What is it? The PDS is a written document that an LPC, LMFT, or registered intern gives to clients to tell the client information about the licensee/intern and his/her practice.
Who must have them?
- Every applicant for licensure must submit a PDS as a condition of licensure.
- Every LPC, LMFT and intern practicing in Oregon [see definition below] must have, maintain and distribute a PDS.
- The Board must approve and file a copy of all PDSs being used by licensees/interns.
What is considered "practicing"? Practicing means to perform any of the activities listed in the law [see ORS 675.705(6) & (7)]; including identifying or assessing and treating behavioral conditions, applying theories and techniques, researching, reporting, and consulting.
Who does not need to use a PDS? Licensees who are not practicing - meaning those who have no clients (are retired, in another field, teaching or administration) and who have notified the Board in writing that they are not practicing, do not need a PDS.
Is it possible to get a PDS waiver? Licensees or interns who submit written requests may receive written exemptions from specific requirements, such as listing address or fee schedules, or distribution. Your request for a PDS waiver should identify a reason or reasons for granting a waiver, e.g., personal safety.
Are there any automatic PDS waivers? Yes. Licensees/interns not practicing in Oregon are exempt from filing, maintaining, and distributing disclosure statements. Licensees providing crisis response are exempt from distributing the PDS to clients prior to the performance of counseling or therapy (but they must still file, maintain, and distribute to other clients).
How do you apply for a PDS waiver? Licensee/intern must submit a letter explaining what needs to be waived and the justification.
Contents of a PDS
ORS 675.755 and OAR 833-050-0020 require the PDS to include:
- Counselor´s/Therapist´s name, business or employer´s name (if applicable), business address and telephone number.
- Philosophy and approach to counseling - also include the statement that you will abide by the Code of Ethics for Counselors and Therapists adopted by this Board.
- Formal training and education - highest relevant degree, subject, school granting degree, and major coursework.
- Continuing education and supervision requirements. Continuing education is not a requirement for interns. Interns should include an explanation that you are an intern and under supervision; include the name of your supervisor.
- Client Bill of Rights from the Code of Ethics (OAR 833-060-0020(13)).
- Fees - This is what the client will be charged whether you set the fee or an agency does. Give a dollar amount or a dollar range unless you state that no fee is charged to the client. Attach a sliding fee policy if relevant, but dollar figures must also appear.
- List the name, address, and telephone number of the Board office:
Oregon Board of Counselors and Therapists
3218 Pringle Rd SE #250
Salem, OR 97302-6312
(503) 378-5499
Format standards: Must be typed or typeset on paper no smaller than 8 1/2 by 11 inches, in type no smaller than 10 point. This document is a public record.
Create your own statement, add whatever you like but make sure the necessary information outlined above is included. If you have more than one practice, the statement should include information regarding all practices, or you may submit a separate PDS for each practice.
PDS Distribution
- To the Board office for approval and filing.
- To all clients at the onset of counseling or therapy in Oregon, prior to the actual performance or provision of service. This may mean presentation to parent, legal guardian, or an agency or custodial institution, or a supervisee. You are not required to provide a PDS to a client receiving crisis care.
Board approval of a PDS
By law, whenever a licensee or intern makes (or must make) a change in the professional disclosure statement, a complete copy of the new, corrected, or updated PDS shall be presented to the Board office for approval and filing. The Board will notify the licensee/intern within 10 to 15 days if the PDS cannot be approved.
Updated PDSs must be sent to the Board within 30 days of the change.
What types of changes require an update?
- Adding, changing, or deleting places of practice.
- Address or phone number changes.
- Supervisor changes.
- Fee changes.
- Whenever there is a change in the text (possible exceptions: correcting spelling, correcting punctuation, changing margins or line spacing, or deciding to use a different typeface).
What if updates are not made and sent to the Board for approval?
- At renewal time, it could cause delay in renewal or expiration of the license or intern registration.
- Not providing or updating your PDS with the board is a violation of law and rules.
More questions & answers
Q. I´m not in private practice, so I don´t need to hand out disclosure statements, right?
A. Wrong. If you are licensed and you are practicing, it´s a condition of licensure.
Q. I´m also licensed as an LCSW, psychologist, etc... and I practice under that license, do I need to be handing out PDSs?
A. Yes, if what you do falls within the definition of "professional counseling" or "marriage & family therapy".
Q. I´m living and practicing in another state, do I have to file a PDS and hand them out?
A. No. You must still notify the Board of your practice, but a PDS is no longer required.
Q. I work for an agency and my boss won´t let me hand out my PDS. What can I do?
A. Convince your boss that you are required as a licensee or intern, to hand out a PDS. Send the Board a waiver request for a suggested format, content, or distribution requirement, or work with your agency to find a format that is acceptable to all (the agency, you, and the Board).
Q. Do I address the PDS to the Board?
A. No. These should be written for or to your client. Keep them simple and easy to understand.
Q. I have more than one practice, should I have more than one PDS?
A. No, they can be combined so both addresses, phone numbers, and fee schedules or differing information show on the one PDS. If your practices are separate or an employer objects to clients receiving information on your other practice, then you might want to consider separate PDSs.
Q. It´s only a small change; can´t you just fix the one already on file?
A. No. We can´t alter your document.
Q. Should I have them printed before I send it in for approval?
A. It might be better to start with photocopies and wait to see that no changes are required for approval.
You can review the complete PDS requirements on the "Law and Rules" link on the Board's home page.
Rev. July 2008
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