Section 1283.10  Application for a Temporary License Under Section 50 of the Act (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 22 Ill. Reg. 16482, effective September 3, 1998)

 

Section 1283.15  Professional Work Experience

 

An applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist shall, following receipt of the first qualifying education degree, complete at least 3000 hours of professional work experience in not less than a 2 year period.

 

a)         Professional work experience is defined as providing professional services, including clinical activities as defined in Section 1283.20 as well as non-clinical activities related to the practice of the profession of marriage and family therapy.  Following receipt of the first qualifying education degree, at least 3000 hours of professional work experience is required, which includes 1000 hours as defined in Section 1283.20 of this Part and 200 hours of clinical supervision as defined in Section 1283.25 of this Part.

 

b)         Professional work experience shall be obtained in not less than 2 years and no more than 5 years.

 

(Source:  Added at 22 Ill. Reg. 16482, effective September 3, 1998)

 

Section 1283.20  Clinical Experience

 

An applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist shall, following receipt of the first qualifying education degree, complete at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact with individuals, couples and families for the purpose of evaluation and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral and interpersonal disorders and psychopathology. At least 350 hours of the 1000 hours of face-to-face client contact must involve working with only one client present in therapy sessions, and at least 350 hours of the 1000 hours of face-to-face client contact must involve conjoint therapy, i.e., working with two or more clients present in therapy sessions who are in significant relationships with each other outside the therapy context.  The applicant shall be supervised as defined in Section 1283.25 of this Part during the whole period the applicant is accumulating clinical experience.

 

a)         Clinical experience in the practice of marriage and family therapy may be gained by providing treatment that includes, but is not limited to:

 

1)         Individual and conjoint therapy;

 

2)         Counseling;

 

3)         Psychotherapy;

 

4)         Assessment and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral and interpersonal disorders and psychopathology;

 

5)         Behavior modification;

 

6)         Hypnotherapy;

 

7)         Sex therapy;

 

8)         Consultation;

 

9)         Client advocacy;

 

10)       Crisis intervention;

 

11)       Testing and evaluation;

 

12)       Group therapy;

 

13)       Multi-family therapy;

 

14)       Psychoeducation; and

 

15)       Therapy with children and adolescents.

 

b)         Marriage and family therapy treatment shall include, but not be limited to, providing mental health services for the evaluation and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral and interpersonal disorders and psychopathology, including making clinical assessments, certifying diagnoses, prescribing treatment and signing off on treatment plans for persons with mental illnesses or other clinical disorders.

 

c)         The use of specific methods, techniques or modalities within the practice of marriage and family therapy is restricted to marriage and family therapists appropriately trained in the use of such methods, techniques or modalities.

 

(Source:  Amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 7309, effective May 1, 2000)

 

Section 1283.25  Clinical Supervision

 

An applicant must complete 200 hours of clinical supervision of marriage and family therapy. At least 100 of these 200 clinical supervision hours must occur following the receipt of the first qualifying degree.  Up to 100 hours of clinical supervision accumulated during graduate training may be counted toward the required 200 hours of clinical supervision.  At least 100 of the 200 hours of clinical supervision must be completed with a marriage and family therapy supervisor who has met certain requirements.

 

a)         At least 100 of the 200 hours of clinical supervision shall be completed while fulfilling the clinical experience requirement of Section 1283.20 of this Part and the post-degree professional work experience requirement in Section 1283.15 of this Part.  Up to 100 hours of clinical supervision accumulated during graduate training for the first qualifying degree may be counted toward the required 200 hours of clinical supervision.

 

b)         At least 100 of the 200 hours of clinical supervision, whether accumulated during or after graduate training for the first qualifying degree, shall have been received from an individual(s) who, at the time the supervision took place:

 

1)         was certified as an approved supervisor or supervisor in training by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy; or

 

2)         had held an active license as a marriage and family therapist with 5 years clinical experience providing marriage and family therapy after his or her first qualifying degree; or

 

3)         held an active clinical membership certification with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy for at least 5 years; or

 

4)         had:

 

A)        held an active license as a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed clinical professional counselor or a psychiatrist licensed under the Medical Practice Act;

 

B)        5 years clinical experience providing marriage and family therapy as defined in Section 1283.20;

 

C)        provided at least 1000 hours of conjoint therapy; and

 

D)        either 2 years experience providing clinical supervision of marriage and family therapy (including the supervision of conjoint therapy) or completed a 1 semester hour graduate course in marriage and family therapy supervision (at least 15 contact hours) or the equivalent prior to or during the supervision provided the applicant.

 

c)         The other 100 hours of the clinical supervision shall have been received as part of a practicum or internship experience and/or from an individual(s) who, at the time the supervision took place, was a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed clinical professional counselor or psychiatrist licensed under the Medical Practice Act with 5 years experience in his/her discipline.

 

d)         All 200 hours of clinical supervision must meet the requirements set forth in subsections (e), (f), and (g) of this Section.

 

e)         Supervision means the direct clinical review, for the purposes of training or teaching by a supervisor, of the applicant's interaction with a client.  The purpose of supervision shall be to promote the development of the individual's clinical skills.

