30 Miss. Code. R. 2201-4.8 - Licensing of Military-Trained Counselors and Military Spouses

A. For a military-trained Applicant who has been awarded a military occupational specialty that is substantially within the scope of counseling in Mississippi and who chooses not to apply for licensure by Comity in Rule 4.7, the Board shall grant a license where the Applicant has completed all of the following at a level that is substantially equivalent to or exceeds the requirements for licensure:

1. The Applicant must provide evidence of the completion of a military program of training, completed testing or equivalent training and experience in the practice of counseling at a level that is substantially equivalent to or exceeds the requirements for licensure in Mississippi; and

2. must show proof of work experience in the military occupational specialty for at least two (2) of the five (5) years preceding the date of the application for licensure with the Board. All relevant experience of a military service member in the discharge of official duties shall be credited in the calculation of years of practice; and

3. must take and pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence exam offered by the Board; and

4. has not committed any act in any jurisdiction that would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation of a license to practice that occupation in this state at the time the act was committed; and

5. must undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history records check of the Mississippi central criminal database and the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history database; and

6. pays all application fees for the license sought.

B. For a military spouse who is licensed by and in good standing with another jurisdiction's regulatory board, and who chooses not to apply for licensure under the Comity paragraphs Rule 4.7., the Board shall grant a license where the Applicant has completed all of the following at a level that is substantially equivalent to or exceeds the requirements for licensure:

1. The Applicant must show evidence satisfactory to the Board that the Applicant is the legal spouse of an active member of the military; and

2. must show evidence satisfactory to the Board that the Applicant holds a current license, certification or registration from another jurisdiction and requirements for licensure, certification, or registration are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements for licensure in this state; and

3. is in good standing and has not been disciplined by the agency that had jurisdiction to issue the license, certification or permit; and

4. must show proof of work experience in counseling for at least two (2) of the five (5) years preceding the date of the application for licensure with the Board. All relevant experience of a military spouse, including full-time and part-time experience, regardless of whether in a paid or volunteer capacity, shall be credited in the calculation of years of practice; and

5. must take and pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence exam offered by the Board; and

6. must undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history records check of the Mississippi central criminal database and the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history database; and

7. pay all application fees for the license sought.

C. The Board shall evaluate the qualifications of military-trained or military spouse applicants and advise as to the acceptance or denial of licensure with any reasons for denial within four months of the military spouse's application if the spouse's orders are in Mississippi for thirty-six (36) months or less. The reason for denial will be explained.

D. The Board may issue a temporary practice permit to a military-trained applicant or military spouse licensed, certified or registered in another jurisdiction while the military-trained applicant or military spouse is satisfying the requirements for licensure under this rule if that jurisdiction has licensure, certification or registration standards substantially equivalent to the standards for licensure in this state. The military-trained applicant or military spouse may practice under the temporary permit until a license is granted or until a notice to deny the license is issued in accordance with rules adopted by the Board.

Notes

30 Miss. Code. R. 2201-4.8

Miss Code Ann. § 73-50-1

Adopted 5/22/2016 Amended 1/2/2023