Title 201 | Chapter 032 | Regulation 010REG
PROPOSED
This document is not yet current.
PREVIOUS VERSION
The previous document that this document is based upon is available.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Board of Licensure For Marriage and Family Therapists
(Amendment)
201 KAR 32:010.Definitions for 201 KAR Chapter 32.
Section 1.
Definitions.(1)
"Academic courses offered by an accredited postsecondary institution" means a marriage and family therapy course, designated by a marriage and family therapy course title or content, beyond the undergraduate level.(2)
"Approved" means recognized by the Kentucky Board of Licensure of Marriage and Family Therapists.(3)
"Approved supervisor" means an individual who:(a)
Holds a designation as an approved supervisor or supervisor in training granted by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy; or(b)
Is licensed as a marriage and family therapist in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the practice of marriage and family therapy(4)
"Clinical supervision" means the direct, face-to-face or telehealth contact with individuals, couples, families, and groups in the practice of marriage and family therapy under the supervision of an approved supervisor. Face-to-face for the purposes of this definition includes synchronous contact via technology assisted services for those who have met the training requirements of 201 KAR 32:110.(5)
"Continuing education hour" means fifty (50) clock minutes of participating in continuing educational experiences.(6)
"Equivalent course of study" means a master's or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution in a mental health field closely related to marriage and family therapy which either contains, or has been supplemented by, the coursework in each of the basic core areas listed in 201 KAR 32:020, Section 2(2).(7)
"Licensee" means anyone holding any license type issued by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists.(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
"Systemic" means a therapeutic approach that focuses on the relationships and interactions within family systems emphasizing understanding individuals in the context of their family and broader social systems to improve communication, problem-solving, and emotional support within the family unit.(14)
"Technical error" means a clerical, administrative, or non-substantive error, omission, or defect in an application or accompanying materials that does not affect the applicant's eligibility or qualifications for licensure and that, upon correction, renders an otherwise complete application sufficient for licensure.(15)
201 KAR 32:010
AMANDA BOMMER-VILLAVECES, Board Vice Chair
APPROVED BY AGENCY: May 21, 2026
FILED WITH LRC: September 14, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD: A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on November 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. local prevailing time at the Mayo-Underwood Building, Room 127 CW, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky. Individuals interested in being heard at this hearing shall notify this agency in writing by five (5) workdays prior to the hearing, of their intent to attend. If no notification of intent to attend the hearing was received by that date, the hearing may be cancelled. A transcript of the public hearing will not be made unless a written request for a transcript is made. If you do not wish to be heard at the public hearing, you may submit written comments on the proposed administrative regulation. Written comments shall be accepted through November 30, 2026. Send written notification of intent to be heard at the public hearing or written comments on the proposed administrative regulation to the contact person by using the PPC public comment portal at the address listed below.
CONTACT PERSON: Name: Matthew D. Ellison, Title: Staff Attorney III, Agency: Department of Professional Licensing, Office of Legal Services, Address: 500 Mero Street, Phone Number: (502) 782-0706 (office), Fax: (502) 564-4818, Email: matthew.ellison@ky.gov, Link to PPC public comment portal: https://ppc.ky.gov/reg_comment.aspx
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT
Contact Person:
Matthew D. Ellison, Staff Attorney III, Phone: 502-782-0706, Email: matthew.ellison@ky.gov
Subject Headings:
Licensing, Marriage and Family Therapy, Occupations and Professions
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This administrative regulation establishes definitions for 201 KAR Chapter 32.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
This administrative regulation is necessary because it provides clear definitions to promote consistency throughout the chapter.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
This administrative regulation amendment conforms with the Board’s authorizing statute in KRS 335.320(9) to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the provisions of KRS Chapter 335.300 to 335.399.
(d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This administrative regulation assists in the effective administration of the statute by setting forth clear definitions to promote consistency throughout the chapter.
