337.010. As used in sections 337.010 to 337.090 the following terms mean:
(1) "Committee", the state committee of psychologists;
(2) "Department", the department of economic development;
(3) "Division", the division of professional registration within the department of economic development;
(4) "Licensed psychologist", any person who offers to render psychological services to individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, schools, government agencies or the general public for a fee, monetary or otherwise, implying that such person is trained, experienced and licensed to practice psychology and who holds a current and valid, whether temporary, provisional or permanent, license in this state to practice psychology;
(5) "Provisional licensed psychologist", any person who is a graduate of a recognized educational institution with a doctoral degree in psychology as defined in section 337.025, and who otherwise meets all requirements to become a licensed psychologist except for passage of the licensing exams, oral examination and completion of the required period of postdegree supervised experience as specified in subsection 2 of section 337.025;
(6) "Recognized educational institution":
(a) A school, college, university or other institution of higher learning in the United States, which, at the time the applicant was enrolled and graduated, had a graduate program in psychology and was accredited by one of the regional accrediting associations approved by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation; or
(b) A school, college, university or other institution of higher learning outside the United States, which, at the time the applicant was enrolled and graduated, had a graduate program in psychology and maintained a standard of training substantially equivalent to the standards of training of those programs accredited by one of the regional accrediting associations approved by the Council of Postsecondary Accreditation;
(7) "Temporary license", a license which is issued to a person licensed as a psychologist in another jurisdiction, who has applied for licensure in this state either by reciprocity or endorsement of the score from the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, and who is awaiting either a final determination by the committee relative to such person's eligibility for licensure or who is awaiting the results of the jurisprudence examination or oral examination.
(L. 1977 H.B. 255 § 1, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1998 H.B. 1601, et al. merged with S.B. 732)
337.015. 1. No person shall represent himself as a psychologist in the state of Missouri unless he is validly licensed and registered under the provisions of this chapter. No person shall engage in the practice of psychology in the state of Missouri unless he is validly licensed and registered under the provisions of this chapter unless otherwise exempt under the provisions of sections 337.010 to 337.090.
2. A person represents himself as a "psychologist" within the meaning of this chapter when he holds himself out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "psychology", "psychological", or "psychologist", or any term of like import, "psychometry", "psychometrics", "psychometrist", "psychotherapy", "psychotherapists", "psychoanalysis", "psychoanalyst", or variants thereof or when the person purports to be trained, experienced or an expert in the field of psychology, and offers to render or renders services as defined below to individuals, groups, organizations, or the public for a fee, monetary or otherwise; provided, however, that professional counselors licensed to practice under this chapter, or a physician licensed to practice pursuant to chapter 334, RSMo, who specializes in psychiatry, may use any of such terms except "psychology", "psychological", or "psychologist" so long as such is consistent with their respective licensing laws.
3. The "practice of psychology" within the meaning of this chapter is defined as the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, treatment, and modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, and procedures, for the purpose of preventing, treating, or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior and of enhancing interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, personal effectiveness, behavioral health, and mental health. The practice of psychology includes, but is not limited to, psychometric or psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics, such as intelligence, personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and neuropsychological functioning; counseling, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and behavior analysis and therapy; diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorder or disability in both inpatient and outpatient settings, alcoholism and substance abuse, disorders of habit or conduct, as well as the psychological aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability; psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, remediation, and consultation; and teaching and training of psychological competence. Psychological services may be rendered to individuals, families, groups, and the public. The practice of psychology shall be construed within the meaning of this definition without regard to whether payment is received for services rendered.
4. The application of these principles and methods includes, but is not restricted to: diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration of adjustment problems and emotional and mental disturbances of individuals and groups; hypnosis; counseling; educational and vocational counseling; personnel selection and management; the evaluation and planning for effective work and learning situations; advertising and market research; and the resolution of interpersonal and social conflicts.
(L. 1977 H.B. 255 § 2, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720)
337.020. 1. Each person desiring to obtain a license, whether temporary, provisional or permanent, as a psychologist shall make application to the committee upon such forms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the committee and shall pay the required application fee. The application fee shall not be refundable. Each application shall contain a statement that it is made under oath or affirmation and that its representations are true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the person signing the application, subject to the penalties of making a false affidavit or declaration.
2. Each applicant, whether for temporary, provisional or permanent licensure, shall submit evidence satisfactory to the committee that the applicant is at least twenty-one years of age, is of good moral character, and meets the appropriate educational requirements as set forth in either section 337.021 or 337.025, or is qualified for licensure without examination pursuant to section 337.029. In determining the acceptability of the applicant's qualifications, the committee may require evidence that it deems reasonable and proper, in accordance with law, and the applicant shall furnish the evidence in the manner required by the committee.
3. The committee with assistance from the division shall issue a permanent license to and register as a psychologist any applicant who, in addition to having fulfilled the other requirements of sections 337.010 to 337.090, passes the examination for professional practice in psychology and such other examinations in psychology which may be adopted by the committee, except that an applicant fulfilling the requirement of section 337.029 shall upon successful completion of the jurisprudence examination and completion of the oral examination be permanently licensed without having to retake the examination for professional practice in psychology.
4. The committee, with assistance from the division, shall issue a provisional license to, and register as being a provisionally licensed psychologist, any applicant who is a graduate of a recognized educational institution with a doctoral degree in psychology as defined in section 337.025, and who otherwise meets all requirements to become a licensed psychologist, except for passage of the national and state licensing exams, oral examination and completion of the required period of postdegree supervised experience as specified in subsection 2 of section 337.025.
5. A provisional license issued pursuant to subsection 4 of this section shall only authorize and permit the applicant to render those psychological services which are under the supervision and the full professional responsibility and control of such person's postdoctoral degree licensed supervisor. A provisional license shall automatically terminate upon issuance of a permanent license, upon a finding of cause to discipline after notice and hearing pursuant to section 337.035, upon the expiration of one year from the date of issuance whichever event first occurs, or upon termination of supervision by the licensed supervisor. The provisional license may be renewed after one year with a maximum issuance of two years total per provisional licensee. The committee by rule shall provide procedures for exceptions and variances from the requirement of a maximum issuance of two years due to vacations, illness, pregnancy and other good causes.
6. The committee, with assistance from the division, shall immediately issue a temporary license to any applicant for licensure either by reciprocity pursuant to section 337.029, or by endorsement of the score from the examination for professional practice in psychology upon receipt of an application for such licensure and upon proof that the applicant is either licensed as a psychologist in another jurisdiction, is a diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology, or is a member of the National Register of Health Services Providers in Psychology.
7. A temporary license issued pursuant to subsection 6 of this section shall authorize the applicant to practice psychology in this state, the same as if a permanent license had been issued. Such temporary license shall be issued without payment of an additional fee and shall remain in full force and effect until the earlier of the following events:
(1) A permanent license has been issued to the applicant following successful completion of the jurisprudence examination and the oral interview examination;
(2) In cases where the committee has found the applicant ineligible for licensure and no appeal has been taken to the administrative hearing commission, then at the expiration of such appeal time; or
(3) In cases where the committee has found the applicant ineligible for licensure and the applicant has taken an appeal to the administrative hearing commission and the administrative hearing commission has also found the applicant ineligible, then upon the rendition by the administrative hearing commission of its findings of fact and conclusions of law to such effect.
8. Written and oral examinations pursuant to sections 337.010 to 337.090 shall be administered by the committee at least twice each year to any applicant who meets the educational requirements set forth in either section 337.021 or 337.025 or to any applicant who is seeking licensure either by reciprocity pursuant to section 337.029, or by endorsement of the score from the examination of professional practice in psychology. The committee shall examine in the areas of professional knowledge, techniques and applications, research and its interpretation, professional affairs, ethics, and Missouri law and regulations governing the practice of psychology. The committee may use, in whole or in part, the examination for professional practice in psychology national examination in psychology or such other national examination in psychology which may be available.
9. If an applicant fails any examination, the applicant shall be permitted to take a subsequent examination, upon the payment of an additional reexamination fee. This reexamination fee shall not be refundable.
(L. 1977 H.B. 255 § 3, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1995 S.B. 69, et al., A.L. 1996 S.B. 604, et al., A.L. 1997 S.B. 141, A.L. 1998 H.B. 1601, et al. merged with S.B. 732)
337.021. 1. The provisions of this section shall govern, except as provided in subsection 3 of this section, the education and experience requirements for initial licensure as a psychologist for the following persons:
(1) A person who has completed a graduate program which is primarily psychological in nature prior to August 28, 1990; or
(2) A person who is matriculated in a graduate program which is primarily psychological in nature prior to August 28, 1990; provided that, such person who does not complete all requirements for initial licensure prior to August 28, 1996, except as provided in subsections 5 and 6 of this section, shall be governed by the licensure requirements of section 337.025.
2. Each applicant shall submit evidence satisfactory to the committee that the applicant either:
(1) Has received a doctoral degree, based upon a program of studies from a recognized educational institution the contents of which were primarily psychological, as defined by rule, and who has had at least one year of satisfactory supervised professional experience in the general field of psychology, as defined by rule; or
(2) Received a master's degree, based upon a program of studies from a recognized educational institution the contents of which were primarily psychological, as defined by rule, and who has had at least three years of satisfactory professional experience in the general field of psychology, as defined by rule.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 1 of this section, an applicant who has received a doctoral degree from a graduate program which is primarily psychological in nature prior to August 28, 1990, may elect at the applicant's option to have the applicant's application and licensure evaluated pursuant to the provisions of either section 337.021 or 337.025.
4. The rules referred to in subsection 2 of this section shall be those rules as previously promulgated by the department pursuant to the provisions of sections 337.020 and 337.050 as were in force and effect on August 28, 1989.
5. Notwithstanding any provision of section 337.025 or this section to the contrary, any person who qualifies for initial licensure pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection 2 of this section that has taken the Missouri licensing examination but has not received a passing score on the licensing examination before August 28, 1996, shall be allowed the same amount of attempts, within the same allotted time, to pass such examination as a person who meets the requirements for initial licensure pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection 2 of this section.
