Sec. 2.7. (a) As used in this section, "first available examination" means the first examination after the date of:

(1) graduation; or

(2) moving into Indiana;

that has an application deadline that is at least thirty (30) days after the date of graduation or the date of moving into Indiana, unless the individual chooses to meet a deadline that is less than thirty (30) days after either of those events.

(b) An applicant for a license as a marriage and family therapist under section 1 of this chapter must have at least two (2) years of postdegree clinical experience, during which at least fifty percent (50%) of the applicant's clients were receiving marriage and family therapy services. The applicant's clinical experience must include one thousand (1,000) hours of postdegree clinical experience and two hundred (200) hours of postdegree clinical supervision, of which one hundred (100) hours must be individual supervision, under the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist who has at least five (5) years of experience or an equivalent supervisor, as determined by the board.

(c) If an individual applies for, takes, and passes the first available examination, the individual may not count more than five hundred (500) hours of the postdegree clinical experience that is:

(1) required under subsection (b); and

(2) accumulated before taking the examination toward licensure as a marriage and family therapist.

(d) If an individual does not pass the first available examination, the individual may:

(1) retain the hours accumulated before taking the examination;

(2) continue working; and

(3) not accumulate any additional hours toward licensure as a marriage and family therapist until passing the examination.

(e) If an individual does not take the first available examination, the individual may not begin accumulating any postdegree clinical experience hours toward licensure as a marriage and family therapist until the individual passes the examination.

(f) When obtaining the clinical experience required under subsection (b), the applicant must provide direct individual, group, and family therapy and counseling to the following categories of cases:

(1) Unmarried couples.

(2) Married couples.

(3) Separating or divorcing couples.

(4) Family groups, including children.

(g) A doctoral internship may be applied toward the supervised work experience requirement.

(h) Except as provided in subsection (i), the experience requirement may be met by work performed at or away from the premises of the supervising marriage and family therapist.

(i) Except as provided in subsection (j), the work requirement may not be performed away from the supervising marriage and family therapist's premises if:

(1) the work is the independent private practice of marriage and family therapy; and

(2) the work is not performed at a place that has the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist or an equivalent supervisor, as determined by the board.

(j) Up to fifty percent (50%) of the supervised postdegree clinical experience hours required under subsection (b) may be accounted for through virtual supervision by a licensed marriage and family therapist or equivalent supervisor described in subsection (b).

As added by P.L.147-1997, SEC.64. Amended by P.L.197-2007, SEC.85; P.L.134-2008, SEC.43; P.L.177-2009, SEC.48; P.L.28-2012, SEC.24; P.L.160-2018, SEC.3.