(2) If this is an amendment to an existing administrative regulation, provide a brief summary of:
(a) How the amendment will change this existing administrative regulation:
This amendment clarifies terms used within the statutes and regulations governing Marriage and Family Therapy, aligns the terminology in this regulation with its use in other regulations, and defines a new term in KRS 335.337.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This amendment is necessary to clarify terms used within the statutes and regulations governing Marriage and Family Therapy, to align the terminology in this regulation with its use in other regulations, and to define a new term in KRS 335.337.
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
This administrative regulation amendment conforms with the Board’s authorizing statute in KRS 335.320(9) to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the provisions of KRS Chapter 335.300 to 335.399.
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes by providing clear and consistent definitions for use by the licensees and the Board.
(3) Does this administrative regulation or amendment implement legislation from the previous five years?
Yes. See KRS 335.337 Created 2026 Ky. Acts Ch. 79, effective July 15, 2026.
(4) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
This administrative regulation will affect approximately 916 licensees of the Board.
(5) Provide an analysis of how the entities identified in question (4) will be impacted by either the implementation of this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change, if it is an amendment, including:
(a) List the actions that each of the regulated entities identified in question (4) will have to take to comply with this administrative regulation or amendment:
No action will need to be taken by the licensees to comply with this amendment.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (4):
There will be no cost for compliance with this amendment.
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (4):
The licensees will have a clearer understanding of the terms used in the governance of their license.
(6) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:
(a) Initially:
There will be no initial cost to the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation.
(b) On a continuing basis:
There will be no continuing cost to the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation.
(7) What is the source of the funding to be used for the implementation and enforcement of this administrative regulation or this amendment:
The Board’s operations are funded by fees paid by license holders and applicants.
(8) Provide an assessment of whether an increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change if it is an amendment:
No increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this change to this administrative regulation.
(9) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
This administrative regulation does not establish any new fees or increase any fees paid to the Board.
(10) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
Tiering is not applied because this regulation applies to all applicants equally.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(1) Identify each state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation that requires or authorizes the action taken by the administrative regulation:
KRS 335.320(9) authorizes the Board to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the provisions of KRS Chapter 335.300 to 335.399.
(2) State whether this administrative regulation is expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly, and if so, identify the act:
This administrative regulation is not expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly.
(3)(a) Identify the promulgating agency and any other affected state units, parts, or divisions:
The Kentucky Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists is the promulgating agency.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected state unit, part, or division identified in (3)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
There are no expenditures anticipated in the first year.
For subsequent years:
There are no expenditures anticipated in subsequent years.
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
There are no revenues anticipated for the first year.
For subsequent years:
There are no revenues expected for subsequent years.
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
No cost savings are anticipated in the first year.
For subsequent years:
No cost savings are anticipated in subsequent years.
(4)(a) Identify affected local entities (for example: cities, counties, fire departments, school districts):
None anticipated.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected local entity identified in (4)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
(5)(a) Identify any affected regulated entities not listed in (3)(a) or (4)(a):
None anticipated.
(b) Estimate the following for each regulated entity identified in (5)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
(6) Provide a narrative to explain the following for each entity identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a)
(a) Fiscal impact of this administrative regulation:
There is no fiscal impact of this administrative regulation for any entity identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a).
(b) Methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
Methodology and resources used are the fiscal department within the Public Protection Cabinet, Department of Professional Licensing.
(7) Explain, as it relates to the entities identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a):
(a) Whether this administrative regulation will have a "major economic impact", as defined by KRS 13A.010(14):
It is not anticipated that this administrative regulation will have an overall negative or adverse major economic impact to the entities identified.
(b) The methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
Methodology and resources used are the fiscal department within the Public Protection Cabinet, Department of Professional Licensing.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Board of Licensure For Marriage and Family Therapists
(Amendment)
201 KAR 32:010.Definitions for 201 KAR Chapter 32.
Section 1.