 

f)         Supervision is face to face conversation with a supervisor, usually in periods of approximately one hour each.  The learning process is sustained and intense. Appointments are scheduled on a regular basis.  Supervision focuses on the raw data from a supervisee's continuing clinical practice, which is available to the supervisor through a combination of direct live observation, co-therapy, written clinical notes, audio and video recordings, and live supervision.  It is a process clearly distinguishable from personal psychotherapy and is conducted in order to serve professional goals.  Acceptable modes of supervision are as follows:

 

1)         Individual supervision shall mean a maximum of 2 supervisees meeting with one supervisor.

 

2)         Group supervision shall mean a maximum of 6 supervisees meeting with one supervisor.

 

g)         The following is not acceptable marriage and family therapy supervision: peer supervision (supervision by a person of equivalent but not superior qualifications, status and experience); supervision by current or former family members or any other person with whom the nature of the personal relationship prevents, or makes difficult, the establishment of a professional supervisory relationship; administrative supervision (administrative supervision by an institutional director or executive, for example, conducted to evaluate job performance or for case management, not the quality of therapy given to a client); a primarily didactic process wherein techniques or procedures are taught in a group setting, classroom, workshop or seminar; staff development, orientation to a field or program or role-playing of family relationships as a substitute for current clinical practice in an appropriate clinical situation.

 

h)         A doctoral practicum or internship may be applied toward the 200-hour clinical supervision requirement of Section 1283.50(a)(3).

 

(Source:  Added at 22 Ill. Reg. 16482, effective September 3, 1998)

 

Section 1283.30  Education

 

a)         An applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist shall hold one of the following:

 

1)         A master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a regionally accredited educational institution;

 

2)         A master's or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited educational institution (by the U.S. Office of Education) in marriage and family therapy or in a related field (i.e., behavioral science or mental health) with an equivalent course of study in marriage and family therapy as set forth in subsection (b); or

 

3)         A master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy or the Commission on Accreditation for Counseling Related Educational Programs.

 

b)         An applicant must have completed a minimum of 48 semester hours or equivalent hours of graduate coursework. The applicant's graduate coursework, at a minimum, shall be substantially equivalent to the curriculum listed in this subsection (b).  Courses are evaluated according to course content rather than course title.  For the purpose of this Section, course shall be defined as an integrated, organized course of study.  No student designed courses, independent study courses, workshops, on-line or correspondence courses may be used to satisfy the core courses.  Course descriptions and syllabi are required for courses whose titles do not reflect the content described as follows:

 

1)         Individual Development and Family Relations. Topics in marriage and family studies must be addressed in a minimum of 1 course (3 semester or 4 quarter hours or equivalent). Topics that may be counted toward this area of study include family development and family interactional patterns across the life cycle of the individual as well as the family.  Courses may include the study of:  family life cycle; theories of family development; marriage and/or family dynamics; sociology of the family; families under stress; the contemporary family; social, cultural, and spiritual foundations of family life; the cross-cultural family; gender studies; youth/adult/aging and the family; family subsystems; interpersonal relationships (marriage, parenting, sibling); human development; lifestyle and career development; personality theory; and human sexuality.

 

2)         Theoretical Foundations and Clinical Practice.

 

A)        Topics in marriage and family therapy must be addressed in a minimum of 6 courses (18 semester or 24 quarter hours or equivalent). The following topics must be covered:

 

i)          the historical development, theoretical and empirical foundations, and contemporary conceptual directions of the field of marriage and family therapy;

 

ii)         overview of major clinical theories of marital and family therapy that offer conceptualizations and methods for working conjointly with two or more clients present in therapy sessions who are in significant relationships with each other outside the therapy context.  These clinical theories shall include those in major textbooks in marriage and family therapy, such as:  communications, contextual, experiential, object relations, strategic, behavioral, structural, systemic, transgenerational;

 

iii)       assessment and evaluation of individuals (children, adolescents, and adults), couples and families;

 

iv)        treatment and intervention methods for working with individuals (children, adolescents and adults), couples, families and groups in therapy;

 

v)         assessment and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral and interpersonal disorders and psychopathology, including making clinical assessments, certifying diagnoses, prescribing treatment and signing off on treatment plans for persons with mental illnesses or other clinical disorders;

 

vi)        contemporary issues, which include but are not limited to gender, violence, addictions, abuse, psychopharmacology, physical health and illness in the treatment of individuals, couples, and families from a relational/systemic perspective; sexual functioning, sexual orientation, and sex therapy as they relate to couple, marriage and family therapy theory and practice; significant material on diversity and discrimination as it relates to couple and family therapy theory and practice;

 

vii)       crisis intervention.

 

B)        The coursework in this subsection (b)(2) must balance methods for working individually (one client in a therapy session), and for working conjointly with at least two clients present in therapy sessions who are in significant relationships with each other outside the therapy context, and must include methods for working with groups.

 

3)         Professional Studies and Ethics. Topics in professional studies and ethics must be addressed in a minimum of 1 course (3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours or equivalent) that includes unique professional and ethical situations involved with conjoint therapies. Topics that may be counted toward this area of study include: professional socialization and the role of the professional organization; legal responsibilities and liabilities; independent practice and interprofessional cooperation; ethics; family law; unique professional and ethical situations involved with conjoint therapies.

