1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health occupations; providing a transition
1.3 	period for licensing professional counselors;
1.4 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
1.5 	chapter 148B.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. [148B.555] EXPERIENCED COUNSELORS TRANSITION.
1.8 	Until July 1, 2007, the board shall issue a license to an
1.9 	applicant who has a master's degree in counseling or related
1.10 	professional field from a regionally accredited institution of
1.11 	higher education, documents 2,000 hours of post-masters
1.12 	counseling experience, and passes the National Counselors Exam
1.13 	for licensure.  Notwithstanding the two-year requirement in
1.14 	section 148B.54, subdivision 2, the licensee has five years
1.15 	after licensure to acquire the required postgraduate education.