as required in K.A.R. 102-3-7a.

(f) In order to be approved by the board, each educational program in professional counseling, or a related field, shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Have established program admission requirements that are based, in part or in full, on objective measures or standardized achievement tests and measures;

(2) require an established curriculum that encompasses at least two academic years of graduate study;

(3) have clear administrative authority and primary responsibility within the program for the core and specialty areas of training in professional counseling;

(4) have an established, organized, and comprehensive sequence of study that is planned by administrators who are responsible for providing an integrated educational experience in professional counseling;

(5) engage in continuous systematic program evaluation indicating how the mission objectives and student learning outcomes are measured and met;

(6) be chaired or directed by an identifiable person who holds a doctoral degree in counseling or a related field that was earned from a regionally accredited college or university upon that person’s actual completion of a formal academic training program;

(7) have an identifiable, full-time, professional faculty whose members hold earned graduate degrees in professional counseling or a related field;

(8) have an established, identifiable body of students who are formally enrolled in the program with the goal of obtaining a degree;

(9) require an appropriate practicum, internship, or field or laboratory training in professional counseling that integrates didactic learning with supervised clinical experience;

(10) conduct an ongoing, objective review and evaluation of each student’s learning and progress and report this evaluation in the official student transcripts;

(11) require that at least 30 graduate semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, of coursework be completed in residence at one institution and require that the practicum or internship be completed at the same institution; and

(12) require that the number of graduate semester hours, or the academic equivalent, delivered by adjunct faculty does not exceed the number of graduate semester hours, or the academic equivalent, delivered by core faculty members.

(g) In order for an applicant to qualify for licensure, the college or university at which the applicant completed the degree requirements for counseling or a related field shall meet these requirements:

(1) Be regionally accredited, with accreditation standards equivalent to those met by Kansas colleges and universities;

(2) document in official publications, including course catalogs and announcements, the program description and standards and the admission requirements of the professional counseling education and training program;

(3) identify and clearly describe in pertinent institutional catalogs the coursework, experiential, and other academic program requirements that must be satisfied before conferral of the graduate degree in counseling;

(4) clearly identify and specify in pertinent institutional catalogs its intent to educate and train professional counselors;

(5) have clearly established the professional counselor education program as a coherent entity within the college or university that, when the applicant’s graduate degree was conferred, met the program standards in subsection (f); and

(6) have conferred the graduate degree in counseling upon the applicant’s successful completion of an established and required formal program of studies.

(h) The following types of study shall not be substituted for or counted toward the coursework requirements of subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e):

(1) Academic coursework that the applicant completed as a part of or in conjunction with the undergraduate degree requirements;

(2) academic coursework that has been audited rather than graded;

(3) academic coursework for which the applicant received an incomplete or failing grade;

(4) coursework that the board determines is not closely related to the field or practice of counseling;

(5) graduate or postgraduate coursework or training provided by any college, university, institute, or training program that does not meet the requirements of subsections (f) and (g); and

(6) any continuing education, in-service activity, or on-the-job training.

(i) The following types of study may be counted toward the 60 graduate semester hours required under paragraph (b)(2):

(1) No more than six graduate semester hours of independent study that is related to the field or practice of counseling, except that independent study shall not be used to meet any of the substantive content area requirements specified in subsection (c); and

(2) no more than four graduate semester hours for thesis research and writing. (Authorized by K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-5804a and K.S.A. 74-7507; implementing K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-5804a; effective Dec. 19, 1997; amended July 19, 2002; amended Aug. 8, 2003; amended Oct. 27, 2006; amended Dec. 12, 2014; amended Dec. 16, 2022; amended June 21, 2024.)

Article 4.—MASTER’S LEVEL PSYCHOLOGISTS

102-4-3a. Educational requirements. To academically qualify for licensure as a master’s level psychologist or a clinical psychotherapist, the applicant’s educational qualifications and background shall meet the applicable requirements specified in this regulation.

(a) Definitions.

(1) “Faculty member” means an individual who is part of the program’s teaching staff and whose education, training, and experience are consistent with the individual’s role within the program and are consistent with the published description of the goals, philosophy, and educational purpose of the program.

(2) “In residence,” when used to describe a student, means that the student is present at the physical location of the institution for the purpose of completing coursework during which the student and one or more faculty members are in physical proximity and face-to-face contact.

(b) Degree requirements. At the time of application, the applicant shall have met one of the following requirements:

(1) Received a master’s degree in psychology based on a program of studies that is substantially equivalent to the coursework requirements in subsection (c) if the degree was earned before July 1, 2003 or in subsection (e) if the degree was earned on or after July 1, 2003;

(2) Received a master’s degree in psychology and has completed the coursework requirements in subsection (c) if the degree was earned before July 1, 2003 or in subsection (e) if the degree was earned on or after July 1, 2003; or

(3) The applicant passed comprehensive examinations or equivalent final examinations in a doctoral program in psychology and has completed the coursework requirements in subsection (c) if the program was completed before July 1, 2003 or in subsection (e) if the program was completed on or after July 1, 2003.

(1) Each applicant shall have satisfactorily completed at least 36 discrete and unduplicated graduate semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, of formal, didactic academic coursework that is distributed across the coursework areas as specified in this paragraph, subject to the restrictions in subsection (d). This coursework shall have been completed at the time of application as a part of or in addition to the coursework completed for the graduate degree requirements:

(A) At least six semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, in psychotherapy that includes an in-depth study of the major theories, principles, and clinical methods and techniques of psychotherapy with individuals, groups, or families. These courses shall be completed while in residence;

(B) at least six semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, in psychological testing that includes studies in the selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of objective and projective diagnostic tests as indicators of intelligence and scholastic abilities or as screening devices for organic pathologies, learning disabilities, and personality disturbances. These courses shall be completed while in residence;

(C) at least 12 semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, in any of the following psychological foundation courses:

(i) The philosophy of psychology, which may include studies that introduce the fundamental philosophical, conceptual, theoretical, or applied processes of psychology and the issues central to professional orientation, role development, ethical and legal standards, and professional responsibility;

(ii) the psychology of perception, which may include studies of memory, language, speech, sensory functioning, motor functioning, reasoning, decision making, problem solving, and other cognitive processes;

(iii) learning theory, which may include studies pertaining to the fundamental theoretical assumptions about and applied principles of learning, conditioning, concept formation, and behavior;

(iv) the history of psychology, which may include studies that trace and analyze the historical development and contemporary evolution of the concepts and theories in psychology;

(v) motivation, which may include studies of the concepts, principles, and empirical findings concerning the innate, biological, and acquired factors that underlie human motivation; or

