SECOND REGULAR SESSION
92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MORRIS.
Read 1st time February 26, 2004, and copies ordered printed.
STEPHEN S. DAVIS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To repeal sections 337.703 and 337.706, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to licensing.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Sections 337.703 and 337.706, RSMo, are repealed and two new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 337.703 and 337.706, RSMo, to read as follows:
337.703. No person shall use the title of "licensed marital and family therapist" [and], "marital and family therapist", "provisional marital and family therapist", or engage in the practice of marital and family therapy in this state unless the person is licensed as required by the provisions of sections 337.700 to 337.739. Sections 337.700 to 337.739 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 division to practice any other occupation or profession while rendering services similar in nature to marital and family therapy in the performance of the occupation or profession in which the person is registered, certificated or licensed, so long as the person does not use the title of "licensed marital and family therapist", "marital and family therapist", or "provisional marital and family therapist";
(2) The practice of any marital and family therapist who is employed by any political subdivision, school district, agency or department of the state of Missouri while discharging the therapist's duties in that capacity; and
(3) Duly ordained ministers or clergy, religious workers and volunteers or Christian Science Practitioners.
337.706. 1. For a period of six months from September 1, 1995, a person may apply for licensure without examination and shall be exempt from the academic requirements of sections 337.700 to 337.739 if the division is satisfied that the applicant:
(1) Has been a resident of the state of Missouri for at least the last six months; and
(2) Holds a valid license as a marital and family therapist from another state.
2. The division may determine by administrative rule the types of documentation needed to verify that an applicant meets the qualifications provided in subsection 1 of this section.
3. After March 1, 1996, no person may engage in marital and family therapy for compensation or hold himself or herself out as a "licensed marital and family therapist", "marital and family therapist", or "provisional marital and family therapist" unless the person complies with all educational and examination requirements and is licensed in accordance with the provisions of sections 337.700 to 337.739.