Definitions.(1)
"Academic courses offered by an accredited postsecondary institution" means a marriage and family therapy course, designated by a marriage and family therapy course title or content, beyond the undergraduate level.(2)
"Approved" means recognized by the Kentucky Board of Licensure of Marriage and Family Therapists.(3)
"Approved supervisor" means an individual who:(a)
Holds a designation as an approved supervisor or supervisor in training granted by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy; or(b)
Is licensed as a marriage and family therapist in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the practice of marriage and family therapy.(4)
"Clinical supervision" means the direct, face-to-face or telehealth contact with individuals, couples, families, and groups in the practice of marriage and family therapy under the supervision of an approved supervisor. Face-to-face for the purposes of this definition includes synchronous contact via technology assisted services for those who have met the training requirements of 201 KAR 32:110.(5)
"Continuing education hour" means fifty (50) clock minutes of participating in continuing educational experiences.(6)
"Equivalent course of study" means a master's or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution in a mental health field closely related to marriage and family therapy which either contains, or has been supplemented by, the coursework in each of the basic core areas listed in 201 KAR 32:020, Section 2(2).(7)
"Licensee" means anyone holding any license type issued by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists.(8)
"Program" means an organized learning experience planned and evaluated to meet behavioral objectives; programs may be presented in one (1) session or in a series.(9)
"Provider" means an organization approved by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists for providing continuing education programs.(10)
"Raw data" means video recorded sessions, live observation, or co-therapy with a board approved supervisor.(11)
"Relevant" means having content applicable to the practice of marriage and family therapy as determined by the board.(12)
"Successful completion" means that the licensee has satisfactorily met the specific requirements of the program and the licensee has earned the continuing education hours.(13)
"Systemic" means a therapeutic approach that focuses on the relationships and interactions within family systems emphasizing understanding individuals in the context of their family and broader social systems to improve communication, problem-solving, and emotional support within the family unit.(14)
"Technical error" means a clerical, administrative, or non-substantive error, omission, or defect in an application or accompanying materials that does not affect the applicant's eligibility or qualifications for licensure and that, upon correction, renders an otherwise complete application sufficient for licensure.(15)
"Two (2) years experience in the practice of marriage and family therapy" means a minimum of two (2) years' of the practice of marriage and family therapy consisting of 1,000 hours of direct, face-to-face contact with individuals, couples, and families in the practice of marriage and family therapy under the supervision of an approved supervisor.201 KAR 32:010
AMANDA BOMMER-VILLAVECES, Board Vice Chair
APPROVED BY AGENCY: May 21, 2026
FILED WITH LRC: September 14, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD: A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on November 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. local prevailing time at the Mayo-Underwood Building, Room 127 CW, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky. Individuals interested in being heard at this hearing shall notify this agency in writing by five (5) workdays prior to the hearing, of their intent to attend. If no notification of intent to attend the hearing was received by that date, the hearing may be cancelled. A transcript of the public hearing will not be made unless a written request for a transcript is made. If you do not wish to be heard at the public hearing, you may submit written comments on the proposed administrative regulation. Written comments shall be accepted through November 30, 2026. Send written notification of intent to be heard at the public hearing or written comments on the proposed administrative regulation to the contact person by using the PPC public comment portal at the address listed below.
CONTACT PERSON: Name: Matthew D. Ellison, Title: Staff Attorney III, Agency: Department of Professional Licensing, Office of Legal Services, Address: 500 Mero Street, Phone Number: (502) 782-0706 (office), Fax: (502) 564-4818, Email: matthew.ellison@ky.gov, Link to PPC public comment portal: https://ppc.ky.gov/reg_comment.aspx
REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT
Contact Person:
Matthew D. Ellison, Staff Attorney III, Phone: 502-782-0706, Email: matthew.ellison@ky.gov
Subject Headings:
Licensing, Marriage and Family Therapy, Occupations and Professions
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This administrative regulation establishes definitions for 201 KAR Chapter 32.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
This administrative regulation is necessary because it provides clear definitions to promote consistency throughout the chapter.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
This administrative regulation amendment conforms with the Board’s authorizing statute in KRS 335.320(9) to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the provisions of KRS Chapter 335.300 to 335.399.
(d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This administrative regulation assists in the effective administration of the statute by setting forth clear definitions to promote consistency throughout the chapter.
