This document does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
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DATE: 3/8/2022
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF FINAL BILL ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/CS/HB 343 Mental Health Professional Licensure
SPONSOR(S): Health & Human Services Committee and Professions & Public Health Subcommittee, Koster
and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/SB 566
FINAL HOUSE FLOOR ACTION: 113 Y’s
0 N’s GOVERNOR’S ACTION: Pending
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
CS/CS/HB 343 passed the House on March 7, 2022, as CS/SB 566.
Marriage and family therapists are professionals who diagnose and treat mental health and emotional
disorders in the context of marriage and family systems. A mental health counselor uses scientific and applied
behavioral science theories, methods, and techniques to describe, prevent, and treat undesired behavior and
enhance mental health and human development. Clinical social workers use scientific and applied knowledge
to prevent and treat undesired behavior and the decline of an individual’s mental health. The Board of Clinical
Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling within the Department of Health
(DOH) regulates the practice of marriage and family therapy and mental health counseling, under ch. 491, F.S.
A 2020 change in law requires applicants for licensure to hold a master’s degree from a program accredited by
the Commission of Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education or a Florida university accredited
by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). However, the
legislation did not provide time for education programs to meet that standard, effectively preventing licensure of
their students who graduate on or after July 1, 2020.
The bill allows DOH to continue to issue licenses to graduates of otherwise qualified Florida marriage and
family therapy programs until July 1, 2027, while such programs seek accreditation. Additionally, the bill
removes obsolete references to DOH-issued licensure examinations and updates institutional accreditation
references.
The same 2020 legislation also revised the licensure requirements for mental health counselors by requiring
applicants for licensure who apply after July 1, 2025, to hold a master’s degree from a program accredited by
CACREP. One program in Florida, the University of West Florida, is not accredited by CACREP, but is
accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). Thus, beginning in
2025, its graduates will not meet the requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor.
The bill adds the MPCAC, or an equivalent body, as an authorized accrediting body for mental health
counselor education programs beginning on July 1, 2025, allowing UWF to continue to graduate students who
will meet the accreditation requirements for licensure. The bill also updates institutional accreditation
references for mental health counselors.
The bill removes obsolete references to DOH-issued clinical social worker licensure exams, aligning statute
with Board rule.
The bill has an insignificant, negative fiscal impact on DOH and no fiscal impact on local governments.
Subject to the Governor’s veto powers, the effective date of this bill is upon becoming a law.
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I. SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION
A. EFFECT OF CHANGES:
Background
Marriage and Family Therapists
Marriage and family therapy incorporates marriage and family therapy, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy,
sex therapy, counseling, behavior modification, consultation, client-centered advocacy, crisis
intervention, and the provision of needed information and education to clients.
1
An applicant seeking
licensure as a mental health counselor must:
2
Possess a master’s degree from:
o An institution of higher learning accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by
the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CRPA) in a program
accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy
Education; or
o A Florida university program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling
and Related Educational Programs and board-approved graduate courses.
3
Complete two years of post-master’s supervised experience under the supervision of a licensed
marriage and family therapist with five years of experience or the equivalent who is a qualified
supervisor as determined by the board;
Pass a board-approved examination; and
Demonstrate knowledge of laws and rules governing the practice.
Current law requires licensure applicants to hold a master’s degree from an institution of higher
learning accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the CRPA. The CRPA dissolved in
1997 and the Council for Higher Education Accreditaiton (CHEA) was subsequently created to perform
the same function as the CRPA.
4
The CHEA is not recognized in current law.
DOH must verify that an applicant’s education matches the specified courses and hours as outlined in
statute. However, there are organizations that accredit marriage and family therapy education
programs, including the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
(COAMFTE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
(CACREP) that establish the minimum standards to meet the requirements to practice the profession.
5
Additionally, current board rule requires licensure applicants to pass the board-approved examination
developed by the Examination Advisory Committee of the Association of Marital and Family Therapy
Regulatory Board.
6
This conflicts with current law, which requires applicants to pass an exam
administered by DOH.
7
However, DOH no longer administers licensure examinations.
1
Department of Health, Agency Analysis of House Bill 343 (Oct. 25, 2021).
2
Section 491.005(3), F.S. An individual may qualify for a dual license in marriage and family therapy if he or she passes an
examination in marriage and family therapy and has held an active license for at least three years as a psychologist, clinical social
worker, mental health counselor, or advanced registered nurse practitioner who is determined by the Board of Nursing to be a specialist
in psychiatric mental health (s. 491.0057, F.S.)
