64B4-3.003: Examination for Licensure
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment to clarify the requirements for examination for licensure.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Examination for Licensure.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 456.017, 491.004(5) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 456.017, 491.005 FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Sue Foster, Executive Director, Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3258
THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:
64B4-3.003 Examination for Licensure.
(1) An applicant for examination for licensure must apply to the Department no later than 120 days and submit supporting documentation necessary to determine eligibility no later than 90 days prior to the examination date, otherwise the applicant shall be scheduled for the next available examination. The application and examination fee must accompany the application.
(1)(2) An applicant who has completed all requirements for the examination and has been certified eligible by the board will be admitted to the examination for licensure.
(2)(3) THEORY AND PRACTICE.
(a) CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS.
1. The theory and practice examination for clinical social workers shall be the Clinical Level objective multiple choice examination developed by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The minimum passing score is the recommended cut-off score provided by the national vendor established according to a standard-setting method. Candidates’ raw scores are converted to a scaled score. The passing score is a scaled score of 75.
2. An applicant for licensure as a clinical social worker is not required to take the theory and practice Part II of subparagraph 64B4-3.003(3)(a)1., F.A.C., of the licensure examination if the following conditions are met:
a. The applicant has taken within the last five years the national Clinical Level objective multiple choice ASWB examination; and
b. The applicant earned the national passing score on the Clinical Level objective multiple choice ASWB examination.
(b) MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS.
The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) shall be a clinical simulation examination developed by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). All options are given a weight based upon the level of appropriateness for good client care. The minimum pass level shall be the recommended cut-off score provided by the NBCC and established according to a content-based modified Angoff procedure.
(c) MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS.
1. The marital and family therapy examination shall be an objective multiple choice examination developed by the Examination Advisory Committee of the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board (AMFTRB) and the Professional Examination Service. All items will be weighted equally in scoring the examination. The minimum passing score is the recommended cut-off score provided by the national vendor and established according to the Angoff procedure.
2. An applicant for licensure as a marriage and family therapist is not required to take the theory and practice of paragraph 64B4-3.003(3)(c), F.A.C., of the licensure examination if the following conditions are met:
a. The applicant has taken within the last five years the national examination developed by AMFTRB; and
b. The applicant earned the national passing score on the examination developed by the AMFTRB.
Rulemaking Specific Authority 456.017, 491.004(5) FS. Law Implemented 456.017, 491.005 FS. History–New 3-21-90, Amended 7-31-91, 3-10-92, 6-1-92, 1-27-93, Formerly 21CC-3.003, Amended 3-14-94, 7-20-94, Formerly 61F4-3.003, Amended 12-22-94, 9-18-95, 11-13-96, 6-1-97, Formerly 59P-3.003, Amended 8-8-99, 1-11-00, 7-2-00, 8-24-00, 10-15-02, 7-8-03,________.