21 NCAC 31 .0701. REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION

(a)  Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associates shall submit each year with the license renewal forms evidence of 20 hours of continuing education credits in marriage and family therapy continuing education obtained subsequent to the prior license renewal.  Evidence of completion shall consist of a certificate of attendance and completion signed by the continuing education provider and shall include date(s) of attendance, number of hours, name of attendee, and name of course.

(b)  Continuing education units that by title and content deal with marriage and family therapy practice and therapeutic issues, ethics and supervision of marriage and family therapy shall be approved by the Board.

(c)  Ongoing supervision by an AAMFT approved supervisor or AAMFT supervisor candidate may be utilized for up to 12 hours of continuing education.  Written documentation of the supervisor's status shall be provided to the Board via a copy of the AAMFT supervisor or supervisor candidate verification form.

(d)  Three hours of ethics training in the provision of professional mental health services is required (as part of the required 20 hours of continuing education) for each renewal period.

(e)  The maximum number of hours of continuing education credits for presenting a continuing education course in marriage and family therapy or teaching a course in marriage and family therapy at a recognized educational institution is five.

(f)  Continuing Education credit shall not be accepted for the following:

(1)           Regular work activities, administrative staff meetings, case staffing or reporting;

(2)           Membership in, holding office in, or participation on boards or committees, business meetings of professional organizations, or banquet speeches;

(3)           Independent unstructured or self-structured learning, defined as learning which is undertaken by the licensee without peer or other guidance, review, input, supervision or monitoring;

(4)           Training related to policies and procedures of an agency; or

(5)           Non-therapy content programs such as finance or business management.

(g)  If a person submits documentation for continuing education that is not identifiable as dealing with marriage and family therapy practice and therapeutic issues, ethics or the supervision of marriage and family therapy, the Board shall request a written description of the continuing education and how it applies to professional practice in marriage and family therapy.  If the Board determines that the training cannot be considered, the individual shall be given 90 days from the date of notification to replace the hours not allowed.  Those hours shall be considered replacement hours and shall not be counted during the next renewal period.

(h)  If evidence of completion of marriage and family continuing education is not presented to the Board within 90 days from the date of notification, the license expires automatically.

(i)  The Board shall waive the continuing education requirements in this Rule for any individual who is currently licensed by and in good standing with the Board if the individual is serving in the armed forces of the United States and if G.S. 105-249.2 grants the individual an extension of time to file a tax return.  The waiver shall be in effect for any period that is disregarded under Section 7508 of the Internal Revenue Code in determining the taxpayer's liability for a federal tax.

(j)  If the evidence of completion is not postmarked by July 1, the evidence of completion shall not be accepted by the Board, and the license will expire effective July 1.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-270.51(b); 90-270-58C; 93B-15;

Eff. March 1, 1996;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2011.