 

4)         Research. Topics in research must be addressed in a minimum of 1 course (3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours or equivalent).  Topics that may be counted toward this area of study include: research design and methods; statistics; research in a mental health field.

 

5)         Clinical Practicum/Internship. (300 hours) – 15 hours per week, approximately 8-10 hours in face-to-face contact with individuals, couples, families and groups for the purpose of assessment, diagnosis and treatment.)

 

c)         In evaluating coursework from another jurisdiction, the Marriage and Family Therapy Disciplinary and Licensing Board (Board) may require documentation such as, but not limited to, an evaluation by a foreign equivalency documentation service indicating that the applicant's graduate program is equivalent to a graduate program in this country.

 

d)         An individual who has taught a graduate level course in a regionally accredited educational institution in any of the areas listed in subsection (b) shall receive credit for the course. One course taught is equivalent to one course taken. Repetitive teaching of the same course may only be counted as one course. Syllabi and reading lists shall be submitted in order to obtain credit.

 

e)         Courses taken at a post-degree institution may count as equivalent for an education requirement of subsection (b) if the institution's training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or meets the following requirements:

 

1)         The institution's program is established to achieve coherent mission and training objectives and the program has as its primary objective the training of marriage and family therapists.

 

2)         The specific course submitted as equivalent to those defined in subsection (b) is taught by faculty who hold graduate degrees and are trained and credentialed in the field in which they teach.

 

3)         Courses must be offered by an established, identifiable facility or agency.

 

4)         Courses must be ongoing and additive (offered at the same place over a specific period of time and available on an ongoing basis) or offered off site by an acceptable post degree institution with an established, identifiable home-base facility or agency.

 

5)         Courses must include outlines, clear description of content, appropriate bibliography, and other indications or meet generally acceptable criteria for academic offerings.

 

6)         Correspondence courses are not acceptable.

 

f)         Credit for courses taken pursuant to subsection (e) will be given on a semester-hour equivalency basis which is 15 classroom hours per semester credit.  Evaluation of course work is on a case-by-case basis for each applicant.  To receive credit, an applicant must submit a syllabus for each course, proof of acceptable completion of the course, and all documentation necessary to demonstrate that the post-degree institution and the specific course meet all the requirements of subsection (e).

 

g)         A thesis or dissertation completed as a requirement of the first qualifying degree will not be counted as equivalent for an education requirement of subsection (b).

 

h)         Applicants who hold non-clinical qualifying degrees, or whose practicum/internship was in areas other than marriage and family therapy, may document the practicum requirement with their first 300 post-graduate client contact hours supervised by an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor, supervisor-in-training or a supervisor who meets the requirements set forth in Section 1283.21 of this Part.

 

i)          The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulation (Division), upon the recommendation of the Board, has determined that marriage and family therapy programs accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy or the Commission on Accreditation for Counseling Related Educational Programs meet the minimum criteria set forth in this Section and are, therefore, approved.

 

Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 4711, effective March 9, 2007)

 

Section 1283.40  Examination

 

a)         The examination for licensed marriage and family therapists shall be the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board's (AMFTRB) Examination in Marital and Family Therapy.

 

b)         The passing score on the examination shall be the passing score of the testing entity.

 

Section 1283.45  Application for a License as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

 

a)         An applicant for a license as an associate marriage and family therapist shall file an application, on forms supplied by the Division, that includes the following:

 

1)         Verification, on forms provided by the Division, that the applicant has completed the education requirements defined in Section 1283.30 and holds one of the following:

 

A)        A master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a regionally accredited educational institution;

 

B)        A master's or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited educational institution in a related field (i.e., behavioral science or mental health) with an equivalent course of study in marriage and family therapy as set forth in Section 1283.30(b) and (c); or

 

C)        A master's or doctoral degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

 

2)         The required license fee set forth in Section 1283.95(a)(2).

 

3)         Certification, on forms provided by the Division, from the state or territory of the United States in which the applicant was originally licensed and the state in which the applicant  is currently licensed, if applicable, stating:

 

A)        The time during which the applicant was licensed in that jurisdiction, including the date of the original issuance of the license;

 

B)        A description of the examination in that jurisdiction; and

 

C)        Whether the file on the applicant contains any record of disciplinary actions taken or pending.

 

b)         A license as an associate marriage and family therapist shall be valid for 5 years. The license may not be renewed.

 

c)         When the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work or experience is questioned by the Division or the Board because of lack of information, discrepancies or conflicts in information given or need for clarification, the applicant seeking licensure shall be requested to:

 

1)         Provide such information as may be necessary; and/or

 

2)         Appear for an interview before the Board to explain the relevance or sufficiency, clarify information or clean up any discrepancies or conflicts in information.

