Licensure Committee Report

November 2007

Changes to the Tennessee LPC Rules and Regulations

• The TN Board for Professional Counselors and Marital and Family Therapists passed a resolution to increase the number of post masters supervised experience from 1000 hours to 3000 hours at the August quarterly meeting.  The board will be discussing grandfathering issues at the next board meeting scheduled on November 16, 2007.  Future initiatives include examining the requirements for supervisor of LPCs.  If you would like more information, please visit the Board homepage at http://health.state.tn.us/Boards/PC_MFT&CPT/index.htm.

Domestic Violence Reporting

·         The TN General Assembly recently passed legislation to require licensed health care practitioners to report suspected cases of domestic violence to the TN Department of Health.  The Department is planning to collect demographic information in order to determine the full extent of the problem.  Prior to this act, reporting was voluntary.  According to the information available, all data will be kept confidential and will not be linked to either the reporter or the victim.  For more information, you can visit the website at http://health.state.tn.us/DomesticViolence/. 

Legislative Update

• The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 continues to progress through the federal legislative process.  Currently, the Senate has passed it’s version of the bill.  The House bill is in committee but is expected to be passed and submitted for a full House vote soon.  According to the ACA Public Policy Department, the House bill is a more comprehensive plan that would require health plans to cover the full range of mental disorders covered in the most popular health plan for federal employees, including Members of Congress.  This is important legislation for health care professionals providing mental health services.  Please consider joining ACA to support this legislation. You can find more information about the legislation as well as mechanisms to provide input to your representatives by visiting the ACA Public Policy website at http://capwiz.com/counseling/home/.  
   

Goals for the year:

Ø       TCA Conference presentation:  I will be presenting a session at the 2007 TCA conference based on information I learned at the 2007 ACA Legislative Institute.  The presentation will be designed to help counselors develop advocacy skills regarding political issues that affect the counseling profession.

Ø       Licensure Questions:  I am available to any TCA member as well as others in the state who have questions about licensure issues.  I have answered questions from assessment information to supervision requirements.  I will continue to work to make this committee a source for people who need information about licensure.

Ø       Board Meetings:  I will continue to represent TCA at the quarterly meetings of the TN Board of Professional Counselors, presenting information that is helpful in making decision regarding licensure laws.  In addition, I will inform TCA members of important items of business from the Board. 

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at 615.898.2577 or by email at rlee@mtsu.edu.

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Robin Lee, LPC, NCC

Licensure Committee Chair