6. As used in sections 337.010 to 337.090, initial licensure refers only to the educational and experience requirements set forth in subsection 2 of this section, such that initial licensure shall not include passage of any examination given for the purposes of full licensure under section 337.020.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1997 S.B. 141, A.L. 1998 S.B. 732)
337.025. 1. The provisions of this section shall govern the education and experience requirements for initial licensure as a psychologist for the following persons:
(1) A person who has not matriculated in a graduate degree program which is primarily psychological in nature on or before August 28, 1990; and
(2) A person who is matriculated after August 28, 1990, in a graduate degree program designed to train professional psychologists.
2. Each applicant shall submit satisfactory evidence to the committee that the applicant has received a doctoral degree in psychology from a recognized educational institution, and has had at least one year of satisfactory supervised professional experience in the field of psychology.
3. A doctoral degree in psychology is defined as:
(1) A program accredited, or provisionally accredited, by the American Psychological Association; or
(2) A program designated or approved, including provisional approval, by the American Association of State Psychology Boards or the Council for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, or both; or
(3) A graduate program that meets all of the following criteria:
(a) The program, wherever it may be administratively housed, shall be clearly identified and labeled as a psychology program. Such a program shall specify in pertinent institutional catalogues and brochures its intent to educate and train professional psychologists;
(b) The psychology program shall stand as a recognizable, coherent organizational entity within the institution of higher education;
(c) There shall be a clear authority and primary responsibility for the core and specialty areas whether or not the program cuts across administrative lines;
(d) The program shall be an integrated, organized, sequence of study;
(e) There shall be an identifiable psychology faculty and a psychologist responsible for the program;
(f) The program shall have an identifiable body of students who are matriculated in that program for a degree;
(g) The program shall include a supervised practicum, internship, field, or laboratory training appropriate to the practice of psychology;
(h) The curriculum shall encompass a minimum of three academic years of full-time graduate study, with a minimum of one year's residency at the educational institution granting the doctoral degree; and
(i) Require the completion by the applicant of a core program in psychology which shall be met by the completion and award of at least one three-semester-hour graduate credit course or a combination of graduate credit courses totaling three semester hours or five quarter hours in each of the following areas:
a. The biological bases of behavior such as courses in: physiological psychology, comparative psychology, neuropsychology, sensation and perception, psychopharmacology;
b. The cognitive-affective bases of behavior such as courses in: learning, thinking, motivation, emotion, and cognitive psychology;
c. The social bases of behavior such as courses in: social psychology, group processes/dynamics, interpersonal relationships, and organizational and systems theory;
d. Individual differences such as courses in: personality theory, human development, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, child psychology, adolescent psychology, psychology of aging, and theories of personality;
e. The scientific methods and procedures of understanding, predicting and influencing human behavior such as courses in: statistics, experimental design, psychometrics, individual testing, group testing, and research design and methodology.
4. Acceptable supervised professional experience shall consist of a minimum of fifteen hundred hours of professional experience obtained in not less than twelve nor more than twenty-four consecutive calendar months. In no case shall this experience be accumulated at a rate of less than twenty hours per week nor more than fifty hours per week. Postdoctoral supervised professional experience for prospective health service providers shall involve and relate to the delivery of psychological health services. Postdoctoral supervised professional experience for other applicants shall be in accordance with professional requirements and relevant to the applicant's intended area of practice.
5. Postdoctoral experience for those applicants who intend to seek health service provider certification and who have completed a program in one or more of the American Psychological Association designated health service provider delivery areas shall be obtained under the primary supervision of a licensed psychologist who is also a health service provider or who otherwise meets the requirements for health service provider certification. Postdoctoral experience for those applicants who do not intend to seek health service provider certification shall be obtained under the primary supervision of a licensed psychologist or such other qualified mental health professional approved by the committee.
6. The psychological activities of the applicant shall be performed pursuant to the primary supervisor's order, control, and full professional responsibility. The primary supervisor shall maintain a continuing relationship with the applicant and shall meet with the applicant a minimum of one hour per month in face-to-face individual supervision. Clinical supervision may be delegated by the primary supervisor to one or more secondary supervisors who are* qualified psychologists**. The secondary supervisors shall retain order, control and full professional responsibility for the applicant's clinical work under their supervision and shall meet with the applicant a minimum of one hour per week in face-to-face individual supervision. If the primary supervisor is also the clinical supervisor, meetings shall be a minimum of one hour per week. Group supervision shall not be acceptable for supervised professional experience. The primary supervisor shall certify to the committee that the applicant has complied with these requirements and that the applicant has demonstrated ethical and competent practice of psychology. The changing by an agency of the primary supervisor during the course of the supervised experience shall not invalidate the supervised experience.
7. The committee by rule shall provide procedures for exceptions and variances from the requirements for once a week face-to-face supervision due to vacations, illness, pregnancy, and other good causes.
(L. 1977 H.B. 255 § 4, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1998 H.B. 1601, et al. merged with S.B. 732)*Words "is a" appear in original rolls.
**Word "psychologist" appears in original rolls.
337.027. For purposes of commencing and obtaining the postdegree supervised experience as provided in sections 337.010 to 337.090, an applicant shall be deemed to have met the educational requirements, either upon the conferral of the formal degree or at the time when all of the degree requirements established by the recognized educational institution for the degree have been met with the sole exception that the degree has not been formally conferred at a graduation program and the institution so certifies in writing to the committee.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720)
337.029. 1. A psychologist licensed in another jurisdiction who has had no violations and no suspensions and no revocation of a license to practice psychology in any jurisdiction may receive a license in Missouri, provided the psychologist passes a written examination on Missouri laws and regulations governing the practice of psychology and meets one of the following criteria:
(1) Is a diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology;
(2) Is a member of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology;
(3) Is currently licensed or certified as a psychologist in another jurisdiction who is then a signatory to the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Board's reciprocity agreement;
(4) Is currently licensed or certified as a psychologist in another state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia and:
(a) Has a doctoral degree in psychology from a program accredited, or provisionally accredited, by the American Psychological Association or that meets the requirements as set forth in subdivision (3) of subsection 3 of section 337.025;
(b) Has been licensed for the preceding five years; and
(c) Has had no disciplinary action taken against the license for the preceding five years;
(5) Is currently licensed or certified as a psychologist in a state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia that extends like privileges for reciprocal licensing or certification to persons licensed by this state with similar qualifications; or
(6) Holds a current certificate of professional qualification (CPQ) issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 1 of this section, applicants may be required to pass an oral examination as adopted by the committee.
3. A psychologist who receives a license for the practice of psychology in the state of Missouri on the basis of reciprocity as listed in subsection 1 of this section or by endorsement of the score from the examination of professional practice in psychology score will also be eligible for and shall receive certification from the committee as a health service provider if the psychologist meets one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Is a diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology in one or more of the specialties recognized by the American Board of Professional Psychology as pertaining to health service delivery;
(2) Is a member of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology; or
(3) Has completed or obtained through education, training, or experience the requisite knowledge comparable to that which is required pursuant to section 337.033.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1995 S.B. 69, et al., A.L. 1998 H.B. 1601, et al., A.L. 1998 S.B. 732, A.L. 2001 S.B. 357)
337.030. 1. Each psychologist licensed pursuant to the provisions of sections 337.010 to 337.090, who has not filed with the committee a verified statement that the psychologist has retired from or terminated the psychologist's practice of psychology in this state, shall register with the division on or before the registration renewal date. The division shall require a registration fee which shall be submitted together with proof of compliance with the continuing education requirement as provided in section 337.050 and any other information required for such registration. Upon receipt of the required material and of the registration fee, the division shall issue a renewal certificate of registration. The division shall, when issuing an initial license to an applicant who has met all of the qualifications of sections 337.010 to 337.093 and has been approved for licensure by the committee shall grant the applicant, without payment of any further fee, a certificate of registration valid until the next registration renewal date.
2. The division shall mail a renewal notice to the last known address of each licensee prior to the registration renewal date. Failure to provide the division with the proof of compliance with the continuing education requirement and other information required for registration, or to pay the registration fee after such notice shall effect a revocation of the license after a period of sixty days from the registration renewal date. The license shall be restored if, within two years of the registration renewal date, the applicant provides written application and the payment of the registration fee and a delinquency fee and proof of compliance with the requirements for continuing education as provided in section 337.050.
3. A new certificate to replace any certificate lost, destroyed or mutilated may be issued subject to the rules of the committee, upon payment of a reasonable fee.
4. The committee shall set the amount of the fees authorized by sections 337.010 to 337.093 and required by rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to section 536.021, RSMo. The fees shall be set at a level to produce revenue which shall not substantially exceed the cost and expense of administering sections 337.010 to 337.090.
5. The committee is authorized to issue an inactive license to any licensee who makes written application for such license on a form provided by the board and remits the fee for an inactive license established by the committee. An inactive license may be issued only to a person who has previously been issued a license to practice psychology in this state, who is no longer regularly engaged in such practice and who does not hold himself or herself out to the public as being professionally engaged in such practice in this state. Each inactive license shall be subject to all provisions of this chapter, except as otherwise specifically provided. Each inactive license may be renewed by the committee subject to all provisions of this section and all other provisions of this chapter. The inactive licensee shall not be required to submit evidence of completion of continuing education as required by this chapter. An inactive licensee may apply for a license to regularly engage in the practice of psychology upon filing a written application on a form provided by the committee, submitting the reactivation fee established by the committee, and submitting proof of current competency as established by the committee.
(L. 1977 H.B. 255 § 5, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1996 S.B. 604, et al., A.L. 2003 S.B. 478)
337.033. 1. A licensed psychologist shall limit his or her practice to demonstrated areas of competence as documented by relevant professional education, training, and experience. A psychologist trained in one area shall not practice in another area without obtaining additional relevant professional education, training, and experience through an acceptable program of respecialization.
