ABEC is currently moving data into the new license management system. This will take a few weeks and expect to have the new online access  available to you in May 2022. In the meantime:

ABEC cannot update mailing addresses for existing licensees.

ABEC will have an extended delay in providing license verifications.

All Covid waivers were rescinded at the Nov. 2021 Board meeting. At this time all supervisees and supervisors must meet the requirements of supervision as detailed in ABEC Administrative Rule 255-X-3-.02. Also, all documents must be notarized as required on the form.

4/19/2022

Per the news from professional organizations Nebraska did pass the Counseling Interstate Compact law, making it the 10th state to do so. But there is now much to do to build the structures required by the law, namely, the creation of the Interstate Commission, hiring administration, and building databases. We expect that it will take a bit of time before the Interstate Commission is able to accept applications from licensees.

As ABEC is informed of these events and processes, information will be made available through the ABEC website.

Get more information here

The following rules revisions approved at the Jan 21, 2022 have been certified by the state and are now enacted.

255-X-1-.08, 255-X-2-.12, 255-X-2-.13, 255-X-2-.14, 255-X-2-.16, 255-X-2-.17, 255-X-3-.01, 255-X-3-.02, 255-X-3-.03, 255-X-3-.04, 255-X-3-.05, 255-X-4-.01, 255-X-4-.05, 255-X-5-.02, 255-X-6-.01, 255-X-6-.02, & 255-6-.03, 255-X-7-.01, 255-X-7-.02, 255-X-7-.03, & 255-X-10

We encourage you to read these rules to better understand the changes: Codes, Rules, & Policies

A summary of some of the rules that may impact you are:

255-X-1-.08 Finances

There is now a $100 Lapsed License Fee that must be paid with each late renewal when the license has lapsed.

255-X-2-.13 Indirect Counseling Services, and 255-X-2-.14 Direct Counseling Services

These descriptions of counseling services have been refined with examples.

255-X-2-.16 Contact Clock Hour, and 255-X-2-.17 Continuing Education Unit

These descriptions of continuing education have been refined with number equivalencies.

255-X-3-.01(2)(b) Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

The descriptions of the Academic Areas have been revised to focus on clinical mental health counseling.

255-X-3-.02(4) Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC)

Supervision requirements for ALCs have been refined.

255-X-3-.03 Supervising Counselor

Acceptable training for the LPC-S certification has been restricted to one of the ABEC approved supervisory training providers.

LPC-Ss must now accrue CE hours in supervision to maintain their LPC-S credential, per 255-X-3-.03(3)(h), (more on this in the Supervision FAQ).

255-X-6-.01 Licensure

All ALCs are required to maintain valid licensure in order to provide clinical services.

255-X-6-.03 Reactivation of License

Formal Inactivation of a license will be limited to six (6) years from the date of Board approved Inactivation. This will have no effect on LPC or ALC licenses that are already approved as Inactivated.

255-X-7-.01 Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Renewal

LPCs must have a valid license to apply for LPC-S certification.

255-X-7-.02 Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC) Renewal

A lapsed ALC license cannot be authorized for licensure examinations, used as the basis for applications for advanced licensure, or used as the basis for applications for reduction of supervised experience.

255-X-7-.03 Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor (LPC-S) Renewal

LPC-Ss must now accrue CE hours in supervision to maintain their LPC-S credential, per 255-X-3-.03(3)(h), (more on this in the Supervision FAQ).

Continuing Education Policy - see Continuing Education (FAQ)

The Board has refined the Continuing Education Policy. This revision will go into effect on August 1, 2022 and will have no impact on those LPC licensees renewing by the July 31, 2022 deadline.

For those LPC licensees that will be renewing by the July 31, 2023 deadline, CEs taken prior to the Aug. 1, 2022 policy change date will be honored according to the previous Continuing Education Policy in effect at this time/up to Aug. 1, 2022.

ALCs renewing at any time from now to August 2023, CEs taken prior to the Aug. 1, 2022 policy change date will be honored according to the previous Continuing Education Policy in effect at this time/up to Aug. 1, 2022.

Proposed Rule Changes that are posted for public review are available here, as well as on www.alabamaadministrativecode.state.al.us.