THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:

Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee

 

FROM:

Johanna Duncan-Poitier

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Proposed Amendment to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Alternative Requirements for Licensure in the Mental Health Practitioner Professions

 

DATE:

March 8, 2006

 

STRATEGIC GOAL:

Goal 3

 

AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

 

          Should the Regents amend sections 79-9.6, 79-10.6, 79-11.6, and 79-12.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, relating to alternative requirements for licensure in the mental health practitioner professions?

 

Reason for Consideration

 

           Review of Policy.

 

Proposed Handling

 

This amendment was adopted as an emergency measure at the December 2005 Regents meeting. The proposed amendment is now submitted for adoption as a permanent rule.  A second emergency measure is also necessary for the preservation of the general welfare in order to ensure that the rule remains continuously in effect until the effective date of its adoption as a permanent rule.  A Statement of Facts and Circumstances Which Necessitate Emergency Action is attached.

Procedural History  

 

          The Board of Regents adopted this amendment as an emergency measure at its December 2005 meeting.  A Notice of Emergency Adoption and Proposed Rule Making was published in the State Register on January 11, 2006.   

 

Background Information

 

The purpose of the proposed amendment is to permit practitioners in one of the new mental health practitioner professions to have until December 31, 2006 to meet alternative requirements for licensure, provided that they have applied for licensure by January 1, 2006.  The amendment will provide additional time for current practitioners to remedy deficiencies in applications for licensure in these professions.

 

In addition to establishing requirements for those first entering the mental health practitioner professions, Article 163 of the Education Law authorizes the State Education Department to establish alternative requirements for the licensure of those already practicing prior to the licensure requirement (grandparenting applicants). Under regulations adopted in January 2005, such applicants were required to satisfy all alternative requirements on or before January 1, 2006.

 

Due to the complexity of creating four new professions, the statutory provision that permits applicants to apply for licensure under the alternative requirements through January 1, 2006, the number of applications received, and the need to carefully review each application for education and experience, the Department was unable to complete the processing of grandparenting applications in time for applicants to complete any identified deficiencies in meeting licensure requirements by January 1, 2006, the date by which the regulation adopted in January 2005 required all requirements to be met.  The proposed amendment will afford applicants who are current practitioners an additional year, until December 31, 2006, to meet the alternative requirements. This extension will enable the Department to continue to take the time necessary to review the applications in a manner which protects the public, while affording applicants the opportunity to remedy deficiencies.  Supporting materials for the proposed amendment are available upon request from the Secretary to the Board of Regents. 

 

Recommendation

 

          I recommend that the Board of Regents take the following action:

 

          VOTED: That sections 79-9.6, 79-10.6, 79-11.6, and 79-12.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be amended, as submitted, effective April 13, 2006.

         

          VOTED: That sections 79-9.6, 79-10.6, 79-11.6, and 79-12.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be amended, as submitted, effective March 27, 2006, as an emergency action upon a finding by the Board of Regents that such action is necessary for the preservation of the general welfare to ensure that the rule remains continuously in effect until the effective date of its adoption as a permanent rule. 

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

          Pursuant to the State Administrative Procedure Act, the March permanent adoption of this amendment cannot be effective until after its publication in the State Register on April 12, 2006.   However, the December emergency adoption will expire on March 26, 2006.  Therefore, in addition to the permanent adoption, a second emergency adoption, effective March 27, 2006, is necessary to ensure that the amendment remains continuously in effect.

 

AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

          Pursuant to sections 207, 6501, 6504, 6507, and 8411 of the Education Law.

1.  Section 79-9.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective April 13, 2006, as follows:

79-9.6 Special provisions. 

(a) Alternative requirements.  In accordance with section 8411(2)(a) of the Education Law, an applicant who does not meet the requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor as prescribed in section 8402(3) of the Education Law, may qualify for a license as a mental health counselor through meeting the alternative requirements prescribed in either paragraph (1), (2) or (3) of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets all [such] of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006.

          (1) . . .

          (2) . . .

          (3) . . .

 (b) In accordance with section 8411(2)(b) of the Education Law, an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor, as prescribed in section 8402(3) of the Education Law, except for the examination requirement, may qualify for a license as a mental health counselor through meeting the requirements of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required  fees by January 1, 2006 and meets [these] all of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31,  2006. The applicant shall:

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

(3) . . .

2. Section 79-10.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective April 13, 2006, as follows:

79-10.6 Special provisions.

