| How to Gain Certification |
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| Scope of Professional Practice |
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Clinical sex offender therapists provide services for the treatment and rehabilitation of sex offenders. They must have a minimum of a master's degree in the behavioral sciences and an active Oregon mental health professional license, or equivalent, to be certified in Oregon.*
Associate sex offender therapists provide services for the treatment and rehabilitation of sex offenders. They must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in the behavioral sciences and be under the direct supervision of a clinical sex offender therapist to be certified in Oregon.
*See Grandfathering Provision below.
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| Grandfathering Provision |
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Sex offender therapists without an active Oregon mental health license may obtain certification as a clinical sex offender therapist through a time-limited grandfathering provision.
Deadline: March 14, 2009
Qualifying requirements and the certification fee are different for grandfathering provision applicants. For more information:
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| Education & Training Required |
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Clinical sex offender therapists must have a minimum of a master's degree in the behavioral sciences and an active Oregon mental health professional license, or equivalent, to be certified in Oregon.*
They are also required to have had a minimum of 2,000 hours of direct clinical contact with sex offenders within not less than three years nor more than six years prior to application. Clinical contact includes:
- 1,000 hours of direct treatment services
- 500 hours of evaluations
- A minimum of 60 hours of formal training applicable to sex offender treatment and evaluation, achieved within the three years prior to application
Associate sex offender therapists must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in the behavioral sciences and be under the direct supervision of a clinical sex offender therapist to be certified in Oregon. They are also required to have had:
- A minimum of 1,000 hours of direct clinical contact with sex offenders
- A minimum of 30 hours of formal training applicable to sex offender treatment, achieved within the three years prior to application
*See Grandfathering Provision above.
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| Applying for Certification |
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To obtain certification as a clinical sex offender therapist, clinical sex offender therapist through the time-limited grandfathering provision, or as an associate sex offender therapist, an applicant must complete and submit an application, including a professional disclosure statement.
For more information:
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| Certification Renewal |
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Application for certification renewal should be made in advance of the certification expiration date to avoid practicing in expired status.
Late renewals are subject to a deliquency (late) renewal fee. See the Fees page.
Renewal applications are mailed to certificate holders approximately six weeks prior to the certification expiration date.
To successfully renew, certificate holders must:
- Be in compliance with all overarching requirements of the Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) and those specific to the Sex Offender Treatment Board (SOTB)
- Have a minimum of 100 hours of clinical experience during the preceding year, 50 of which shall be direct clinical contact with sex offenders
- Have completed a minimum of 15 hours continuing education in the field of sex offender treatment during the preceding year
- Satisfy any additional requirements adopted by the SOTB
Go to the Continuing Education page for more information on resources and requirements.
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| Out-of-State Applicants |
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Out-of-state applicants may obtain certification through reciprocity or equiivalency. Applicants with current sex offender certification in another state must have the regulatory entity submit an affidavit of licensure to OHLA. Applicants without current certification in another state must provide documentation of education and experience.
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