(2) If this is an amendment to an existing administrative regulation, provide a brief summary of:
(a) How the amendment will change this existing administrative regulation:
This amendment clarifies terms used within the statutes and regulations governing Marriage and Family Therapy, aligns the terminology in this regulation with its use in other regulations, and defines a new term in KRS 335.337.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This amendment is necessary to clarify terms used within the statutes and regulations governing Marriage and Family Therapy, to align the terminology in this regulation with its use in other regulations, and to define a new term in KRS 335.337.
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
This administrative regulation amendment conforms with the Board’s authorizing statute in KRS 335.320(9) to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the provisions of KRS Chapter 335.300 to 335.399.
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes by providing clear and consistent definitions for use by the licensees and the Board.
(3) Does this administrative regulation or amendment implement legislation from the previous five years?
Yes. See KRS 335.337 Created 2026 Ky. Acts Ch. 79, effective July 15, 2026.
(4) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
This administrative regulation will affect approximately 916 licensees of the Board.
(5) Provide an analysis of how the entities identified in question (4) will be impacted by either the implementation of this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change, if it is an amendment, including:
(a) List the actions that each of the regulated entities identified in question (4) will have to take to comply with this administrative regulation or amendment:
No action will need to be taken by the licensees to comply with this amendment.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (4):
There will be no cost for compliance with this amendment.
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (4):
The licensees will have a clearer understanding of the terms used in the governance of their license.
(6) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:
(a) Initially:
There will be no initial cost to the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation.
(b) On a continuing basis:
There will be no continuing cost to the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation.
(7) What is the source of the funding to be used for the implementation and enforcement of this administrative regulation or this amendment:
The Board’s operations are funded by fees paid by license holders and applicants.
(8) Provide an assessment of whether an increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change if it is an amendment:
No increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this change to this administrative regulation.
(9) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
This administrative regulation does not establish any new fees or increase any fees paid to the Board.
(10) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
Tiering is not applied because this regulation applies to all applicants equally.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(1) Identify each state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation that requires or authorizes the action taken by the administrative regulation:
KRS 335.320(9) authorizes the Board to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the provisions of KRS Chapter 335.300 to 335.399.
(2) State whether this administrative regulation is expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly, and if so, identify the act:
This administrative regulation is not expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly.
(3)(a) Identify the promulgating agency and any other affected state units, parts, or divisions:
The Kentucky Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists is the promulgating agency.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected state unit, part, or division identified in (3)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
There are no expenditures anticipated in the first year.
For subsequent years:
There are no expenditures anticipated in subsequent years.
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
There are no revenues anticipated for the first year.
For subsequent years:
There are no revenues expected for subsequent years.
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
No cost savings are anticipated in the first year.
For subsequent years:
No cost savings are anticipated in subsequent years.
(4)(a) Identify affected local entities (for example: cities, counties, fire departments, school districts):
None anticipated.
(b) Estimate the following for each affected local entity identified in (4)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
(5)(a) Identify any affected regulated entities not listed in (3)(a) or (4)(a):
None anticipated.
(b) Estimate the following for each regulated entity identified in (5)(a):
1. Expenditures:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
2. Revenues:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
3. Cost Savings:
For the first year:
N/A
For subsequent years:
N/A
(6) Provide a narrative to explain the following for each entity identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a)
(a) Fiscal impact of this administrative regulation:
There is no fiscal impact of this administrative regulation for any entity identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a).
(b) Methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
Methodology and resources used are the fiscal department within the Public Protection Cabinet, Department of Professional Licensing.
(7) Explain, as it relates to the entities identified in (3)(a), (4)(a), and (5)(a):
(a) Whether this administrative regulation will have a "major economic impact", as defined by KRS 13A.010(14):
It is not anticipated that this administrative regulation will have an overall negative or adverse major economic impact to the entities identified.
(b) The methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
Methodology and resources used are the fiscal department within the Public Protection Cabinet, Department of Professional Licensing.