 

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 4711, effective March 9, 2007)

 

Section 1283.46  Application for Examination/Licensure for an Individual Licensed as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

 

a)         An individual holding a license as an associate marriage and family therapist who is applying for examination/licensure as a marriage and family therapist shall file an application, on forms supplied by the Division, at least 90 days prior to an examination date.  The application shall include:

 

1)         Verification, on forms provided by the Division, signed by an employer or supervisor that following the receipt of the first qualifying degree, the applicant obtained at least 3000 hours of work experience as defined in Section 1283.15.  If the applicant is self employed, the applicant shall submit 3 affidavits from peers, clients or colleagues familiar with the applicant's work;

 

2)         Verification of at least 200 hours of clinical supervision as defined in Section 1283.25;

 

3)         Verification of at least 1000 hours of clinical experience pursuant to Section 1283.20;

 

4)         The fee set forth in Section 1283.95(a)(1);

 

5)         Certification, on forms provided by the Division, from the state or territory of the United States in which the applicant was originally licensed and the state in which the applicant is currently licensed, if applicable, stating:

 

A)        The time during which the applicant was licensed in that jurisdiction, including the date of the original issuance of the license;

 

B)        A description of the examination in that jurisdiction; and

 

C)        Whether the file on the applicant contains any record of disciplinary actions taken or pending.

 

b)         An applicant who has taken and passed the examination in another jurisdiction shall have the examination submitted to the Division directly from the testing service.

 

c)         When the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work or experience is questioned by the Division or the Board because of lack of information, discrepancies or conflicts in information given or need for clarification, the applicant seeking licensure shall be requested to:

 

1)         Provide such information as may be necessary; and/or

 

2)         Appear for an interview before the Board to explain the relevance or sufficiency, clarify information or clear up any discrepancies or conflicts in information.

 

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 4711, effective March 9, 2007)

 

Section 1283.50  Application for Examination/Licensure

 

a)         An applicant for examination shall file an application, on forms supplied by the Division, at least 90 days prior to an examination date.  The application shall include:

 

1)         Verification, on forms provided by the Division, that the applicant has completed the education requirements defined in Section 1283.30 and holds one of the following:

 

A)        A master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a regionally accredited educational institution;

 

B)        A master's or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited educational institution in a related field (i.e., behavioral science or mental health) with an equivalent course of study in marriage and family therapy as set forth in Section 1283.30(b) and (c); or

 

C)        A master's or doctoral degree from a program accredited by the commission on accreditations for marriage and family therapy education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

 

2)         Verification, on forms provided by the Division, signed by an employer or supervisor, that, following the receipt of the first qualifying degree, the applicant obtained at least 3000 hours of work experience as defined in Section 1283.15 of this Part.  If the applicant is self employed, the applicant shall submit 3 affidavits from peers, clients or colleagues familiar with the applicant's work.

 

3)         Verification of at least 200 hours of clinical supervision as defined in Section 1283.25 of this Part.

 

4)         Verification of at least 1000 hours of clinical experience pursuant to Section 1283.20.

 

5)         The required fee set forth in Section 1283.95(a)(1).

 

6)         Certification, on forms provided by the Division, from the state or territory of the United States in which the applicant was originally licensed and the state in which the applicant  is currently licensed, if applicable, stating:

 

A)        The time during which the applicant was licensed in that jurisdiction, including the date of the original issuance of the license;

 

B)        A description of the examination in that jurisdiction; and

 

C)        Whether the file on the applicant contains any record of disciplinary actions taken or pending.

 

b)         An applicant for licensure who has taken and passed the examination set forth in Section 1283.40 in another jurisdiction shall file an application in accordance with subsection (a) and have his/her examination scores submitted to the Division directly from the testing entity.

 

c)         In lieu of subsections (a)(1), (2), (3) and (4), the Division shall accept certification of clinical membership from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

 

d)         When the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work or experience is questioned by the Division or the Board because of lack of information, discrepancies or conflicts in information given or a need for clarification, the applicant seeking licensure shall be requested to:

 

1)         Provide such information as may be necessary; and/or

 

2)         Appear for an interview before the Board to explain such relevance or sufficiency, clarify information or clean up any discrepancies or conflicts in information.

 

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 4711, effective March 9, 2007)

 

Section 1283.60  Endorsement

 

a)         An applicant who is licensed/registered under the laws of another state or territory of the United States or of a foreign country and who wishes to be licensed in Illinois as a marriage and family therapist shall file an application with the Division, on forms provided by the Division, which includes:

 

1)         Certification of meeting education requirements as set forth in Section 1283.30 of this Part;

 

2)         Verification, on forms provided by the Division, signed by an employer or supervisor, that, following the receipt of the first qualifying degree, the applicant obtained at least 3000 house of work experience as defined in Section 1283.15 of this Part.  If the applicant is self employed, the applicant shall submit 3 affidavits from peers, clients or colleagues familiar with the applicant's work;

 

3)         Verification of at least 200 hours of clinical supervision as defined in Section 1283.25 of this Part;

 

4)         Verification of at least 1000 hours of clinical experience pursuant to Section 1283.20;

 

5)         Certification of successful completion of the examination set forth in Section 1283.40;

 

6)         Certification from the state or territory of the United States or the foreign country in which the applicant was originally licensed/registered and is currently licensed/registered, stating:

 

A)        The time during which the applicant was licensed/registered;

 

B)        Whether the file of the applicant contains any record of disciplinary actions taken or pending; and

 

C)        Examinations taken and examination scores received;

 

7)         The required fee as set forth in Section 1283.95(a)(1).

