PROPOSED

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BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists

(New Administrative Regulation)

201 KAR 32:026.Marriage and family therapist associate.

RELATES TO:

KRS 335.332

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

KRS 335.320(9), 335.332(3)

CERTIFICATION STATEMENT:

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY:

KRS 335.332(3) requires the board to promulgate administrative regulations establishing the fees and other requirements for a marriage and family therapist associate permit. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for marriage and family therapist associates.

Section 1.

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate Application and Renewal.

(1)

(a)

A person desiring to be a marriage and family therapist associate shall apply for and submit to the board an "Application for Permit as a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate", DPL-MFT-01, July 2026, with a total fee of seventy-five (75) dollars to include a twenty-five (25) dollar initial licensure fee and a fifty (50) dollar application fee.

(b)

The initial application shall include a copy of a supervisory contract or contracts with the designated supervisor or supervisors for approval by the board.

(2)

(a)

An annual renewal fee of fifty (50) dollars for each subsequent year shall be submitted to the board.

(b)

Contract renewal and extension shall be granted in accordance with Section 4 of this administrative regulation.

(c)

Notwithstanding previous associate experience, effective January 1, 2016, all current and future associate permits shall be limited to a total of five (5) years as a marriage and family therapist associate to meet the requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist.

(d)

Notwithstanding Section 1(5), a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate Permit will not be eligible for renewal at the end of the five (5) year period and a new "Application for Permit as a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate", DPL-MFT-01, July 2026, shall be submitted. Hours obtained under a previous associate permit will not carry over to a new application.

(3)

An associate desiring to renew a permit shall file a completed "Marriage and Family Therapist Associate Permit Renewal Application", DPL-MFT-03, July 2026, and the completed "Supervision Log", DPL-MFT-04, July 2026, or logs to accompany the fee established in subsection (2) of this section.

(4)

An associate who fails to renew by his or her expiration date shall have thirty (30) days to pay the renewal fee of fifty (50) dollars plus a late fee of twenty (20) dollars for a total of seventy (70) dollars.

(a)

The fee shall be electronically submitted with the "Marriage and Family Therapist Associate Renewal Application", DPL-MFT-03, July 2026, on or before the end of the thirty (30) day grace period in accordance with the expiration date of the associate permit.

(b)

Failure to renew the permit in a timely manner as established in this subsection shall result in termination of the permit.

(5)

The board shall, in individual cases involving medical disability, illness, undue hardship, active military service, or other extenuating circumstances that preclude the individual from completing the requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist, grant an extension of licensure as a marriage and family therapist associate permit for one (1) additional year to applicants who submit to the board:

(a)

A written request for an extension of licensure as a marriage and family therapist associate delivered to the board, via mail or electronic mail, at least thirty (30) days before the expiration of their license; and

(b)

1.

Verifying documentation signed by a licensed physician or proper military personnel, if applicable; or

2.

Documentation to support the extension.

Section 2.

Supervisory Contract.

(1)

Prior to beginning a course of supervision for the purpose of meeting licensure requirements, a marriage and family therapist associate shall contract with an approved supervisor in writing.

(2)

The approved supervisor shall enter into a "Supervision Plan for Clinical Experience", DPL-MFT-02, July 2026, with a person who meets the criteria for becoming a marriage and family therapist associate.

(3)

The approved supervisor shall be responsible for the marriage and family therapist associate's development and the welfare of the clients served by the marriage and family therapist associate in accordance with the code of ethics established in 201 KAR 32:050 and the provisions in 201 KAR 32:035.

(4)

If a new supervisory contract is entered into with a different supervisor, approval shall be obtained from the board.

(5)

(a)

If a supervision contract is terminated, the approved supervisor shall, within thirty (30) days, notify the board in a dated communication that he or she is no longer the supervisor.

(b)

If a supervision contract is terminated, the marriage and family therapist associate shall within thirty (30) days:

1.

Notify the board in writing of the cancellation; and

2.

If there is no other supervisor of record, submit a new supervisory contract to the board.

Section 3.

