Ind. Code ch. 25-23.6-8.5

Ind. Code ch. 25-23.6-8.5
in effect

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-1 Mental health counselor application requirements

Sec. 1. An individual who applies for a license as a mental health counselor must meet the following requirements: (1) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has: (A) received a master's or doctor's degree in an area related to mental health counseling from: (i) an eligible postsecondary educational institution that meets the requirements under section 2 of this chapter; or (ii) a foreign school that has a program of study that meets the requirements under section 2 of this chapter; (B) completed the educational requirements under section 3 of this chapter; and (C) completed the experience requirements under section 4 of this chapter. (2) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual: (A) except as provided in section 1.7 of this chapter, holds a mental health counselor associate license, in good standing, issued under section 7 of this chapter; or (B) is licensed or certified to practice as a mental health counselor in another state and is otherwise qualified under this chapter. (3) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual does not have a conviction for a crime that has a direct bearing on the individual's ability to practice competently. (4) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has not been the subject of a disciplinary action by a licensing or certification agency of another state or jurisdiction on the grounds that the individual was not able to practice as a mental health counselor without endangering the public. (5) Pass an examination provided by the board. (6) Pay the fee established by the board. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.71. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.340; P.L.84-2010, SEC.58; P.L.42-2011, SEC.56.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-1.5 Mental health counselor associate license requirements; associate temporary permit

Sec. 1.5. (a) An individual who applies for a license as a mental health counselor associate must meet the following requirements: (1) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has: (A) received a master's or doctor's degree in mental health counseling therapy or in a related area as determined by the board from an institution of higher education that meets the requirements under section 2 of this chapter or from a foreign school that has a program of study that meets the requirements under section 2(3)(A) or 2(3)(B) of this chapter; and (B) completed the educational requirements under section 3 of this chapter. (2) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual does not have a conviction for a crime that has a direct bearing on the individual's ability to practice competently. (3) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has not been the subject of a disciplinary action by a licensing or certification agency of another state or jurisdiction on the grounds that the individual was not able to practice as a mental health counselor associate without endangering the public. (4) Pay the fee established by the board. (5) Pass an examination provided by the board. (b) The board shall issue an associate temporary permit to practice mental health counseling to an individual who: (1) meets the educational requirements for a license as a mental health counselor; (2) is pursuing the required clinical supervisory hours for a license as a mental health counselor; and (3) pays a fee for the temporary permit set by the board. An associate temporary permit issued under this subsection expires one (1) year after the date the permit is issued, without regard to the number of times the individual passes or fails the required examination to become a licensed mental health counselor. The temporary permit may not be renewed. As added by P.L.84-2010, SEC.59. Amended by P.L.195-2018, SEC.15.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-1.7 Requirements while in doctoral program

Sec. 1.7. An individual who receives a master's degree and enters a doctoral program may do either of the following: (1) Apply for a mental health counselor associate license under section 1.5 of this chapter by meeting the requirements of this chapter. (2) Elect not to apply for a mental health counselor associate license under section 1.5 of this chapter, accrue the clinical experience required under section 4 of this chapter, and apply for a mental health counselor license at the conclusion of the doctoral program. As added by P.L.84-2010, SEC.60.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-2 Requirements for institution attended by applicant

Sec. 2. An applicant for a mental health counselor license under section 1 of this chapter or a mental health counselor associate license under section 1.5 of this chapter must have received a master's or doctor's degree in an area related to mental health counseling from an eligible postsecondary educational institution that meets the following requirements: (1) If the institution was located in the United States or a territory of the United States, at the time of the applicant's graduation the institution was accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. (2) If the institution was located in Canada, at the time of the applicant's graduation the institution was a member in good standing with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. (3) If the institution was located in a foreign country other than Canada, at the time of the applicant's graduation the institution: (A) was recognized by the government of the country where the school was located as a program to train in the practice of mental health counseling or psychotherapy counseling; and (B) maintained a standard of training substantially equivalent to the standards of institutions accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.71. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.341; P.L.84-2010, SEC.61.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-3 Educational requirements

Sec. 3. An applicant as a mental health counselor under section 1 of this chapter or a mental health counselor associate under section 1.5 of this chapter must complete the following educational requirements: (1) Graduate course work in counseling that must include either a master's degree or a doctor's degree in counseling. The graduate course work must include the following content areas: (A) Human growth and development. (B) Social and cultural foundations of counseling. (C) Helping relationship, including counseling theory and practice. (D) Group dynamics, processes, counseling, and consultation. (E) Lifestyle and career development. (F) Assessment and appraisal of individuals. (G) Research and program evaluation. (H) Professional orientation and ethics. (I) Foundations of mental health counseling. (J) Contextual dimensions of mental health counseling. (K) Knowledge and skills for the practice of mental health counseling and psychotherapy. (L) Clinical instruction. (2) Not less than one (1) supervised clinical practicum, internship, or field experience in a counseling setting, which must include a minimum of seven hundred (700) clock hours consisting of one (1) practicum of one hundred (100) hours, and one (1) internship of six hundred (600) hours with at least sixty-six (66) hours of face to face supervision. This requirement may be met by a supervised practice experience that took place away from an eligible postsecondary educational institution but that is certified by an official of the eligible postsecondary educational institution as being equivalent to a clinical mental health graduate level practicum or internship program at an institution accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education or the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.71. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.342; P.L.84-2010, SEC.62; P.L.160-2018, SEC.4; P.L.149-2022, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-4 Clinical experience requirements