(vi) statistics, which may include studies in the theory, analysis, and interpretation of statistics, and the manual or computerized application of statistical measures; and

(D) at least 12 semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, in professional core courses. The professional core courses shall include at least three semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, in psychopathology, which may include studies that examine the theories, definitions, and dynamics of the diagnostic classifications, and differentiation among diagnostic classifications. This subcategory may also include studies in abnormal psychology or studies that examine the etiological factors, clinical course, and clinical and psychopharmacological approaches to the treatment of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders. The remaining nine semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, may consist of any of the following professional core courses:

(i) Personality theories, which may include studies that seek to explain or to compare and contrast the major theories of normal and abnormal personality development, functioning, adaptation, and assessment;

(ii) developmental psychology, which may include psychological or biologically based studies that provide a comprehensive overview of the biopsychosocial factors, determinants, and stages that pertain to and impact the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development and adaptation of humans from infancy through senescence;

(iii) research methods, which may include studies in the principles, techniques, and ethics of research and studies about the identification of research problems, selection of research designs, measurement strategies, sampling techniques, and methods of evaluating the results;

(iv) social psychology, which may include studies of the interactive and influencing effects of social, cultural, and ecological factors upon the emotions, beliefs, attitudes, expectations, roles, behaviors, and interactional dynamics of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and the larger society; or

(v) additional coursework in psychotherapy or psychological testing as specified in this subsection.

(2) In addition to or as a part of the 36 semester hours specified in paragraph (c)(1), each applicant for a clinical psychotherapist license shall have completed 15 graduate semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, supporting diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders using the “diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders” as specified in K.A.R. 102-4-15. Three of the 15 semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, shall consist of a discrete academic course with the primary and explicit focus of psychopathology and the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders as classified in the “diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.” The remaining 12 semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, shall consist of academic courses with the primary and explicit focus of diagnostic assessment, interdisciplinary referral and collaboration, treatment approaches, and professional ethics or other coursework that specifically contains identifiable, equivalent instruction. The 15 semester credit hours shall be subject to the restrictions in subsection (d).

(d) The following activities shall not be substituted for or counted toward any of the educational coursework requirements in subsection (c):

(1) Academic courses that the applicant completed as a part of or in conjunction with the undergraduate degree requirements;

(2) independent study courses, whether or not the coursework is taken for academic credit, unless the independent study course clearly occurred as a didactic course formally established and designed by the program to provide the student with specifically identified, organized, and integrated course content;

(3) thesis or independent research courses;

(4) academic courses that, by their experiential rather than didactic nature and content, are designed to precede, satisfy, or augment the practicum activities required for the graduate psychology degree;

(5) academic coursework that has been audited rather than graded;

(6) academic coursework for which the applicant received an incomplete or failing grade;

(7) graduate or postgraduate coursework or training provided by colleges, universities, institutes, or training programs that do not meet the requirements in subsections (f) and (g); and

(8) continuing education, in-service, or on-the-job training activities or experience.

(e) Coursework requirements for applicants who earn a psychology degree on or after July 1, 2003.

(1) As a part of or in addition to the coursework completed for the graduate degree requirements, each applicant shall have satisfactorily completed at least 60 discrete and unduplicated graduate semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, of formal, didactic academic coursework in psychology or a related field.

(2) Thirty-six of the 60 required graduate semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, shall be distributed across the coursework areas as specified in paragraph (c)(1). The coursework specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(A) and (c)(1)(B) shall be completed while the student is in residence.

(3) Of the remaining 24 required graduate semester credit hours, a maximum of six semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, may be attained through independent study courses or independent research courses, and a maximum of 10 semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, may be attained through thesis preparation.

(4) In addition to or as a part of the 60 semester hours specified in paragraph (e)(1), each applicant for a clinical psychotherapist license shall have completed 15 graduate semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, supporting diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders using the “diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders” as specified in K.A.R. 102-4-15. Three of the 15 semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, shall consist of a discrete academic course with the primary and explicit focus of psychopathology and the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders as classified in the “diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.” The remaining 12 semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, shall consist of academic courses with the primary and explicit focus of diagnostic assessment, interdisciplinary referral and collaboration, treatment approaches, and professional ethics or other coursework that specifically contains identifiable, equivalent instruction. The 15 semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, shall be subject to the restrictions in paragraph (e)(5).

(5) The following activities shall not be substituted for or counted toward any of the educational coursework requirements set out in this subsection:

(A) Academic courses that the applicant completed as a part of or in conjunction with the undergraduate degree requirements;

(B) academic coursework that has been audited rather than graded;

(D) graduate or postgraduate coursework or training provided by colleges, universities, institutes, or training programs that do not meet the requirements in subsections (f) and (g); and

(E) continuing education, in-service, or on-the-job training activities or experience.

(f) Program requirements. In order for the applicant to qualify for licensure, the educational program completed by the applicant shall meet all of the following conditions:

(1) The program has formally established program admission requirements that are based upon objective measures.

(2) The program requires and provides an established curriculum that encompasses at least two years of graduate study and that includes two consecutive semesters of enrollment, or the academic equivalent, attended and completed by the student at the same college or university granting the degree.

(3) The program has clear administrative authority and formal responsibility within the program for the core and specialty areas of training in psychology.

(4) The program has an established, organized, and comprehensive sequence of study that is planned by administrators who are responsible for providing an integrated educational experience in psychology.

(5) The program is chaired or directed by an identifiable person who holds a graduate degree that was earned from a regionally accredited college or university following that person’s actual completion of a formal academic training program in psychology.

(6) The program has an identifiable, full-time, professional faculty whose members hold earned graduate degrees in psychology.

(7) The program has an identifiable and formally enrolled body of students.

(8) The ratio of students to faculty members does not exceed 15 students to one faculty member.

(9) The program conducts an ongoing, objective review and evaluation of each student’s learning and progress, and the program reports this evaluation in the official student transcripts.

(g) College or university requirements. In order for the applicant to qualify for licensure, the college or university at which the applicant completed the degree requirements shall meet all of the following conditions.

(1) The college or university is institutionally accredited to award the graduate degree in psychology.

(2) The college or university is regionally accredited by an accrediting body substantially equivalent to those agencies that accredit the universities in Kansas.

(3) The college or university documents in its official publications, including course catalogs and announcements, the program description and standards and the admission requirements of the psychology education and training program.

(4) The college or university identifies and clearly describes in pertinent institutional catalogs the coursework, experiential, and other academic program requirements that must be satisfied before the conferral of the graduate degree in psychology.

(5) The college or university clearly identifies and specifies in pertinent institutional catalogs its intent to educate and train psychologists.

