Section 1375.30  Application for Examination/Permanent Licensure as a Professional Counselor

a)         Each applicant seeking original licensure under Section 35 of the Act shall file an application with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulation (Division), on forms provided by the Division.  The application shall include:

1)         Certification of education from a master's degree program or doctoral degree program in counseling, psychology or rehabilitation counseling from a college, university or school that is a regionally accredited institution of higher education and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or certification of education and an official transcript from a similar master's degree or doctoral degree program in accordance with Section 1375.45(c) of this Part.

2)         The required fee set forth in Section 1375.205.

3)         Certification of licensure, on forms provided by the Division, from the state or territory of the United States in which an applicant was originally licensed and the state in which the applicant predominantly practices and 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 in that jurisdiction;

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)         Any individual who applies for a professional counselor license after January 1, 2008 shall meet the educational requirements set forth in Section 1375.45(a).

1)         Individuals applying for licensure as a professional counselor may submit one of the following certifications (based on examination), in lieu of the documents required in subsection (a)(1):

A)        Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRC);

B)        National Certified Counselors (NCC);

2)         An applicant submitting one of the certifications listed in subsection (b)(1) will not be required to take and pass an additional examination administered by the Division.  The Division, upon recommendation of the Professional Counselor Licensing and Disciplinary Board (Board), has determined that the education and examination requirements are equivalent to the requirements for licensure as a professional counselor.

c)         When the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the coursework 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 clear up any discrepancies or conflicts in information.

d)         If an applicant has taken and passed the examination in accordance with Section 1375.60, the applicant shall file an application in accordance with subsection (a) and shall have the examination scores submitted to the Division directly from the testing entity or from the state of original licensure.

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 7586, effective May 13, 2011)