(a) Alternative requirements.  In accordance with section 8411(2)(a) of the Education Law, an applicant who does not meet the requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist as prescribed in section 8403(3) of the Education Law, may qualify for a license as a marriage and family therapist through meeting the alternative requirements prescribed in either paragraph (1), (2) or (3) of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets all [such] of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006.

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

(3) . . .

(b)  In accordance with section 8411(2)(b) of the Education Law, an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist as prescribed in section 8403(3) of the Education Law, except for the examination requirement, may qualify for a license as a marriage and family therapist through meeting the requirements of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets [these] all of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31,2006. The applicant shall:

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

(3) . . .

3.  Section 79-11.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective April 13, 2006, as follows:

79-11.6 Special provisions. 

(a) . . .

(b)  Alternative requirements.  In accordance with section 8411(2)(a) of the Education Law, an applicant who does not meet the requirements for licensure as a creative arts therapist as prescribed in section 8404(3) of the Education Law, may qualify for a license as a creative arts therapist through meeting the alternative requirements prescribed in either paragraph (1) or (2) of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets all [such] of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006. [The applicant shall:]

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

 (c)  In accordance with section 8411(2)(b) of the Education Law, an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure as a creative arts therapist, as prescribed in section 8404(3) of the Education Law, except for the examination requirement, may qualify for a license as a creative arts therapist through meeting the requirements of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets [these] all of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006. The applicant shall:

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

(3) . . .

4.  Section 79-12.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective April 13, 2006, as follows:

(a)  Alternative requirements.  In accordance with section 8411(2)(a) of the Education Law, an applicant who does not meet the requirements for licensure as a psychoanalyst as prescribed in section 8405(3) of the Education Law, may qualify for a license as a psychoanalyst through meeting the alternative requirements prescribed in either paragraph (1) or (2) of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets all [such] of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006.  [The applicant shall:]

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

(b)  In accordance with section 8411(2)(b) of the Education Law, an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure as a psychoanalyst, as prescribed in section 8405(3) of the Education Law, except for the examination requirement, may qualify for a license as a psychoanalyst through meeting the requirements of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets [these] all of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006. The applicant shall:

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

(3) . . .

AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

          Pursuant to sections 207, 6501, 6504, 6507, and 8411 of the Education Law.

1.  Section 79-9.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 27, 2006, as follows:

79-9.6 Special provisions. 

(a) Alternative requirements.  In accordance with section 8411(2)(a) of the Education Law, an applicant who does not meet the requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor as prescribed in section 8402(3) of the Education Law, may qualify for a license as a mental health counselor through meeting the alternative requirements prescribed in either paragraph (1), (2) or (3) of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets all [such] of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006.

          (1) . . .

          (2) . . .

          (3) . . .

 (b) In accordance with section 8411(2)(b) of the Education Law, an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor, as prescribed in section 8402(3) of the Education Law, except for the examination requirement, may qualify for a license as a mental health counselor through meeting the requirements of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required  fees by January 1, 2006 and meets [these] all of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006. The applicant shall:

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

(3) . . .

2. Section 79-10.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 27, 2006, as follows:

79-10.6 Special provisions.

(a) Alternative requirements.  In accordance with section 8411(2)(a) of the Education Law, an applicant who does not meet the requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist as prescribed in section 8403(3) of the Education Law, may qualify for a license as a marriage and family therapist through meeting the alternative requirements prescribed in either paragraph (1), (2) or (3) of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets all [such] of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006.

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

(3) . . .

(b)  In accordance with section 8411(2)(b) of the Education Law, an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist as prescribed in section 8403(3) of the Education Law, except for the examination requirement, may qualify for a license as a marriage and family therapist through meeting the requirements of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets [these] all of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31,2006. The applicant shall:

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

(3) . . .

3.  Section 79-11.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 27, 2006, as follows:

79-11.6 Special provisions. 

(a) . . .

(b)  Alternative requirements.  In accordance with section 8411(2)(a) of the Education Law, an applicant who does not meet the requirements for licensure as a creative arts therapist as prescribed in section 8404(3) of the Education Law, may qualify for a license as a creative arts therapist through meeting the alternative requirements prescribed in either paragraph (1) or (2) of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets all [such] of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006. [The applicant shall:]

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

 (c)  In accordance with section 8411(2)(b) of the Education Law, an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure as a creative arts therapist, as prescribed in section 8404(3) of the Education Law, except for the examination requirement, may qualify for a license as a creative arts therapist through meeting the requirements of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets [these] all of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006. The applicant shall:

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

(3) . . .

