LCMHCS

A “Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate” (LCMHCA) is a person engaged in the supervised practice of counseling who holds a license as a licensed professional counselor associate issued under the provisions of the LCMHC Act.

Important Reminders for LCMHCSs

Updating Your Information

Address Changes (Rule .0602(b))

The licensee shall inform the Board of any change in his or her mailing address within 60 days after any change. Updated address information shall be submitted online via the licensee portal or by mail using the change of address form.

Moving to another State

The Board does not have an “inactive or hold” status for licensure. If moving outside of the state licensees may still choose to keep the license active by completing the biennial renewal. However, if a licensee fails to renew their license within one year of their date of expiration, the license shall be reissued only upon a new application for a license. All current licensure requirements shall apply to the new application.

Name Changes (Rule .0602(c))

A current copy of this statement shall be provided to each client prior to the performance of professional counseling services. The counselor shall retain a file copy of the Professional Disclosure Statement signed by each client. An updated Professional Disclosure Statement (PDS) shall be submitted at the time of renewal to the Board’s office.

Professional Disclosure Statements Updates (Rule .0204)

A current copy of this statement shall be provided to each client prior to the performance of professional counseling services. The counselor shall retain a file copy of the Professional Disclosure Statement signed by each client. An updated Professional Disclosure Statement (PDS) shall be submitted at the time of renewal to the Board’s office.

Document Requests

Duplicate Licenses

In response to questions about ordering additional or replacement certificates, you may do so by sending a letter to the Board office stating your reasons for the request. Each additional certificate is $15. Your written request should include a check for the number of certificates needed, made payable to NCBLCMHC, and the Board payment form. The certificate remains the property of the Florida Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, which has the authority to suspend or revoke licenses for legal and/or ethical violations.

Licensure Verifications

Licensure can be verified online for free using the public information service provided by the Board. Citizens may utilize the online verification service to review the status of licensees in the state of Florida. If you need the Board to provide written verification of your license you may request license verifications by using the payment form or the online portal. License verifications are $5 each and take up to 2 weeks to process.

Renewals

In order to keep the LCMHCS license active licensees are required to renew their license no later than the June 20th prior to the expiration of the license. LCMHCSs must meet all of the continuing counselor education requirements for all licensees and the must also complete a minimum of 10 contact hours of continuing counselor education related to professional knowledge and competency in the field of counseling supervision. Continuing counselor education appropriate for the purpose of LCMHCS renewal is education directed toward professionals in the mental health field that focus on increasing knowledge and skills in the practice of counseling supervision, and that is completed during the renewal period.

For more information regarding renewals, please visit the Renewals page.

Supervision Reminders

Supervisor Code of Ethics

In addition to the ACA Code of Ethics, the Board has adopted the Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) Code of Ethics publicized by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE). Supervisors are encouraged to review this document frequently to ensure compliance.

Supervision Contract (Rule .0702)

A Supervision Contract must be completed using the Supervision Contract form provided by the Board. LCMHCAs must receive approval of supervision contract prior to rendering counseling services. Notifications of approvals (or denials) are sent to the Supervisor. Contracts are usually reviewed within 2 weeks of receipt.

The Supervision Contract must have the following information:

  • Name of the qualified clinical supervisor.
  • Contact information for the qualified clinical supervisor.
  • The modality of supervision to be provided, such as direct (live) observation, co-therapy, audio and video recordings, and live supervision.
  • The frequency of supervision.
  • The location of the proposed supervision.

If the LCMHCA is receiving supervision from more than one supervisor, a separate supervision contract form shall be filed for each individual qualified clinical supervisor. Also, a separate supervision contract form shall be filed for each separate work setting and each supervisor must be approved.

Supervision Log (.0801 (e) )

The supervisor, in collaboration with the supervisee, shall maintain a log of clinical supervision hours that includes the following:

  1. the date;
  2. supervision start and stop times;
  3. the modality of supervision to be provided, such as live observation, co-therapy, audio and video recordings, and live supervision; and
  4. notes on recommendations or interventions used during the supervision.

Please see the example of a supervision log. Supervisors may develop their own log form as long as the required elements, as defined in Rules .0208 and .801(e) of the Administrative Code, are documented on the log. This log form is not required to be provided to the NCBLCMHC Board unless formally requested.

The Supervisor shall maintain copies of these logs for a minimum of seven years beyond termination or completion of supervision and shall provide copies to the Board for inspection upon request.

Quarterly Reporting (Rules .0702(3) and .0801(c))

The supervisor must report each quarter that supervision has occurred using the Quarterly Supervision Report form provided by Board.

Quarters are based on the calendar quarter system and should be submitted no later than the end of the month after the quarter ends. Quarterly Report due dates are:

  • Q1 (Jan 1 – March 31) – report must be submitted by April 30
  • Q2 (April 1 – June 30) – report must be submitted by July 31
  • Q3 (July 1 – Sept 30) – report must be submitted by October 31
  • Q4 (Oct 1 – Dec 31) – report must be submitted by January 31

The Board does not require the submission of hours on Quarterly Supervision Reports. All hours are to be reported to the Board on Final Supervision reports.

Final Supervision Report (Rules .0702(3) and .0801(c))

All hours are to be reported to the Board on Final Supervision reports.

A supervisor must submit final report upon termination or completion of supervision. This report should be submitted to the Board within 2 weeks of termination of supervision and within 2 weeks of a change in the conditions specified in the supervision contract form on file with the Board.

The report should be filed by supervisor directly to the Board using the Final Supervision Report provided by Board. The report must have the following information:

  • General information
  • Supervision description
  • Supervision summary
  • Professional assessment – Supervisors will be asked to assess following areas:
    • Individual counseling skills
    • Diagnostic skills
    • Treatment planning implementation
    • Appropriate referral making
    • Appropriate record keeping
    • Group counseling skills
    • Personal integrity
    • Consulting skills
    • Insight into client’s problems
    • Ability to relate to co-workers
    • Ability to be objective on the job
    • Knowledge of assessment instruments
    • Ethical conduct
    • Concern for the welfare of clients
    • Sense of responsibility
    • Recognition of own limits
    • Ability to keep material confidential
  • Reference/ Recommendation
  • Verification of modality and frequency of supervision

SUPERVISION MUST CONTINUE UNTIL THE LCMHCA/APPLICANT RECEIVES HIS/HER LCMHC LICENSE

Disclaimer: All information provided by the Florida American Board Of Certified Professional Counselors (hereafter “the Board”) on this web site is made available to provide immediate access for the convenience of interested persons. While the Board believes the information to be reliable, human or mechanical error remains a possibility, as does delay in the posting or updating of information. Therefore, the Board makes no guarantee as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, currency, or for any errors or omissions, or for the use or results obtained from the use of this information. All access to and use of this web site is governed by the Disclaimers as set forth by the Board.