Section 45:8B-41.2 - Professional counselor, rehabilitation counselor, license issuance; alternate requirementsa. The board shall issue to any individual, upon application during the first 360 days after the effective date of this amendatory and supplementary act, a professional counselor license, if the applicant has either: (1) completed a minimum of 45 graduate semester hours, which includes a master's degree or doctorate from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, in subject matter that is primarily counseling in content; and has documented five years of experience in the practice of professional counseling acceptable to the committee prior to the date of application for licensure. The board shall waive written examination of these applicants; or(2) completed fewer than 45 semester hours, which includes a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, in subject matter that is primarily counseling in content; and has documented five years of experience in the practice of professional counseling acceptable to the committee prior to the date of application for licensure. The board shall require that the applicant provide evidence that he has passed the National Counselor Examination of the National Board for Certified Counselors.b. The board shall issue to any individual, upon application during the first 360 days after the effective date of this amendatory and supplementary act, a rehabilitation counselor license if the applicant has either: (1) completed a minimum of 45 graduate semester hours, which includes a master's degree or doctorate from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, in subject matter that is primarily counseling or rehabilitation counseling in content; and has documented five years of experience in the practice of rehabilitation counseling acceptable to the committee prior to the date of application for licensure. The board shall waive written examination of these applicants; or(2) completed a master's degree of fewer than 45 semester hours or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in subject matter that is primarily counseling or a related field in content; has documented 10 years of experience, during the last 15 years immediately preceding the enactment date of this amendatory and supplementary act, in the practice of rehabilitation counseling acceptable to the committee; and provides evidence that he has passed the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination by the Commission on Rehabilitation Certification.