2. A psychologist may not represent or hold himself or herself out as a state certified or registered psychological health service provider unless the psychologist has first received the psychologist health service provider certification from the committee; provided, however, nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or prevent a licensed, whether temporary, provisional or permanent, psychologist who does not hold a health service provider certificate from providing psychological services so long as such services are consistent with subsection 1 of this section.
3. "Relevant professional education and training" for health service provider certification, except those entitled to certification pursuant to subsection 5 or 6 of this section, shall be defined as a licensed psychologist whose graduate psychology degree from a recognized educational institution is in an area designated by the American Psychological Association as pertaining to health service delivery or a psychologist who subsequent to receipt of his or her graduate degree in psychology has either completed a respecialization program from a recognized educational institution in one or more of the American Psychological Association recognized clinical health service provider areas and who in addition has completed at least one year of postdegree supervised experience in such clinical area or a psychologist who has obtained comparable education and training acceptable to the committee through completion of postdoctoral fellowships or otherwise.
4. The degree or respecialization program certificate shall be obtained from a recognized program of graduate study in one or more of the health service delivery areas designated by the American Psychological Association as pertaining to health service delivery, which shall meet one of the criteria established by subdivisions (1) to (3) of this subsection:
(1) A doctoral degree or completion of a recognized respecialization program in one or more of the American Psychological Association designated health service provider delivery areas which is accredited, or provisionally accredited, by the American Psychological Association; or
(2) A clinical or counseling psychology doctoral degree program or respecialization program designated, or provisionally approved, by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards or the Council for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, or both; or
(3) A doctoral degree or completion of a respecialization program in one or more of the American Psychological Association designated health service provider delivery areas that meets the following criteria:
(a) The program, wherever it may be administratively housed, shall be clearly identified and labeled as being in one or more of the American Psychological Association designated health service provider delivery areas;
(b) Such a program shall specify in pertinent institutional catalogues and brochures its intent to educate and train professional psychologists in one or more of the American Psychological Association designated health service provider delivery areas.
5. A person who is lawfully licensed as a psychologist pursuant to the provisions of this chapter on August 28, 1989, or who has been approved to sit for examination prior to August 28, 1989, and who subsequently passes the examination shall be deemed to have met all requirements for health service provider certification; provided, however, that such person shall be governed by the provisions of subsection 1 of this section with respect to limitation of practice.
6. Any person who is lawfully licensed as a psychologist in this state and who meets one or more of the following criteria shall automatically, upon payment of the requisite fee, be entitled to receive a health service provider certification from the committee:
(1) Is a diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology in one or more of the specialties recognized by the American Board of Professional Psychology as pertaining to health service delivery; or
(2) Is a member of the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1998 H.B. 1601, et al. merged with S.B. 732)
337.035. 1. The committee may refuse to issue any certificate of registration or authority, permit or license required pursuant to this chapter for one or any combination of causes stated in subsection 2 of this section. The committee shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the refusal and shall advise the applicant of the applicant's right to file a complaint with the administrative hearing commission as provided by chapter 621, RSMo.
2. The committee may cause a complaint to be filed with the administrative hearing commission as provided by chapter 621, RSMo, against any holder of any certificate of registration or authority, permit or license required by this chapter or any person who has failed to renew or has surrendered the person's certificate of registration or authority, permit or license for any one or any combination of the following causes:
(1) Use of any controlled substance, as defined in chapter 195, RSMo, or alcoholic beverage to an extent that such use impairs a person's ability to perform the work of any profession licensed or regulated by this chapter;
(2) The person has been finally adjudicated and found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, in a criminal prosecution under the laws of any state or of the United States, for any offense reasonably related to the qualifications, functions or duties of any profession licensed or regulated under this chapter, for any offense an essential element of which is fraud, dishonesty or an act of violence, or for any offense involving moral turpitude, whether or not sentence is imposed;
(3) Use of fraud, deception, misrepresentation or bribery in securing any certificate of registration or authority, permit or license issued pursuant to this chapter or in obtaining permission to take any examination given or required pursuant to this chapter;
(4) Obtaining or attempting to obtain any fee, charge, tuition or other compensation by fraud, deception or misrepresentation;
(5) Incompetency, misconduct, gross negligence, fraud, misrepresentation or dishonesty in the performance of the functions or duties of any profession licensed or regulated by this chapter;
(6) Violation of, or assisting or enabling any person to violate, any provision of this chapter, or of any lawful rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter;
(7) Impersonation of any person holding a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license or allowing any person to use his or her certificate of registration or authority, permit, license or diploma from any school;
(8) Disciplinary action against the holder of a license or other right to practice any profession regulated by this chapter granted by another state, territory, federal agency or country upon grounds for which revocation or suspension is authorized in this state;
(9) A person is finally adjudged insane or incapacitated by a court of competent jurisdiction;
(10) Assisting or enabling any person to practice or offer to practice any profession licensed or regulated by this chapter who is not registered and currently eligible to practice as provided this chapter;
(11) Issuance of a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license based upon a material mistake of fact;
(12) Failure to display a valid certificate or license if so required by this chapter or any rule promulgated pursuant to this chapter;
(13) Violation of any professional trust or confidence;
(14) Use of any advertisement or solicitation which is false, misleading or deceptive to the general public or persons to whom the advertisement or solicitation is primarily directed;
(15) Being guilty of unethical conduct as defined in "Ethical Rules of Conduct" as adopted by the committee and filed with the secretary of state.
3. After the filing of such complaint, the proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 621, RSMo. Upon a finding by the administrative hearing commission that the grounds, provided in subsection 2, for disciplinary action are met, the committee may, singly or in combination, censure or place the person named in the complaint on probation on such terms and conditions as the department deems appropriate for a period not to exceed five years, or may suspend, for a period not to exceed three years, or revoke the license, certificate, or permit.
4. An interested third party may file a complaint or appear or present evidence relative to such complaint or another complaint filed pursuant to this section. For purposes of this section, an interested third party includes a parent or guardian of a person who received treatment by a psychologist or any person who is related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity and who is financially responsible for the payment of such treatment.
(L. 1977 H.B. 255 § 6, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1997 S.B. 141)
337.041. No official, employee, board, commission, or agency of the state of Missouri, county, municipality, school district, or other political subdivision shall discriminate between persons licensed under sections 337.010 to 337.090 and chapter 334, RSMo, when promulgating regulations or when requiring or recommending services which legally may be performed by persons licensed under sections 337.010 to 337.090 and by persons licensed under chapter 334, RSMo.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720)
337.045. Nothing in sections 337.010 to 337.090 shall in any way limit:
(1) Qualified members of other professional groups such as teachers, clergy, practitioners of medicine, practitioners of chiropractic, practitioners of optometry, licensed professional counselors, attorneys, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, vocational counselors, vocational rehabilitation counselors, nurses, or duly accredited Christian Science practitioners from doing work of a psychological nature consistent with their training and consistent with any code of ethics of their respective professions; or
(2) The activities, services, or use of official title on the part of any person in the employ of a governmental agency, or of a duly chartered educational institution, or of a corporation primarily engaged in research, insofar as such activities or services are part of the duties of his or her employment, except that any person hired after August 28, 1996, shall be in the process of either meeting the requirements to become licensed, including pursuant to a doctoral degree in psychology or the supervised professional experience requirements or shall be a licensed psychologist; or
(3) Other persons from engaging in activities defined as the practice of psychology, provided that such persons shall not represent themselves by the title "psychologist". Such persons may use the terms "psychological trainee", "psychological intern", "psychological resident", and "psychological assistant" and provided further that such persons perform their activities under the supervision and responsibility of a licensed psychologist in accordance with regulations promulgated by the committee. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to apply to any person other than:
(a) A matriculated graduate student in psychology whose activities constitute a part of the course of study for a graduate degree in psychology at a recognized educational institution;
(b) An individual pursuing postdoctoral training or experience in psychology, including persons seeking to fulfill the requirements for licensure pursuant to the provisions of sections 337.010 to 337.090;
(c) A qualified assistant, including but not limited to, other licensed professionals employed by, or otherwise directly accountable to, a licensed psychologist; or
(4) The use of psychological techniques by government institutions, commercial organizations or individuals for employment, evaluation, promotion or job adjustment of their own employees or employee-applicants, or by employment agencies for evaluation of their own clients prior to recommendation for employment; provided that no government institution, commercial organization or individual shall sell or offer these services to the public or to other firms, organizations or individuals for remuneration, unless the services are performed or supervised by a person licensed and registered pursuant to sections 337.010 to 337.090; or
(5) The practice of psychology in the state of Missouri for a temporary period by a person who resides outside the state of Missouri, and who is licensed or certified to practice psychology in another state and conducts the major part of his or her practice outside the state. The temporary period shall not exceed ten consecutive business days in any period of ninety days, nor in the aggregate exceed fifteen business days in any nine-month period; or
(6) The provision of expert testimony by psychologists or other persons who are otherwise exempted by sections 337.010 to 337.090; or
(7) The teaching of psychology, the conduct of psychological research, or the provision of psychological services or consultations to organizations or institutions, provided that such teaching, research, or service does not involve the delivery or supervision of direct psychological services to individuals or groups of individuals; or
(8) School psychologists certified under the program standards of the National Association of School Psychologists who are employed in a duly accredited school so long as the individual is performing services within the scope of his or her employment for such school and within the scope of his or her education, training and experience; or
(9) Psychotherapy activities or services performed by an individual with a doctoral decree in anthropology; provided that such degree was received on or prior to December 31, 1989, and which was from an educational institution accredited by one of the regional accrediting associations approved by the council on postsecondary accreditation; and provided further that such individual has completed at least twenty-four months of supervised clinical experience in psychotherapy under the supervision of a physician.
(L. 1977 H.B. 255 § 8, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1996 S.B. 604, et al., A.L. 1998 H.B. 1601, et al. merged with S.B. 732)
337.050. 1. There is hereby created and established a "State Committee of Psychologists", which shall consist of seven licensed psychologists and one public member. The state committee of psychologists existing on August 28, 1989, is abolished. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the appointment of any current member of the state committee of psychologists to the new state committee of psychologists created on August 28, 1989.
