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Panel approves cleanup to behavioral‑health licensing rules to reduce unlicensed practice, agency says
Summary
Senate Bill 216 would standardize clinical experience and supervision requirements across behavioral‑health license types; the Professional Licensing Agency said the change will reduce confusion and unlicensed practice and the committee advanced the bill 11–0.
Senator Kreider presented Senate Bill 216, a measure sponsored with input from the Professional Licensing Agency that would align experience and supervision requirements across behavioral‑health license categories (marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, social work and addiction counseling).
Doug Boyle of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency testified the change applies the clinical‑experience and supervision framework already used for clinical social‑worker licenses across the other behavioral‑health license types. He said the current statutory language governing when applicants may begin accruing supervised clinical hours has created inconsistent interpretations, which PLA and the state board believe has contributed to incidents of unlicensed practice. The bill would require applicants to hold the preceding associate‑level license or temporary permit before accruing supervised clinical hours.
PLA told the committee this change will simplify application reviews, shorten processing times and allow clearer guidance to employers and applicants. PLA asked the committee for support; the committee adopted the bill and sent it to the Senate floor by an 11–0 vote.
