1. (1) Under Subsection 58-60-405(1)(c), an applicant for ACMHC licensure or ACMHC-Extern licensure shall provide certified transcripts evidencing completion of a degree that includes the following:

   1. (a) at least three semester credit hours or four quarter credit hours of graduate-level courses in the following subjects:

      1. (i) mental status examination, the appraisal of diagnostic and statistical manual maladaptive, and psychopathological behavior; and
      2. (ii) professional and counseling ethics; and
   2. (b) a practicum or internship that includes at least 700 documented hours of supervised clinical mental health counselor training of which at least 240 hours consist of providing clinical therapy directly to clients under the direction of an educational institution.

2. (2) Under Subsection 58-60-117(1)(d), an individual applying for ACMHC-Extern licensure whose completed educational degree has a deficiency as defined in Subsection R156-60e-102.4(4) may apply for an ACMHC-Extern license while completing the missing coursework post-degree to obtain an ACMHC license if the courses are taken:

   1. (a) for full credit;
   2. (b) through one institution; and

   3. (c) from a master's or doctoral program in:

      1. (i)(A) clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, or counselor education and supervision; and

         1. (B) a program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP); or
      2. (ii) clinical mental health counseling or an equivalent field as defined in Subsection R156-60e-102.4(5), from an institution accredited by CHEA.

3. (3)(a) An individual who qualifies to complete educational requirements post-degree under this section and qualifies for ACMHC-Extern licensure under Section 58-60-117 may engage in clinical mental health counseling under supervision as outlined in Section R156-60e-304.1.

   1. (b) No hour obtained under Subsection (2)(a) may be counted toward an internship, practicum, or associate-level licensure.
4. (4) Under Subsection 58-60-405(1)(g)(i), an applicant for CMHC licensure shall pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) from the NBCC.

KEY: licensing, social worker, therapist, marriage and family therapist, counselor, mental health, clinical mental health counselor, substance use disorder counselor, master addiction counselor, behavioral health coach, behavioral health technician

Date of Last Change: May 26, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 58-1-106(1)(a); 58-1-202(1)(a); 58-60-201; 58-60-301; 58-60-401; 58-60-501