2. Appointments to the committee shall be made by the governor upon the recommendations of the director of the division, upon the advice and consent of the senate. The division, prior to submitting nominations, shall solicit nominees from professional psychological associations and licensed psychologists in the state. The term of office for committee members shall be five years, and committee members shall not serve more than ten years. No person who has previously served on the committee for ten years shall be eligible for appointment. In making initial appointments to the committee, the governor shall stagger the terms of the appointees so that two members serve initial terms of two years, two members serve initial terms of three years, and two members serve initial terms of four years.
3. Each committee member shall be a resident of the state of Missouri for one year, shall be a United States citizen, and shall, other than the public member, have been licensed as a psychologist in this state for at least three years. Committee members shall reflect a diversity of practice specialties. To ensure adequate representation of the diverse fields of psychology, the committee shall consist of at least two psychologists who are engaged full time in the doctoral teaching and training of psychologists, and at least two psychologists who are engaged full time in the professional practice of psychology. In addition, the first appointment to the committee shall include at least one psychologist who shall be licensed on the basis of a master's degree who shall serve a full term of five years. Nothing in sections 337.010 to 337.090 shall be construed to prohibit full membership rights on the committee for psychologists licensed on the basis of a master's degree. If a member of the committee shall, during the member's term as a committee member, remove the member's domicile from the state of Missouri, then the committee shall immediately notify the director of the division, and the seat of that committee member shall be declared vacant. All such vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, and the member so appointed shall serve for the unexpired term of the member whose seat has been declared vacant.
4. The public member shall be at the time of the public member's appointment a citizen of the United States; a resident of this state for a period of one year and a registered voter; a person who is not and never was a member of any profession licensed or regulated pursuant to sections 337.010 to 337.093 or the spouse of such person; and a person who does not have and never has had a material, financial interest in either the providing of the professional services regulated by sections 337.010 to 337.093, or an activity or organization directly related to any profession licensed or regulated pursuant to sections 337.010 to 337.093. The duties of the public member shall not include the determination of the technical requirements to be met for licensure or whether any person meets such technical requirements or of the technical competence or technical judgment of a licensee or a candidate for licensure.
5. The committee shall hold a regular annual meeting at which it shall select from among its members a chairperson and a secretary. A quorum of the committee shall consist of a majority of its members. In the absence of the chairperson, the secretary shall conduct the office of the chairperson.
6. Each member of the committee shall receive, as compensation, an amount set by the division not to exceed fifty dollars for each day devoted to the affairs of the committee and shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary and actual expenses incurred in the performance of the member's official duties.
7. Staff for the committee shall be provided by the director of the division of professional registration.
8. The governor may remove any member of the committee for misconduct, inefficiency, incompetency, or neglect of office.
9. In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in sections 337.010 to 337.090, the division may adopt rules and regulations, not otherwise inconsistent with sections 337.010 to 337.090, to carry out the provisions of sections 337.010 to 337.090. The committee may promulgate, by rule, "Ethical Rules of Conduct" governing the practices of psychology which rules shall be based upon the ethical principles promulgated and published by the American Psychological Association.
10. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, RSMo, that is promulgated to administer and enforce sections 337.010 to 337.090, shall become effective only if the agency has fully complied with all of the requirements of chapter 536, RSMo, including but not limited to, section 536.028, RSMo, if applicable, after August 28, 1998. All rulemaking authority delegated prior to August 28, 1998, is of no force and effect and repealed as of August 28, 1998, however nothing in this act shall be interpreted to repeal or affect the validity of any rule adopted and promulgated prior to August 28, 1998. If the provisions of section 536.028, RSMo, apply, the provisions of this section are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to section 536.028, RSMo, to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule or portion of a rule are held unconstitutional or invalid, the purported grant of rulemaking authority and any rule so proposed and contained in the order of rulemaking shall be invalid and void, except that nothing in this act shall affect the validity of any rule adopted and promulgated prior to August 28, 1998.
11. The committee may sue and be sued in its official name, and shall have a seal which shall be affixed to all certified copies or records and papers on file, and to such other instruments as the committee may direct. All courts shall take judicial notice of such seal. Copies of records and proceedings of the committee, and of all papers on file with the division on behalf of the committee certified under the seal shall be received as evidence in all courts of record.
12. When applying for a renewal of a license pursuant to section 337.030, each licensed psychologist shall submit proof of the completion of at least forty hours of continuing education credit within the two-year period immediately preceding the date of the application for renewal of the license. The type of continuing education to be considered shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Attending recognized educational seminars, the content of which are primarily psychological, as defined by rule;
(2) Attending a graduate level course at a recognized educational institution where the contents of which are primarily psychological, as defined by rule;
(3) Presenting a recognized educational seminar, the contents of which are primarily psychological, as defined by rule;
(4) Presenting a graduate level course at a recognized educational institution where the contents of which are primarily psychological, as defined by rule; and
(5) Independent course of studies, the contents of which are primarily psychological, which have been approved by the committee and defined by rule.
The committee shall determine by administrative rule the amount of training, instruction, self-instruction or teaching that shall be counted as an hour of continuing education credit.
(L. 1977 H.B. 225 § 9, A.L. 1981 S.B. 200 merged with S.B. 16, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1993 S.B. 52, A.L. 1995 S.B. 3, A.L. 1996 S.B. 604, et al., A.L. 1998 H.B. 1601, et al., A.L. 1999 H.B. 343)CROSS REFERENCE:
Public member, additional duties, RSMo 620.132
337.055. Any communication made by any person to a licensed psychologist in the course of professional services rendered by the licensed psychologist shall be deemed a privileged communication and the licensed psychologist shall not be examined or be made to testify to any privileged communication without the prior consent of the person who received his professional services.
(L. 1977 H.B. 255 § 10)
337.060. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as authorizing persons licensed and registered as psychologists to engage in any manner in the practice of medicine as defined in the laws of this state.
(L. 1977 H.B. 255 § 11, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16)
337.065. 1. Any person found guilty of violating any provision of sections 337.010 to 337.090 is guilty of a class A misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided by law.
2. All fees or other compensation received for services rendered in violation of sections 337.010 to 337.090 shall be refunded.
3. The committee shall inquire as to any violation of any provision of sections 337.010 to 337.090, and may institute actions for penalties herein prescribed, and shall enforce generally the provisions of sections 337.010 to 337.090.
4. Any person, organization, association or corporation who reports or provides information to the committee or the division pursuant to the provisions of sections 337.010 to 337.090 and who does so in good faith shall not be subject to an action for civil damages as a result thereof.
5. Upon application by the committee, the attorney general may on behalf of the committee request that a court of competent jurisdiction grant an injunction, restraining order or other order as may be appropriate to enjoin a person from:
(1) Offering to engage or engaging in the performance of any acts or practices for which a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license is required upon a showing that such acts or practices were performed or offered to be performed without a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license; or
(2) Engaging in any practice or business authorized by a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license issued pursuant to sections 337.010 to 337.090 upon a showing that the holder presents a substantial probability of serious harm to the health, safety or welfare of any resident of this state or client or patient of the licensee.
6. Any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be commenced either in the county in which such conduct occurred or in the county in which the defendant resides.
7. Any action brought under this section may be in addition to or in lieu of any penalty provided by sections 337.010 to 337.090 and may be brought concurrently with other actions to enforce sections 337.010 to 337.090.
(L. 1977 H.B. 255 § 12, A.L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720)
337.068. 1. If the board finds merit to a complaint by an individual incarcerated or under the care and control of the department of corrections and takes further investigative action, no documentation may appear on file or disciplinary action may be taken in regards to the licensee's license unless the provisions of subsection 2 of section 337.035 have been violated. Any case file documentation that does not result in the board filing an action pursuant to subsection 2 of section 337.035 shall be destroyed within three months after the final case disposition by the board. No notification to any other licensing board in another state or any national registry regarding any investigative action shall be made unless the provisions of subsection 2 of section 337.035 have been violated.
2. Upon written request of the psychologist subject to a complaint, prior to August 28, 1999, by an individual incarcerated or under the care and control of the department of corrections that did not result in the board filing an action pursuant to subsection 2 of section 337.035, the board and the division of professional registration, shall in a timely fashion:
(1) Destroy all documentation regarding the complaint;
(2) Notify any other licensing board in another state or any national registry regarding the board's actions if they have been previously notified of the complaint; and
(3) Send a letter to the licensee that clearly states that the board found the complaint to be unsubstantiated, that the board has taken the requested action, and notify the licensee of the provisions of subsection 3 of this section.
3. Any person who has been the subject of an unsubstantiated complaint as provided in subsection 1 or 2 of this section shall not be required to disclose the existence of such complaint in subsequent applications or representations relating to their psychology professions.
(L. 1999 H.B. 343 § 337.068 codified as 337.750)*Transferred 2002; formerly 337.750
337.070. No person who has been licensed by the committee as a psychologist in this state shall be taxed or made liable to pay any municipal or other corporation tax or license fee of any description whatever for the privilege of following or carrying on such profession.
(L. 1977 H.B. 255 § 13, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720)
337.085. 1. There is hereby established in the state treasury a fund to be known as the "State Committee of Psychologists Fund". All fees of any kind and character authorized under sections 337.010 to 337.090 to be charged by the committee or division shall be collected by the director of the division of professional registration and shall be transmitted to the department of revenue for deposit in the state treasury for credit to this fund. Such funds, upon appropriation, shall be disbursed only in payment of expenses of maintaining the committee and for the enforcement of the provisions of law concerning professions regulated by the committee. No other money shall be paid out of the state treasury for carrying out these provisions. Warrants shall be issued on the state treasurer for payment out of the fund.
