TSBEPC Has Released Update to Rules– LPC interns are impacted!

Aug 4, 2016 by Ann

This post has been edited to reflect updates about possible interpretations of the new rules proposed by the Texas LPC board and to correct an error.

I found out yesterday that the LPC board in Texas has released a new version of the rules and regulations, as of July 14, 2016.

There are a couple of changes that will certainly impact LPC interns and LPC supervisors, and I’ve written about these changes before.

I’m listing some of the changes below.

Please note that you should always follow up at the board’s website for the most current version of the published rules and regulations here.

This list is not comprehensive; it’s merely intended to call attention to some of the changes that will impact many LPC interns and LPC supervisors practicing in Texas.

1.) Counseling programs preparing students for LPC licensure will be required to include a class in couples, marriage and families as of August 1, 2017 as a part of the new 60-hour core curriculum requirement.

2.) Applicants for LPC intern license do not have the right to a hearing if their application for licensure is denied based on applicant’s failure to meet academic requirements.

3.)  LPC interns may take an extended leave of absence from supervision & internship if approved and documented by their board approved supervisor.

4.) For applications** submitted on or before August 1, 2017, the board may count excess practicum hours earned toward the experience requirements of this subchapter if: 

(1) the hours were part of the applicant’s academic practicum or internship accumulated after the commencement of the applicant’s planned graduate program;
(2) the hours are in excess of the 300-hour practicum required by §681.82(c) of this title (relating to Academic Requirements); and
(3) no more than 400 hours can be counted for excess practicum with no more than half of the excessive practicum hours being counted as direct client contact.

5.)  An LPC intern can’t have more than 5 sites at one time.

6.)  An applicant for supervisor status must have held the regular license in good standing for at least 60 months from the date of issuance as of December 1, 2016.

**For item 4 in the list above: the board rule about excess practicum hours doesn’t specify which application they’re referring to– the LPC intern license that starts internship, or the application for LPC license that signals the end of internship.  I have written the board requesting clarification, as the answer will impact many interns currently in practice.  I will edit this post again once I receive an update from the board.

***I called the board asking for clarification about the surplus hours issue.  The person I spoke with on the phone stated that the rule is referring to LPC intern applications– the application submitted at the START of the internship process.  This suggests to me that as long as someone receives their LPC intern license before August 1, 2017, they will be able to count their surplus hours as explained in the board rules.  As always, it is your responsibility to consult with your supervisor, legal counsel, and licensing board directly if you have a question about the board rules.

If you read my previous post, you’ll see that the licensing board approved most of the changes they proposed back in January.

It’s always a good idea to read the new rules in full each time they’re released.  It looks like the licensing board releases an update about once a year.

You can sign up for updates from the board here.

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