(6) The college or university has clearly established a psychology education and training program as a recognized, coherent organizational entity within the college or university that, when the applicant’s degree requirements were satisfied, met the program standards in subsection (f).

(7) The college or university has conferred the graduate degree in psychology on the applicant, or has advanced the applicant to doctoral candidacy status, following the applicant’s successful completion of an established and required formal program of studies. (Authorized by K.S.A. 74-5370, and 74-7507; implementing K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 74-5363; effective Dec. 19, 1997; amended Aug. 13, 2004; amended Oct. 27, 2006; amended June 21, 2024.)

Article 5.—LICENSING OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS

102-5-3. Education requirements. (a) Definitions. For purposes of this regulation, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

(1) "Core faculty member" means an individual who is part of the program’s teaching staff and who meets the following conditions:

(B) is an individual whose primary professional employment is at the institution in which the program is housed; and

(2) "In residence," when used to describe a student, means that the student is completing coursework during which the student and one or more core faculty members are in face-to-face contact either in person or by synchronous, real-time videoconferencing.

(3) "Primary professional employment" means a minimum of 20 hours per week of instruction, research, any other service to the institution in the course of employment, and the related administrative work.

(b) Each applicant for licensure shall have earned a master’s or doctoral degree that meets the standards in subsection (c), (e), or (f).

(c) To qualify for licensure with a master’s or doctoral degree from a marriage and family therapy program, both of the following requirements shall be met:

(1) The college or university at which the applicant completed a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy shall be regionally accredited, with accreditation standards equivalent to those in Kansas.

(2) The marriage and family therapy program through which the applicant completed a master’s or doctoral degree either shall be accredited by the commission on accreditation for marriage and family therapy education or shall meet the standards set out in subsection (d).

(d) Each marriage and family therapy program that is not accredited by the commission on accreditation for marriage and family therapy education shall meet all of these conditions:

(1) The program requires satisfactory completion by the applicant of a marriage and family therapy practicum, or its equivalent, that is provided by the program and that fulfills these conditions:

(A) Is a part-time clinical experience that integrates didactic learning with clinical experience and that is completed concurrently with didactic coursework at a typical rate of five to 10 hours of direct client contact per week;

(B) consists of at least 300 total hours of client contact; and

(C) includes at least 60 total hours of supervision that is provided by the program’s core faculty and off-site supervisors. The practicum shall provide a minimum of 30 supervised hours in an individual format and no more than 30 supervised hours in a group format. Supervision shall occur at least once a week.

(2) The program requires that each marriage and family therapy student successfully complete a minimum of nine graduate semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, in each of the following substantive content areas:

(A) Human development and family study courses in which the interplay between interpersonal and intrapersonal development is stressed and issues of gender, ethnicity, and ecosystems are addressed as they relate to human development. These courses may include studies in sexuality, sexual functioning, sexual identity, sexism, stereotyping, and racism;

(B) theoretical foundations of marital and family functioning courses, including an overview of the historical development of systems theory and cybernetics, a study of the life cycle of the family, and a study of family processes and the modification of family structures over time. These courses may include studies in the birth of the first child, adolescent sexual development, death of a family member, and issues of context, including gender and ethnicity; and

(C) marital and family assessment and therapy courses that underscore the interdependence between diagnosis or assessment and treatment by ensuring that students can use appropriate assessment instruments and methods within a systemic context. These courses shall provide a thorough understanding of the major theoretical models of systemic change, including structural, strategic, intergenerational, contextual, experiential, systemic, and behavioral theories. These courses also shall teach the principles and techniques evolving from each theory. In addition, the courses shall identify the indications and contraindications for use of each theory or technique, and shall address the rationale for intervention, the role of the therapist, and the importance of considering gender and ethnicity in selecting and using assessment and treatment methods.

(3) The program requires that each marriage and family therapy student successfully complete a minimum of three graduate semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, in each of the following substantive content areas:

(A) A professional study course that contributes to the development of a professional attitude and identity by examining the role of professional socialization, professional organizations, licensure and certification, the code of ethics, the legal responsibilities and liabilities of clinical practice and research, and interprofessional cooperation, as these topics relate to the profession and practice of marriage and family therapy. A generic course in ethics shall not be considered appropriate for this area of study; and

(B) a research course in which students gain an understanding of research methodology, data analysis, computer research skills, and evaluation and critical examination of professional research reports. The emphasis of the course shall be placed on the quantitative and qualitative research that is relevant to marriage and family therapy.

(4) The program requires that at least 50% of the coursework for the degree be completed "in residence" at one institution, and the required practicum shall be completed at the same institution.

(e) To qualify for licensure with a master’s or doctoral degree in a related field, both of the following requirements shall be met:

(1) The college or university at which the applicant completed a master’s or doctoral degree in a related field shall be regionally accredited, with accreditation standards equivalent to those in Kansas.

(2) To be considered equivalent to a marriage and family therapy program, the related-field degree program shall have provided and the applicant shall have completed the requirements of subsection (d).

(f) To qualify for licensure with a master’s or doctoral degree in a related field with additional coursework in marriage and family therapy, both of the following requirements shall be met:

(2) The marriage and family therapy program through which the applicant obtained additional coursework in marriage and family therapy either shall be accredited by the commission on accreditation for marriage and family therapy education or shall meet the standards approved by the board as set out in subsection (d).

(g) Each applicant for licensure as a clinical marriage and family therapist whose master’s or doctoral degree is earned on or after July 1, 2003 shall meet the following education requirements:

(1) A graduate degree as required by the board for licensure as a licensed marriage and family therapist in accordance with subsection (c), (e), or (f); and

(2) in addition to or as a part of the academic requirements for the graduate degree, completion of 15 graduate semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, supporting diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders using the "diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders" as specified in K.A.R. 102-5-14. Three of the 15 semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, shall consist of a discrete academic course with the primary and explicit focus of psychopathology and the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders as classified in the "diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders." The remaining 12 graduate semester credit hours, or their academic equivalent, shall consist of academic courses with the primary and explicit focus of diagnostic assessment, interdisciplinary referral and collaboration, treatment approaches, and professional ethics or other coursework that specifically contains identifiable, equivalent instruction. The 15 graduate semester credit hours shall be from an educational institution and graduate degree program meeting the requirements described in subsection (c), (e), or (f).

