3. Description of the existing policies relevant to the rule, new policies proposed to be included in the rule, and an analysis of policy alternatives:
The clarification of the effective dates for the educational equivalence standards does not create new policy.
In addition, this rule will clarify courses taken outside of the master’s or doctorate program are allowed to obtain the program equivalency. Failing to allow additional courses to be taken to obtain the equivalency will create a barrier for some people to come into the profession.
4. Detailed explanation of statutory authority for the rule (including the statutory citation and language):
§ 15.08 (5) (b) Each examining board shall promulgate rules for its own guidance and for the guidance of the trade or profession to which it pertains, and define and enforce professional conduct and unethical practices not inconsistent with the law relating to the particular trade or profession. § 457.03 (1) Upon the advice of the social worker section, marriage and family therapist section, and professional counselor section, promulgate rules establishing minimum standards for educational programs that must be completed for certification or licensure under this chapter and for supervised clinical training that must be completed for licensure as a clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor under this chapter and approve educational programs and supervised clinical training programs in accordance with those standards. 5. Estimate of amount of time that state employees will spend developing the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:
75 hours
6. List with description of all entities that may be affected by the proposed rule:
Applicants and schools, including schools or the Family Therapy Training Institute (accredited by COAMFTE) offering education equivalent to a degree in marriage and family therapy.
7. Summary and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule:
None
8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule (note if the rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on small businesses):
None to minimal. It is not likely to have a significant economic impact on small businesses.
Contact Person: Sharon Henes, Administrative Rules Coordinator, (608) 261-2377
