24 Del. Admin. Code § 3000-12.0
Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024
Section 3000-12.0 - Renewal and Continuing Education12.1 Renewal Date - All licenses shall be renewable biennially on September 30th of even-numbered years. License renewal is accomplished online at the Division of Professional Regulation's website.12.2 Continuing Education (CE) Requirements for LPCMHs, LCDPs, LMFTs, and LPATs (Associate License holders are not required to complete CEs) 12.2.1 Licensees must complete at least 40 acceptable CE hours, including three hours of continuing education in ethics and three hours in cultural inclusion, equity, and diversity, during the previous licensure period in order to renew their license. CE requirements for initial licensure periods of less than two years shall be prorated as follows: 12.2.1.1 If the license was granted between April 1 and September 30 of an even-numbered year, the licensee must complete 0 hours of CE during the initial licensing period.12.2.1.2 If the license was granted between October 1 of an odd-numbered year and March 31 of an even-numbered year, the licensee must complete 10 hours of CE, including one hour in ethics and one hour in cultural inclusion, equity, and diversity, during the initial licensing period.12.2.1.3 If the license was granted between April 1 and September 30 of an odd-numbered year, the licensee must complete 20 hours of CE, including one hour in ethics and one hour in cultural inclusion, equity, and diversity, during the initial licensing period.12.2.1.4 If the license was granted between October 1 of an even-numbered year and March 31 of an odd-numbered year, the licensee must complete 30 hours of CE, including one hour in ethics and one hour in cultural inclusion, equity, and diversity, during the initial licensing period.12.2.2 Acceptable CE shall include the following:12.2.2.1 CE hours approved by a national mental health organization or substance abuse treatment organization or their local affiliates, such as the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the International Family Therapy Association (IFTA), NAADAC, The Delaware Certification Board, Inc. or National Association for Social Work (NASW), the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB), or the American Psychological Association (APA) are acceptable, regardless of course content, and do not need to be approved by the Board.12.2.2.2 Any activity that's purpose is to maintain licensees' professional competence in the practice of professional mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, chemical dependency counseling, or art therapy is acceptable and does not require Board review and approval. Examples include, but are not limited to, interactive courses, workshops, seminars and webinars. 12.2.2.2.1 Courses that do not clearly achieve this purpose require Board approval. Licensees should request Board approval in advance of attendance. Requests for approval may be submitted afterward, but there is no guarantee of approval. These hours must be documented by a course agenda, syllabus, or other brief documentation that would allow the Board to assess the appropriateness of the course content. Only licensees may request course approvals. Sponsoring organizations may not request course approvals.12.2.2.3 Teaching academic or CE courses, presentation of original papers, or the writing of a peer-reviewed article may account for up to 20 CE hours. These hours are to be documented by an official transcript, syllabus, course or session abstract, or a copy of the published paper presented.12.3 Hardship - The Board shall have the authority to make exceptions to the CE requirements, in its discretion, upon a showing of good cause. "Good Cause" may include, but is not necessarily limited to: disability, illness, military service, extended absence from the jurisdiction, or exceptional family responsibilities. Request for hardship consideration must be submitted to the Board in writing prior to the end of the licensing period, along with payment of the appropriate renewal fee. A license shall be renewed upon approval of the hardship extension by the Board.12.4 Post-Renewal Audit - Verification of CE hours shall be by attestation. Attestation shall be completed electronically. The Board will conduct random audits of renewal applications to ensure the veracity of attestations and compliance with the CE requirements. Licensees selected for the random audit shall submit CE course attendance verification in the form of a certificate signed by the course presenter or by a designated official of the sponsoring organization. Licensees shall retain their CE course attendance documentation for each licensure period. Licensees shall retain their CE course attendance documentation for at least one (1) year after renewal. Licensees found to be deficient or found to have falsely attested may be subject to disciplinary proceedings and may have their license suspended or revoked. Licensees renewing during the late renewal period shall be audited.12.5 Inactive Status12.5.1 A request must be submitted to have a license placed on inactive status. Inactive status is effective immediately upon Board approval. The inactive status may continue for five years from the date of Board approval. An inactive license shall terminate at the end of the five-year period unless the license is returned to active status before the end of the five-year period.12.5.2 Return to Active Status - Before the end of the then current two-year licensure period, a license shall be returned to active status upon fulfillment of the following requirements by the licensee:12.5.2.1 Written Request - Submit a written request to have the license returned to active status.12.5.2.2 Continuing Education - Provide proof of completion of 40 hours of acceptable CE, including three hours in ethics and three hours in cultural inclusion, equity, and diversity, obtained within the two-year period immediately preceding the request for return to active status.12.5.2.3 Fee - Pay the licensure renewal fee. No late fee shall be assessed for return to active status.24 Del. Admin. Code § 3000-12.0
4 DE Reg. 970 (12/01/00)
5 DE Reg. 2109 (05/01/02)
8 DE Reg. 1456 (04/01/05)
10 DE Reg. 872 (11/01/06)
11 DE Reg. 225 (08/01/07)
11 DE Reg. 1066 (02/01/08)
15 DE Reg. 1055 (01/01/12)
15 DE Reg. 1510 (04/01/12)
16 DE Reg. 105 (07/01/12)
18 DE Reg. 900 (5/1/2015)
19 DE Reg. 663 (1/1/2016)
19 DE Reg. 932 (4/1/2016)
20 DE Reg. 376 (11/1/2016)
22 DE Reg. 78 (7/1/2018)
26 DE Reg. 771 (3/1/2023) (Final)