3
Ch. 2020-133, Laws of Fla, required applicants for licensure as a marriage and family therapist to graduate from an accredited
program or an accredited Florida university program.
4
U.S. Department of Educaiton, Accreditation in the U.S., https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accredus.html (last visited March
7, 2022).
5
See Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, What Are the Benefits of COAMFTE Accreditation,
https://www.coamfte.org/COAMFTE/Accreditation/About_Accreditation.aspx (last visited March 7, 2022), and Council for the
Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, About CACREP, https://www.cacrep.org/about-cacrep/ (last visited
March 7, 2022).
6
Rule 64B4-3.003(2)(c), F.A.C.
7
Section 491.005(3)(d), F.S.
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Legislation in 2020 revised licensure requirements for marriage and family therapists.
8
Beginning on
July 1, 2020, applicants for licensure must possess a master’s degree from an a program accredited by
COAMFTE or from a Florida university program accredited by CACREP and board-approved graduate
courses.
9
However, a window of time was not granted for education programs which were unaccredited
at the time to apply for and obtain such accreditation, meaning students who graduate on or after July
1, 2020, from such programs do not meet the accreditation qualifications for licensure in Florida.
10
Currently, six universities in Florida have a marriage and family therapy program that is not accredited
by either COAMFTE or CACREP.
11
Mental Health Counselors
A mental health counselor is an individual who uses scientific and applied behavioral science theories,
methods, and techniques to describe, prevent, and treat undesired behavior and enhance mental
health and human development and is based on research and theory in personality, family, group, and
organizational dynamics and development, career planning, cultural diversity, human growth and
development, human sexuality, normal and abnormal behavior, psychopathology, psychotherapy, and
rehabilitation.
12
To qualify for licensure as a mental health counselor, an individual must:
13
Have a master’s degree from a mental health counseling program accredited by CACREP, or a
program related to the practice of mental health counseling that includes coursework and a 700-
hour practicum, internship, or fieldwork of which at least 280 hours must be in direct client
services;
Have at least two years of post-master’s supervised clinical experience in mental health
counseling;
Pass an examination from the Professional Examination Service for the National Academy of
Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors; and
Pass an eight-hour course on Florida laws and rules approved by the Board of Clinical Social
Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling.
14
Current board rule requires licensure applicants to pass the board-approved examination from the
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination.
15
This conflicts with current law, which
requires applicants to pass an exam administered by DOH.
16
However, DOH no longer administers
licensure examinations.
The same 2020 legislation also revised licensure requirements for mental health counselors. Beginning
July 1, 2025, applicants for licensure as a mental health counselor must hold a master’s degree from a
program accredited by CACREP.
17
The CACREP accreditation standards require 60 credits of
specified educational content and a 700-hour practicum requiring face-to-face psychotherapy.
18
Currently, 16 universities in this state are accredited by CACREP.
19
The University of West Florida’s
(UWF) mental health counselor program is the only program accredited by the Masters in Psychology
8
S. 491.005, F.S. (2020) and ch. 2020-133, L.O.F.
9
Section 491.005, F.S. (2020).
10
Supra, note 1.
11
Email from Andrew Love, Director of Legislative Planning, Department of Health, MFT Follow-up, (July 27, 2021) (on file with the
Health and Human Services Committee). The universities are Carlos Albizu, Jacksonville University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, St.
Thomas University, University of Miami, and University of Phoenix.
12
Sections 491.003(6) and (9), F.S.
13
Section 491.005(4), F.S.
14
Section 491.005(4), F.S., and r. 64B4-3.0035, F.A.C.
15
Rule 64B4-3.003(2)(b), F.A.C.
16
Section 491.005(4)(d), F.S.
17
Section 491.005(4)(b), F.S. and ch. 2020-133, L.O.F.
18
Supra, note 1.
19
Council for Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Find a Program, https://www.cacrep.org/directory/ (last
visited March 7, 2022).
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and Counseling Accreditation Council in this state.
20
Thus, beginning in 2025, UWF’s current
accreditation for its mental health counselor program will not be sufficient for graduates to meet
licensure requirements in this state.
Clinical Social Workers
To be licensed as a clinical social worker, an applicant must meet educational requirements, complete
at least two years of postgraduate or postmaster’s clinical practice supervised by a licensed
practitioner, and pass a theory and practice examination.
21
Current board rule requires licensure
applicants to pass the board-approved examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
22
This
conflicts with current law, which requires applicants to pass an exam administered by DOH.
23
However,
DOH no longer administers licensure examinations.
