64B4-3.0035. Continuing Education Courses Required Prior to Licensure

(1) An applicant for licensure in Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy or Mental Health Counseling shall provide proof of the folowing prior to licensure:

(a) Completion of a Law and Rules approved course consisting of a minimum of eight (8) hours which shall include the following subject areas:

1. Chapter 456, Part II, F.S., (Regulation of Professions and Occupations, General Provisions)

2. Chapter 90.503, F.S., (Psychotherapist-Patient Privilege)

3. Chapter 394, F.S., (Part I Florida Mental Health Act)

4. Chapter 397, F.S. (Substance Abuse Services)

5. Chapters 415 and 39, F.S., (Protection from Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation)

6. Chapter 491, F.S., (Clinical, Counseling and Psychotherapy Services)

7. Division 64B4, F.A.C., (Rules of the Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling)

(b) Completion of HIV/AIDS education as required by Section 491.0065, F.S.

(2) The Laws and Rules course:

(a) Must provide integration of the above subject areas into the competencies required for clinical practice and must include interactive discussion of clinical case examples applying the laws and rules that govern the appropriate clinical practice.

(b) Must include a testing mechanism on which a passing score of 80 percent must be obtained by the attendee prior to issuing credit. Upon successful completion of the course, the applicant shall submit a copy of the certificate of completion to the Board.

(c) May be offered and conducted on-line but must comply with all aspects of this rule.

(d) Offered by a Board approved laws and rules course provider shall qualify for continuing education credit even if the provider is not an approved continuing education provider pursuant to rule 64B4-6.004, F.A.C.

(3) HIV/AIDS education as required by Section 491.0065, F.S.:

(a) Must meet one of the requirements of subsection 64B4-6.0021(1), F.A.C., and which provide a minimum of three hours of HIV/AIDS education, including education on protocols and procedures applicable to HIV counseling, testing, reporting and partner notification, or

(b) Must be approved by the Department of Health pursuant to Section 381.0038, F.S.

(c) May be completed within six-month of filing the application if the applicant submits an affidavit with the application showing good cause for the six-month extension. Good cause may be shown by presenting proof of personal illness or illness involving a close relative or a person for whom the applicant has care-giving responsibility or where the applicant can demonstrate economic technological or legal hardship that relates to the ability to perform or  successfully complete the course requirement.

(d) May be met if the applicant holds an additional license concurrent with a license under 491 and can show proof of having completed a board-approved course on HIV/AIDS for the purpose of relicensure or recertification for the additional license.

(4) For purposes of this rule, an hour is defined as a 60-minute clock hour in which there is no less than 50 minutes of uninterrupted instruction.

(5) Laws and rules courses may be offered and conducted on-line but must comply with all aspects of this rule. Such courses must include real time (contemporaneous) interactive discussions as required by subsection (2) of this rule.

Rulemaking Authority 491.004(5), 491.005(1)(e), 491.0065 FS. Law Implemented 491.005(1)(e) FS. History–New 12-28-99, Amended 8-9-00, 10-16-03, 10-7-12, 6-30-15, 12-3-23.