FAQ’s

Q.      What happens to an application once it reaches the Board office? 

A.        All mail is opened in a central location and distributed to the appropriate staff person. The assigned Technical Records Specialist reviews the application file and sends a status letter to the applicant.

Q.      Is there a deadline for applications? 

A.        Rule 149(05) Deadline. To be considered by the Board, a properly completed application together with all supporting documentation and required fees must be received by the Bureau at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the next scheduled meeting of the Board.

Q.      How often does the Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists meet? 

A.        Regular Board Meetings are held on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of February, May and October.  The Board also meets in July, the date of which is set at their May meeting.

Q.      When may I expect a response regarding my application? 

A.        Within 2-4 weeks after the Board meeting, you will receive written communication regarding the Board’s review. If a license has been approved, you may verify this on our website at www.ibol.idaho.gov.  Select License and Registration Search and choose the Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists in the drop down box and enter your last name.  

Information relative to Board decisions concerning applications will NOT be provided by telephone.

Q.      Can I count PSR hours toward my supervision? 

A.        During the July 18^th, 2006 meeting, the Board took a position to accept PSR experience for the licensure requirement if all other conditions for supervised experience are met. The Board noted that PSR experience must be within the “Scope of Practice” and comply with Section 54-3401, Idaho Code. 

Q.      Does the Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists have reciprocity with other states? 

A.        Idaho has an endorsement rule.  For more information on the requirements, please review Rule 300.

Q.      What must I do to renew my license? 

A.        You may submit a complete renewal application by mail or submit a renewal application online by clicking the **ONLINE RENEWAL APPLICATION** link. 

The responsibility of license renewal remains with the license holder. You must also maintain documentation of the required number of annual Continuing Education hours (see Idaho Board Rule 425 for specific continuing education requirements).

Q.      Do I need to have an ethics course each time I renew my license? 

A.        Yes. Three hours of ethics are required annually. Please note: Course content or title MUST be specific to legal issues, law and ethics.

Q.      How many hours of continuing education are required to renew my license? 

A.        Every person holding an Idaho license as a Professional Counselor, Clinical Professional Counselor or a Marriage and Family Therapist must annually complete twenty (20) contact hours of continuing education prior to license renewal, of which 3 hours must be in ethics.

Q.      Do I submit my continuing education hours to the Board office? 

A.        Only those licensees randomly selected for continuing education audit or renewing late must submit proof of their continuing  education credits along with their audit or renewal application.

Q.      Will the Board issue a temporary license? 

A.        No. Temporary licenses are not issued.

Q.      Should I have a copy of the laws and rules if I practice as a Professional Counselor, Clinical Professional Counselor or Marriage & Family Therapist for years?  

A.        Yes. As a professional, you should always have an up-to-date copy of the governing laws and rules for your profession. It is important to be aware that the laws and rules can change, which may impact the way you are allowed to practice.

Q.      I am moving to another state and I need my certification of license sent to another state board.  What is the process? 

A.        You must submit a request in writing for certification of licensure, together with $10.00 (money order, cashier’s check, certified check, or personal check). The processing time is 5-10 working days. The Bureau does not accept credit cards over the phone.

Q.      What is the Job market in Idaho? 

A.        The Board office does not maintain state job information.  Please contact the Idaho Department of Commerce or the Idaho Department of Labor.

Q.     Does the Licensing Board set standards for Sex Offender Treatment?

 A.    The Licensing Board has not set specific standards. Idaho laws/rules require any licensee to practice within the scope of their training. Idaho also has a practice law, so unlicensed practice is prohibited. The courts and Department of Corrections determine where they refer Sex Offenders. The benchmark for those providing Sex Offender treatment is to be a clinical/associate member of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (www.atsa.com) and abide by their code of ethics. 

Last Modified - February 04, 2008