457.50(2)(v) (v) “Rule” means a regulation promulgated by the commission that has the force of law.

457.50(2)(w) (w) “Single state license” means a licensed professional counselor license issued by a member state that authorizes practice only within the issuing state and does not include a privilege to practice in any other member state.

457.50(2)(x) (x) “State” means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States of America that regulates the practice of professional counseling.

457.50(2)(y) (y) “Telehealth” means the application of telecommunication technology to deliver professional counseling services remotely to assess, diagnose, and treat behavioral health conditions.

457.50(2)(z) (z) “Unencumbered license” means a license that authorizes a licensed professional counselor to engage in the full and unrestricted practice of professional counseling.

457.50(3) (3) State participation in the compact.

457.50(3)(a) (a) To participate in the compact, a state must currently:

457.50(3)(a)1. 1. License and regulate licensed professional counselors.

457.50(3)(a)2. 2. Require licensees to pass a nationally recognized exam approved by the commission.

457.50(3)(a)3. 3. Require licensees to have a 60 semester-hour (or 90 quarter-hour) master’s degree in counseling or 60 semester-hours (or 90 quarter-hours) of graduate course work including the following topic areas:

457.50(3)(a)3.a. a. Professional counseling orientation and ethical practice;

457.50(3)(a)3.b. b. Social and cultural diversity;

457.50(3)(a)3.c. c. Human growth and development;

457.50(3)(a)3.d. d. Career development;

457.50(3)(a)3.e. e. Counseling and helping relationships;

457.50(3)(a)3.f. f. Group counseling and group work;

457.50(3)(a)3.g. g. Diagnosis and treatment; assessment and testing;

457.50(3)(a)3.h. h. Research and program evaluation; and

457.50(3)(a)3.i. i. Other areas as determined by the commission.

457.50(3)(a)4. 4. Require licensees to complete a supervised postgraduate professional experience as defined by the commission.

457.50(3)(a)5. 5. Have a mechanism in place for receiving and investigating complaints about licensees.

457.50(3)(b) (b) A member state shall:

457.50(3)(b)1. 1. Participate fully in the commission’s data system, including using the commission’s unique identifier as defined in rules;

457.50(3)(b)2. 2. Notify the commission, in compliance with the terms of the compact and rules, of any adverse action or the availability of investigative information regarding a licensee;

457.50(3)(b)3. 3. Implement or utilize procedures for considering the criminal history records of applicants for an initial privilege to practice. These procedures shall include the submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining an applicant’s criminal history record information from the federal bureau of investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state’s criminal records;

457.50(3)(b)3.a. a. A member state must fully implement a criminal background check requirement, within a time frame established by rule, by receiving the results of the federal bureau of investigation record search and shall use the results in making licensure decisions.

457.50(3)(b)3.b. b. Communication between a member state, the commission and among member states regarding the verification of eligibility for licensure through the compact shall not include any information received from the federal bureau of investigation relating to a federal criminal records check performed by a member state under P. L. 92-544.

457.50(3)(b)4. 4. Comply with the rules of the commission;

457.50(3)(b)5. 5. Require an applicant to obtain or retain a license in the home state and meet the home state’s qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure, as well as all other applicable state laws;