South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 37 - SOUTH CAROLINA CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACADEMY
South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 36 is under the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) and specifically pertains to the Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors, and Psycho-Educational Specialists.
This chapter lays out the rules and regulations for the licensure, conduct, and continuing education of these various mental health and related professionals in South Carolina. The Board's primary purpose is to protect the public by ensuring that only qualified and ethical individuals provide these services.
Here's a breakdown of the typical articles (divisions) within this chapter and what they cover:
Article 1: Definitions
Provides clear definitions for key terms used throughout the regulations, specific to each profession regulated by the Board.
Article 2: Officers of Board; Meetings
Outlines the structure and operations of the Board, including how officers are elected and how meetings are conducted.
Article 3: Licensing Provisions
This is a very important article, detailing the requirements for initial licensure for each of the professions:
Professional Counselors (LPC): Education (often requiring a master's or doctoral degree, with specific coursework and practicum/internship hours, usually from a CACREP-accredited program or equivalent), supervised post-master's clinical experience (e.g., 1500 hours with a minimum of 120 hours of supervision), and passing a national examination (like the NCE or NCMHCE).
Professional Counselor Associates (LPCA): This is typically a provisional license allowing individuals to accrue the supervised experience needed for full LPC licensure.
Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT): Education (often requiring a master's or doctoral degree from a COAMFTE-accredited program or equivalent), supervised clinical experience (e.g., 1500 hours with a minimum of 120 hours of supervision), and passing a national examination.
Marriage and Family Therapy Associates (LMFTA): A provisional license for those gaining supervised experience for LMFT licensure.
Addiction Counselors (LAC): Education (often a master's degree, with specific coursework in addiction, or a bachelor's degree with extensive specialized training), supervised clinical experience focused on addiction (e.g., 1000 hours of direct client contact with addiction issues and 120 hours of supervision), and passing a national examination (like the NAADAC MAC Exam or IC&RC ADC Exam).
Addiction Counselor Associates (LACA): A provisional license for those gaining supervised experience for LAC licensure.
Psycho-Educational Specialists (LPES): Specific requirements for professionals trained to assess and treat educational, personal, and social needs of children and adolescents, typically requiring a graduate degree with specific coursework.
Licensure by Endorsement/Reciprocity: Provisions for licensing professionals who are already licensed in other states, provided they meet South Carolina's standards.
Article 4: Continuing Education
Specifies the continuing education (CE) requirements for license renewal for each professional category. This usually includes a certain number of hours per renewal cycle (e.g., 40 hours every two years) and often mandates a minimum number of ethics-related CE hours. There may also be specific requirements for supervisors (e.g., 10 hours in supervision training).
Article 5: Fees
Outlines the various fees associated with applications, examinations, initial licensure, renewals, and other administrative processes.
Article 6: Treatment for Impaired Practitioners
Addresses situations where licensees may be impaired due to substance abuse or other issues, outlining procedures for evaluation, treatment, monitoring, and potential disciplinary actions to protect the public.
Article 7: Codes of Ethics
Contains the ethical guidelines and standards of conduct that all licensees must adhere to. This includes principles related to client welfare, confidentiality, professional competence, avoiding dual relationships, informed consent, advertising, and maintaining professional boundaries. Violations of the Code of Ethics are grounds for disciplinary action.
Article 8: Standards for Supervision
Sets forth the requirements for becoming a supervisor for associate-level licensees and the specific standards that supervisors must follow when providing clinical supervision, including definitions of individual, triadic, and group supervision.
In essence, South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 36 is the definitive guide for anyone seeking to practice as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, addiction counselor, or psycho-educational specialist in the state, as well as for understanding the ethical and professional obligations of these licensed individuals.
RELATED Blog
0 comments