(h) The following activities shall not be substituted for or counted toward any of the education or supervised experience requirements set out in subsections (b) through (g):

(1) Academic courses that the applicant completed as a part of or in conjunction with undergraduate degree requirements;

(2) independent studies;

(3) thesis or independent research courses;

(4) academic coursework that has been audited rather than graded;

(5) academic coursework for which the applicant received an incomplete or a failing grade;

(6) graduate or postgraduate coursework or experiential training provided by colleges, universities, institutes, or training programs that do not qualify under subsection (c), (e), or (f); and

(7) continuing education, an in-service activity, or on-the-job training. (Authorized by K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-6404 and K.S.A. 74-7507; implementing K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-6404; effective March 29, 1993; amended Dec. 19, 1997; amended July 7, 2003; amended Oct. 27, 2006; amended April 15, 2011; amended June 21, 2024.)

102-5-7b. Requirements for board-approved clinical supervisor; application. (a) Each licensee providing postgraduate clinical supervision shall be a board-approved clinical supervisor. This requirement shall apply to each individual commencing a new supervisory relationship on or after July 1, 2017.

(b) In addition to meeting the requirements in K.S.A. 65-6414 and amendments thereto and K.A.R. 102-5-7a, the licensee shall successfully complete clinical supervision training, which shall be approved by the board and be specific to providing supervision or becoming a supervisor. This training shall include either 15 hours of continuing education in supervision or one semester credit hour of a graduate-level course on supervision or the academic equivalent at an accredited college or university approved by the board, each of which shall cover the following material:

(1) Hands-on supervision, during which time the licensee was supervised by a board-approved clinical supervisor for at least eight hours;

(2) best practices of supervision;

(3) classic and postmodern systemic supervision models;

(4) ethical and legal issues, including risk management;

(5) culture and context in supervision;

(6) structuring supervision;

(7) the importance of a positive working relationship between the supervisor and supervisee; and

(8) Kansas marriage and family therapist statutes and regulations.

(c) Each licensee applying for approval as a clinical supervisor shall obtain the appropriate application forms from the board and submit the completed application materials to the board.

(d) To maintain approval as a clinical supervisor, each approved clinical supervisor shall successfully complete the required continuing education specified in K.S.A. 65-6414, and amendments thereto. (Authorized by K.S.A. 74-7507; implementing K.S.A. 65-6414; effective, T-102-5-24-17, May 24, 2017; effective Oct. 6, 2017; amended June 21, 2024.)

102-5-10. Continuing education for licensees. (a) Each licensee shall complete 40 hours of documented and approved continuing education during each two-year renewal period. Continuing education hours accumulated in excess of the required number of hours shall not be carried over to the next renewal period.

(b) During each two-year renewal period as a part of the required continuing education hours, each licensee shall complete a program on professional ethics that consists of at least three hours of formal training. This program shall meet the definition of continuing education in K.A.R. 102-5-1, and the program shall focus on ethical issues of the marriage and family therapy profession. These hours shall be obtained from any of the activities specified in paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3), (e)(4), (e)(10), and (e)(11).

(c) During each two-year renewal period as a part of the required continuing education hours, each licensee shall complete a program on diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders that consists of at least six hours of formal training. This program shall meet the definition of continuing education in K.A.R. 102-5-1. These hours shall be obtained from any of the activities specified in paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3), (e)(4), (e)(10), and (e)(11).

(d) Any licensee may receive continuing education credit for attending approved programs. Continuing education credit shall be granted on the basis of the actual contact time that the licensee spends attending each instructional activity. One-quarter continuing education hour may be granted for attending at least 15 but fewer than 25 minutes. Continuing education credit shall not be granted for fractional units of fewer than 15 minutes.

(e) Acceptable continuing education, whether taken within the state or outside the state, shall include the following:

(1) An academic marriage and family therapy course, or an academic course oriented to the enhancement of a marriage and family therapist’s practice, values, ethics, skills, or knowledge, that is taken for academic credit. Each licensee shall be granted 15 continuing education hours for each academic credit hour that the licensee successfully completes. The maximum number of allowable continuing education hours shall be 40;

(2) an academic marriage and family therapy course, or an academic course oriented to the enhancement of a marriage and family therapist’s practice, values, ethics, skills, or knowledge, that is audited. The licensee may receive continuing education credit on the basis of the actual contact time that the licensee spends attending the course, up to a maximum of 15 hours per academic credit hour. The maximum number of allowable continuing education hours shall be 40;

(3) a seminar, institute, workshop, course, or minicourse. The maximum number of allowable continuing education hours shall be 40;

(4) if a posttest is provided, an activity consisting of completing of a computerized interactive learning module, viewing a telecast or videotape, listening to an audiotape, or reading. The maximum number of allowable continuing education hours shall be 40;

(5) if a posttest is not provided, an activity consisting of completing a computerized interactive learning module, viewing a telecast or videotape, listening to an audiotape, or reading. The maximum number of allowable continuing education hours shall be 10;

(6) a cross-disciplinary offering in medicine, law, the behavioral sciences, a foreign or sign language, computer science, professional or technical writing, business administration, management sciences, or any other discipline, if the offering is clearly related to the enhancement of a marriage and family therapist’s practice, values, ethics, skills, or knowledge. The maximum number of allowable continuing education hours shall be 10;

(7) a self-directed learning project that is preapproved by the board. The maximum number of allowable continuing education hours shall be 10;

(8) providing supervision to undergraduate or graduate practicum or intern students, applicants for licensure as clinical marriage and family therapists, or other clinical mental health practitioners. The maximum number of allowable continuing education hours shall be 15;

(9) receiving supervision from a board-approved clinical supervisor while the licensee is providing supervision to become a board-approved clinical supervisor. The maximum number of allowable continuing education hours shall be eight;

(10) preparing for and presenting for the first time a marriage and family therapy course, seminar, institute, workshop, or mini-course. The maximum number of allowable continuing education hours shall be 10 for documented preparation and presentation time;

(11) the first-time publication of a marriage and family therapy article in a juried professional journal. The maximum number of allowable continuing education hours shall be 10; and

(12) participation in professional organizations or appointment to professional credentialing boards, if the goals of the organizations or boards are clearly related to the enhancement of marriage and family therapy practice, values, ethics, skills, and knowledge. Participation may include holding office or serving on committees of the organization or board. The maximum number of allowable continuing education hours shall be 10.

(f) Approval shall not be granted for identical programs if the programs are completed within the same renewal period.

(g) Approval shall not be granted for any of the following activities:

(1) First aid, CPR, infection control, or occupational health and safety courses;

(2) in-service training, if the training is for job orientation or job training, or is specific to the employing agency; or

(3) any activity for which the licensee cannot demonstrate to the board’s satisfaction that the program’s goals and objectives are to enhance the licensee’s practice, ethics, values, skills, or knowledge in marriage and family therapy.