4.  Section 79-12.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective March 27, 2006, as follows:

(a)  Alternative requirements.  In accordance with section 8411(2)(a) of the Education Law, an applicant who does not meet the requirements for licensure as a psychoanalyst as prescribed in section 8405(3) of the Education Law, may qualify for a license as a psychoanalyst through meeting the alternative requirements prescribed in either paragraph (1) or (2) of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets all [such] of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006.  [The applicant shall:]

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

(b)  In accordance with section 8411(2)(b) of the Education Law, an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure as a psychoanalyst, as prescribed in section 8405(3) of the Education Law, except for the examination requirement, may qualify for a license as a psychoanalyst through meeting the requirements of this subdivision, provided that the applicant files the licensure application with the department and pays the required fees by January 1, 2006 and meets [these] all of the other requirements on or before [January 1, 2006] December 31, 2006. The applicant shall:

(1) . . .

(2) . . .

(3) . . .

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTIONS 79-9.6, 79-10.6, 79-11.6, AND 79-12.6 OF THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 207, 6501, 6504, 6507, and 8411 OF THE EDUCATION LAW RELATING TO ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH PRACTIONER PROFESSIONS

STATEMENT OF FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES

WHICH NECESSITATE EMERGENCY ACTION

The purpose of the proposed amendment is to permit practitioners in one of the new mental health practitioner professions to have until December 31, 2006 to meet alternative requirements for licensure, provided that they have applied for licensure by January 1, 2006.  The amendment will provide additional time for current practitioners to remedy deficiencies in applications for licensure in these professions.

In addition to establishing requirements for those first entering the mental health practitioner professions, Article 163 of the Education Law authorizes the State Education Department to establish alternative requirements for the licensure of those already practicing prior to the licensure requirement (grandparenting applicants). Under regulations adopted in January 2005, such applicants are required to satisfy all alternative requirements on or before January 1, 2006.

Due to the complexity of creating four new professions, the statutory provision that permits applicants to apply for licensure under the alternative requirements through January 1, 2006, the number of applications received, and the need to carefully review each application for education and experience, the Department was unable to complete the processing of grandparenting applications in time for applicants to complete any identified deficiencies in meeting licensure requirements by January 1, 2006, the date by which the regulations adopted in January 2005  required all requirements to be met.  The proposed amendment will afford applicants who are current practitioners an additional year, until December 31, 2006, to meet the alternative requirements. This extension will enable the Department to continue to take the time necessary to review the applications in a manner which protects the public, while affording applicants the opportunity to remedy deficiencies.

The State Education Department received about 7,700 applications for licensure in these four professions by the end of the grandparenting application period (January 1, 2006).   As of March 1, 2006, about 3,500 applications have been reviewed and about 1,700 licenses issued.  Based upon our experience to date, it is estimated that about one-half of the applications yet to be reviewed by the Department will require further actions by the applicants to cure deficiencies or to provide clarifying information to meet the alternative requirements.   Thus, the Department estimates that about 2,000 practitioners will need additional time to cure deficiencies or provide additional information.  If they are not afforded an opportunity to meet the alternative requirements, this will mean that they will not be able to practice their profession until they meet the regular requirements for licensure.  In addition to severely impacting the careers of these practitioners, many of whom have been providing mental health services for many years, the discontinuance of their practices would have a serious impact on many patients who rely on them for mental health services.      

 This amendment was adopted as an emergency measure, effective December 27, 2005, by the Board of Regents at their December 2005 meeting.  The amendment is being presented to the Board of Regents for adoption as a permanent rule at their March 20-21, 2006 meeting, which is the first scheduled meeting after expiration of the 45-day public comment period mandated by the State Administrative Procedure Act (SAPA).  Pursuant to SAPA section 202(5), the permanent adoption cannot become effective until after its publication in the State Register on April 12, 2006.  However, the December emergency adoption will expire on March 26, 2006, 90 days after its filing with the Department of State.   Emergency action continues to be necessary to preserve the general welfare to help ensure that there are adequate numbers of individuals licensed in the mental health practice professions to meet the mental health care needs of residents of New York State.  Therefore, a second emergency action for the preservation of the general welfare is necessary to ensure that the rule remains continuously in effect until the effective date of its adoption as a permanent rule.