HB 600 -- LICENSING OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS

SPONSOR:  Cooper (155)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 11 to 0.

After August 28, 2007, this bill requires all applicants for
licensure as a professional counselor to provide the Committee
for Professional Counselors with evidence of the completion of a
minimum of three hours of graduate-level course work in
diagnostic systems in the curriculum leading to their degree.
The committee is authorized to establish continuing education
requirements for professional counselors to maintain and renew
their licenses.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will establish higher
standards for the profession by requiring applicants to have some
training in diagnosing mental illness.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Cooper (155);
Missouri Association for Professional Counselors; Missouri Mental
Health Counselors Association; and Dr. Chuck Barcay.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bob Dominique, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:20 pm