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Senate advances licensing changes for mental-health professionals, removing temporary-certification power
Summary
First substitute S.B. 195 would tighten licensing standards for mental-health and related professions, remove the Division of Occupational Licensing's authority to issue temporary certificates and clarify designation for advanced psychiatric mental health nursing; it passed to the third-reading calendar.
The Senate moved first substitute S.B. 195 forward after a floor presentation by Senator Karen Hale outlining changes to mental-health and allied professional licensing.
Hale said the substitute bill makes several technical changes — including a specific designation for "advanced practice registered nurse specializing in psychiatric mental health nursing" — and revises exemptions. The largest substantive change would remove the Division of Occupational Licensing—s authority to issue temporary certificates that allow practice before completion of exams or supervised practice. "Currently ... persons who are issued a temporary certificate ... could practice as if they were fully licensed," Hale said; the bill removes that power as a consumer-protection measure to ensure insurers and clients are served by fully credentialed professionals.
Senator Evans asked whether the change would affect those currently holding temporary licenses; Hale replied the change is not retroactive and current temporary certificate holders would remain covered until the end of their three-year period. Several senators declared conflicts of interest where applicable and expressed support for the bill. The measure was advanced to the third-reading calendar with recorded support on the floor.
