Title 34 — Title 34

This chapter shall be known and may be cited the “Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Act.” History: (Acts 1997, No. 97-170, p. 247, §1.)

The following education and experience requirements apply to all applicants for licensure who submit a completed application: (1) Educational requirements: A master’s degree or a doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a recognized educational institution, or a gradua…

The board shall approve applicants for an examination at least once a year at a time and place designated by the board. Examinations shall include questions in theoretical and applied fields as the board deems most suitable to test the knowledge and competence of the applicant to…

The board shall issue a license by examination of credentials to any person licensed or certified as a marriage and family therapist in another state which has requirements for licensure that are equivalent to or exceed the requirements of this state, provided the applicant submi…

(a) A fee, in an amount to be determined by the board, shall be paid to the board for original licensure. (b) Licenses shall be valid for two years and shall be renewed biennially prior to the expiration date. The amount of the renewal fee shall be determined by the board. Any ap…

(a) The board may deny, revoke, or suspend a license or designation granted pursuant to this chapter or otherwise discipline a licensee on any of the following grounds: (1) Conviction of a crime that the board determines to be of a nature as to render the person convicted unfit t…

(a) The board shall conduct its proceedings in accordance with this chapter and the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, Sections 41-22-1 to 41-22-27, inclusive. Any person may be heard by the board in person or by an attorney. Every vote and official act of the board shall be e…

The board shall establish rules, regulations, and procedures as are necessary to the exercise of its functions under this chapter. All rules and regulations shall be promulgated by the board pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, Sections 41-22-1 to 41-22-27, inclusive, on…

(a) A person who has exhausted all administrative remedies available within the board and who is aggrieved by a final decision of the board is entitled to judicial review. A preliminary, procedural, or intermediate board action or ruling is immediately reviewable only if review o…

(a) In any proceeding before the board involving the granting, suspension, or revocation of a license or in other proceedings in which expert testimony relating to the practice of marriage and family therapy is necessary, the board shall hear evidence from a qualified expert witn…

As an additional remedy, the board may proceed in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County to enjoin and restrain any unlicensed person from violating the prohibitions of this chapter. The board shall not be required to post bond. History: (Acts 1997, No. 97-170, p. 247, §19.)

(a) Marriage and family therapy in the State of Alabama is declared to be a professional practice which affects the public safety and welfare and requires appropriate regulation and control in the public interest. (b) It is the intent of this chapter to establish a regulatory age…

After July 1, 1998, any person who violates this chapter shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. History: (Acts 1997, No. 97-170, p. 247, §20.)

For the purpose of this chapter, the confidential relations and communications between licensed marriage and family therapists and clients are placed upon the same basis as those provided by law between attorney and client, and nothing in this chapter shall be construed to requir…

If both parties to a marriage have obtained marriage and family therapy by a licensed marriage and family therapist, the therapist shall not be competent to testify in an alimony or divorce action concerning information acquired in the course of the therapeutic relationship. This…

(a) There shall be no monetary liability on the part of, and no cause of action shall arise against, any person who is a licensed marriage and family therapist in failing to predict and warn of and protect from a patient’s violent behavior except where the patient has communicate…

Repealed by Act 2006-540, p. 1243, §2, effective July 1, 2006. History: (Acts 1997, No. 97-170, p. 247, §24.)

There is established a separate revenue trust fund in the State Treasury to be known as the “Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy Fund.” All receipts and disciplinary fines collected by the board under this chapter shall be deposited in this fund and used onl…

The board shall be an enumerated board pursuant to Sections 41-20-1 to 41-20-16, inclusive, and shall be reviewed at the same time as the State Board of Medical Examiners. History: (Acts 1997, No. 97-170, p. 247, §26.)

As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) ADVERTISE. The issuing or causing to be distributed any card, sign, or device to any person; or the causing, permitting, or allowing any sig…

Except as otherwise provided, on or after July 1, 1998, it shall be a Class B misdemeanor for a person to do any of the following unless licensed pursuant to this chapter: (1) Advertise that he or she performs marriage and family therapy or marriage and family counseling services…

(a) The following persons shall be exempt from this chapter: (1) A person practicing marriage and family therapy as part of his or her duties as an employee of a recognized educational institution; a federal, state, county, or municipal governmental institution or agency; a publi…

(a) There is created the Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy. The board shall consist of five members who are residents of this state and appointed by the Governor. In appointing members to the board, the Governor shall coordinate his or her appointments to …

(a) The board may employ a director, secretary, attorneys, experts, and other employees as it may from time to time find necessary for the proper performance of its duties, and for whom the necessary funds are appropriated. (b) The board shall elect annually a chair and a vice ch…

(a) Each applicant for licensure as a practicing marriage and family therapist shall submit to the board a completed application on forms prescribed by the board. The completed application shall contain the following information: (1) Satisfactory evidence that the applicant is of…

Repealed by Act 2006-540, p. 1243, §2, effective July 1, 2006. History: (Acts 1997, No. 97-170, p. 247, §9.)