Oklahoma § 59-6001 - State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure

§ 59-6001. State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure

A. 1. There is hereby re-created the State Board of Behavioral

Health Licensure to continue until July 1, 2025, in accordance with

the provisions of the Oklahoma Sunset Law.

2. Members of the Board shall serve at the pleasure of and may

be removed from office by the appointing authority. Members shall

continue to serve until their successors are appointed. Any vacancy

shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.

Four members shall constitute a quorum.

3. The Board shall meet at least twice a year, but no more than

four (4) times a year and shall elect a chair and a vice-chair from

among its members. The Board shall only meet as required for:

a.

election of officers,

b.

establishment of meeting dates and times,

c.

rule development,

d.

review and recommendation, and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 59. Professions and Occupations

e.

adoption of nonbinding resolutions to the Board

concerning matters brought before the Board.

4. Special meetings may be called by the chair or by

concurrence of any three members.

B. 1. All members of the Board shall be knowledgeable of

counseling issues. The Board shall be appointed by the Governor

with the advice and consent of the Senate:

a.

four members who are licensed professional counselors,

b.

three members who are licensed family and marital

therapists,

c.

two members who are licensed behavioral practitioners,

and

d.

two members representing the public and possessing

knowledge of counseling issues.

2. Members of the Board shall serve for a period of three (3)

years and may be removed at any time by the appointing authority.

Vacancies on the Board shall be filled by the appointing authority.

A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the

transaction of business.

3. The members of the Board from each professional area of

behavioral health counseling shall comprise separate committees and

shall consult on professional issues within their respective areas

of behavioral health counseling. Each committee shall recommend to

the Board approval or disapproval of all licenses to be issued

within its specialty. Each committee shall be authorized to

recommend approval or disapproval of the examination requirements

for all applicants for licensure in the respective area of

behavioral health counseling, provide grading standards for

examinations, and provide for other matters relating to licensure in

that area of behavioral health counseling. Each committee may

create advisory committees to consult on professional duties and

responsibilities pursuant to the provisions of this section.

4. Any and all recommendations, approvals, or disapprovals made

by a committee pursuant to the provisions of this section shall not

become effective without the approval of a majority of members of

the Board.

5. The jurisdictional areas of the Board shall include

professional counseling licensing and practice issues, marital and

family therapist licensing and practice issues, behavioral

practitioner licensing and practice issues and such other areas as

authorized by the Licensed Professional Counselors Act.

C. The Board shall not recommend rules for promulgation unless

all applicable requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act

have been followed including but not limited to notice, rule impact

statements and rule-making hearings.

D. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation but

may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 59. Professions and Occupations

duties, as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act. The

Board is authorized to utilize the conference rooms of and obtain

administrative assistance from the State Board of Medical Licensure

and Supervision as required.

E. The Board is authorized and empowered to:

1. Establish and maintain a system of licensure and

certification pursuant to the provisions of the Licensed

Professional Counselors Act;

2. Adopt and enforce standards governing the professional

conduct of persons licensed pursuant to the provisions of the

Licensed Professional Counselors Act;

3. Lease office space for the purpose of operating and

maintaining a state office, and pay rent thereon; provided, however,

such state office shall not be located in or directly adjacent to

the office of any person licensed pursuant to the provisions of the

Licensed Professional Counselors Act;

4. Purchase office furniture, equipment, and supplies;

5. Employ such office personnel as may be necessary, and fix

and pay their salaries or wages;

6. Contract with state agencies for the purposes of

investigating written complaints regarding the conduct of persons

licensed pursuant to the provisions of the Licensed Professional

Counselors Act and obtaining administrative assistance as deemed

necessary by the Executive Director; and

7. Make such other expenditures as may be necessary in the

performance of its duties.

F. The Board shall employ an Executive Director. The Executive

Director shall be authorized to:

1. Employ and maintain an office staff;

2. Enter into contracts on behalf of the Board; and

3. Perform other duties on behalf of the Board as needed or

directed.

G. All employees and positions shall be placed in unclassified

status, exempt from the provisions of the Oklahoma Personnel Act.

Added by Laws 2013, c. 229, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2013. Amended by Laws

2019, c. 462, § 1; Laws 2022, c. 128, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2022; Laws

2023, c. 89, § 1.

NOTE: Editorially renumbered from § 5001 of this title to avoid a

duplication in numbering.