(h) Each licensee shall maintain individual continuing education records. Continuing education records shall document the licensee’s continuing education activity attendance, participation, or completion as specified in K.A.R. 102-5-11. Any licensee may be required to submit these records to the board at least 30 days before the date the individual’s license expires. (Authorized by and implementing K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-6407 and K.S.A. 74-7507; effective March 29, 1993; amended Dec. 19, 1997; amended July 11, 2003; amended June 21, 2024.)

Article 7.—LICENSING OF ADDICTION COUNSELORS

102-7-3. Educational requirements. (a) Each of the following terms, as used in this regulation, shall have the meaning specified in this subsection:

(1) "Core faculty member" means an individual who is part of the teaching staff of a program covered by this regulation and who meets the following conditions:

(A) Has education, training, and experience consistent with the individual’s role within the program and consistent with the published description of the goals, philosophy, and educational purpose of the program;

(B) has primary professional employment at the institution in which the program is housed; and

(C) is identified with the program and is centrally involved in program development, decision making, and student training as demonstrated by consistent inclusion of the individual’s name in public and departmental documents.

(2) "In residence," when used to describe a student, means that the student is completing coursework, during which the student and one or more core faculty members, adjunct faculty members, or agency internship supervisors are in face-to-face contact either in person or by synchronous, real-time videoconferencing.

(3) "Related field" means a degree program in a helping profession and may include any of the following:

(A) Counseling;

(B) human development and family studies;

(D) psychology;

(E) social work; or

(F) other degrees as approved by the board.

(4) "Primary professional employment" means at least 20 hours each week of instruction, research, or any other service to the institution in the course of employment, and related administrative work.

(5) "Skill-based coursework" means those courses that allow students to work on basic helping skills including open-ended questions, clarification, interpretation, response to feelings, and summarization.

(b) To qualify for licensure as an addiction counselor, the applicant shall hold at least a baccalaureate degree from a program that was accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission or hold one of the following:

(1) At least a baccalaureate degree in addiction counseling. When the degree was granted, the program met the standards approved by the board;

(2) at least a baccalaureate degree in addiction counseling or a related field, if the applicant began the program on or before May 1, 2011 and the baccalaureate degree was conferred on or before June 1, 2012, from a program that was approved by the Kansas department of social and rehabilitation services, division of addiction and prevention services; or

(3) at least a baccalaureate degree in another course of study. As part of, or in addition to, the baccalaureate degree coursework, the applicant shall also complete at least 30 semester hours, or the academic equivalent, in coursework on substance use disorders that meets the coursework requirements in subsection (c).

(c) Each applicant for licensure as an addiction counselor shall hold at least a baccalaureate degree from a program that was accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission or satisfactorily completed formal academic coursework that contributes to the development of a broad conceptual framework for addiction counseling theory and practice. This formal academic coursework shall be distributed across the substantive content areas specified in this subsection. For applicants who graduate on or after July 1, 2013, half of all skill-based coursework shall be completed while the student is in residence, as defined in this regulation. Except for the required courses in a practicum or its equivalent, there shall be at least three discrete and unduplicated semester hours, or the academic equivalent, in each of the following content areas:

(1) Introduction to addiction, which shall include the study of the nature of addiction and other substance use-related problems; models, theories, philosophies, principles, implications for medical and mental health conditions that coexist with addiction, and evidence-based strategies of addiction prevention, treatment, relapse prevention, continuing care, and recovery; and the impact of addiction on the individual, family, and society;

(2) methods of individual counseling, which shall include the study of culturally informed, ethical, evidence-based models and approaches to individual counseling; methods for establishing effective therapeutic relationships, developing realistic and achievable treatment goals, and assessing client biopsychosocial or the biological, psychological, and social needs, functioning, motivation, and progress; and strategies for crisis prevention and intervention;

(3) methods of group counseling, which shall include the study of culturally informed, ethical, evidence-based models and approaches to group counseling; group facilitation and counseling skills; and methods for establishing group goals and treatment outcomes;

(4) addiction pharmacology, which shall include the study of the nature of psychoactive chemicals; the behavioral, psychological, physiological, and social effects of psychoactive substance use; symptoms of intoxication, withdrawal, and toxicity; toxicity screen options, limitations, and legal implications; and the use of pharmacotherapy for treatment of addiction;

(5) co-occurring disorders, which shall include the study of the symptoms of mental health and other disorders prevalent in individuals with substance use disorders, screening and assessment tools used to detect and evaluate the presence and severity of co-occurring disorders, and evidence-based strategies for managing risks associated with treating individuals who have co-occurring disorders;

(6) addiction services coordination, which shall include the study of administrative, clinical, evaluative, and referral activities used to connect clients with treatment services and other community resources; navigation and coordination across multiple systems; and case management and advocacy skills used to assist clients in achieving their treatment and recovery goals;

(7) legal and ethical issues, which shall include the study of established codes of ethical conduct, standards of professional behavior and scope of practice; client rights, responsibilities, and informed consent; and confidentiality and other legal considerations in counseling;

(8) family and community studies, which shall include the study of family, social, and community systems; and the development of culturally informed skills utilized in the treatment and recovery process;

(9) at least six semester credit hours or the academic equivalent of practicum or its equivalent, which shall include the following:

(A) An experience that integrates didactic learning that is related to substance use disorders with face-to-face, direct counseling experience that includes intake and assessment, counseling, treatment planning, discharge planning, documentation, and case management activities;

(B) at least 400 clock-hours of practice; and

(C) at least one hour of supervision for every 10 hours of practice. Supervision shall be provided by the educational program’s faculty and agency staff, at least one of whom shall be licensed in the behavioral sciences; and

(10) for applicants who graduate on and after July 1, 2012, at least three discrete and unduplicated semester hours, or the academic equivalent, in the study of research, which shall include the study of basic research design and methodology; critical evaluation and interpretation of professional research reports; introduction to data collection, performance measurement, and outcome evaluation; and the application of research results in a treatment setting.

(d) To qualify for licensure as an addiction counselor while holding a baccalaureate social work license in Kansas, the applicant shall complete the coursework specified in paragraphs (c)(1), (4), and (9).

(e) To qualify for licensure as a master’s addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor, the applicant shall hold at least a master’s degree from a program that was accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission or the applicant shall hold one of the following:

(1) At least a master’s degree in addiction counseling. When the degree was granted, the program met the standards approved by the board; or

(2) at least a master’s degree in another course of study. When the degree was granted, the program met the standards approved by the board. As part of, or in addition to, the master’s degree coursework, the applicant shall also complete at least 30 graduate semester credit hours, or the academic equivalent, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders and shall meet the coursework requirements in subsection (f).