2. The provisions of section 33.080, RSMo, to the contrary notwithstanding, money in this fund shall not be transferred and placed to the credit of general revenue until the amount in the fund at the end of the biennium exceeds two times the amount of the appropriation from the committee's fund for the preceding fiscal year or, if the committee requires by rule renewal less frequently than yearly then three times the appropriation from the committee's fund for the preceding fiscal year. The amount, if any, in the fund which shall lapse is that amount in the fund which exceeds the appropriate multiple of the appropriations from the committee's fund for the preceding fiscal year.
3. All funds pertaining to the Missouri state committee of psychologists deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the committee of registration for the healing arts fund shall be transferred from that fund to the state committee of psychologists fund by the division director.
(L. 1981 S.B. 16, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 2004 S.B. 1122)
337.090. The committee and division in issuing licenses and in publishing the directory as provided in section 620.145, RSMo, shall not include or list the degree upon which the license or certificate was issued. Any person licensed on the basis of a master's degree who has then earned a doctoral degree may use the title "doctor" or hold himself out in his practice as a psychologist as having a doctoral degree so long as it is from an accredited institution of higher education and so long as the degree is relevant to the practice of psychology.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720)
337.093. Nothing in the provisions of this act* is intended to repeal or modify those provisions of sections 337.010 to 337.090, which provide for the licensure of psychologists.
(L. 1993 H.B. 564 § 31)*"This act" (H.B. 564, 1993) contains numerous sections. Consult Disposition of Sections table for definitive listing.
337.500. As used in sections 337.500 to 337.540, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following words and phrases mean:
(1) "Committee or board", the committee for professional counselors;
(2) "Department", the Missouri department of economic development;
(3) "Director", the director of the division of professional registration in the department of economic development;
(4) "Division", the division of professional registration;
(5) "Licensed professional counselor", any person who offers to render professional counseling services to individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, government agencies or the general public for a fee, monetary or otherwise, implying that the person is trained, experienced, and licensed in counseling, and who holds a current, valid license to practice counseling;
(6) "Practice of professional counseling", rendering, offering to render, or supervising those who render to individuals, couples, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, schools, government agencies, or the general public any counseling service involving the application of counseling procedures, and the principles and methods thereof, to assist in achieving more effective intrapersonal or interpersonal, marital, decisional, social, educational, vocational, developmental, or rehabilitative adjustments;
(7) "Professional counseling", includes, but is not limited to:
(a) The use of verbal or nonverbal counseling or both techniques, methods, or procedures based on principles for assessing, understanding, or influencing behavior (such as principles of learning, conditioning, perception, motivation, thinking, emotions, or social systems);
(b) Appraisal or assessment, which means selecting, administering, scoring, or interpreting instruments designed to assess a person's or group's aptitudes, intelligence, attitudes, abilities, achievement, interests, and personal characteristics;
(c) The use of referral or placement techniques or both which serve to further the goals of counseling;
(d) Therapeutic vocational or personal or both rehabilitation in relation to coping with or adapting to physical disability, emotional disability, or intellectual disability or any combination of the three;
(e) Designing, conducting, and interpreting research;
(f) The use of group methods or techniques to promote the goals of counseling;
(g) The use of informational and community resources for career, personal, or social development;
(h) Consultation on any item in paragraphs (a) through (g) above; and
(i) No provision of sections 337.500 to 337.540, or of chapter 354 or 375, RSMo, shall be construed to mandate benefits or third-party reimbursement for services of professional counselors in the policies or contracts of any insurance company, health services corporation or other third-party payer;
(8) "Provisional licensed professional counselor", any person who is a graduate of an acceptable educational institution, as defined by division rules, with at least a master's degree with a major in counseling, or its equivalent, and meets all requirements of a licensed professional counselor, other than the supervised counseling experience prescribed by subdivision (1) of section 337.510, and who is supervised by a person who is qualified for the practice of professional counseling.
(L. 1985 S.B. 37 § 1, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1996 S.B. 604, et al., A.L. 2006 S.B. 756)
337.503. No official, employee, board, commission, county, municipality, school district, agency of the state, or any other political subdivision thereof shall discriminate between persons licensed under sections 337.500 to 337.540 when promulgating regulations or when requiring or recommending services that legally may be performed by persons licensed under sections 337.500 to 337.540.
(L. 2007 H.B. 554 merged with S.B. 272)
337.505. No person shall use the title of "professional counselor", "counselor" or "provisional licensed professional counselor" or engage in the practice of professional counseling in this state unless the person is licensed as required by the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540. Sections 337.500 to 337.540 do not apply to:
(1) Any person registered, certificated or licensed by this state, another state, or any recognized national certification agent, acceptable to the committee, to practice any other occupation or profession while rendering counseling service in the performance of the occupation or profession for which the person is registered, certificated, or licensed, including but not limited to physicians, psychologists and attorneys;
(2) School counselors, school administration personnel, or classroom teachers, so long as they are performing their assigned duties within the scope of their employment by a board of education or private school;
(3) Counselors in postsecondary educational institutions so long as they are practicing within the scope of their employment;
(4) Student interns or trainees in counseling procedures pursuing a course of study in counseling in an institution of higher education or training institution if such activities and services constitute a part of their course of study and provided that such persons are designated as "counselor interns";
(5) Professionals employed by postsecondary educational institutions as counselor educators so long as they are practicing counseling within the scope of their employment;
(6) Duly ordained ministers or clergy or religious workers while functioning in their ministerial capacity;
(7) Alcoholism counselors so long as they serve only individuals with alcohol related concerns;
(8) Any nonresident temporarily employed in this state to render counseling services for not more than thirty days in any year, if in the opinion of the committee the person would qualify for a license pursuant to the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540, and if the person holds a license required for counselors in the person's home state or country;
(9) Duly accredited Christian Science practitioners, so long as they are practicing within the scope of Christian Science principles;
(10) Counselors employed by the Missouri state department of elementary and secondary education or the Missouri state bureau for the blind while rendering counseling services in the performance of their state assigned duties;
(11) Professionals employed by vocational and medical rehabilitation facilities accredited by the commission on the accreditation of rehabilitation facilities, the joint committee on accreditation of hospitals or other agents acceptable to the committee while rendering counseling services in the performance of their assigned duties, and so long as they do not use the title of "counselor";
(12) Employees or volunteers of sheltered workshops who are providing meaningful employment services for handicapped workers, so long as they do not use the "counselor" title;
(13) Marital therapists or family therapists or both, certified by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists or an agent acceptable to the committee, and their supervisees, so long as they serve only individuals with marital or family systems concerns, and, so long as they do not use the titles of "counselor" or "counseling";
(14) Staff counselors employed by religious institutions in a religious counseling ministries program;
(15) Drug abuse counselors certified by the department of mental health as meeting standards in rules promulgated pursuant to section 630.655, RSMo, certified by the Missouri substance abuse counselors certification board, or by an agent acceptable to the committee, so long as such counselors are practicing consistent with such standards, and they are serving only individuals with drug-related concerns;
(16) Social workers, certified by the National Association of Social Workers, Inc., or by an agent acceptable to the committee, or workers under their supervision so long as they are doing work consistent with their training and with a code of ethics of the social work profession, and so long as they do not use the title of "professional counselor";
(17) Professionals in the employ of a governmental agency while rendering services in the performance of their duties;
(18) Any person performing counseling, as defined in sections 337.500 to 337.540, without receiving compensation, monetary or otherwise, and so long as they do not use the title of "professional counselor";
(19) Employment counselors and interviewers, personnel officers, personnel analysts and consultants and related workers who in the normal course of their duties and responsibilities as employees of this state may engage in the screening, examination, assessment, referral or selection of individuals for employment or for consideration for employment;
(20) Counselors and employees of employee assistance programs which are members of the Association of Labor-Management Administrators and Consultants on Alcoholism, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, or its successors or such other accrediting body for EAP Programs acceptable to the committee who provide evaluation, assessment, information, and referral services so long as they are performing their assigned duties within the scope of their employment; provided, however, that this exemption shall not apply to individuals employed by employee assistance programs who provide direct long-term therapy and counseling services, as may be defined by regulation, so long as they do not use the title of counselor or counseling;
(21) Individuals who are duly certified by the employee assistance certification commission as administered by the Association of Labor-Management Administrators and Consultants on Alcoholism, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, or its successor; so long as the individual is an employee of a generally recognized employee assistance program and so long as such individual is performing services within the scope of such individual's employment and education;
(22) Weight loss or weight control consultants or advisors in recognized, legitimate programs or business environments so long as they serve only individuals or groups who have weight related concerns and discuss only weight improvement issues and do not use the titles of "counselor" or "counseling" without using an adjective which describes to the ordinary person that the counseling is limited to weight loss or weight control;
(23) Activity therapists as certified or licensed by their respective professional organizations including, but not limited to art, music, dance, recreation, and occupation, and who have received certification or licensure by their respective professional organizations by January 1, 1994, so long as they do not use the titles of "counselor" or "counseling";
(24) Professionals certified by the American Board of Medical Psychotherapists and who have received certification from the American Board of Medical Psychotherapists by January 1, 1994, so long as they do not use the titles of "counselor" or "counseling"; and
(25) Transactional analysts certified by the International Transactional Analysis Association and who have received certification from the International Transactional Analysis Association as a level one transactional analyst, specializing in clinical application by January 1, 1994, so long as they do not use the titles of "counselor" or "counseling"; or
(26) Any person with a doctoral degree in anthropology received on or prior to December 31, 1989, and which was from an educational institution accredited by one of the regional accrediting associations approved by the council on postsecondary accreditation; provided further that said individual has completed at least twenty-four months of supervised clinical experience in psychotherapy under the supervision of a physician.
(L. 1985 S.B. 37 § 2, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1996 S.B. 604, et al.)
337.507. 1. Applications for examination and licensure as a professional counselor shall be in writing, submitted to the division on forms prescribed by the division and furnished to the applicant. The application shall contain the applicant's statements showing his education, experience and such other information as the division may require. Each application shall contain a statement that it is made under oath or affirmation and that the information contained therein is true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the applicant, subject to the penalties provided for the making of a false affidavit or declaration. Each application shall be accompanied by the fees required by the committee.
