Senate Bill 2063

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-54-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT APPLICANTS FOR A MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST LICENSE MAY MEET EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS IN COURSEWORK ACCREDITED BY CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 73-54-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-54-17. Any person who applies for a license after September 1, 2000, shall be issued a license by the board if he or she meets the qualifications set forth in Section 73-54-13, and submits the required application fees, and provides satisfactory evidence to the board that he or she:

(a) Meets educational and experience qualifications as follows:

(i) Holds a master's degree or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from an institution of higher education in a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or an equivalent accrediting organization, or that was in COAMFTE candidacy status at the time of graduation and subsequently received COAMFTE accreditation;

(ii) Following the receipt of the first qualifying degree, has at least two (2) years of supervised experience in marriage and family therapy, or its equivalent, acceptable to the board, provided it meets, at a minimum, the requirements for clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy;

(iii) Has completed at least one hundred (100) hours of supervision of marriage and family therapy, as defined by the board; and

(b) Passes an examination administered by the board.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.