HB1187
To Authorize A Licensure By Endorsement For Marriage And Family Therapists.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, House Bill 1187, proposes to amend Arkansas Code § 17-27-308 concerning licensure for marriage and family therapists. Specifically, it aims to authorize a licensure by endorsement for these professionals. Currently, the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling may waive formal examination requirements for candidates licensed in other states if those states' standards are deemed equivalent. This bill seeks to explicitly define the process for issuing licensure by endorsement for marriage and family therapists. To qualify for licensure by endorsement under this proposed law, an applicant must provide documentation of their license being in good standing in another state, territory, or district of the United States. Furthermore, applicants must not have a disqualifying criminal offense as defined by state law. They must also not have any pending complaints, allegations, or investigations in any jurisdiction. The overarching goal is to streamline the process for qualified marriage and family therapists to practice in Arkansas without requiring a full re-examination if they meet specific criteria.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be licensed marriage and family therapists who are currently licensed in other states, territories, or districts of the United States and wish to practice in Arkansas. This legislation would provide a pathway for them to obtain an Arkansas license through endorsement, potentially saving them the time and expense of undergoing a full examination process. Additionally, individuals seeking marriage and family therapy services in Arkansas could benefit from an increased pool of qualified practitioners, potentially leading to improved access to mental health care.
Who Might Suffer?
This bill is not designed to negatively impact specific groups or entities in a direct and punitive manner. However, one could argue that the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling might experience an increased administrative workload due to processing a potentially larger volume of endorsement applications. Furthermore, if the standards in other states are not consistently high, there's a theoretical concern that individuals with less rigorous training or experience might be granted licensure in Arkansas without meeting the full rigor of the state's original examination process, though the bill includes provisions to mitigate this through good standing and lack of pending investigations.