2. The division shall mail a renewal notice to the last known address of each licensee prior to the registration renewal date. Failure to provide the division with the information required for registration, or to pay the registration fee after such notice shall effect a revocation of the license after a period of sixty days from the registration renewal date. The license shall be restored if, within two years of the registration date, the applicant provides written application and the payment of the registration fee and a delinquency fee.
3. A new certificate to replace any certificate lost, destroyed or mutilated may be issued subject to the rules of the committee, upon payment of a fee.
4. The committee shall set the amount of the fees which sections 337.500 to 337.540 authorize and require by rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to section 536.021, RSMo. The fees shall be set at a level to produce revenue which shall not substantially exceed the cost and expense of administering the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540. All fees provided for in sections 337.500 to 337.540 shall be collected by the director who shall deposit the same with the state treasurer in a fund to be known as the "Committee of Professional Counselors Fund".
5. The provisions of section 33.080, RSMo, to the contrary notwithstanding, money in this fund shall not be transferred and placed to the credit of general revenue until the amount in the fund at the end of the biennium exceeds two times the amount of the appropriation from the committee's fund for the preceding fiscal year or, if the committee requires by rule renewal less frequently than yearly then three times the appropriation from the committee's fund for the preceding fiscal year. The amount, if any, in the fund which shall lapse is that amount in the fund which exceeds the appropriate multiple of the appropriations from the committee's fund for the preceding fiscal year.
6. The committee shall hold public examinations at least two times per year, at such times and places as may be fixed by the committee, notice of such examinations to be given to each applicant at least ten days prior thereto.
(L. 1985 S.B. 37 § 3, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 2004 S.B. 1122)
337.510. 1. Each applicant for licensure as a professional counselor shall furnish evidence to the committee that the applicant is at least eighteen years of age, is of good moral character, is a United States citizen or is legally present in the United States; and
(1) The applicant has completed a course of study as defined by the board rule leading to a master's, specialist's, or doctoral degree with a major in counseling; and
(2) The applicant has completed acceptable supervised counseling as defined by board rule. If the applicant has a master's degree with a major in counseling as defined by board rule, the applicant shall complete at least two years of acceptable supervised counseling experience subsequent to the receipt of the master's degree. The composition and number of hours comprising the acceptable supervised counseling experience shall be defined by board rule. An applicant may substitute thirty semester hours of post master's graduate study for one of the two required years of acceptable supervised counseling experience if such hours are clearly related to counseling;
(3) After August 28, 2007, each applicant shall have completed a minimum of three hours of graduate level coursework in diagnostic systems either in the curriculum leading to a degree or as post master's graduate level course work;
(4) Upon examination, the applicant is possessed of requisite knowledge of the profession, including techniques and applications, research and its interpretation, and professional affairs and ethics.
2. Any person who previously held a valid unrevoked, unsuspended license as a professional counselor in this state and who held a valid license as a professional counselor in another state at the time of application to the committee shall be granted a license to engage in professional counseling in this state upon application to the committee accompanied by the appropriate fee as established by the committee pursuant to section 337.507.
3. Any person holding a current license, certificate of registration, or permit from another state or territory of the United States to practice as a professional counselor who is at least eighteen years of age, is of good moral character, and is a United States citizen or is legally present in the United States may be granted a license without examination to engage in the practice of professional counseling in this state upon the application to the board, payment of the required fee as established by the board, and satisfying one of the following requirements:
(1) Approval by the American Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB) or its successor organization according to the eligibility criteria established by AASCB. The successor organization shall be defined by board rule; or
(2) In good standing and currently certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors or its successor organization and has completed acceptable supervised counseling experience as defined by board rule. The successor organization shall be defined by board rule; or
(3) Determination by the board that the requirements of the other state or territory are substantially the same as Missouri and certified by the applicant's current licensing entity that the applicant has a current license. The applicant shall also consent to examination of any disciplinary history.
4. The committee shall issue a license to each person who files an application and fee and who furnishes evidence satisfactory to the committee that the applicant has complied with the provisions of this act and has taken and passed a written, open-book examination on Missouri laws and regulations governing the practice of professional counseling as defined in section 337.500. The division shall issue a provisional professional counselor license to any applicant who meets all requirements of this section, but who has not completed the required acceptable supervised counseling experience and such applicant may reapply for licensure as a professional counselor upon completion of such acceptable supervised counseling experience.
5. All persons licensed to practice professional counseling in this state shall pay on or before the license renewal date a renewal license fee and shall furnish to the committee satisfactory evidence of the completion of the requisite number of hours of continuing education as required by rule, which shall be no more than forty hours biennially. The continuing education requirements may be waived by the committee upon presentation to the committee of satisfactory evidence of the illness of the licensee or for other good cause.
(L. 1985 S.B. 37 § 4, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1996 S.B. 604, et al., A.L. 2001 S.B. 357, A.L. 2004 H.B. 1195, A.L. 2005 H.B. 600 merged with S.B. 347, A.L. 2006 S.B. 756, A.L. 2007 S.B. 272)
337.515. Each license issued pursuant to the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540 shall expire on the renewal date. The division shall renew any license upon application for renewal and upon payment of the fee established by the committee pursuant to the provisions of section 337.507.
(L. 1985 S.B. 37 § 5, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720)
337.520. 1. The division shall promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to:
(1) The form and content of license applications required by the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540 and the procedures for filing an application for an initial or renewal license in this state;
(2) Fees required by the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540;
(3) The content, conduct and administration of the licensing examination required by section 337.510;
(4) The characteristics of "acceptable supervised counseling experience" as that term is used in section 337.510;
(5) The equivalent of the basic educational requirements set forth in section 337.510;
(6) The standards and methods to be used in assessing competency as a professional counselor;
(7) Establishment and promulgation of procedures for investigating, hearing and determining grievances and violations occurring under the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540;
(8) Development of an appeal procedure for the review of decisions and rules of administrative agencies existing under the constitution or laws of this state;
(9) Establishment of a policy and procedure for reciprocity with other states, including states which do not have counselor licensing laws or states whose licensing laws are not substantially the same as those of this state;
(10) The characteristics of "an acceptable educational institution" as that term is used in section 337.510;
(11) The characteristics of an acceptable agent for the certification of an exempted occupation as listed in subdivisions (11) and (13) of section 337.505; and
(12) The form and content of "ethical standards for counselors" as that term is used in subdivision (15) of subsection 2 of section 337.525.
2. No rule or portion of a rule promulgated under the authority of sections 337.500 to 337.545 shall become effective unless it has been promulgated pursuant to the provisions of section 536.024, RSMo.
(L. 1985 S.B. 37 § 6, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1993 S.B. 52, A.L. 1995 S.B. 3)
337.525. 1. The committee may refuse to issue or renew any license required by the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540 for one or any combination of causes stated in subsection 2 of this section. The committee shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the refusal and shall advise the applicant of his right to file a complaint with the administrative hearing commission as provided by chapter 621, RSMo.
2. The committee may cause a complaint to be filed with the administrative hearing commission as provided by chapter 621, RSMo, against any holder of any license required by sections 337.500 to 337.540 or any person who has failed to renew or has surrendered his license for any one or any combination of the following causes:
(1) Use of any controlled substance, as defined in chapter 195, RSMo, or alcoholic beverage to an extent that such use impairs a person's ability to engage in the occupation of professional counselor;
(2) The person has been finally adjudicated and found guilty, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, in a criminal prosecution under the laws of any state or of the United States, for any offense reasonably related to the qualifications, functions or duties of a professional counselor; for any offense an essential element of which is fraud, dishonesty or an act of violence; or for any offense involving moral turpitude, whether or not sentence is imposed;
(3) Use of fraud, deception, misrepresentation or bribery in securing any license issued pursuant to the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540 or in obtaining permission to take any examination given or required pursuant to the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540;
(4) Obtaining or attempting to obtain any fee, charge, tuition or other compensation by fraud, deception or misrepresentation;
(5) Incompetency, misconduct, fraud, misrepresentation or dishonesty in the performance of the functions or duties of a professional counselor;
(6) Violation of, or assisting or enabling any person to violate, any provision of sections 337.500 to 337.540, or of any lawful rule or regulation adopted pursuant to sections 337.500 to 337.540;
(7) Impersonation of any person holding a license or allowing any person to use his or her license or diploma from any school;
(8) Revocation or suspension of a license or other right to practice counseling granted by another state, territory, federal agency or country upon grounds for which revocation or suspension is authorized in this state;
(9) A person is finally adjudged incapacitated by a court of competent jurisdiction;
(10) Assisting or enabling any person to practice or offer to practice professional counseling who is not licensed and currently eligible to practice under the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540;
(11) Issuance of a license based upon a material mistake of fact;
(12) Failure to display a valid license if so required by sections 337.500 to 337.540 or any rule promulgated hereunder;
(13) Violation of any professional trust or confidence;
(14) Use of any advertisement or solicitation which is false, misleading or deceptive to the general public or persons to whom the advertisement or solicitation is primarily directed;
(15) Being guilty of unethical conduct as defined in the ethical standards for counselors adopted by the division and filed with the secretary of state.
3. Any person, organization, association or corporation who reports or provides information to the committee pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and who does so in good faith shall not be subject to an action for civil damages as a result thereof.
4. After the filing of such complaint, the proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 621, RSMo. Upon a finding by the administrative hearing commission that the grounds, provided in subsection 2 of this section, for disciplinary action are met, the committee may censure or place the person named in the complaint on probation on such terms and conditions as the committee deems appropriate for a period not to exceed five years, or may suspend, for a period not to exceed three years, or revoke the license.
