(A) Master's endorsement is an official board endorsement of qualified behavioral science master's degree training programs. Education institutions accredited by an accrediting agency accepted by the Ohio board of higher education may apply for master's endorsement. Endorsement may be awarded by the board to any education institution master's degree program that addresses the subject content areas and contact hours defined by the board which contributes to the professional growth of the chemical dependency counselor.
(B) Applicants for master's endorsement for an accredited master's program in addiction/substance use disorder counseling, clinical counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, pediatrics psychology, or social work shall file with the board a written application. The application packet contains all documentation and forms necessary to obtain endorsement and shall consist of, at a minimum, the following:
(1) A completed form prescribed by the board;
(2) A non-refundable master's endorsement fee;
(3) Documentation of program coursework which includes the following content areas and contact hours:
(a) Substance use disorder and recovery knowledge (twenty-four hours);
(b) Counseling procedures and strategies as applied to those with substance use disorder (thirty hours);
(c) Group process and techniques (eighteen hours);
(d) Assessment and diagnosis of substance use disorder (twenty-four hours);
(e) Family dynamics (twenty-four hours);
(f) Pharmacology (eighteen hours, with six hours specific to medication assisted treatment/recovery);
(g) Relapse and recovery strategies (six hours);
(h) Treatment planning (eighteen hours); and
(i) Legal and ethical issues pertaining to substance use disorder professionals (eighteen hours).
(C) Applicants for master's endorsement for a master's program not listed in paragraph (B) of this rule shall provide, in addition to the application requirements listed in paragraphs (B)(1) to (B)(3) of this rule, the following:
(1) Documentation of master's level coursework within a behavioral science master's degree in the following content areas and contact hours:
(a) Counseling theories (forty clock hours);
(b) Individual and group counseling procedures (eighty clock hours with a minimum of twenty clock hours in individual counseling and twenty clock hours in group counseling);
(c) Fundamentals of assessment and diagnosis and psychopathology (ninety clock hours);
(d) Cultural humility (thirty clock hours); and
(e) Ethics (thirty clock hours).
(2) Documentation of credentials and names of course instructors.
(D) The board shall review the application packet. As a result of this review, the board shall notify the applicant of one of the following:
(1) Approval of the endorsement meeting LICDC education license requirements;
(2) The need for additional documentation; or
(3) The proposed denial of the application.
(E) Upon approval by the board, endorsement will be awarded to the education institution for a period of three years. During this endorsement period, the education institution shall:
(1) Provide curriculum changes to the board as they occur. These changes shall be reviewed by the board to ensure compliance with endorsement standards and requirements.
(2) Provide students who complete the endorsed program with documentation indicating they have completed a board endorsed program.
(3) Open applicable classes to the board for monitoring and cooperate with the board should an official monitoring be required.
(F) Education institutions that are awarded endorsement may renew that endorsement every five years by:
(1) Completing a renewal application and
(2) Submitting the endorsement fee.
(G) Revocation of endorsement
(1) The board may revoke an education institution's endorsement status for any of the following:
(a) Falsification of forms,
(b) Failure to remain in compliance with the board's endorsement criteria and policies,
(c) Investigation and verification by the board of written complaints or charges by consumers or others,
(d) Refusal to comply with an investigation by the board.
(2) The board shall notify the education institution at the address provided by the contact person on the application if it intends to propose to revoke the endorsement and shall comply with hearing procedures pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.
(3) Upon revocation of endorsement, the education institution shall:
(a) Cease using the endorsement status and
(b) Remove endorsement from publicity materials.
Last updated April 3, 2024 at 2:36 PM