Who do I contact with questions about RI Licensure Requirements?
If you have questions about the requirements to be licensed as a mental health counselor in RI, please visit the RI Department of Health website for Marriage, Family and Mental Health Therapy: https://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=228#one
The current contact person is:
J. Michel Martineau
Phone: (401) 222-7883
Email: jmichel.martineau@health.ri.gov
How do I apply to become a LMHC in RI?
Individuals apply when they have completed all requirements for licensure except examination. In some instances, an applicant will have already taken the examination.
Application forms are available online at https://health.ri.gov/applications/MentalHealthCounselor.pdf
License requirements include the following:
- Completed Application with Cover Page
- Paid application fee of $70.00
- Official transcript(s), with the registrars signature and school seal from all accredited College or University (60 credits required) attended.
- Statement(s) of Supervised Practice – These hours are to be accrued after 60 credits are completed. (including supervisor’s résumé)
Note that specific educational and experiential requirements are further delineated in the Regulations and on the Application itself. Please note that the Regulations change from time to time and should be reviewed prior to making an application.
I am licensed in another state, how do I transfer my license to RI?
Please see the following website and refer to section 11.3.5 Endorsement for Licensure, which states:
In addition to the requirements in R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-63.2-15, an applicant who is a licensed mental health counselor in another state whose qualifying degree is awarded by a CACREP accredited program in mental health counseling totaling sixty (60) or more semester hours shall be considered equivalent to the requirement established pursuant to the Act.
Individuals applying through Endorsement will need to complete the Application form as directed.
- Private/Group Practices: Psychology Today or ZenCare
- Community Mental Health Centers: https://bhddh.ri.gov/
mental-health/licensed- treatment-providers - Other Placements: https://mhari.org/
resources/
What are the requirements to be an approved supervisor?
Individuals seeking post-graduate licensed supervision should review the following RI DOH website that outlines the Regulations that are used for LMHCs. https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/216-40-05-11
Specific supervisor requirements from the current Regulations are:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-63.2-9 state that post-graduate licensure hours must be supervised by a person who at the time of rendering the supervision is recognized by the Board as an approved supervisor under the following requirements:
- (1) Must be a licensed clinical mental health counselor, a licensed psychiatrist, a licensed psychologist, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed independent clinical social worker, who has been licensed in good standing for at least five (5) years and has at least five (5) years of clinical experience as a licensee AND:
- (2) Has successfully completed one graduate course in supervision in counseling, taken at an institution of higher learning; OR
- (3) Is approved by the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) as a certified supervisor; OR
- (4) Has at least two (2) years experience supervising clinical staff in a mental health setting
Licensed Mental Health Counselors who do not have at least 2 years experience supervising clinical staff in a mental health setting would need to find a college/university that offers a 3-credit course in clinical supervision or visit NBCC’s website to review the requirements of the ACS certification. https://www.cce-global.org/credentialing/acs
How many and what types of CEUs do I need?
Regulations regarding the amount and type of CEUs that are required to maintain an active license can be found on the following website: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/216-40-05-11
Specifically, section 11.3.8 Continuing Education Requirements from the Regulations outline the following:
- The application for license renewal shall include satisfactory evidence of completion of forty (40) credits of continuing education relevant to the practice of clinical mental health counseling or marriage and family therapy practice, completed over the two (2) year period preceding re-licensure. Furthermore, a minimum of twenty (20) of the forty (40) credits of continuing education shall be completed within Category 1 of § 11.3.8(C) of this Part.
- Continuing education programs sponsored or approved by the following organizations are deemed to be approved by the Board: American Counseling Association (ACA), American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Rhode Island Mental Health Counselors Association (RIMHCA), Rhode Island Counseling Association (RICA), Rhode Island Association for Marriage and Family Therapist (RIAMFT), National Association of Social Workers (NASW), American Psychological Association (APA), American Medical Association (AMA) or such other nationally-recognized organizations, as approved by the Board.
- Categories of Continuing Education Programs and Credits:
- The Board recognizes the following categories of continuing education programs and/or activities and established credit hours.
Category I: Formal continuing education program that may consist of graduate or post-graduate courses, workshops, and/or institutes, including web-based offerings.
Credit: 1 credit per hour; minimum 20 credits per two (2) year cycle.