(L. 1985 S.B. 37 § 7, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720)
337.528. 1. If the committee finds merit to a complaint by an individual incarcerated or under the care and control of the department of corrections and takes further investigative action, no documentation may appear on file or disciplinary action may be taken in regards to the licensee's license unless the provisions of subsection 2 of section 337.525 have been violated. Any case file documentation that does not result in the committee filing an action under subsection 2 of section 337.525 shall be destroyed within three months after the final case disposition by the board. No notification to any other licensing board in another state or any national registry regarding any investigative action shall be made unless the provisions of subsection 2 of section 337.525 have been violated.
2. Upon written request of the licensed professional counselor subject to a complaint, prior to August 28, 2007, by an individual incarcerated or under the care and control of the department of corrections that did not result in the committee filing an action under subsection 2 of section 337.525, the committee and the division of professional registration shall in a timely fashion:
(1) Destroy all documentation regarding the complaint;
(2) Notify any other licensing board in another state or any national registry regarding the committee's actions if they have been previously notified of the complaint; and
(3) Send a letter to the licensee that clearly states that the committee found the complaint to be unsubstantiated, that the committee has taken the requested action, and notify the licensee of the provisions of subsection 3 of this section.
3. Any person who has been the subject of an unsubstantiated complaint as provided in subsection 1 or 2 of this section shall not be required to disclose the existence of such complaint in subsequent applications or representations relating to their counseling professions.
(L. 2007 H.B. 555 merged with S.B. 272)
337.530. 1. Violation of any provision of sections 337.500 to 337.540 shall be a class B misdemeanor.
2. All fees or other compensation received for services rendered in violation of sections 337.500 to 337.540 shall be refunded.
3. The department may sue in its own name in any court in this state. The department shall inquire diligently as to any violation of sections 337.500 to 337.540, shall institute actions for penalties herein prescribed, and shall enforce generally the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540.
4. Upon application by the committee, the attorney general may on behalf of the committee request that a court of competent jurisdiction grant an injunction, restraining order or other order as may be appropriate to enjoin a person from:
(1) Offering to engage or engaging in the performance of any acts or practices for which a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license is required upon a showing that such acts or practices were performed or offered to be performed without a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license; or
(2) Engaging in any practice or business authorized by a certificate of registration or authority, permit or license issued pursuant to this chapter upon a showing that the holder presents a substantial probability of serious harm to the health, safety or welfare of any resident of this state or client or patient of the licensee.
5. Any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be commenced either in the county in which such conduct occurred or in the county in which the defendant resides.
6. Any action brought under this section may be in addition to or in lieu of any penalty provided by this chapter and may be brought concurrently with other actions to enforce this chapter.
(L. 1985 S.B. 37 § 8, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720)
337.535. 1. There is hereby established the "Committee for Professional Counselors" which shall guide, advise, and make recommendations to the division and fulfill other responsibilities designated by this chapter. The committee shall approve the examination required by section 337.510 and shall assist the division in carrying out the provisions of sections 337.500 to 337.540.
2. The committee shall consist of six members, including one public member, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Each member of the committee shall be a citizen of the United States and a resident of this state and, except as provided hereinafter, shall be licensed as a professional counselor by this state. Beginning with the appointments made after August 28, 1992, two members shall be appointed for four years, two members shall be appointed for three years and two members shall be appointed for two years. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed to serve four-year terms. No person shall be eligible for reappointment who has served as a member of the committee for a total of eight years. The membership of the committee shall reflect the differences in levels of education and work experience with consideration being given to race, gender and ethnic origins. Not more than two counselor educators shall be members of the committee at the same time. The president of the American Counseling Association of Missouri in office at the time shall, at least ninety days prior to the expiration of the term of the committee member, other than the public member, or as soon as feasible after the vacancy on the committee otherwise occurs, submit to the director of the division of professional registration a list of five professional counselors qualified and willing to fill the vacancy in question, with the request and recommendation that the governor appoint one of the five persons so listed, and with the list so submitted, the president of the American Counseling Association of Missouri shall include in his or her letter of transmittal a description of the method by which the names were chosen by that association.
3. A vacancy in the office of a member shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the remainder of the unexpired term.
4. Each member of the committee shall receive as compensation, an amount set by the committee not to exceed fifty dollars for each day devoted to the affairs of the committee, and shall be reimbursed for necessary and actual expenses incurred in the performance of his or her official duties. All staff for the committee shall be provided by the division.
5. The committee shall hold an annual meeting at which it shall elect from its membership a chairperson and secretary. The committee may hold such additional meetings as may be required in the performance of its duties, provided that notice of every meeting must be given to each member at least three days prior to the date of the meeting. A quorum of the committee shall consist of a majority of its members.
6. The governor may remove a committee member for misconduct, incompetency or neglect of his or her official duties after giving the committee member written notice of the charges against the committee member and an opportunity to be heard thereon.
7. The public member shall be at the time of his or her appointment a citizen of the United States; a resident of this state for a period of one year and a registered voter; a person who is not and never was a member of any profession licensed or regulated pursuant to sections 337.500 to 337.540 or the spouse of such person; and a person who does not have and never has had a material, financial interest in either the providing of the professional services regulated by sections 337.500 to 337.540, or an activity or organization directly related to any profession licensed or regulated pursuant to sections 337.500 to 337.540. The duties of the public member shall not include the determination of the technical requirements to be met for licensure or whether any person meets such technical requirements or of the technical competence or technical judgment of a licensee or a candidate for licensure.
(L. 1985 S.B. 37 § 9, A.L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720, A.L. 1992 H.B. 1593 merged with S.B. 804, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343)
337.540. Any communication made by any person to a licensed professional counselor in the course of professional services rendered by the licensed professional counselor shall be deemed a privileged communication and the licensed professional counselor shall not be examined or be made to testify to any privileged communication without the prior consent of the person who received his professional services, except in violation of the criminal law.
(L. 1985 S.B. 37 § 10)Effective 1-1-86 (S.B. 37 § 11, 1985)
337.600. As used in sections 337.600 to 337.689, the following terms mean:
(1) "Advanced macro social worker", the applications of social work theory, knowledge, methods, principles, values, and ethics; and the professional use of self to community and organizational systems, systemic and macrocosm issues, and other indirect nonclinical services; specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills in case management, information and referral, nonclinical assessments, counseling, outcome evaluation, mediation, nonclinical supervision, nonclinical consultation, expert testimony, education, outcome evaluation, research, advocacy, social planning and policy development, community organization, and the development, implementation and administration of policies, programs, and activities. A licensed advanced macro social worker may not treat mental or emotional disorders or provide psychotherapy without the direct supervision of a licensed clinical social worker, or diagnose a mental disorder;
(2) "Clinical social work", the application of social work theory, knowledge, values, methods, principles, and techniques of case work, group work, client-centered advocacy, administration, consultation, research, psychotherapy and counseling methods and techniques to persons, families and groups in assessment, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and amelioration of mental and emotional conditions;
(3) "Committee", the state committee for social workers established in section 337.622;
(4) "Department", the Missouri department of economic development;
(5) "Director", the director of the division of professional registration;
(6) "Division", the division of professional registration;
(7) "Independent practice", any practice of social workers outside of an organized setting such as a social, medical, or governmental agency in which a social worker assumes responsibility and accountability for services required;
(8) "Licensed advanced macro social worker", any person who offers to render services to individuals, groups, families, couples, organizations, institutions, communities, government agencies, corporations, or the general public for a fee, monetary or otherwise, implying that the person is trained, experienced, and licensed as an advanced macro social worker, and who holds a current valid license to practice as an advanced macro social worker;
(9) "Licensed baccalaureate social worker", any person who offers to render services to individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, government agencies, or the general public for a fee, monetary or otherwise, implying that the person is trained, experienced, and licensed as a baccalaureate social worker, and who holds a current valid license to practice as a baccalaureate social worker;
(10) "Licensed clinical social worker", any person who offers to render services to individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, government agencies, or the general public for a fee, monetary or otherwise, implying that the person is trained, experienced, and licensed as a clinical social worker, and who holds a current, valid license to practice as a clinical social worker;
(11) "Licensed master social worker", any person who offers to render services to individuals, groups, families, couples, organizations, institutions, communities, government agencies, corporations, or the general public for a fee, monetary or otherwise, implying that the person is trained, experienced, and licensed as a master social worker, and who holds a current valid license to practice as a master social worker. A licensed master social worker may not treat mental or emotional disorders, provide psychotherapy without the direct supervision of a licensed clinical social worker, or diagnose a mental disorder;
(12) "Master social work", the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, and ethics and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, communities, institutions, government agencies, or corporations. The practice includes the applications of specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills in the areas of assessment, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation, case management, mediation, information and referral, counseling, client education, supervision, consultation, education, research, advocacy, community organization and development, planning, evaluation, implementation and administration of policies, programs, and activities. Under supervision as provided in this section, the practice of master social work may include the practices reserved to clinical social workers or advanced macro social workers;
(13) "Practice of advanced macro social work", rendering, offering to render, or supervising those who render to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, government agencies, communities, or the general public any service involving the application of methods, principles, and techniques of advanced practice macro social work;
(14) "Practice of baccalaureate social work", rendering, offering to render, or supervising those who render to individuals, families, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, or the general public any service involving the application of methods, principles, and techniques of baccalaureate social work;
(15) "Practice of clinical social work", rendering, offering to render, or supervising those who render to individuals, couples, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, or the general public any service involving the application of methods, principles, and techniques of clinical social work;
(16) "Practice of master social work", rendering, offering to render, or supervising those who render to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, government agencies, communities, or the general public any service involving the application of methods, principles, and techniques of master social work;
(17) "Provisional licensed clinical social worker", any person who is a graduate of an accredited school of social work and meets all requirements of a licensed clinical social worker, other than the supervised clinical social work experience prescribed by subdivision (2) of subsection 1 of section 337.615, and who is supervised by a person who is qualified to practice clinical social work, as defined by rule;
(18) "Qualified advanced macro supervisor", any licensed social worker who meets the qualifications of a qualified clinical supervisor or a licensed advanced macro social worker who has:
(a) Practiced in the field for which he or she is supervising the applicant for a minimum uninterrupted period of five years;
(b) * Successfully completed a minimum of sixteen hours of supervisory training from the Association of Social Work boards, the National Association of Social Workers, an accredited university, or a program approved by the state committee for social workers. All organizations providing the supervisory training shall adhere to the basic content and quality standards outlined by the state committee on social work; and
(c) Met all the requirements of sections 337.600 to 337.689, and as defined by rule by the state committee for social workers;
(19) "Qualified baccalaureate supervisor", any licensed social worker who meets the qualifications of a qualified clinical supervisor, qualified master supervisor, qualified advanced macro supervisor, or a licensed baccalaureate social worker who has:
(a) Practiced in the field for which he or she is supervising the applicant for a minimum uninterrupted period of five years;
(b) * Successfully completed a minimum of sixteen hours of supervisory training from the Association of Social Work boards, the National Association of Social Workers, an accredited university, or a program approved by the state committee for social workers. All organizations providing the supervisory training shall adhere to the basic content and quality standards outlined by the state committee on social workers; and
(c) Met all the requirements of sections 337.600 to 337.689, and as defined by rule by the state committee for social workers;
(20) "Qualified clinical supervisor", any licensed clinical social worker who has:
(a) Practiced in the field for which he or she is supervising the applicant uninterrupted since August 28, 2004, or a minimum of five years;
(b) * Successfully completed a minimum of sixteen hours of supervisory training from the Association of Social Work boards, the National Association of Social Workers, an accredited university, or a program approved by the state committee for social workers. All organizations providing the supervisory training shall adhere to the basic content and quality standards outlined by the state committee on social work; and
(c) Met all the requirements of sections 337.600 to 337.689, and as defined by rule by the state committee for social workers;
(21) "Social worker", any individual that has:
(a) Received a baccalaureate or master's degree in social work from an accredited social work program approved by the council on social work education;
(b) Received a doctorate or Ph.D. in social work; or
(c) A current social worker license as set forth in sections 337.600 to 337.689.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720 § 1, A.L. 1995 S.B. 69, et al., A.L. 2003 H.B. 332, A.L. 2005 S.B. 177, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308)*Word "Has" appears in original rolls.
