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Senate adopts changes to licensing rules for mental health counselors after debate over accreditation and OPLER process
Summary
The Senate adopted second substitute SB 68 to clarify that Utah State University master's graduates meet licensure education requirements and to restate required credentials (master's degree, 4,000 supervised hours, credit‑hour totals and national exams); supporters cited a workforce shortage while opponents described a turf dispute among training programs.
Sen. Wyler introduced a second substitute to Senate Bill 68 clarifying licensing eligibility for mental health counselors. The substitute spells out that candidates must hold a master's degree, complete 4,000 supervised hours, meet semester/quarter credit requirements, and pass national exams; sponsors said the change preserves existing standards while addressing an interpretation that had blocked some Utah State University graduates from licensure.
Sen. Weiler, Sen. Wyler and supporters said the measure is not creating a new license or removing educational standards but is intended to resolve what they described as a licensing board interpretation that effectively excluded certain graduates. "This is not creating a new license ... it's just clarifying," Sen. Weiler said. Supporters repeatedly cited Utah's shortage of licensed mental health counselors and urged immediate action.
Opponents and some questions focused on process: several senators said the bill did not go through the usual OPLER screening committee and flagged concerns about due process and turf protection among programs; Sen. Bramble, chair of the committee that heard the bill, said he had asked opponents to demonstrate why the bill was more than a turf issue and felt the committee had appropriately recommended it to the full body. After substitute adoption, amendment and debate, the Senate read the second substitute for a third time with a roll-call of 26 yea, 1 nay, 2 absent.
