# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 58 — Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists

### Chapter 01 — General Regulations

**Authority:** Health Occupations Article, §§17-101, 17-205, 17-301, 17-304, 17-307, 17-308, and 17-509, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: July 10, 1989 (16:13 Md. R. 1422)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended effective August 26, 1996 (23:17 Md. R. 1248); July 26, 1999 (26:15 Md. R. 1155)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02 amended effective August 26, 1996 (23:17 Md. R. 1248); September 22, 1997 (24:19 Md. R. 1340); July 26, 1999 (26:15 Md. R. 1155)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03 amended effective August 26, 1996 (23:17 Md. R. 1248); July 26, 1999 (26:15 Md. R. 1155)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05 amended effective August 26, 1996 (23:17 Md. R. 1248); July 26, 1999 (26:15 Md. R. 1155)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .05 repealed and new Regulation .05 adopted effective September 22, 1997 (24:19 Md. R. 1340)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .06 amended effective August 26, 1996 (23:17 Md. R. 1248); July 26, 1999 (26:15 Md. R. 1155)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .08 amended effective July 26, 1999 (26:15 Md. R. 1155)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .09 amended effective July 26, 1999 (26:15 Md. R. 1155)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .09C adopted effective August 26, 1996 (23:17 Md. R. 1248)

**Administrative History:** Regulations .10—.13 adopted effective July 26, 1999 (26:15 Md. R. 1155)

**Administrative History:** Chapter revised as an emergency provision effective October 1, 2001 (28:22 Md. R. 1932); revised permanently effective January 21, 2002 (29:1 Md. R. 23)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02B amended as an emergency provision effective October 1, 2002 (29:25 Md. R. 1979); amended permanently effective March 3, 2003 (30:4 Md. R. 317)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02B amended effective November 23, 2006 (33:23 Md. R. 1796)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03 amended effective December 31, 2018 (45:26 Md. R. 1246)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .09 adopted as an emergency provision effective October 1, 2002 (29:25 Md. R. 1979); adopted permanently effective March 3, 2003 (30:4 Md. R. 317)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .10 adopted effective May 17, 2010 (37:10 Md. R. 723)

**Administrative History:** Chapter revised effective June 28, 2021 (48:13 Md. R. 508)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .04A amended effective November 14, 2025 (52:23 Md. R. 1140)

#### Regulation .01 Scope.

*COMAR 10.58.01.01*

This chapter:

A. Applies to graduate and clinical professional counselors, graduate and clinical marriage and family therapists, graduate and clinical art therapists, graduate, clinical, and certified alcohol and drug counselors, and alcohol and drug trainees in Maryland; and

B. Does not supersede the regulations set forth under:

  (1) COMAR 10.58.07;

  (2) COMAR 10.58.08;

  (3) COMAR 10.58.12; and

  (4) COMAR 10.58.17.

#### Regulation .02 Definitions.

*COMAR 10.58.01.02*

A. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

  (1) “Certificate” means a certificate issued by the Board to practice:

    (a) Certified associate counseling — alcohol and drug (CAC—AD);

    (b) Certified professional counseling (CPC);

    (c) Certified professional counseling — alcohol and drug (CPC—AD);

    (d) Certified professional counseling — marriage and family therapy (CPC—MFT); or

    (e) Certified supervised counseling — alcohol and drug (CSC—AD).

  (2) “Credit hour” means attendance in class for a minimum of 12 hours per semester or 18 hours per quarter, resulting in a grade which is earned, not audited, from an accredited educational institution approved by the Board.

  (3) “License” means a license issued by the Board to practice:

    (a) Clinical alcohol and drug counseling (LCADC);

    (b) Clinical marriage and family therapy (LCMFT);

    (c) Clinical professional counseling (LCPC);

    (d) Clinical professional art therapy (LCPAT);

    (e) Graduate alcohol and drug counseling (LGADC);

    (f) Graduate marriage and family therapy counseling (LGMFT); [or]

    (g) Graduate professional counseling (LGPC); or

    (h) Graduate professional art therapy (LGPAT).

#### Regulation .03 General.

*COMAR 10.58.01.03*

A. Unless certified, licensed, or granted trainee status by the Board, an individual may not use:

  (1) The title alcohol and drug trainee (ADT); or

  (2) Any other:

    (a) Title;

    (b) Initials;

    (c) Abbreviations;

    (d) Representation; or

    (e) Description as specified under Health Occupations Article, §§17-601—17-603, Annotated Code of Maryland.

B. An individual who violates this regulation may be subject to sanctions pursuant to Health Occupations Article, §§17-513 and 17-604, Annotated Code of Maryland.

#### Regulation .04 Application Process.

*COMAR 10.58.01.04*

A. In order to obtain a certificate or license, an applicant shall:

  (1) Complete and return the Board-approved application;

  (2) Except for out-of-state Marriage and Family Therapist applicants, submit an official transcript from an accredited educational institution awarding the highest degree attained in counseling or a related field;

  (3) Pay all applicable fees set forth in COMAR 10.58.02;

  (4) Provide at least three references from persons familiar with the work of the applicant;

  (5) Submit to a criminal history background check in accordance with Health Occupations Article, §17-501.1, Annotated Code of Maryland;

  (6) Be of good moral character; and

  (7) Be at least 18 years old.

B. Applications shall be acted upon as follows:

  (1) Within 30 days after receipt of an application, the Board shall determine whether the application is complete;

  (2) If the Board determines that the application is not complete, the Board shall send a notice of deficiency to the applicant;

  (3) Upon receipt of the notice, the applicant shall correct the deficiency within 90 days, or other period specified in the notice;

  (4) If the applicant fails to correct the deficiency within the required period, the application may lapse and the applicant shall be required to:

    (a) Submit a new application; and

    (b) Pay the nonrefundable fee set forth in COMAR 10.58.02;

  (5) If the Board determines that an applicant is eligible to take the required examinations, the Board shall send a notice of approval to the applicant;

  (6) Upon receipt of the approval notice, the applicant shall have 1 year from the date of the notice to take the examinations; and

  (7) If the applicant fails to take the examinations within 1 year from the date of the approval notice, the requirements set forth under §B(4) of this regulation shall apply.

#### Regulation .05 Reexamination.

*COMAR 10.58.01.05*

An applicant who fails an examination for certification or licensure:

A. May retake the exam if:

  (1) It is within the time frame set by the applicable testing authority; or

  (2) A waiver is approved by the Board to extend the testing deadline upon proof of exceptional circumstances; or

B. Shall be required to:

  (1) Submit a new application; and

  (2) Pay the nonrefundable fee set forth in COMAR 10.58.02.

#### Regulation .06 Certification and Licensure.

*COMAR 10.58.01.06*

A. The Board shall:

  (1) Issue a certificate or license number to an applicant who has met the requirements as set forth under this subtitle; and

  (2) Provide licensure, certification, or trainee status verification:

    (a) On the Board's website; and

    (b) From the Board's office.

B. Renewal — Certified Professional Counselor.

  (1) To renew as a certified professional counselor, the applicant shall:

    (a) Complete a Board-approved renewal application;

    (b) Pay the required application fee set forth in COMAR 10.58.02; and

    (c) Attest to completion of continuing education activities as specified in COMAR 10.58.05.05 and .06.

  (2) The Board may not:

    (a) Renew the certification of any certified professional counselor who fails to complete all requirements for renewal before the expiration date of the current certification; or

    (b) Reinstate the certification of a certified professional counselor who has failed to renew for any reason.