(f) Each applicant for licensure as a master’s addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor shall hold at least a master’s degree from a program that was accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission or shall have satisfactorily completed formal academic coursework that contributes to the development of a broad conceptual framework for addiction counseling theory and practice. This formal academic coursework shall be distributed across the substantive content areas specified in this subsection. For applicants who graduate on or after July 1, 2013, half of all skill-based coursework shall be completed while the student is in residence, as defined in this regulation. There shall be at least three discrete and unduplicated graduate semester hours, or the academic equivalent, in each of the following content areas:

(1) Addiction and recovery services, which shall include the study and critical analysis of philosophies and theories of addiction and scientifically supported models of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery for addiction and other substance-related problems;

(2) advanced methods of individual and group counseling, which shall include the study of practical skills related to evidence-based, culturally informed individual and group counseling techniques and strategies designed to facilitate therapeutic relationships and the educational and psychosocial development of clients as specifically related to their addiction;

(3) advanced pharmacology and substance use disorders, which shall include the study of the pharmacological properties and effects of psychoactive substances; physiological, behavioral, psychological, and social effects of psychoactive substances; drug interactions; medication-assisted addiction treatment; and pharmacological issues related to co-occurring disorders treated with prescription psychotropic medications;

(4) integrative treatment of co-occurring disorders, which shall include the study of the relationship between addiction and co-occurring mental or physical disorders or other conditions and evidence-based models for the screening, assessment, and collaborative treatment of co-occurring disorders;

(5) assessment and diagnosis, which shall include the study of a comprehensive clinical assessment process that addresses age, gender, disability, and cultural issues; the signs, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria used to establish substance use-disorder diagnoses; and the relationship between diagnosis, treatment, and recovery;

(6) professional ethics and practice, which shall include the study of professional codes of ethics and ethical decision making; client privacy rights and confidentiality; legal responsibilities and liabilities of clinical supervision; and professional identity and development issues;

(7) applied research, which shall include the study of the purposes and techniques of behavioral sciences research, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, research methodology, data collection and analysis, electronic research skills, outcome evaluation, critical evaluation and interpretation of professional research reports, and practical applications of research;

(8) practicum or its equivalent, which shall meet the following requirements:

(A) Be a clinical experience that integrates didactic learning supporting the diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders;

(B) include at least 300 hours of client contact; and

(C) provide at least one hour of supervision for every 10 hours of client contact. Supervision shall be provided by the program’s faculty and agency supervisors, at least one of whom shall be licensed at or above the level of licensure being pursued; and

(9) six additional graduate semester hours of academic coursework that contributes to the development of advanced knowledge or skills in addiction counseling, supervision, or research.

(g) In order to be approved by the board, each program in another course of study that did not include addiction counseling coursework shall be regionally accredited, with accreditation standards equivalent to those met by Kansas colleges and universities.

(h) In order to be approved by the board, each addiction counseling program or the program through which the applicant completed the required coursework in addiction counseling shall meet the following conditions:

(1) Have established program admission requirements that are based, in part or in full, on objective measures or standardized achievement tests and measures unless required for the degree in another course of study;

(2) offer education and training in addiction counseling, one goal of which is to prepare students for the practice of addiction counseling;

(3) require an established curriculum that encompasses at least one academic year of study for a baccalaureate degree or two academic years of study for a master’s degree;

(4) have clear administrative authority and primary responsibility within the program for the core and specialty areas of training in addiction counseling;

(5) have an established, organized, and comprehensive sequence of study that is planned by administrators who are responsible for providing an integrated educational experience in addiction counseling;

(6) for a master’s degree program, be coordinated or directed by an identifiable person who holds a graduate degree that was earned from a regionally accredited college or university upon that person’s actual completion of a formal academic training program;

(7) have an identifiable, full-time core faculty member who holds an earned graduate degree in addiction counseling or a related field;

(8) have an established, identifiable body of students who are formally enrolled in the program with the goal of obtaining coursework for the concentration in the study of addiction counseling;

(9) require the student’s major advisor to be a member of the program faculty;

(10) require each student to complete the institution’s requirements for the number of credit hours that must be completed at that institution and to satisfactorily complete an addiction counseling practicum or its equivalent that is provided by the program from which the student completes the concentration in the study of addiction counseling or a related field. The required practicum shall meet the following requirements:

(A) Accept as practicum students only applicants enrolled in the addiction counseling or related-field program;

(B) provide the majority of supervision by an individual who is licensed by the board at or above the level of licensure being pursued;

(C) exist as a distinct and organized program that is clearly recognizable within an institution or agency, as well as in pertinent public, official documents issued by the institution or agency, and that is clearly recognizable as a training program for addiction counselors;

(D) identify students as being in training and not as staff members; and

(E) be an integrated and formally organized training experience, not an after-the-fact tabulation of experience; and

(11) conduct an ongoing, objective review and evaluation of each student’s learning and progress and report this evaluation in the official student transcripts.

(i) In order to be approved by the board, each college or university through which the applicant completed the required coursework in addiction counseling shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Be regionally accredited, with accreditation standards equivalent to those met by Kansas colleges and universities;

(2) document in official publications, including course catalogs and announcements, the program description and standards and the admission requirements for the addiction counseling or related-field program or the program through which the applicant completed the required coursework in addiction counseling;

(3) (A) Identify and clearly describe in pertinent institutional catalogs the coursework, experiential, and other academic program requirements that must be satisfied before conferral of the degree; or

(B) identify and clearly describe in pertinent institutional catalogs the coursework, experiential, and other academic program requirements that must be satisfied before completion of the addiction counseling coursework as specified in subsection (c) or (f);

(4) clearly identify and specify in pertinent institutional catalogs the intent to educate and train addiction counselors or related-field professionals;

(5) have clearly established the addiction counselor or related-field education program as a coherent entity within the college or university that, when the applicant’s degree was conferred or addiction counseling coursework was completed, met the program standards in subsection (h);

(6) have conferred the degree upon the applicant’s successful completion of an established and required formal program of studies; and

(7) have a library and equipment and resources available that are adequate for the size of the student body and the scope of the program offered.

(j) The following types of study shall not be substituted for or counted toward the coursework requirements of this regulation:

(1) Academic coursework that has been audited rather than graded;

(2) academic coursework for which the applicant received an incomplete or failing grade;

(3) coursework that the board determines is not closely related to the field or practice of addiction counseling;

(4) coursework or training provided by any college, university, institute, or training program that does not meet the requirements of subsections (h) and (i); and

(5) any continuing education, in-service activity, or on-the-job training. (Authorized by K.S.A. 74-7507; implementing K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-6610; effective, T-102-7-1-11, July 1, 2011; effective, T-102-10-27-11, Oct. 27, 2011; effective Jan. 20, 2012; amended, T-102-7-16-13, July 16, 2013; amended Dec. 2, 2013; amended June 21, 2024.)