 

b)         In lieu of subsections (a)(1), (2), (3) and (4), the Division shall accept certification of clinical membership from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

 

c)         The Division shall either issue a license by endorsement or notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for denying the application.

 

d)         Applicants have 3 years from the date of application to complete the application process.  If the process has not been completed within 3 years, the application shall be denied, the fee forfeited and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.

 

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 4711, effective March 9, 2007)

 

Section 1283.70  Renewal

 

a)         The first renewal period for licensure issued under the Act shall be February 28, 1997.  Thereafter every registration issued under the Act shall expire in February of odd-numbered years.  The holder of a license may renew such license during the month preceding the expiration date by paying the required fee.

 

b)         Beginning with the 1999 license renewal and every renewal thereafter, every licensee who applies for renewal of a license as a marriage and family therapist shall complete 30 hours of continuing education pursuant to Section 1283.110 of this Part.

 

c)         It is the responsibility of each licensee to notify the Division of any change of address.  Failure to receive a renewal form from the Division shall not constitute an excuse for failure to pay the renewal fee or to renew one's license.

 

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 4711, effective March 9, 2007)

 

Section 1283.80  Inactive Status

 

a)         Licensed marriage and family therapists who notify the Division, on forms provided by the Division, may place their licenses on inactive status and shall be excused from paying renewal fees until they notify the Division in writing of the intention to resume active practice.

 

b)         Any licensed marriage and family therapist  seeking restoration from inactive status shall do so in accordance with Section 1283.90 of this Part.

 

c)         Any marriage and family therapist whose license is on inactive status shall not use the title "licensed marriage and family therapist" in the State of Illinois.  Any person violating this subsection shall be considered to be practicing without a license and shall be subject to the disciplinary provisions of the Act.

 

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 4711, effective March 9, 2007)

 

Section 1283.90  Restoration

 

a)         Any marriage and family therapist whose license has expired or has been placed on inactive status for 5 years or less may have the license restored by paying the fees required by Section 1283.95 and providing proof of meeting continuing education requirements during the 2 years prior to restoration.

 

b)         Any person seeking restoration of a license that has been expired or placed on inactive status for more than 5 years shall file an application, on forms supplied by the Division, for review by the Board, together with the fee required by Section 55 of the Act and proof of meeting continuing education requirements during the 2 years prior to restoration.  The applicant shall also submit either:

 

1)         Sworn evidence of active practice in another jurisdiction.  Such evidence shall include a statement from an appropriate board or licensing authority in the other jurisdiction that the licensee was authorized to practice during the term of active practice; or

 

2)         An affidavit attesting to military service as provided in Section 45(c) of the Act; or

 

3)         Proof of passage of the AMFTRB examination during the period the registration was lapsed or on inactive status.

 

c)         When the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work or experience is questioned by the Division because of a lack of information, discrepancies or conflicts in information given, or a need for clarification, the licensee seeking restoration shall be requested to:

 

1)         Provide such information as may be necessary; and/or

 

2)         Appear for an interview before the Board to explain such relevance or sufficiency, clarify information or clear up any discrepancies or conflicts in information.

 

d)         Upon the recommendation of the Board and approval by the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation (Director) with the authority delegated by the Secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Secretary), an applicant shall have the license restored or be notified in writing of the reason for denying the application.

 

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 4711, effective March 9, 2007)

 

Section 1283.95  Fees

 

The following fees shall be paid to the Division and are not refundable:

 

a)         Application Fees.

 

1)         The fee for original application for a license as a marriage and family therapist is $100.   In addition, applicants for an examination shall be required to pay, either to the Division or to the designated testing service, a fee covering the cost of determining an applicant's eligibility and providing the examination.  Failure to appear for the examination on the scheduled date, at the time and place specified, after the applicant's application for examination has been received and acknowledged by the Division or the designated testing service, shall result in the forfeiture of the examination fee.

 

2)         The fee for a license as an associate marriage and family therapist is $100.

 

3)         The application fee for a license as a marriage and family therapist certified or licensed under the laws of another jurisdiction is $200.

 

4)         The fee for application as a continuing education sponsor is $500. State agencies, State colleges and State universities in Illinois are exempt from paying this fee.

 

b)         Renewal Fees.

 

1)         The fee for the renewal of a marriage and family therapist license shall be calculated at the rate of $60 per year.

 

2)         The fee for renewal as a continuing education sponsor is $125 per year.

 

c)         General Fees.

 

1)         The fee for the restoration of a license other than from inactive status that has been expired for 5 years or less is $20 plus payment of all lapsed renewal fees.

 

2)         The fee for the restoration of a license that has been expired for more than 5 years is $300.

 

3)         The fee for the issuance of a duplicate license, for the issuance of a replacement license, for a license which has been lost or destroyed or for the issuance of a license with a change of name or address other than during the renewal period is $20.  No fee is required for name and address changes on Division records when no duplicate license is issued.

 

4)         The fee for a certification of a licensee's record for any purpose is $20.

 

5)         The fee to have the scoring of an examination administered by the Division reviewed and verified is $20, plus any fee charged by the testing service.