Contract Information. The supervisory contract between the marriage and family therapist associate and the approved supervisor shall contain:

(1)

The name of the marriage and family therapist associate;

(2)

The name and license number of the approved supervisor;

(3)

The name and license number of any other approved supervisors;

(4)

The agency, institution, or organization where the experience will be received;

(5)

A detailed description of the nature of the practice including the type of:

(a)

Clients to be seen;

(b)

Therapies and treatment modalities that shall be used including the prospective length of treatment; and

(c)

Problems or conditions that shall be treated;

(6)

The nature, duration, and frequency of the supervision, including the:

(a)

Number of hours of supervision per week;

(b)

Amount of group and individual supervision; and

(c)

Methodology for transmission of case information;

(7)

The conditions or procedures for termination of the supervision; and

(8)

A statement that:

(a)

The approved supervisor understands that he or she shall be accountable to the board for the care given to the marriage and family therapist associate's clients; and

(b)

The approved supervisor and other supervisors meet the criteria established in 201 KAR Chapter 32.

Section 4.

Contract Renewal and Extension.

(1)

Upon approval of the board, a supervisory contract shall be issued for a term of one (1) year.

(2)

Upon associate permit renewal:

(a)

The supervisory contract shall be reaffirmed by written correspondence signed by the applicant and the approved supervisor stating the intention to continue the supervisory relationship, or;

(b)

A new supervisory contract shall be supplied by the applicant.

Section 5.

Incorporation by Reference.

(1)

The following material is incorporated by reference:

(a)

"Application for Permit as a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate", DPL-MFT-01, July 2026;

(b)

"Supervision Plan for Clinical Experience", DPL-MFT-02, July 2026;

(c)

"Marriage and Family Therapist Associate Permit Renewal Application", DPL-MFT-03, July 2026; and

(d)

"Supervision Log", DPL-MFT-04, July 2026.

(2)

This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Department of Professional Licensing, 500 Mero Street, Second Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

201 KAR 32:026

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:

Occupations and Professions, Marriage and Family Therapy, Licensing

(1) Provide a brief summary of:

(a) What this administrative regulation does:

This administrative regulation sets forth the requirements of marriage and family therapist associate permit holders.

(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:

This administrative regulation is necessary to set forth the requirements of marriage and family therapist associate permit holders.

This administrative regulation 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. This administrative regulation also conforms with the Board’s authorizing statute in KRS 335.332(3) to establish the fees and all other requirements for a marriage and family therapist associate permit by promulgation of administrative regulations.

(d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:

This administrative regulation clarifies the requirements of marriage and family therapist associate permit holders.

(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:

N/A

(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:

N/A

(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:

N/A

(3) Does this administrative regulation or amendment implement legislation from the previous five years?

No.

(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 all applicants for licensure for a marriage and therapist associate permit as well as the 189 active marriage and family therapist associate permit holders.

(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:

Marriage and family therapist associate permit holders must comply with the requirements within this administrative regulation in order to retain their permit.

(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (4):

Applicants must pay the application fee, and licensed marriage and family therapist associate permitholders must pay the initial licensure and the renewal fee every year that they hold a marriage and family therapist associate permit.

As a result of compliance, marriage and family therapist associate permitholders will be licensed by the Board, able to practice marriage and family therapy as an associate, and ultimately be eligible for licensure as a marriage and family therapist.

(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 as it reinstates a preexisting regulation.

(b) On a continuing basis:

There will be no continuing cost to the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation as it reinstates a preexisting 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 establishes fees associated with licensure as a marriage and family therapist associate permitholder.

(10) TIERING: Is tiering applied?

Tiering is not applied because this regulation applies to all applicants and licensees 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) and 335.332(3).

(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:

None.

For subsequent years:

None.

2. Revenues:

For the first year:

Approximately $13,285.

For subsequent years:

Similar to $13,285.

3. Cost Savings:

For the first year:

None.

For subsequent years:

None.

(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:

None

(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 as this regulation reinstates a preexisting regulation, except for the predicted revenues for the entities identified in (3)(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: