Code of Maine Rules › 02 - DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION › 514 - BOARD OF COUNSELING PROFESSIONALS LICENSURE › Chapter 2 - LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS › Section 514-2-2 - Education

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. Qualifying Degree
The applicant shall provide documented proof of a master's
				  degree or a doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution that
				  consists of a minimum of 48 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalent and meets
				  the criteria of paragraph A, B, C or D below:
A. A counseling degree from a program that
				was accredited by CACREP at the time the degree was awarded (subject to the 48
				semester hour minimum);
B. A degree
				in rehabilitation counseling from a program that was accredited by CORE at the
				time the degree was awarded (subject to the 48 semester hour
				minimum);
C. A counseling degree
				that consisted of a minimum of 48 semester hours or quarter-hour equivalent as
				an organized sequence of study that includes curricular experiences and
				demonstrated knowledge that substantially satisfies each of the 10 core areas
				of study described in subparagraphs (1) through (10) below;
[NOTE: Nontraditional or specialized counseling programs such
				  as art therapy and dance movement therapy must also satisfy the 10 core areas
				  of study.]
Except for internship, full core area credit will be
				  recognized for a three semester hour course in the designated area. Except for
				  practicum and internship, partial core area credit will be recognized for a
				  course that contains components or significant aspects of a core area, and core
				  area requirements other than practicum and internship may be satisfied by
				  academic work completed in one or more separate courses. In determining whether
				  a course pertains to a core area, the board will consider the content of the
				  course as set forth in course descriptions, catalogs, syllabi, lesson plans,
				  assignment lists, reading lists, or other contemporaneous documents; completed
				  coursework produced by the applicant; any reliable information furnished by the
				  applicant, the instructor who taught the course, a member of the academic
				  department which offered the course, or a senior administrative official of the
				  institution; and the title of the course. No one course will be recognized as
				  satisfying more than one area of study.
In evaluating the applicant's academic credentials, the board
				  shall consider the unavailability of the foregoing materials due to passage of
				  time. In the event of a denial hearing, the board shall give due regard to the
				  credibility of the applicant in evaluating any testimony of the applicant
				  relating to course content, provided that the applicant has first demonstrated
				  to the board a good faith effort to obtain the documentation described in the
				  preceding paragraph.
(1) Human Growth
				and Development. Studies that provide an understanding of the nature and needs
				of individuals at different developmental levels throughout the life
				span.
(2) Social and Cultural
				Foundations. Studies that provide an understanding of societal changes and
				trends, human roles, social mores and interaction patterns, and differing life
				styles.
(3) Helping Relationships.
				Studies that provide an understanding of philosophic bases of helping
				processes, counseling theories and their applications, basic and advanced
				counseling skills, consultation theories and skills, self-understanding and
				self-development, and facilitation of client or consultee change.
(4) Groups. Studies that provide an
				understanding of group development, dynamics, group counseling theories, group
				leadership styles, and group counseling methods and skills.
(5) Lifestyle and Career Development. Studies
				that provide an understanding of career development theories, occupational and
				educational information services, career counseling, and career
				decision-making.
(6) Measurement.
				Studies that provide an understanding of group and individual educational and
				psychometric theories and approaches to measurement, data and
				information-gathering methods, validity, reliability, psychometric statistics,
				factors influencing measurements, and use of measurement results in the helping
				process.
(7) Research and
				Evaluation. Studies that provide an understanding of the types of research,
				basic statistics, research report development, research implementation, program
				evaluation, needs assessment, and ethical and legal considerations associated
				with research and evaluation.
(8)
				Professional Orientation. Studies that provide an understanding of professional
				roles and functions, professional organizations and associations, history and
				trends within the profession, ethical and legal standards, and professional
				preparation standards and professional credentialing.
(9) Practicum. A course of instruction that
				provides practical experience in counseling for the purpose of developing
				individual and group counseling skills. These studies include some counseling
				activities that a regularly employed licensed professional counselor would be
				expected to perform.
(10)
				Internship. A supervised counseling experience of at least 600 clock hours. The
				internship provides an opportunity for the student to perform all the
				activities that a regularly employed licensed professional counselor would be
				expected to perform.
Alternative Experience. In lieu of the practicum and
				  internship described in subparagraphs (9) and (10) above, an applicant may
				  provide documentation of 700 hours of lawfully obtained supervised counseling
				  experience. At least 280 hours must consist of direct client contact hours.
				  Documentation must include supervisor affidavits and a copy of the applicant's
				  final evaluation.
D. A psychology degree from a program that at
				the time the degree was awarded was accredited by the American Psychological
				Association or Canadian Psychological Association in clinical psychology or
				counseling psychology at the doctoral level.