Regional and National Accreditation
Accreditation is the recognition from an accrediting agency that an institution maintains a certain level
of educational standards. Institutional accreditation normally applies to an entire institution and
indicates that each entity of a school contributes to the achievement of the school’s objectives. This
does not necessarily mean that all parts of the school have the same quality level of education.
24
Accrediting agencies issue accreditations.
25
Institutions or programs that request an agency’s
evaluation and that meet an agency’s criteria are then accredited by that agency.
26
Accrediting
agencies are organizations made up of educational professionals that:
27
Establish the operating standards for educational or professional institutions and programs;
Determine if a school meets those standards; and
Publicly announce their findings through the issuance of accreditations.
While the United States Department of Education (DOE) does not issue accreditations, it does hold
agencies accountable by ensuring that such agencies enforce their accreditation standards effectively.
As part of DOE oversight, the Secretary of Education is required by law to publish a list of nationally
recognized accrediting agencies that the Secretary determines to be reliable authorities as to the
quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education
programs they accredit.
28
The DOE issued finalized regulations in the Federal Register in October 2019 relating to institutional
accrediting agencies.
29
DOE issued a letter of guidance on February 26, 2020, specifying that final
regulations omit references to “regional” and “national” accreditation.
30
The letter specifies, “[b]ecause
the Department holds all accrediting agencies to the same standards, distinctions between regional and
20
Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council, Accredited Programs, http://mpcacaccreditation.org/accredited-
programs/ (last visited March 7, 2022).
21
Section 491.005, F.S.
22
Rule 64B4-3.003(2)(a), F.A.C.
23
Section 491.005(1)(d)
24
U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Study in the States, The Basics of School Accreditation,
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/the-basics-of-school-accreditation (last visited March 7, 2022).
25
Id. See also U.S. Department of Education, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs,
https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home (last visited March 7, 2022).
26
U.S. Department of Education, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home
(last visited March 7, 2022).
27
Supra, note 24.
28
Supra, note 26.
29
84 C.F.R § 58834 (2020). The new regulations delayed implementation of changes to DOE staff’s review of accrediting agency
applications for initial or renewal of recognition under 34 C.R.R. § 602.32(d) until January 1, 2021. The new regulations also delayed
implementation of changes to DOE staff’s process for responding to accrediting agency applications and allowing agency responses
within 180 days under 34 C.F.R. § 602.32(h) until July 1, 2021.
30
U.S. Department of Education, Re: Final Accreditation and State Authorization Regulations (February 26, 2021)
https://sacscoc.org/app/uploads/2020/03/State-Authorization-Letter-w-Diane-Signature-2.26.19.pdf (last visited March 7, 2022).
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national accrediting agencies are unfounded.” Provisions implemented in 34 C.F.R. § 602.32(d),
relating to the recognition of accrediting agencies, became effective January 1, 2021.
However, the education requirements in current Florida law distinguish regional from institutional
accrediting agencies for marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. This does not
align with the federal guidance. DOE’s letter of guidance gave notice to states to come into compliance
with federal regulations which took effect on July 1, 2020. Alignment with federal guidance is necessary
to ensure compliance with federal accreditation standards and to avoid delays in implementation of
DOE review of accrediting agency applications and DOE processes for responding to accrediting
agency applications.
31
Effect of the Bill
Marriage and Family Therapists
The bill restructures current law to clarify educational options required for licensure, aligning with Board
interpretation.
The bill allows DOH to continue to issue licenses to graduates of otherwise qualified Florida marriage
and family therapy programs until July 1, 2027, while the six programs seek accreditation.
The bill also updates the accreditation requirement for institutions of higher education by replacing the
defunct Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation with the Council for Higher
Education Accreditation.
Mental Health Counselors
The bill adds the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council, or an equivalent body,
as an authorized accrediting body for mental health counselor education programs beginning on July 1,
2025. This will allow UWF to continue to graduate students who are eligible for licensure in this state.
Clinical Social Workers
The bill removes now-obsolete references to DOH-issued licensure exams for clinical social workers,
aligning statute with Board rule.
Institutional Accreditation
The bill removes all references to “regional” accreditation in the practice acts for clinical social workers
and marriage and family therapists, and replaces the references with “institutional” accreditation
throughout. This conforms Florida law to the terminology used in U.S. Department of Education
regulations.
The bill is effective upon becoming a law.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
31
Id.
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1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
DOH will experience a non-recurring increase in workload to update IT systems and websites, the
impact of which can be absorbed within current resources.
32
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
A. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
None.
B. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.
32
Supra, note 1.