§ 90-270.54A.  Requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapy associate.

(a) Each applicant shall be issued a license by the Board to engage in practice as a marriage and family therapy associate if the applicant meets the qualifications set forth in G.S. 90-270.52(a) and provides satisfactory evidence to the Board that the applicant:

(1) Has completed a marriage and therapy degree or related degree in accordance with G.S. 90-270.54(a)(1)a.

(2) Has shown evidence of intent to accrue the required supervised clinical experience for licensure under G.S. 90-270.54(a)(1)b.

(3) Has filed with the Board an application for licensure as a marriage and family therapy associate, which application includes evidence of the appropriate coursework and an agreement by at least one supervisor approved by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy to provide supervision to the applicant.

(4) Has passed the examination approved by the Board pursuant to G.S. 90-270.54(a)(2).

(b) Upon approval by the Board, a license designating the applicant as a licensed marriage and family therapy associate shall be issued. Notwithstanding G.S. 90-270.58, a license issued under this section shall be valid for three years from the date of issuance.

(c) A marriage and family therapy associate license shall not be renewed. However, if upon written petition to the Board a person licensed pursuant to this section demonstrates special circumstances and steady progress towards licensure as a marriage and family therapist, the Board may grant a one-year extension of the marriage and family therapy associate license upon receipt and approval of an application for extension and payment of the fee authorized by G.S. 90-270.57(a)(9).

(d) Nothing in this Article shall be construed to require direct third-party reimbursement under private insurance policies to a person licensed as a marriage and family therapy associate under this Article. (2009-393, s. 7.)