TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN COUNSELING TO ISSUE A PROVISIONAL LICENSE FOR A LICENSED ASSOCIATE COUNSELOR AND A LICENSED ASSOCIATE MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST.

This bill requires the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling to issue provisional licenses to Licensed Associate Counselors and Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapists. The provisional license would be valid for one year, allowing up to three attempts to pass the required licensure exam, and cannot be renewed. It directly affects associate-level mental health professionals working toward full licensure in counseling or marriage/family therapy. The policy change standardizes the provisional licensing process for both professions under existing qualification requirements.