TITLE 16 OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING

CHAPTER 27 COUNSELORS AND THERAPISTS

PART 16 CONTINUING EDUCATION

16.27.16.1 ISSUING AGENCY: Regulation and Licensing Department Counseling and Therapy Practice Board

[16.27.16.1 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.11.1, 6-15-01]

16.27.16.2 SCOPE: All professional clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, professional art therapists, professional mental health counselors, registered independent counselors, licensed mental health counselors, licensed associate marriage and family therapists, alcohol and drug abuse counselors, alcohol abuse counselors, drug abuse counselors, and substance abuse associates.

[16.27.16.2 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.11.2, 6-15-01; A, 7-1-04; A, 2-10-06]

16.27.16.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: These parts are promulgated pursuant to the Counselor and Therapist Practice Act, Section 61-9A-9 NMSA 1978.

[16.27.16.3 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.11.3, 6-15-01]

16.27.16.4 DURATION: Permanent

[16.27.16.4 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.11.4, 6-15-01]

16.27.16.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: June 15, 2001 unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.

[16.27.16.5 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.11.5, 6-15-01]

16.27.16.6 OBJECTIVE: The objective of Part 16 is to inform licensees of continuing education hours required for license renewal. Additionally, Part 16 established acceptable continuing education.

[16.27.16.6 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.11.5, 6-15-01]

16.27.16.7 DEFINITIONS: [Reserved]

16.27.16.8 CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Continuing education credit. Effective for the renewal period beginning October 1, 1997 forty (40) contact hours of continuing education approved by the New Mexico counseling and therapy practice board will be required to be documented during each two-year renewal period.

A. Continuing education must be acquired during the expiring licensing period.

B. One contact hour of continuing education is sixty minutes.

C. Specific continuing education which must be obtained and verified:

(1) six hours of ethics related to counseling/mental health for all licensees;

(2) three hours in supervision related to counseling/mental health for all licensees who are supervisors.

[16.27.16.8 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.11.8, 6-15-01; A, 2-10-06]

16.27.16.9 ACCEPTABLE CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES:

A. approved by certifying groups such as the national board for certified counselors, American marriage and family therapy regulatory board, American art therapy, association international certification reciprocity consortium, national association of alcohol and drug abuse council;

B. approved by other regulatory boards of related mental health or substance abuse fields, including psychiatry, psychology and social work;

C. sponsored by international, national, regional or state mental health professional associations including psychiatry, psychology and social work, or state and federal divisions of substance abuse; or

D. publication of professional writings and presenting board approved educational courses shall be awarded in a manner consistent with Part 16, section 16.27.16.8 and shall not exceed 20 hours for a license renewal period.

E. approved by the New Mexico counseling and therapy practice board;

F. internet continuing education correspondence shall not exceed 12 hours for a license renewal period.

G. home studies continuing education shall not exceed 12 hours for a license renewal period.

[16.27.16.9 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.11.9, 6-15-01; A, 7-1-04; A, 2-10-06]

16.27.16.10 DOCUMENTATION OF PARTICIPATION: The licensee shall be responsible for submitting proof of attendance of all continuing education hours at the time of license renewal. All continuing education hours must be documented at the time the license is renewed. The board reserves the right to require additional documentation of participation. The board will notify the licensee of approval or disapproval of continuing education hours within 30 days after receiving documentation.

[16.27.16.10 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.11.10, 6-15-01]

16.27.16.11 FAILURE TO MEET CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: The board will refuse to renew the licensee's license in accordance with the Uniform Licensing Act NMSA 1978 sections 61-1-1 through 61-1-31. If continuing education units requirements are not completed within the licensing period and by the expiration date, the licensee or registrant will be considered expired and will refrain from practicing. Individuals unable to meet continuing education requirements due to circumstances beyond their control must submit a written request for a waiver sixty (60) days prior to their renewal date. Extenuating circumstances include illness, death in immediate family, military service, or other severe circumstances, which do not allow an applicant to meet continuing education requirements. The applicant may request a one-time extension approved by the board and must pay an additional $300.00 fee. The board will review each request on a case-by-case basis.

[16.27.16.11 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.11.11, 6-15-01; A, 7-1-04; A, 11-19-07]

HISTORY OF 16.27.16 NMAC:

Pre-NMAC History: The material in this part was derived from that previously filed with the State Records Center and Archives under:

Rule 11, Continuing Education, 3-20-95

History of Repealed Material:

16 NMAC 27.11, Continuing Education - Repealed 6-15-01