HB5246 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 39416 RTM 69599 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5246

Introduced 2/9/2024, by Rep. Lindsey LaPointe

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 55/65

from Ch. 111, par. 8351-65

Amends the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may issue a license as a licensed marriage and family therapist, without the required examination, to an applicant who is currently registered, certified, or licensed to practice marriage and family therapy in another state, territory, or jurisdiction (rather than the requirements for licensure in another state or territory must be substantially equivalent to the requirements of the Act or the person must have possessed individual qualifications at the time of applying for licensure that were substantially equivalent to the requirements then in force in this State), submits an application on a form that is approved by the Department, and pays the application fee set by the Department. Provides that an individual applying for licensure as a licensed marriage and family therapist who has been licensed at the independent level in another United States jurisdiction without discipline (rather than 5 years without discipline) is not required to submit proof of completion of the education, professional experience, and supervision otherwise required. Makes conforming changes.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act is amended by changing Section 65 as follows:

(225 ILCS 55/65) (from Ch. 111, par. 8351-65)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)

Sec. 65. Endorsement. The Department may issue a license as a licensed marriage and family therapist, without the required examination, to an applicant who:

(i) is currently registered, certified, or licensed to practice marriage and family therapy in another state, territory, or jurisdiction;

(ii) submits an application on a form that is approved by the Department; and

(iii) pays the application fee set by the Department. licensed under the laws of another state if the requirements for licensure in that state are, on the date of licensure, substantially equivalent to the requirements of this Act or to a person who, at the time of his or her application for licensure, possessed individual qualifications that were substantially equivalent to the requirements then in force in this State. An applicant under this Section shall pay all of the required fees.

An individual applying for licensure as a licensed marriage and family therapist who has been licensed at the independent level in another United States jurisdiction for 5 consecutive years without discipline is not required to submit proof of completion of the education, professional experience, and supervision required in Section 40. Individuals with 5 consecutive years of experience must submit certified verification of licensure from the jurisdiction in which the applicant practiced and must comply with all other licensing requirements and pay all required fees.

If the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work or experience is questioned by the Department or the Board because of a lack of information, discrepancies or conflicts in information given, or a need for clarification, the applicant seeking licensure may be required to provide additional information.

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

(Source: P.A. 102-1053, eff. 6-10-22.)