Alabama Administrative Code Title 255 - ALABAMA BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN COUNSELING
Title 255 of the Alabama Administrative Code is dedicated to the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC). This Board is the primary regulatory body for professional counselors in the state of Alabama. Its fundamental mission is to protect the public by ensuring that individuals practicing counseling meet specific educational, experiential, and ethical standards.
The ABEC issues two main levels of licensure for counselors:
Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC): This is an initial license that allows an individual to gain supervised experience required for full licensure.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): This is the full, independent license that authorizes an individual to engage in the private practice of counseling in Alabama.
Key responsibilities and areas covered by Title 255 of the Alabama Administrative Code include:
Chapter 255-X-1 - Organization and Procedural Rules of the Board:
Outlines the Board's authority, purpose, and general operating procedures.
Details the composition of the Board (seven members appointed by the Governor, including licensed professional counselors, counselor educators, and public citizens).
Establishes meeting schedules, record-keeping requirements, and fee structures for applications, licenses, and renewals.
Includes provisions for military personnel and spouses regarding exceptions for licensure requirements.
Chapter 255-X-2 - Definitions and Clarification of Terms:
Provides clear definitions for various terms used throughout the regulations, such as "counseling," "professional counseling," "associate licensed counselor," "licensed professional counselor," "supervising counselor," "direct client service," "indirect service," "practicum," "internship," and "good moral character."
Chapter 255-X-3 - Qualifications for LPC and ALC; Supervising Counselor; Exceptions for Supervision; Supervising Associate:
Educational Requirements: Specifies that applicants for both ALC and LPC must hold a master's degree in Counseling from a regionally accredited program (effective January 1, 2024, typically a CACREP-accredited or equivalent program) with a minimum of 48-60 graduate semester hours. This includes specific coursework in areas like counseling theory, human growth and development, social and multicultural foundations, helping relationships, group dynamics, lifestyle and career development, appraisal, research, and professional orientation.
Practicum and Internship Requirements: Details the minimum hours and supervision requirements for practicum (at least 100 hours, 40 direct service) and internship (at least 600 hours, 240 direct service) within the graduate program.
Supervised Experience for LPC: Requires 3,000 hours of supervised experience for LPC licensure, with a specific breakdown (e.g., 2,250 hours of direct counseling service and 750 hours of indirect service). A minimum of 100 hours of supervision is required annually, with at least 50 hours being one-on-one, face-to-face individual supervision. Rules address virtual supervision, allowing up to 75% to be virtual, but requiring at least 25% to be in-person.
Supervising Counselor Requirements: Outlines the qualifications and training required to become an approved LPC Supervisor (LPC-S).
Chapter 255-X-4 - Application Procedures:
Details the steps for applying for both ALC and LPC licenses, including submitting transcripts, a proposed plan of supervision (for ALCs), proof of citizenship, and references.
Addresses the process for Board review of applications and potential requirements for additional academic work or experience if questions of competence arise.
Chapter 255-X-5 - Examination of Applicants:
Mandates passing the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) for LPC licensure.
Chapter 255-X-6 - Licensure:
Details the issuance of ALC (one-year term) and LPC (biennial, expiring July 31st of even-numbered years) licenses.
Requires licensees to display their licenses.
Defines valid licensure for ALCs as maintaining current supervision by an ABEC-approved LPC-S and proper renewals.
Outlines procedures for inactive license status and reactivation, including specific continuing education requirements for reactivation (e.g., 40 hours for LPC, including 6 ethics hours, within 24 months preceding reactivation, with a 6-year inactivation limit).
Chapter 255-X-7 - License Renewal:
LPC Renewal: Requires 40 hours of continuing education (CE) for each two-year renewal period, with a minimum of 6 hours devoted to ethical concerns. At least 75% of CE activities must be real-time participation (in-person or synchronous interactive technology).
ALC Renewal: Requires 10 hours of CE annually, with a minimum of 2 hours in ethics.
Includes provisions for audits of CE documentation and consequences for non-compliance.
Addresses renewal of lapsed licenses.
Chapter 255-X-8 - Contested Cases and Disciplinary Procedures:
Outlines the process for complaints, investigations, hearings, and appeals related to denial, refusal, revocation, or suspension of a license.
Chapter 255-X-9 - Private Practice of Counseling by Unlicensed Persons Prohibited:
Addresses the prohibition of unlicensed individuals holding themselves out as licensed counselors and engaging in private practice.
Details civil penalties for violations.
Chapter 255-X-10 - Licensing Under Special Conditions:
Includes rules for endorsement of out-of-state licenses (a case-by-case review based on the requirements at the time the applicant was originally licensed in another state, not current Alabama requirements).
Provisional licensure.
Chapter 255-X-11 - Ethical Standards:
Establishes the ethical guidelines that all licensed counselors in Alabama must adhere to, often referencing the Code of Ethics of recognized professional organizations like the American Counseling Association (ACA).
Where to find Alabama Administrative Code Title 255:
Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC) Official Website: This is the most authoritative and up-to-date source. The ABEC website provides direct links to the relevant Alabama Code (statutes) and the Administrative Rules.
Alabama Legislature - Administrative Code: The official repository for the Alabama Administrative Code. You can browse by Title and Chapter.
Justia Regulations: Provides a user-friendly, navigable version of the Alabama Administrative Code.
Cornell Law School - Legal Information Institute (LII): Another excellent resource for accessing state regulations.
Anyone seeking to practice counseling in Alabama, or requiring information on the regulations governing licensed professional counselors, should consult these official sources for the most current and accurate information.
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