Category II: Exceptional contributions to professional development that may consist of: a written publication in a peer-reviewed journal, teaching a relevant, semester-long course in an accredited institution, serving as an elected officer on national or international organizations (e.g., ACA, NBCC, AAMFT). Participation by duly appointed members of the Board in regular Board meetings and investigating committee meetings shall be considered acceptable on an hours served basis for Category II credit.
Credit: 10 credits for each publication or formal lecture 20 credits for national or international contribution.
- An extension of time to complete the continuing education requirements may be granted to a clinical mental health counselor or marriage and family therapist solely at the discretion of the Board for reasons of hardship or other extenuating circumstances.
- It shall be the sole responsibility of the individual clinical mental health counselor or marriage and family therapist to obtain documentation from the approved sponsoring or co-sponsoring organization, agency, or institution of his/her participation in a continuing education program and/or activity that shall include no less than the date, time, subject matter, name of lecturer or teacher, or such other data, and the number of credits earned. Those documents shall be retained by each licensee for no less than four (4) years (i.e., from the date of license renewal) and are subject to random audit by the Department.
- A license shall be denied to any applicant who fails to provide satisfactory evidence of continuing education relevant to counseling/family studies as required in this Part.
- Clinical mental health counselors or marriage and family therapists initially licensed by examination after the July 1st renewal date shall be exempt from the continuing education requirements stated herein until the date of the next renewal cycle (i.e., June 30th of the next even-numbered year).
- A clinical mental health counselor or marriage and family therapist whose license has been revoked for failing to satisfy the continuing education requirements of this Part shall be required to complete such additional continuing education credits as may be required by the Board for the preceding two (2) year cycle.
- Failure to comply with any provisions of this section shall be subject to the sanctions set forth in the Act.
What RI academic programs can help me meet the requirements to become an LMHC?
- Rhode Island College (MS Program-CACREP Accredited or CGS)
- Salve Regina (CORE Accredited)
- Johnson & Wales
- Roger Williams
Where can I find information about Professional Liability insurance?
- AMHCA members get a discount through CPH & Associates
- ACA members get a discount through HPSO
What is the difference between RIMHCA and AMHCA?
RIMHCA is the RI State chapter of AMHCA.
To learn more about AMHCA, please visit the following website: https://www.amhca.org/home
What does RIMHCA do?
Rhode Island Mental Health Counselors Association will position clinical mental health counselors to provide exceptional mental health care that exceeds the needs of those served while advancing the profession.
The mission of the Rhode Island Mental Health Counselors Association is to enhance the quality of life in society by advancing the profession of clinical mental health counseling through collaboration, advocacy, research, ethical practice, and education, training and professional development.
We strive to:
● Collaborate with important stakeholders, community members and
consumers, and other mental health professionals and organizations in order to identify unmet needs and mental health disparities;
● Advocate for equitable care and services for all community members who are in need of mental and behavioral health counseling;
● Utilize research to present timely and relevant information regarding best practices in the field of clinical mental health counseling;
● Engage in ethical mental health counseling practice;
● Provide education, training and professional development to mental
and behavioral health professionals that is relevant, timely, and applicable to the work and professional identity of clinical mental health counselors.
RIMHCA does not (and who to contact):
- Review or make decisions on licensure applications (RI DOH);
- Handle or review ethical concerns/complaints (RI DOH, Liability insurance provider, lawyer);
- Provide legal advice (Liability insurance provider or personal/company lawyer);
- Maintain a list of sites for clinical/practicum/internships (academic program or search for mental health agencies);
- Advise on or announce Private or State Insurance benefits/policy changes/billing practices (Insurance Company);
- Provide individual guidance on paneling for insurance (Insurance Company);
- Provide individual consultation on the business aspect of mental health counseling (?).
How do I learn of important legislative updates?
It is suggested that you sign up for email updates from the various mental health related professional organizations. If you are an AMHCA member, you receive these updates regularly as they are announced.
Can I advertise through RIMHCA?
Yes, please see our “Classified Ads” application
How do I become involved?
We are always looking for individuals to join our Board and volunteer to help with various committees. If you are interested in joining, please complete the following application:
For general questions about this or other ways to get involved without being on the Board, please email rimhca@gmail.com
Where do I find information about Private Insurance Updates or how to apply to take a specific insurance?
Please see “What does RIMHCA do” above.