Bill > S03482

This bill establishes new requirements for granting licensure and provisional endorsement for mental health counselors in New York State. The bill allows the state department to issue a license to an applicant who: (1) holds a current license from another state with substantially equivalent professional requirements, (2) demonstrates professional competency through continuing education or at least two years of recent work experience, (3) has no disqualifying professional misconduct (though the department can make exceptions), (4) is in good standing in their original jurisdiction, and (5) pays required fees. Additionally, the bill introduces a provisional endorsement license that allows applicants to practice mental health counseling while completing remaining licensure requirements. This provisional license can be terminated if the department denies the full license, the provisional license expires, or the holder fails to comply with its terms. Importantly, the bill clarifies that it does not replace existing statutory provisions for licensure by endorsement or reciprocity, but rather provides an additional pathway for qualified mental health counselors to obtain New York state licensure.