The purpose of the rule amendment is to update the language for examinations for licensure.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B4-3.003Examination for Licensure

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the rule amendment is to update the language for examinations for licensure.

SUMMARY: To update rule language.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 456.017, 491.004(5) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.017, 491.005 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Janet Hartman, Executive Director, Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin # C08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3258.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B4-3.003 Examination for Licensure.

(1) An applicant who has completed all requirements for the examination and has been certified eligible by the board will be admitted to the examination for licensure.

(2) Theory and practice examinations.

(a) The examination for Clinical Ssocial Wworkers. The theory and practice examination for clinical social workers shall be the Clinical Level objective multiple choice examination developed by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Beginning June 1, 2021, applicants may be deemed eligible to take the examination after completion of 18 months of documented experience in clinical settings, not including the applicant’s praticum or other experience received in the applicant’s graduate program.The minimum passing score is the recommended cut-off score provided by the national vendor established according to a standard-setting method.

(b) The examination for Mental Hhealth Ccounselors. shall be tThe National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), shall be a clinical simulation examination developed by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). All options are given a weight based upon the level of appropriateness for good client care. The minimum pass level shall be the recommended cut-off score provided by the NBCC and established according to a content-based modified Angoff procedure. Applicants for licensure by endorsement may use the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) if the exam was taken prior to the year 2000.

(c) The examination for Marriage and Ffamily Ttherapists. The marital and family therapy examination shall be the an objective multiple choice examination developed by the Examination Advisory Committee of the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board (AMFTRB). All items will be weighted equally in scoring the examination.

(3) The minimum passing score is the recommended cut-off score provided by the national vendor and shall be established by the respective test providersaccording to the Angoff procedure.

Rulemaking Authority 456.017, 491.004(5) FS. Law Implemented 456.017, 491.005 FS. History–New 3-21-90, Amended 7-31-91, 3-10-92, 6-1-92, 1-27-93, Formerly 21CC-3.003, Amended 3-14-94, 7-20-94, Formerly 61F4-3.003, Amended 12-22-94, 9-18-95, 11-13-96, 6-1-97, Formerly 59P-3.003, Amended 8-8-99, 1-11-00, 7-2-00, 8-24-00, 10-15-02, 7-8-03, 6-7-10, 8-30-15, 7-10-19,_______________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 7, 2020

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: July 24, 2020