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Board Information
Brief History
In 1989, the State of Oregon passed a licensing law for Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists. Oregon Revised Statues (ORS) 675.705-835, is a "title act". It restricts the use of certain titles, "Licensed Professional Counselor" or "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist", to individuals who have obtained licensure from the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists.  The licensing law does not address insurance payments and licensees are not listed in statute as mandatory recipients of third-party payments.
 
It does not prevent the practice of counseling, or marriage and family therapy ... "as long as the person does not represent to the public by title that the person is licensed".
 
However, 1995 and 1999 law changes make it illegal to practice "psychology" without a license or exemption and those new provisions are interpreted and enforced by the Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners.
 
The counselor and therapist licensing law addresses educational/training standards for counselors and therapists, a mechanism for the disclosure of relevant information by licensees, and provides a means to adopt and enforce ethical standards for practice.
 
The law creates a seven-member citizen board appointed by the Governor, which administers the law through the adoption of Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR Chapter 833). This is a policy board, responsible for making all the decisions regarding licensure within the authority granted by the law.

 
Board Responsibilities
 
The Board serves the public by making sure the licensee has met the standards set by the state for education, supervised training, and has passed an examination to indicate that the licensee has the basic knowledge necessary to practice within the standards described in law and rules. Through regulation, the Board verifies that licensees continue their education and provide written disclosure of information to clients, including an explanation of the licensee’s approach to counseling, training, and client rights. The Board investigates complaints regarding violations of the law and rules and the competency of licensees. Forms are available on this web site.
 

Current Board Members
Created by ORS 675.775, the Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor: three professional counselors; two marriage and family therapists; a member of faculty of a school that trains counselors or therapists; and a public member.
 
Members serve three year terms and may be reappointed for a second term. They may continue to serve until the Governor appoints their replacements.  For information about Executive Appointments, please contact the Governors office at:
 
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/boards.shtml#Executive_Appointment.

Marlin D. Schultz, LMFT, was appointed to his second term beginning October 1, 2004 to September 30, 2007.  Mr. Schultz is the Board Chair and will continue to serve until he is replaced by the Governor.
 
Art Tolentino, LMFT, was appointed to his first term beginning April 21, 2008 through September 30, 2010.
 
Loretta C. Slepikas, Public Member, was appointed for a term beginning March 15, 2005 and will serve until September 30, 2010.
 
Julia A Smith, Faculty Member, was appointed for a term beginning December 1, 2006 and ending September 30, 2007.  Ms. Smith has been reappointed to serve until 9/30/2010.  
 
Ryan Melton, LPC, was appointed for a term beginning February 1, 2007 and will serve until September 30, 2009.
 
Elizabeth Wosley-George, LPC, was appointed for a term beginning April 8, 2004 and will serve until September 30, 2009.
 
Linda White, LPC, was appointed for a term beginning May 8, 2006 and reappointed until September 30, 2010
 
BOARD STAFF
 
Connie L. Brown is the Licensing coordinator. She works part-time doing exams and licensing. She began in the Fall of 1995. She may be contacted at the Board office, (503) 378-5499 Ext 32
 
Martha Steen is the Intake Coordinator. She works full time answering phones, and answering licensing and intern questions. She began April 2007 and may be contacted at the board office, (503) 378-5499 Ext 33
 
Becky Eklund is the Board Executive Director. She began January 22, 2008 and may be contacted at the board office, (503) 378-5499 Ext 26
 

Meeting Calendar
(Subject to Change)
  • FEBRUARY 8
  • APRIL 11
  • JUNE 27 (revised date)
  • AUGUST 8
  • OCTOBER 10
  • DECEMBER 12
 
Unless specifically noted otherwise, the Board meets in a conference room located on the second Floor of the Morrow Crane Building, 3218 Pringle Road SE, Salem, OR 97302.

Agendas / Minutes
Meeting Minutes
 
Meeting Agendas

 
Page updated: July 30, 2008

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