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As of July 1, 2023, Professional Licensing and other health and occupational licenses will become part of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) as a new organizational structure for state government goes into effect. Government departments and agencies that provide related services or have similar business functions are aligning to better serve Iowans. You can expect the same quality services you get now from HHS to continue as usual. |
Application Guidelines
Click here to Access Online Services or to Apply Online
- Marital/Family Therapist Temporary Application guidelines
- Marital/Family Therapist Permanent Application guidelines
- Mental Health Counselor Temporary Application guidelines
- Mental Health Counselor Permanent Application guidelines
- Behavior Analyst or Assistant Behavior Analyst
Documents may be submitted electronically to the Board office. The Board's fax number is 515-281-7969. Emailed documents should go to plpublic@idph.iowa.gov. .
Continuing Education Guidelines
Licensees are responsible for meeting all continuing education requirements and should review the Rules carefully and frequently. Scroll through the Rules for detailed information about Continuing Education definitions, requirements, standards, criteria and other important specific to this profession.
- Guidelines for Continuing Education Sponsors
- Guidelines for Licensees: How to Select and Document Continuing Education
Continuing Education Extension or Exemption for Disability or Illness
A licensee who had a physical or mental disability or illness during the licensee period may apply for an exemption. An exemption provides for an extension of time or exemption from some or all of the continuing education requirements. An applicant shall submit a completed application form approved by the board for an exemption.
The application requires the signatiure of a licensed health care professional who can attest to the existence of a disability or illness during the license period. If the application is from a license who is the primary caregiver for a relative who is ill or disabled and needs care from that primary caregiver, the physician shall verify the licensee's status as the primary caregiver. A licensee who applies for an exemption shall be notified of the decision regarding the application. A licensee who obtains approval shall retain a copy of the exemption to be presented to the board upon request.
Renewal
You can renew your license up to 60 days before your current license expires.
Renewal notifications will be emailed to your email address on file with the board at 60, 50, 40 and 30 days prior to the license expiration date. Renew your license early to avoid a late fee or lapse in licensure. All continuing education requirements must be completed pior to license renewal.
Supervision Forms
Supervision prior to July 20, 2022
Supervision starting after July 20, 2022
Temporary License Guidance
Temp Mental Health Counselor Licensure in Iowa
- A temporary license is a license to practice marital and family therapy or mental health counseling under direct supervision of a qualified supervisor as determined by the board by rule to fulfill the postgraduate supervised clinical experience requirement.
- Any person who has fulfilled all of the requirements for Mental Health Counselor or Marital and Family Therapy licensure, except for having completed the postgraduate supervised clinical experience requirement and the exam, may apply to the board for a temporary license.
- You do not have to apply for a temporary license and can complete a clinical experience under the exemption provided for in Iowa Code Chapter 154D.4,2,b.
- A temporary license will not be issued or renewed if the supervised clinical experience has been met.
- If you have completed a portion of your supervision prior to applying for a temporary license you should submit a “Supervision Report” form to request approval of the hours of supervision already completed and submit a “Supervision Plan” form to request approval of the supervisor(s) that will be providing supervision for the remainder of your clinical experience.
- The temporary licensee must notify the board immediately in writing of any proposed change in supervisor(s) and obtain approval of any change in supervisor(s). You may have more than one supervisor but each supervisor must be approved by the Board.
- Regardless of the number of supervisors you have you will still be required to complete a minimum of two years of full-time supervised professional work experience in mental health counseling.
- Within 30 days of completion of the supervised clinical experience, the attestation of the completed supervised experience must be submitted to the board office.
- A temporary license is valid for three years and may be renewed at the discretion of the board.
Exam Information
Mental Health Counselor
National Board For Certified Counselors, Inc.
3 Terrace Way, Suite D
Greensboro, NC 27403-3660
Tel: (336) 547-0607
Fax: (336) 547-0017
http://www.nbcc.org/Exams
Marital & Family Therapy
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards
1843 Austin Bluffs Parkway
University Office Park
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Tel: (719) 388-1615
www.amftrb.org
Other Related Links
American Mental Health Counselors Association
801 N. Fairfax St., Ste 304
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (800) 326-2642
www.amhca.org
Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association
16 E. 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
www.imhca.net
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3061
Tel: (703) 838-9808
Fax: (703) 838-9805
http://www.aamft.org
American Counseling Association
6101 Stevenson Ave., Suite 600
Alexandria, VA 22304
Tel: (800) 347-6647
Fax: (800) 473-2329
Web: https://www.counseling.org
Iowa Chapter of ACA: https://www.counseling.org/iowa/
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Iowa HHS Bureau of Professional Licensure Riverpoint Office Complex
400 SW 8th Street Suite D
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Online Licensure Services: https://ibplicense.iowa.gov Email: PLPublic@idph.iowa.gov Office Hours: |