 

6)         The fee for a wall certificate showing licensure shall be the actual cost of producing the certificate.

 

7)         The fee for a roster of persons licensed as marriage and family therapists in this State shall be the actual cost of producing the roster.

 

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 4711, effective March 9, 2007)

 

Section 1283.100  Professional Conduct

 

The Division may suspend or revoke a license, refuse to issue or renew a license or take other disciplinary action, based upon its finding of "unethical, unauthorized, or unprofessional conduct" within the meaning of Section 85 of the Act which is interpreted to include, but is not limited to, the following acts or practices:

 

a)         A therapist must not perform, nor pretend to be able to perform, professional services beyond his/her scope of practice.  A therapist must not misrepresent credentials, degrees, professional associations, or competencies either through spoken word or written materials.  A therapist must immediately retract or correct any misrepresentation.  A therapist must correct misrepresentations by third parties as soon as the therapist is informed of the error.

 

b)         A therapist must not permit an intern or trainee under the therapist's supervision to perform, or to pretend to be competent to perform, professional services beyond the trainee's or intern's level of training. Disclosure of the intern's status and the name of the supervisor is required. A waiver of liability signed by the client is required when a marriage and family therapy intern or trainee is treating the client.

 

c)         Therapists must recognize the potentially influential position they may have with respect to clients, students, employees and supervisees. Therapists must conduct themselves with sensitivity to clients' potential vulnerability.  Therapists should avoid exploiting clients' trust and dependency.  Therapists must also make every effort to avoid dual relationships with clients during treatment and following termination of therapy.  When a dual relationship cannot be avoided, therapists must take appropriate professional precautions to ensure judgment is not impaired and no exploitation occurs.  Examples of dual relationships include but are not limited to close personal friendships, business or other relationships that are used to further a therapist's own interests, or the provision of therapy to students, employees, or supervisees.  Sexual intimacy between therapist and client, students or supervisees is prohibited.  Sexual intimacy with former clients is prohibited for at least two years after termination of treatment.

 

d)         A therapist must not engage in sexual or other harassment or exploitation of students, trainees, employees, colleagues, research subjects, actual or potential witnesses or complainants in legal or ethical proceedings.

 

e)         A therapist who is convicted of any crime related to his/her qualifications or professional responsibilities may be subject to disciplinary action by the Division.  Likewise, a therapist who engages in conduct which could lead to conviction of a crime related to his/her qualifications or professional responsibilities may be subject to disciplinary action.

 

f)         A therapist who becomes impaired and unable to function according to the standards of practice may be subject to disciplinary action if an active practice continues.  Causes of impairment may include, but are not limited to, the abuse of mood altering chemicals and physical or mental problems.

 

g)         It is the responsibility of therapists to seek supervision and/or personal therapy for any problem that is interfering with their ability to perform their professional services.

 

h)         A therapist must not subject a client to discrimination based on race, gender, religion, national origin, political affiliation, social or economic status, choice of lifestyle, sexual or affectional orientation.

 

i)          A therapist must inform a client of any conflict of interest, values, attitudes, or biases between them that are sufficient to impair their professional relationship.  Either the client or the therapist may terminate the relationship.  However, it is the therapist's responsibility to terminate the professional relationship when it no longer serves the client's needs or interests.  It is the responsibility of the therapist to facilitate termination and to assist in referring the client to another professional. Termination should be handled with care and sensitivity.

 

j)          A therapist has the responsibility to be informed of other professional, technical, and administrative resources available to clients.  A therapist must utilize those resources and/or refer clients when it is in the best interests of the client.

 

k)         A therapist must make a referral upon client request regardless of administrative and/or funding mandates.

 

l)          A therapist must not allow an individual or agency paying for the professional services to a client to exert undue influence over the therapist's work performance and clinical judgment.

 

m)        A therapist must offer all facts regarding services rendered to the client prior to administration of professional services.  The purpose of informed consent is to insure client's complete access to information pertaining to professional services.  Examples include, but are not limited to, fees for services, length of treatment and utilization of consultants.  The client's signature indicating receipt of pertinent information is strongly encouraged.

 

n)         A therapist must not provide services to a client when the therapist's objectivity or effectiveness is impaired.  The therapist must make this known to the client and assist the client in obtaining a referral to another professional.

 

o)         A therapist must hold in confidence all information pertaining to a client's therapy.  It is the responsibility of the therapist to safeguard client confidences as required by law. This includes a therapist's employees and professional associates.

 

p)         A therapist must inform a client of the limitations of confidentiality. These limitations include, but are not limited, to:

 

1)         Limitations mandated by the law.

 

2)         The prevention of clear and immediate danger to one or more persons.

 

3)         When the therapist is a defendant in a civil, criminal or disciplinary action arising from the therapy, client confidences may be disclosed in the course of that action.

 

4)         When a written waiver of confidentiality has been obtained, all information revealed must be in accordance with the terms of the waiver.  If there is more than one party involved in the therapy, the waiver must be signed by all members legally competent to execute such a waiver.

 

5)         When release of information pertaining to a minor is requested, it must be signed by a parent or guardian.

