Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 255-X-6 — Licensure

255 Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling

Ala. Admin. Code r. 255-X-6-.01 Licensure

(1) The Board shall issue a license to practice as a professional counselor to all persons who meet the qualifications and who pass the required examination and meet the required experience. For all initial licenses, the licensure term may be less than or greater than two (2) years depending on the date of issuance of the license and will expire July 31 of the renewal year.

(2) The Board shall issue a license to practice as an associate licensed counselor to all persons who meet the qualifications set out in Code of Ala. 1975, §34-8A-7(1), (2), (3), and (4). The associate licensed counselor license will be issued for a period of one year and will expire twelve (12) months from the date of issue.

(3) Licensure shall be documented by the issuance of a license document approved by the Board, carrying the approval seal of the board, and bearing the signature of the Chair of the Board. The issuance of a license by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling authorizes a licensee to engage in the private practice of counseling in the State of Alabama only.

(4) Each licensed professional counselor and associate licensed counselor shall be required to display his or her license for inspection by the general public.

(5) Valid Licensure. All ALCs are required to maintain valid licensure (defined as current supervision by an ABEC approved LPC-S, current PPoS [particularly in the case of a change in LPC-S or work site], proper renewals with appropriate CE documentation, appropriate fee payments, adherence to the Codes and Rules of ABEC in order to provide clinical services. ALCs will become invalid due to unapproved changes in supervision or supervisor, or unapproved changes in site where supervised client services are acquired.

(6) Notwithstanding the exemptions provided in Code of Ala. 1975, §34-8A-3, those persons who file an application with the Board or who are licensed professional counselors or associate licensed counselors shall comply with the codes and regulations of the Board and be subject to the disciplinary provisions of the Board.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-8A-1, et seq.
• Filed September 30, 1982. Amended: Filed September 25, 2000; effective October 30, 2000. Amended: Filed November 9, 2006; effective December 14, 2006. Amended: Filed September 28, 2009; effective November 2, 2009. Amended: July 14, 2016; effective August 28, 2016. Amended: Published February 28, 2022; effective April 14, 2022. Amended: Published April 30, 2025; effective June 14, 2025.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 255-X-6-.02 Inactive License

An LPC or ALC may seek inactive status of their licensure through written request to the Board prior to the ending valid date of the license. The Board shall inform the licensee in writing of the inactivation decision. Once the Board renders the license inactive, the licensee shall have all privileges associated with licensure revoked until the license is reactivated. Otherwise, the licensee will be subject to Section 255-X-7 of the regulation regarding licensure renewal, since the Board will not consider retroactive inactivation of a lapsed or expired license.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-8A-6.
• New Rule: Filed September 25, 2000; effective October 30, 2000. Amended: Filed September 28, 2009; effective November 2, 2009. Amended: Published February 28, 2022; effective April 14, 2022.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 255-X-6-.03 Reactivation Of License

An LPC or ALC with an inactive license may request reactivation of licensure through a written request to the Board. An LPC must submit documentation acceptable to the Board of continuing education activities of no less than forty (40) contact clock hours accrued within the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding the reactivation request. The forty (40) hours of continuing education must contain a minimum of six (6) clock hours devoted to ethical concerns. An ALC must submit documentation acceptable to the Board of continuing education activities of no less than ten (10) contact clock hours accrued within the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the reactivation request. The ten (10) hours of continuing education must contain a minimum of two (2) clock hours devoted to ethical concerns for practice. Additionally, the applicant must pay the reactivation fee as well as the renewal fee noted under 255-X-1-.08 of the regulations.

Inactivation of LPC or ALC licenses shall not exceed six (6) years from the date of inactivation by the Board. After six (6) years of inactivation has passed, any licensure applicant must reapply under the current regulations for initial ALC licensure with forfeiture of all accrued supervision, and all client experience hours.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-8A-6.
• New Rule: Filed September 25, 2000; effective October 30, 2000. Amended: Filed March 22, 2002; effective April 26, 2002. Amended: Filed May 30, 2003; effective July 4, 2003. Amended: Filed November 9, 2006; effective December 14, 2006. Amended: Filed September 28, 2009; effective November 2, 2009. Amended: Filed July 14, 2016; effective August 28, 2016. Amended: Published February 28, 2022; effective April 14, 2022. Amended: Published April 30, 2025; effective June 14, 2025.