A: Both certification and licensure are levels of regulation that are governed and enforced by the state of Arizona. The intent of regulating any profession is to protect the public. The agency charged with regulating behavioral health in our state is:

 

Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE)

1400 W Washington, Suite 350
Phoenix AZ 85007
602.542.1882
602.364.0890 (fax)
azbbhe@bbhe.state.az.us

State certification should not be confused with certification by private entities, such as the NBCC, which has no legal enforcement capability. Certification, in this context, is a voluntary process that the professional chooses to go through to obtain “certification” by the state. This certification can then be used to demonstrate a level of competence to potential clients or patients, to third-party payers such as insurance companies or managed care organizations, and to other entities that might be seeking counseling services. Certification is considered a moderate level of regulation because you do not have to be certified to practice the profession.

Licensure is the highest level of regulation for a health profession. When a profession is licensed, anyone engaging in the practice of that profession in this state must be licensed. Licensure is a mandatory process and is legally enforced by the BBHE. Engaging in the practice of behavioral health without a license will be punishable as a class 2 misdemeanor after the licensure statutes take effect on July 1, 2004. The BBHE also has the power to issue cease and desist orders to stop the unlawful practice of behavioral health counseling.

A: All professionals who are certified as CPCs or CACs with their certifications current as of June 30, 2004, will be grandfathered into licensure automatically on July 1, 2004. There is nothing that you have to do other than keep your certificate current to make this happen.

A: The scope of practice for professional counselors in the behavioral health field was narrowed when the licensure statutes were developed. Specifically, the service that is regulated at the licensure level is psychotherapy, not counseling. While the distinction between the two can be nebulous, the differences will allow school and guidance counselors to continue to function in their jobs without having to be licensed, as long as the services they are providing are not “therapy.” The Board of behavioral Health, along with the AzCA and other professional organizations will be refining the distinctions between the two as we progress into licensure.