(1) The board shall issue a license as a marriage and family therapist to each applicant who files an application in a form and manner required by the board, submits the fee required by the board pursuant to section 12-245-205, and furnishes evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant:
Is at least twenty-one years of age;
Is not in violation of any provision of this article 245 or any rule adopted under thisarticle 245;
Has completed a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited school or college inmarriage and family therapy or its equivalent as determined by the board, and the degree includes a practicum or internship in the principles and practice of marriage and family therapy;
Subsequent to completing the applicant's master's or doctoral degree, has had at leasttwo years of post-master's or one year of postdoctoral practice in individual and marriage and family therapy, including at least one thousand five hundred hours of face-to-face direct client contact as determined by the board for the purpose of assessment and intervention under clinical supervision that may be in-person or telesupervision; and
Demonstrates professional competence by passing an examination in marriage andfamily therapy prescribed by the board and a jurisprudence examination administered by the division.
The examination by the board described in subsection (1)(e) of this section shall begiven not less than twice per year at such time and place and under such supervision as the board may determine.
The board or its designated representatives shall administer and determine the pass orfail status of the examination and take any actions necessary to ensure impartiality. The board shall determine the passing score for the examination based upon a level of minimum competency to engage in marriage and family therapy practice.
(a) The board shall register as a marriage and family therapist candidate a person who:
Files an application for registration, accompanied by the fee as required by section12-245-205;
Submits evidence satisfactory to the board that the person meets the requirements ofsubsections (1)(a), (1)(b), and (1)(c) of this section; and
Has not been previously registered as a marriage and family therapist candidate bythe board.
A marriage and family therapist candidate who registers with the board pursuant tothis subsection (4) is under the jurisdiction of the board and may, but is not required to, register with the database of unlicensed psychotherapists pursuant to section 12-245-703.
If a candidate does not meet the requirements of subsections (1)(d) and (1)(e) of thissection within four years after initial registration, the candidate's registration expires and is not renewable, unless the board, in its discretion, grants the candidate an extension. A person whose marriage and family therapist candidate registration expires is not precluded from applying to this board or to any other board for licensure or registration in a mental health profession for which the person is qualified.
Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1278, §
1, effective October 1. L. 2020: (1)(d) and (4)(b) amended, (HB 20-1206), ch. 304, pp. 1536, 1549, §§ 29, 58, effective July 14.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 12-43-504 as it existed prior to 2019.