 

q)         Therapists are responsible to insure that all records and written data are stored using security measures that prevent access to records by unauthorized persons.

 

r)          Therapists are responsible for insuring that the content and disposition of all records are in compliance with all relevant State laws and rules.

 

s)         The Division hereby incorporates by reference the AAMFT Code of Ethics, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 112 South Alfred Street, Alexandria VA 22314-3061, July 2001, with no later amendments or editions.

 

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 4711, effective March 9, 2007)

 

Section 1283.110  Continuing Education

 

a)         Continuing Education Hours Requirements

 

1)         Beginning with the 1999 license renewal and every renewal thereafter, every licensee who applies for renewal of a license as a marriage and family therapist shall complete within the pre-renewal period 30 hours of continuing education (CE) relevant to the practice of marriage and family therapy.

 

2)         A pre-renewal period is the 24 months preceding February 28 of each odd-numbered year.

 

3)         One CE hour shall equal one clock hour.

 

4)         A renewal applicant shall not be required to comply with CE requirements for the first renewal of an Illinois license.

 

5)         Marriage and family therapists licensed in Illinois but residing and practicing in other states shall comply with the CE requirements set forth in this Section.

 

b)         Approved Continuing Education

 

1)         Continuing education hours shall be earned by verified attendance (e.g., certificate of attendance or certificate of completion) at or participation in a program or course (program) that is offered or sponsored by an approved continuing education sponsor who meets the requirements set forth in subsection (c), except for those activities provided in subsections (b)(2), (3) and (4).

 

2)         CE credit may be earned through postgraduate training programs (e.g., extern, residency or fellowship programs) or completion of marriage and family therapy related courses that are a part of the curriculum of a college, university or graduate school of marriage and family therapy. Courses that are part of the curriculum of a university, college or other educational institution shall be allotted CE credit at the rate of 15 CE hours for each semester hour or 10 hours for each quarter hour of school credit awarded.

 

3)         CE credit may be earned for verified teaching of a course or program in a college or graduate school approved in accordance with Section 1283.30 and/or as an instructor of continuing education programs given by approved sponsors. Credit will be applied at the rate of 1.5 hours for every hour of teaching or presenting the course or program material and only for the first presentation of the course or program (i.e., credit shall not be allowed for repetitious presentations).

 

4)         CE credit may be earned for authoring papers, publications or books and for preparing presentations and exhibits. The preparation of each published paper, book chapter or audio-visual presentation dealing with marriage and family therapy may be claimed as 5 hours of credit. A presentation must be before a professional audience of marriage and family therapists. Five credit hours may be claimed for only the first time the information is published or presented.

 

5)         CE hours may be earned through completion of a distance learning course (e.g., pre-recorded online course/program, live online course/program, by mail, computer, etc.) that is offered by an approved sponsor who meets the requirements set forth in subsection (c).  Each course shall include an examination.

 

c)         Approved CE Sponsors and Programs

 

1)         Sponsor, as used in this Section, shall mean the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and any other person, firm, association, corporation or group that has been approved and authorized by the Division upon recommendation of the Board to coordinate and present continuing education courses and programs.

 

2)         An entity seeking approval as a CE sponsor shall submit an application, on forms supplied by the Division, along with the fee set forth in Section 1283.95(a)(3).  (State agencies, State colleges and State universities in Illinois shall be exempt from paying this fee).  The application shall include:

 

A)        Certification:

 

i)          That all programs offered by the sponsor for CE credit shall comply with the criteria in subsection (c)(3) and all other criteria in this Section;

 

ii)         That the sponsor shall be responsible for verifying full-time continuous attendance at each program and provide a certificate of attendance as set forth in subsection (c)(9);

 

iii)        That upon request by the Division, the sponsor shall submit evidence (e.g., certificate of attendance or course material) as is necessary to establish compliance with this Section.  Evidence shall be required when the Division has reason to believe that there is not full compliance with the statute and this Part and that this information is necessary to ensure compliance;

 

B)        A copy of a sample program with faculty, course materials and syllabi.

 

3)         All programs shall:

 

A)        Contribute to the advancement, extension and enhancement of the professional skills and scientific knowledge of the licensee in the practice of marriage and family therapy;

 

B)        Foster the enhancement of general or specialized work in the practice of marriage and family therapy;

 

C)        Be developed and presented by persons with education and/or experience in the subject matter of the program;

 

D)        Specify the course objectives, course content and teaching methods to be used; and

 

E)        Specify the number of CE hours that may be applied to fulfilling the Illinois CE requirements for renewal of a license.

 

4)         Each CE program shall provide a mechanism for evaluation of the program and instructor by the participants. The evaluation may be completed on-site immediately following the program presentation or an evaluation questionnaire may be distributed to participants to be completed and returned by mail.  The sponsor and the instructor, together, shall review the evaluation outcome and revise subsequent programs accordingly.

 

5)         An approved sponsor may subcontract with individuals and organizations to provide approved programs. All advertising, promotional materials, and certificates of attendance must identify the licensed sponsor and the sponsor's license number.  The presenter of the program may also be identified, but should be identified as a presenter. When a licensed sponsor subcontracts with a presenter, the licensed sponsor retains all responsibility for monitoring attendance, providing certificates of attendance and ensuring the program meets all of the criteria established by the Act and this Part, including the maintenance of records.