337.603. No person shall use the title of "licensed clinical social worker", "clinical social worker" or "provisional licensed clinical social worker", or engage in the practice of clinical social work in this state, unless the person is licensed as required by the provisions of sections 337.600 to 337.689. Only individuals who are licensed clinical social workers shall practice clinical social work. Sections 337.600 to 337.689 shall not apply to:
(1) Any person registered, certificated, or licensed by this state, another state, or any recognized national certification agent acceptable to the committee to practice any other occupation or profession while rendering services similar in nature to clinical social work in the performance of the occupation or profession which the person is registered, certificated, or licensed; and
(2) The practice of any social worker who is employed by any agency or department of the state of Missouri while discharging the person's duties in that capacity.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720 § 2, A.L. 1995 S.B. 69, et al., A.L. 1997 S.B. 246, A.L. 2005 S.B. 177, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308)
337.604. 1. No person shall hold himself or herself out to be a social worker unless such person has:
(1) Received a baccalaureate or master's degree in social work from an accredited social work program approved by the council on social work education;
(2) Received a doctorate or Ph.D. in social work; or
(3) A current social worker license as set forth in sections 337.600 to 337.689.
2. No government entities, public or private agencies or organizations in the state shall use the title "social worker" or any form of the title for volunteer or employment positions or within contracts for services, documents, manuals, or reference material effective January 1, 2004, unless the volunteers or employees in those positions meet the criteria set forth in subdivision (17) of section 337.600 or subsection 1 of this section.
(L. 2003 H.B. 332, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308)
337.612. 1. Applications for licensure as a clinical social worker, baccalaureate social worker, advanced macro social worker or master social worker shall be in writing, submitted to the committee on forms prescribed by the committee and furnished to the applicant. The application shall contain the applicant's statements showing the applicant's education, experience, and such other information as the committee may require. Each application shall contain a statement that it is made under oath or affirmation and that the information contained therein is true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the applicant, subject to the penalties provided for the making of a false affidavit or declaration. Each application shall be accompanied by the fees required by the committee.
2. The committee shall mail a renewal notice to the last known address of each licensee prior to the licensure renewal date. Failure to provide the committee with the information required for licensure, or to pay the licensure fee after such notice shall effect a revocation of the license after a period of sixty days from the licensure renewal date. The license shall be restored if, within two years of the licensure date, the applicant provides written application and the payment of the licensure fee and a delinquency fee.
3. A new certificate to replace any certificate lost, destroyed or mutilated may be issued subject to the rules of the committee, upon payment of a fee.
4. The committee shall set the amount of the fees which sections 337.600 to 337.689 authorize and require by rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to section 536.021, RSMo. The fees shall be set at a level to produce revenue which shall not substantially exceed the cost and expense of administering the provisions of sections 337.600 to 337.689. All fees provided for in sections 337.600 to 337.689 shall be collected by the director who shall deposit the same with the state treasurer in a fund to be known as the "Clinical Social Workers Fund". After August 28, 2007, the clinical social workers fund shall be called the "Licensed Social Workers Fund" and after such date all references in state law to the clinical social workers fund shall be considered references to the licensed social workers fund.
5. The provisions of section 33.080, RSMo, to the contrary notwithstanding, money in this fund shall not be transferred and placed to the credit of general revenue until the amount in the fund at the end of the biennium exceeds two times the amount of the appropriations from the clinical social workers fund for the preceding fiscal year or, if the committee requires by rule renewal less frequently than yearly, then three times the appropriation from the committee's fund for the preceding fiscal year. The amount, if any, in the fund which shall lapse is that amount in the fund which exceeds the appropriate multiple of the appropriations from the clinical social workers fund for the preceding fiscal year.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720 § 5, A.L. 1997 S.B. 246, A.L. 2001 H.B. 567, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308)
337.615. 1. Each applicant for licensure as a clinical social worker shall furnish evidence to the committee that:
(1) The applicant has a master's degree from a college or university program of social work accredited by the council of social work education or a doctorate degree from a school of social work acceptable to the committee;
(2) The applicant has completed three thousand hours of supervised clinical experience with a qualified clinical supervisor, as defined in section 337.600, in no less than twenty-four months and no more than forty-eight consecutive calendar months;
(3) The applicant has achieved a passing score, as defined by the committee, on an examination approved by the committee. The eligibility requirements for such examination shall be promulgated by rule of the committee;
(4) The applicant is at least eighteen years of age, is of good moral character, is a United States citizen or has status as a legal resident alien, and has not been convicted of a felony during the ten years immediately prior to application for licensure.
2. Any person holding a current license, certificate of registration, or permit from another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia to practice clinical social work who has had no disciplinary action taken against the license, certificate of registration, or permit for the preceding five years may be granted a license to practice clinical social work in this state if the person meets one of the following criteria:
(1) Has received a masters or doctoral degree from a college or university program of social work accredited by the council of social work education and has been licensed to practice clinical social work for the preceding five years; or
(2) Is currently licensed or certified as a clinical social worker in another state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia having substantially the same requirements as this state for clinical social workers.
3. The committee shall issue a license to each person who files an application and fee as required by the provisions of sections 337.600 to 337.689 and who furnishes evidence satisfactory to the committee that the applicant has complied with the provisions of subdivisions (1) to (4) of subsection 1 of this section or with the provisions of subsection 2 of this section. The committee shall issue a provisional clinical social worker license to any applicant who meets all requirements of subdivisions (1), (3) and (4) of subsection 1 of this section, but who has not completed the twenty-four months of supervised clinical experience required by subdivision (2) of subsection 1 of this section, and such applicant may reapply for licensure as a clinical social worker upon completion of the twenty-four months of supervised clinical experience.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720 § 6, A.L. 1995 S.B. 69, et al., A.L. 1997 S.B. 246, A.L. 2001 H.B. 567, A.L. 2004 H.B. 1195 merged with S.B. 1122, A.L. 2005 S.B. 177, A.L. 2006 S.B. 756, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308)
337.618. Each license issued pursuant to the provisions of sections 337.600 to 337.689 shall expire on a renewal date established by the director. The term of licensure shall be twenty-four months. The committee shall require a minimum number of thirty clock hours of continuing education for renewal of a license issued pursuant to sections 337.600 to 337.689. The committee shall renew any license, other than a provisional license, upon application for a renewal, completion of the required continuing education hours and upon payment of the fee established by the committee pursuant to the provisions of section 337.612. As provided by rule, the board may waive or extend the time requirements for completion of continuing education for reasons related to health, military service, foreign residency, or for other good cause. All requests for waivers or extensions of time shall be made in writing and submitted to the board before the renewal date.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720 § 7, A.L. 1997 S.B. 246, A.L. 2001 H.B. 567, A.L. 2005 S.B. 177, A.L. 2007 H.B. 780 merged with S.B. 308)
337.621. The committee may issue temporary permits to practice under extenuating circumstances as determined by the committee and defined by rule.
(L. 1989 H.B. 738 & 720 § 8, A.L. 1997 S.B. 246)
337.622. 1. There is hereby established the "State Committee for Social Workers", which shall guide, advise, and make recommendations to the division and fulfill other responsibilities designated by sections 337.600 to 337.689. The committee shall approve any examination required by sections 337.600 to 337.689 and shall assist the division in carrying out the provisions of sections 337.600 to 337.689.
2. The committee shall consist of ten members, including a public member appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Each member of the committee shall be a citizen of the United States and a resident of this state. The committee shall consist of six licensed clinical social workers, one licensed master social worker, one licensed baccalaureate social worker*, one licensed advanced macro social worker, and one voting public member. At least two committee members shall be involved in the private practice of clinical social work. The governor shall endeavor to appoint members from different geographic regions of the state and with regard to the pattern of distribution of social workers in the state. The term of office for committee members shall be four years and no committee member shall serve more than ten years. The president of the National Association of Social Workers Missouri Chapter in office at the time shall, at least ninety days prior to the expiration of a term of a member of a c