Sec. 4. (a) For purposes of this section, "virtual supervision" means supervision of an applicant for a license as a mental health counselor by a qualified supervisor through an electronic platform that provides for synchronous visual and audio interaction in real time, and which is compliant with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Virtual supervision does not include telephone calls, electronic mail, or text messages. (b) An applicant for a license as a mental health counselor under section 1 of this chapter must have at least three thousand (3,000) hours of post-graduate clinical experience over a two (2) year period. The clinical experience must consist of one hundred (100) hours of supervision under the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor or an equivalent supervisor, as determined by the board. (c) Except as provided in section 1.7 of this chapter, if an individual is obtaining the post-graduate clinical experience described in subsection (b) in Indiana, the individual must be licensed as a mental health counselor associate under section 1.5 of this chapter. (d) A doctoral internship may be applied toward the supervised work experience requirement. (e) Except as provided in subsection (f), the clinical experience requirement may be met by work performed at or away from the premises of the supervising mental health counselor. (f) Except as provided in subsection (g), the clinical work requirement may not be performed away from the supervising mental health counselor's premises if: (1) the work is the independent private practice of mental health counseling; and (2) the work is not performed at a place that has the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor or an equivalent supervisor, as determined by the board. (g) Up to one hundred percent (100%) of the supervised post-graduate clinical experience hours required under subsection (b) may be accounted for through virtual supervision by a licensed mental health counselor or equivalent supervisor described in subsection (b). (h) Any supervised post-graduate clinical experience hours that an applicant accumulates under this chapter after being licensed as a mental health counselor associate under section 1.5 of this chapter do not expire and may be used by the applicant to satisfy the supervised post-graduate clinical experience requirements of this chapter. (i) After obtaining a temporary permit under section 1.5 of this chapter, any supervised post-graduate clinical experience hours that an applicant accumulates under this chapter before the temporary permit expires may be used by the applicant to satisfy the supervised post-graduate clinical experience requirements under this chapter. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.71. Amended by P.L.84-2010, SEC.63; P.L.160-2018, SEC.5; P.L.83-2024, SEC.20; P.L.130-2025, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-5 Eligibility for examination; examination in last term

Sec. 5. (a) As used in this section, "term" refers to an academic semester, trimester, or quarter. (b) An individual who satisfies the requirements of: (1) section 1 or 1.5 of this chapter; and (2) section 2 of this chapter; may take the examination provided by the board. (c) An individual who: (1) is enrolled in the last term of the last year of a program leading to a degree that meets the requirements of section 1.5(a)(1) of this chapter; and (2) provides a letter of good standing from the director of the mental health counselor department or the director's designee; may take the examination provided by the board for a license as a mental health counselor associate. (d) A letter of good standing provided under subsection (c)(2) by an individual who applies for a license as a mental health counselor associate must include the following information: (1) The individual's first and last name. (2) The type of degree and program in which the individual is enrolled. (3) A statement confirming that the individual is currently in the final term of the program. (4) The anticipated date of completion of the program. (5) A statement confirming that the individual is in good academic standing. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.71. Amended by P.L.84-2010, SEC.64; P.L.83-2024, SEC.21.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-6 Examination; times and places

Sec. 6. The board shall provide for examinations to be given at least once each year at times and places established by the board. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.71.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-7 Issuance of license

Sec. 7. (a) The board shall issue a license to an applicant as a mental health counselor under section 1 of this chapter or a mental health counselor associate under section 1.5 of this chapter who: (1) achieves a passing score, as determined by the board, on the examination provided under this chapter; and (2) is otherwise qualified under this article. (b) A person issued a license under this section may engage in the practice of mental health counseling. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.71. Amended by P.L.84-2010, SEC.65.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-8 Duration of mental health counselor license; renewal

Sec. 8. (a) Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), a mental health counselor license issued by the board is valid for the remainder of the renewal period in effect on the date the license was issued. (b) An individual may renew a mental health counselor license by: (1) paying a renewal fee on or before the expiration date of the license; and (2) completing at least twenty (20) hours of continuing education per licensure year. (c) If an individual fails to pay a renewal fee on or before the expiration date of a mental health counselor license, the license becomes invalid. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.71. Amended by P.L.84-2010, SEC.66; P.L.177-2015, SEC.56.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-8.5 Duration of mental health counselor associate license; renewal

