(1) There is hereby established the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors which shall consist of five (5) members. The initial appointments to the board shall consist of one (1) member from each of the five (5) congressional districts of Mississippi, who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. From and after January 1, 2004, the board shall be reconstituted to consist of five (5) members, one (1) member from each of the four (4) congressional districts, as such districts existed on January 1, 2002, and one (1) member to be selected from the state at large, who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. A list shall be provided to the Governor by the Mississippi Counseling Association from which the Governor may choose board members. At least two (2) names shall be included from each congressional district. Such appointments shall be made initially within sixty (60) days of the submission of the list of qualified counselors by the Mississippi Counseling Association. Thereafter, all vacancies occurring on the board shall be filled by the Governor within sixty (60) days after the vacancy occurs. The Mississippi Counseling Association shall provide a list of suggested board members for each vacancy.

(2) The board shall consist of five (5) licensed counselors, three (3) of whom are primarily engaged as licensed counselors in private or institutional practice and two (2) who are primarily engaged in teaching, training or research in counseling at the corporate or university level. All members shall be qualified electors of the State of Mississippi.

(3) The initial appointments to the board shall be for staggered terms, to be designated by the Governor at the time of appointment as follows: two (2) members to serve for three (3) years, two (2) members to serve for two (2) years, and one (1) member to serve for one (1) year. When the board is reconstituted on January 1, 2004, all members serving on the board on that date shall continue to serve for a term of five (5) years from the beginning of the term to which he or she was appointed. From and after January 1, 2004, all subsequent appointments shall be for five-year terms. No board member shall succeed himself or herself without waiting a period of at least five (5) years after having served one (1) full five-year term. Members may hold office until their successors have been appointed and qualified, or a maximum of twelve (12) months after their term ends.

(4) There shall be appointed to the board no more than one (1) person who is employed by, or receives compensation from, any one (1) institution, organization or partnership at the time of appointment.

(5) Board members shall be reimbursed for necessary and ordinary expenses and mileage incurred while performing their duties as members of the board, at the rate authorized for public employees, from fees collected for license applications and renewals.