Iowa Admin. Code r. 283-31.1 - [Effective 3/26/2025] Definitions

"Eligible applicant" means an individual who is a mental health professional or agrees to become a mental health professional, agrees to sign a program agreement, and agrees to complete the obligation. The eligible applicant completes applications on or before the date established by the commission and does not meet a condition in 283-subrule 10.3(1).

1. The program agreement specifies the obligation and other details pertaining to the program.

2. The obligation is fulfilled by assessing and diagnosing mental health needs and problems and providing mental health counseling services to clients, individually or in groups, in eligible practice areas on a full-time basis for five consecutive years or on a part-time basis for seven consecutive years. Progression toward completion of the obligation is verified annually.

"Eligible institution" means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 256.225(1).

"Eligible loan" means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 256.225(1). Only the outstanding portion of a federal consolidation loan that was used to repay an eligible loan qualifies as an eligible loan. An eligible applicant who signs a program agreement and then refinances an eligible loan by obtaining a private education loan may continue to receive loan repayment awards.

"Eligible practice area" means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 256.225(1). Mental health professionals who serve clients who reside in eligible practice areas, including rural locations outside of city limits but within the federal mental health shortage area, on at least a part-time basis are eligible. After an eligible applicant signs an agreement to practice in an eligible practice area, subsequent changes to eligible practice areas will not impact that applicant's continued eligibility for the program.

"Mental health professional" means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 256.225(1). The required clinical experience is completed after receipt of a master's degree in a mental health field.

"Part-time" means an average of at least 28 hours but fewer than 40 hours per week.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 283-31.1

Adopted by IAB February 8, 2023/Volume XLV, Number 16, effective 3/15/2023 Adopted by IAB February 19, 2025/Volume XLVII, Number 17, effective 3/26/2025