 

6)         All programs given by approved sponsors shall be open to all marriage and family therapists and not be limited to members of a single organization or group.

 

7)         Continuing education credit hours used to satisfy the CE requirements of another jurisdiction may be applied to fulfill the CE requirements of the State of Illinois.

 

8)         To maintain approval as a sponsor, each sponsor shall submit to the Division by February of each odd-numbered year a renewal application, the fee set forth in Section 1283.95(b)(2) and a list of courses and programs offered within  the last 24 months.  The list shall include a brief description, location, date and time of each course given.

 

9)         Certification of Attendance. It shall be the responsibility of a sponsor to provide each participant in a program with a certificate of attendance or participation.  The sponsor's certificate of attendance shall contain:

 

A)        The name, address and license number of the sponsor;

 

B)        The name address of the participant;

 

C)        A brief statement of the subject matter;

 

D)        The number of hours attended in each program;

 

E)        The date and place of the program; and

 

F)         The signature of the sponsor.

 

10)         The sponsor shall maintain attendance records for not less than 5 years.

 

11)         The sponsor shall be responsible for assuring that no renewal applicant shall receive CE credit for time not actually spent attending the program.

 

12)         Upon the failure of a sponsor to comply with any one of the requirements of this Section, the Division, after notice to the sponsor and hearing before and recommendation by the Board (see 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1110), shall thereafter refuse to accept for CE credit attendance at or participation in any of the sponsor's CE programs until such time as the Division receives assurances of compliance with requirements of this Section.

 

13)         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the Division or Board may evaluate any sponsor of any approved CE program at any time to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Section.

 

d)         Certification of Compliance with CE Requirements

 

1)         Each renewal applicant shall certify, on the renewal application, full compliance with the CE requirements set forth in subsections (a) and (b).

 

2)         The Division may require additional evidence demonstrating compliance with the CE requirements (e.g., certificate of attendance). This additional evidence shall be required in the context of the Division's random audit.  It is the responsibility of each renewal applicant to retain or otherwise produce evidence of compliance.

 

3)         When there appears to be a lack of compliance with CE requirements, an applicant shall be notified in writing and may request an interview with the Board. At that time the Board may recommend that steps be taken to begin formal disciplinary proceedings as required by Section 10-65 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act [5 ILCS 100].

 

e)         Continuing Education Earned in Other Jurisdictions.

 

1)         If a licensee has earned CE hours offered in another state or territory not given by an approved sponsor for which the licensee will be claiming credit toward full compliance in Illinois, the applicant shall submit an individual program approval request form, along with a $25 processing fee, prior to participation in the program or 90 days prior to expiration of the license.  The Board shall review and recommend approval or disapproval of the program using criteria set forth in subsection (c)(3).

 

2)         If a licensee fails to submit an out of state CE approval form within the required time frame, late approval may be obtained by submitting the approval request form with the $25 processing fee plus a $10 per CE hour late fee not to exceed $150.  The Board shall review and recommend approval or disapproval of the program using the criteria set forth in subsection (c)(3).

 

f)         Restoration of Nonrenewed License.  Upon satisfactory evidence of compliance with CE requirements, the Division shall restore the license upon payment of the required fee as provided in Section 55(e) and (f) of the Act.

 

g)         Waiver of CE Requirements

 

1)         Any renewal applicant seeking renewal of a license without having fully complied with these CE requirements shall file with the Division a renewal application along with the required fee set forth in Section 55(d) of the Act, a statement setting forth the facts concerning non-compliance and request for waiver of the CE requirements on the basis of these facts.  A request for waiver shall be made prior to the renewal date.  If the Division, upon the written recommendation of the Board, finds from such affidavit or any other evidence submitted that extreme hardship has been shown for granting a waiver, the Division shall waive enforcement of CE requirements for the renewal period for which the applicant has applied.

 

2)         Extreme hardship shall be determined on an individual basis by the Board and be defined as an inability to devote sufficient hours to fulfilling the CE requirements during the applicable pre-renewal period because of:

 

A)        Full-time service in the armed forces of the United States of America during a substantial part of the pre-renewal period;

 

B)        An incapacitating illness documented by a statement from a currently licensed physician;

 

C)        A physical inability to travel to the site of approved programs documented by a currently licensed physician; and

 

D)        Any other similar extenuating circumstance.

 

3)         Any renewal applicant who, prior to the expiration date of the license, submits a request for a waiver, in whole or in part, pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be deemed to be in a good standing  until the final decision on the application is made by the Division.

 

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 1818, effective January 28, 2021)

 

Section 1283.120  Granting Variances

 

a)         The Director may grant variances from this Part in individual cases when he or she finds that:

 

1)         The provision from which the variance is granted is not statutorily mandated;

 

2)         No party will be injured by the granting of the variance; and

 

3)         The rule from which the variance is granted would, in the particular case, be unreasonable or unnecessarily burdensome.

 

b)         The Director shall notify the Board of the granting of the variance, and the reasons for granting the variance, at the next meeting of the Board.

 

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 4711, effective March 9, 2007)