102-7-4. Application for licensure. (a) Each applicant for licensure as an addiction counselor, a master’s addiction counselor, or a clinical addiction counselor shall request the appropriate licensure application forms from the executive director of the board.

(b) Each applicant for licensure as an addiction counselor shall submit the completed application materials to the board and perform the following:

(1) Submit the full payment of the licensure application fee as specified in K.A.R. 102-7-2;

(2) submit, on board-approved forms, two professional references. Each individual submitting a reference shall meet the following conditions:

(A) Not be related to the applicant;

(B) be authorized by law to practice addiction counseling or to practice in the behavioral sciences, at the bachelor’s level or above; and

(C) be able to address the applicant’s professional conduct, competence, and specify whether the applicant merits the public trust;

(3) if not previously provided to the board, submit, on a board-approved form, a third professional reference from an individual who shall meet the following conditions:

(A) Not be related to the applicant; and

(B) (i) Have served as the applicant’s on-site practicum supervisor and be authorized by law to practice addiction counseling; or

(ii) if the supervisor specified in paragraph (b)(3)(B)(i) is unavailable, be the program director or any person who has knowledge of the applicant’s practicum experience on the basis of the applicant’s practicum records; and

(4) meet one of the following requirements:

(A) Currently hold a license issued by the board at the master’s level or above;

(B) demonstrate that the applicant is licensed by the board as a baccalaureate social worker and has completed the coursework requirements specified in K.A.R. 102-7-3(c)(1), (4), and (9); or

(ii) arrange for the applicant’s transcripts covering all applicable college or university coursework to be sent directly from each academic institution to the board office. Each applicant who graduated from a college or university outside the United States also shall arrange for the applicant’s transcript to be translated and evaluated for degree equivalency by a source and in a manner that are acceptable to the board.

(c) Each applicant for licensure as a master’s addiction counselor shall submit the completed application materials to the board and perform the following:

(1) Submit the full payment of the licensure application fee as specified in K.A.R. 102-7-2;

(2) submit, on board-approved forms, two professional references. Each individual submitting a reference shall meet the following conditions:

(A) Not be related to the applicant;

(B) be authorized by law to practice addiction counseling or to practice in the behavioral sciences, at the master’s level or above; and

(C) be able to address the applicant’s professional conduct, competence, and specify whether the applicant merits the public trust;

(3) if not previously provided to the board, submit, on a board-approved form, a third professional reference from an individual who shall meet the following conditions:

(A) Not be related to the applicant; and

(B)(i) Have served as the applicant’s on-site graduate practicum supervisor and be authorized by law to practice addiction counseling; or

(ii) if the supervisor specified in paragraph (c)(3)(B)(i) is unavailable, be the program director or any person who has knowledge of the applicant’s graduate practicum experience on the basis of the applicant’s practicum records; and

(4) meet either of the following requirements:

(A) Currently hold a license issued by the board at the master’s level; or

(B)(i) Demonstrate completion of the educational requirements specified in K.A.R. 102-7-3; and

(ii) arrange for the applicant’s graduate transcripts covering all applicable college or university coursework to be sent directly from each academic institution to the board office. Each applicant who graduated from a college or university outside the United States also shall arrange for the applicant’s transcript to be translated and evaluated for degree equivalency by a source and in a manner that are acceptable to the board.

(d) Each applicant for licensure as a clinical addiction counselor shall submit the completed application materials to the board and perform the following:

(1) Submit the full payment of the licensure application fee as specified in K.A.R. 102-7-2;

(2) demonstrate that the applicant is licensed by the board as a master’s addiction counselor or meets all requirements for licensure as a licensed master’s addiction counselor;

(3) submit, on board-approved forms, two professional references. Each individual submitting a reference shall meet the following conditions:

(A) Not be related to the applicant;

(B) be authorized by law to practice clinical addiction counseling or practice in the behavioral sciences, at the clinical level; and

(C) be able to address the applicant’s professional conduct and competence and specify whether the applicant merits the public trust;

(4) if not previously provided to the board, submit, on a board-approved form, a third professional reference from an individual who shall meet the following conditions:

(A) Not be related to the applicant; and

(B) (i) have served as the applicant’s on-site graduate practicum supervisor, and be authorized by law to practice addiction counseling at the master’s level or above; or

(ii) if the supervisor specified in paragraph (d)(4)(B)(i) is unavailable, be the program director or any person who has knowledge of the applicant’s graduate practicum experience on the basis of the applicant’s practicum records; and

(5) meet one of the following requirements:

(A) Demonstrate that the applicant is licensed by the board as a master’s addiction counselor and has completed a master’s degree from a college or university approved by the board; or

(B)(i) Demonstrate satisfactory completion of the graduate education requirements specified in K.A.R. 102-7-3; and

(ii) if not previously provided to the board, arrange for the applicant’s graduate-level transcripts covering all applicable college or university coursework to be sent directly from each academic institution to the board office. Each applicant who graduated from a college or university outside the United States also shall arrange for the applicant’s transcript to be translated and evaluated for degree equivalency by a source and in a manner that are acceptable to the board; and

(6) submit each supervisor’s attestation that the applicant has satisfactorily completed the postgraduate supervised professional experience requirements in accordance with a clinical supervision training plan approved by the board as specified in K.A.R. 102-7-6.

(e) Each applicant for licensure as a clinical addiction counselor who currently holds a license as a psychologist or a board-issued clinical license shall submit the completed application materials to the board and perform the following:

(1) Submit the full payment of the licensure application fee as specified in K.A.R. 102-7-2; and

(2) submit, on a board-approved form, an attestation that meets the requirements in K.S.A. 65-6610(c)(2)(D), and amendments thereto.

(f) The following provisions shall apply to each applicant for licensure as an addiction counselor, a master’s addiction counselor, or a clinical addiction counselor:

(1) Upon the board’s determination that the applicant has met the applicable educational requirements, each applicant shall pass an appropriate, nationally administered, standardized written examination approved by the board in accordance with K.A.R. 102-7-5.

(2) An applicant shall not be given a judgment on the applicant’s eligibility for licensure until the board receives all application materials and the applicant completes all application procedures.

(3) Upon notification from the board that all eligibility requirements have been satisfied, the applicant shall submit the fee for the original two-year licensure period as specified in K.A.R. 102-7-2.

(A) If either of the following conditions applies to the applicant, the applicant’s application shall expire one year from the date on which it was submitted to the board or on the date the applicant’s temporary license expires, whichever date is later, except as provided by paragraph (f)(3)(B):

(i) The applicant has not met the qualifications for licensure.

(ii) The applicant has not submitted a complete application.