Sec. 8.5. (a) Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), a mental health counselor associate license issued by the board is valid for the remainder of the renewal period in effect on the date the license was issued. (b) An individual may renew a mental health counselor associate license two (2) times by: (1) paying a renewal fee on or before the expiration date of the license; and (2) completing at least twenty (20) hours of continuing education per licensure year. (c) The board may renew a mental health counselor associate license for additional periods based on circumstances determined by the board. (d) If an individual fails to pay a renewal fee on or before the expiration date of a mental health counselor associate license, the license becomes invalid. As added by P.L.84-2010, SEC.67. Amended by P.L.177-2015, SEC.57.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-9 Reinstatement of invalid license

Sec. 9. (a) The board may reinstate an invalid mental health counselor license up to three (3) years after the expiration date of the license if the individual holding the invalid license meets the requirements under IC 25-1-8-6. (b) If more than three (3) years have elapsed since the date a mental health counselor license expired, the individual holding the license may reinstate the invalid license by satisfying the requirements for reinstatement established by the board and meeting the requirements under IC 25-1-8-6. (c) The board may reinstate an invalid mental health counselor associate license up to one (1) year after the expiration date of the license if the individual holding the invalid license meets the requirements under IC 25-1-8-6. A mental health counselor associate license that has been expired for more than one (1) year may not be reinstated under IC 25-1-8-6. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.71. Amended by P.L.269-2001, SEC.23; P.L.84-2010, SEC.68.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-9.5 Reciprocity for mental health counselors

Sec. 9.5. The board shall issue a license to an individual to be a mental health counselor, not more than thirty (30) days after the application is filed and completed, if the individual: (1) has a valid license or certificate to practice from another state or jurisdiction; (2) has passed an examination substantially equivalent to the level for which licensure is being requested; (3) does not have a pending disciplinary proceeding in another state; and (4) pays a fee. As added by P.L.225-2017, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.149-2022, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-10 Temporary permit

Sec. 10. (a) The board may issue a temporary permit to an individual to profess to be a mental health counselor if the individual pays a fee and the individual: (1) has a valid license or certificate to practice from another state and the individual has applied for a license from the board; (2) is practicing in a state that does not license or certify mental health counselors, but is certified by a national association approved by the board and the individual has applied for a license from the board; or (3) has been approved by the board to take the examination and has graduated from a school or program approved by the board and the individual has completed any experience requirement. (b) A temporary permit expires the earlier of: (1) the date the individual holding the permit is issued a license under this article; or (2) the date the board disapproves the individual's license application. (c) The board may renew a temporary permit if the individual holding the permit was scheduled to take the next examination and the individual: (1) did not take the examination; and (2) shows good cause for not taking the examination. (d) A permit renewed under subsection (c) expires on the date the individual holding the permit receives the results from the next examination given after the permit was issued. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.71.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-11 Notification of retirement from practice

Sec. 11. (a) An individual who is licensed under this article shall notify the board in writing when the individual retires from practice. (b) Upon receipt of the notice, the board shall: (1) record the fact the individual is retired; and (2) release the individual from further payment of renewal fees and continuing education requirements. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.71.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-12 Exemption from examination requirement

Sec. 12. An individual who applies for a license under this article may be exempted by the board from the examination requirement under this chapter if the individual: (1) is licensed or certified to practice as a mental health counselor in another state; or (2) has engaged in the practice of mental health counseling for not less than three (3) of the previous five (5) years; (3) has passed a licensing examination substantially equivalent to the licensing examination required under this article; (4) has passed an examination pertaining to the mental health counseling laws and rules of this state; and (5) has not committed any act or is not under investigation for any act that constitutes a violation of this article; and is otherwise qualified under sections 1 and 2 of this chapter and pays an additional fee. As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.71.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-8.5-14 Mental health diagnosis evaluation; requirements; documentation

Sec. 14. (a) This section applies if an individual licensed under this chapter performs an evaluation to determine a mental health diagnosis of a patient and determines that the patient either: (1) has not seen: (A) a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5; (B) an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under IC 25-23; or (C) a physician assistant licensed under IC 25-27.5; within the previous twelve (12) months; or (2) may have a physical condition that requires medical attention. (b) The individual performing the evaluation shall do the following: (1) Advise the patient to schedule, and offer to assist the patient with the scheduling of, a physical examination at the earliest opportunity with: (A) a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5; (B) an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under IC 25-23; or (C) a physician assistant licensed under IC 25-27.5. (2) Provide the patient with a list of practitioners specified in subdivision (1) that the patient may contact to schedule a physical examination, including the: (A) name; (B) address; and (C) telephone number; of the practitioners. (3) Coordinate patient care as appropriate with the practitioner who is providing physical medical care to the patient, unless the patient has declined to consent to the coordination of care. (c) An individual performing the evaluation shall document all actions taken under subsection (b) in the patient's medical record. As added by P.L.138-2021, SEC.8.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/25Fetched: 10/17/2026