(B) Any applicant whose application will expire under paragraph (f)(3)(A) may request that the application be kept open for an additional period of time, not to exceed six months, on the basis of extenuating circumstances. The applicant shall submit a written request to the board with a detailed explanation of the extenuating circumstances that are the basis of the applicant’s request. The written request shall be submitted no later than 30 days before the application expires. If the request is approved by the board, the application shall remain open for the period of time stipulated by the board in its approval, which shall not exceed six months.

(C) Upon expiration of the application, the applicant may submit a new application, the required fee, and all supporting documents if the applicant wants to reapply.

(g)(1) Any applicant for licensure as an addiction counselor or a master’s addiction counselor who is determined by the board to meet the requirements of K.S.A. 65-6610 (a)(1), (2), (4), and (5) or (b)(1)(A), (B), (D), and (E), and amendments thereto, may be granted a temporary license if the applicant submits a written request for a temporary license on a form approved by the board and the temporary license fee as specified in K.A.R. 102-7-2. Except as provided in paragraph (g)(2), the temporary license shall remain in effect for 24 months.

(2) Any applicant whose 24-month temporary license is due to expire may request that the temporary license remain in effect for a period of time not to exceed six months on the basis of extenuating circumstances. The applicant shall submit a written request to the board with a detailed explanation of the extenuating circumstances that are the basis of the applicant’s request. The written request shall be submitted no later than 30 days before the application expires. If the request is approved by the board, the temporary license shall remain in effect for the period of time stipulated by the board in its approval, which shall not exceed six months.

(h) For purposes of this regulation, the term "extenuating circumstances" shall mean any condition caused by events beyond a person’s control that is sufficiently extreme in nature to result in either of the following:

(1) The person’s inability to comply with the requirements of this regulation within the time frames established by this regulation or K.S.A. 65-6611, and amendments thereto; or

(2) the inadvisability of requiring the applicant to comply with the requirements of this regulation within the time frames established by this regulation and K.S.A. 65-6611, and amendments thereto. (Authorized by K.S.A. 74-7507; implementing K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-6610, K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-6611 and K.S.A. 74-7507; effective, T-102-7-1-11, July 1, 2011; effective, T-102-10-27-11, Oct. 27, 2011; effective Jan. 20, 2012; amended June 21, 2024.)

102-7-5. Examination for addiction counselor, master’s addiction counselor, or clinical addiction counselor. (a)(1) Each applicant for licensure as an addiction counselor who does not meet the requirements of K.A.R. 102-7-4b shall be required to pass a nationally administered, standardized written examination approved by the board.

(2) An applicant shall not be authorized to register for an examination until the applicant is within at least four months of anticipated completion of the applicable academic degree requirements and has satisfied the board that the applicant merits the public trust. Each applicant who has not completed the applicable academic degree requirements on the date that the application is submitted shall arrange for the required transcripts to be sent to the board when the academic degree is awarded to the applicant.

(3) The applicant’s required written examination may be waived by the board if the applicant obtained a passing score as determined by the examination company on a nationally administered, standardized written examination deemed by the board to be substantially equivalent to the examination used in Kansas.

(b)(1) Each applicant for licensure as a master’s addiction counselor who does not meet the requirements of K.A.R. 102-7-4b shall be required to pass a nationally administered, standardized written examination approved by the board.

(c)(1) Each applicant for licensure as a clinical addiction counselor who does not meet the requirements of K.A.R 102-7-4b shall be required to pass a nationally administered, standardized written clinical examination approved by the board.

(2) An applicant shall not be authorized to register for the clinical examination or to qualify for a waiver of the examination until the applicant has fulfilled all educational requirements and has satisfied the board that the applicant merits the public trust.

(3) The applicant’s required written clinical examination may be waived by the board if the applicant obtained a passing score as determined by the examination company on a standardized written examination deemed by the board to be substantially equivalent to the examination used in Kansas. (Authorized by K.S.A. 74-7507; implementing K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-6610; effective, T-102-7-1-11, July 1, 2011; effective, T-102-10-27-11, Oct. 27, 2011; effective Jan. 20, 2012; amended June 21, 2024.)

102-7-7. Renewal; late renewal. (a) To be considered for license renewal, each licensed addiction counselor, each licensed master’s addiction counselor, and each licensed clinical addiction counselor shall submit the following items to the board:

(1) A completed renewal application;

(2) the continuing education reporting form; and

(3) the renewal fee specified in K.A.R. 102-7-2.

(b) If the items specified in subsection (a) are not submitted before the date the license expires, the licensee may late renew the license by performing the following:

(1) Submitting a completed late renewal application form;

(2) paying the required renewal fee and the late renewal penalty fee specified in K.A.R. 102-7-2; and

(3) submitting the continuing education reporting form and documentation pursuant to K.A.R. 102-7-10.

(c) Each individual who holds an addiction counseling license, a master’s addiction counseling license, or a clinical addiction counseling license but who fails to renew the license before its expiration and subsequently applies to renew the license shall indicate the following on the late renewal application form:

(1) Specification of whether or not the individual has continued to practice addiction counseling in Kansas or has continued to represent that individual as being a licensed addiction counselor, a licensed master’s addiction counselor, or a licensed clinical addiction counselor in Kansas after the individual’s license expired; and

(2) if either condition in paragraph (c)(1) has been met, an explanation of the circumstances. (Authorized by K.S.A. 74-7507; implementing K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-6614 and K.S.A.74-7507; effective, T-102-7-1-11, July 1, 2011; effective, T-102-10-27-11, Oct. 27, 2011; effective Jan. 20, 2012; amended June 21, 2024.)

102-7-8. Renewal audit. (a) A random audit of the continuing education documentation for 10 percent of the addiction counselor licenses, the master’s addiction counselor licenses, and the clinical addiction counselor licenses expiring each month shall be conducted by the board.

(b) Each licensee selected for the random audit shall be notified after the board has received the licensee’s renewal application form required by K.A.R. 102-7-7.

(c) Upon board notification, each renewal applicant shall submit the following to the board within 30 days after the license expiration date:

(1) The completed renewal audit forms; and

(2) the original continuing education documents that validate all continuing education hours claimed for credit during the current renewal period.

(d) Continuing education hours that a renewal applicant earns after board receipt of the renewal application form shall not be approved for continuing education credit for the period being audited. (Authorized by K.S.A. 74-7507; implementing K.S.A. 2023 Supp. 65-6614 and K.S.A. 74-7507; effective, T-102-7-1-11, July 1, 2011; effective, T-102-10-27-11, Oct. 27, 2011; effective Jan. 20, 2012; amended June 21, 2024.)

David B. Fye
Executive Director
Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board

Doc. No. 052200

Scott Schwab
Kansas Secretary of State

Kansas Register