Provisional Certification Status Categories

Provisional Certification Status Categories The following status categories are applicable to individuals holding provisional certification (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS and PCPSS): A. Current Status 1. An individual holding provisional certification which is in good standing (including timely submission of all forms, fees, changes of information, etc.) and without sanctions will be considered to be in Current Status. 2. An individual whose credential is in Current Status is able to practice within the scope of practice of his/her respective credentialing program and the ethical standards/principles. 3. In order to maintain Current Status, a provisionally-certified individual (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS, and PCPSS) is expected to notify the appropriate division in writing (or via email) within 14 working days of a change in vital information such as name, address, employment, etc. Changes must be made in the individuals’ online DMH credential profile. 4. The name of a person whose credential is in Current Status will appear on any list produced by the Division if he/she is Current at the time the list is produced. B. Extended Status 1. Extended Status – General Information: a. In rare and extenuating circumstances, the Review Board may grant a provisionally-certified individual (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS and PCPSS) Extended Status on his/her provisional certification. b. Extended status will only be granted to a provisionally-certified individual (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS and PCPSS) who is in good standing at the time of the request. c. To obtain an extension, the individual should submit a request via the DMH credential online system, on the prescribed special request form, or an email to the appropriate division. The Division will subsequently present the request to the Review Board. In the request, the provisionally-certified individual (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS and PCPSS) should specifically request Extended Status, provide an explanation as to why the extension is needed and indicate a specific time period for the extension. Any documentation which supports the request should also be submitted. The Review Board may verify the circumstances surrounding the request. d. An individual on Extended Status is expected to comply with the terms of the extension as granted by the Review Board. Failure to do so may result in Defaulted Status. e. The maximum allowable time frame for which an extension may be granted is up to six months (subject to the approval of the PLACE Review Board). f. If the extension request is granted, the provisional expiration date will be moved to the new expiration date, with no break in provisional credentialing dates. However, if the extension request is not granted, the provisional credential will automatically default, effective per the original provisional expiration date. g. If a provisionally-certified individual (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS and PCPSS) is approved for Extended Status, he/she will only be allowed one (1) extension. h. Second or subsequent Extended Status requests will not be considered. 2. Extended Status – Individual needs more time to upgrade: a. Due to extenuating circumstances, the Review Board may grant Extended Status to an individual who is unable to complete all requirements to upgrade to full certification within the required two- year (24 consecutive months) time limit. An extension is intended to allow a provisionally-certified individual (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS and PCPSS) additional time to complete the upgrade requirements. b. An individual granted Extended Status who is currently employed in the state mental health system is allowed to practice with their respective provisional credential (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS and PCPSS) and is expected to complete all requirements of provisional certification by the approved deadline for the extension. 3. Extended Status – Individual has left State Mental Health System Employment: a. The Review Board may also grant Extended Status to a provisionally- certified individual (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS and PCPSS) who has temporarily left employment in a state mental health system program. b. An individual granted an extension due to having left state mental health system employment may neither practice with his/her DMH provisional credential (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS and PCPSS) nor register through DMH for any certification activities for upgrade. c. An individual on Extended Status for this reason would need to submit a request to be returned to Current Status via the DMH credential online system, on the prescribed special request form, or an email to the appropriate Division. A Verification of Employment Form from the individual’s new place of employment reflecting current employment within the state mental health system must also be submitted via the DMH credential online system. d. Upon returning to Current Status, the individual will again be allowed to practice with his/her DMH provisional credential (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS and PCPSS) and will be able to register (through DMH) for and attend any certification activities required for upgrade. e. An individual who was previously in Extended Status and who has been returned to Current Status is expected to complete all requirements of provisional certification by the approved deadline. C. Defaulted Status 1. Defaulted Status means the individual’s provisional credential has expired and is no longer valid. A provisionally-certified individual may default for the following reasons including, but not limited to: a. Failure to complete all upgrade requirements during the two-year, 24 consecutive month Provisional Certification Period; b. Failure to submit an upgrade application so that it is received by the Division within established timelines; c. Failure to submit a request for Extended Status, or other status change request, so that it is received within established timelines; d. Review Board’s determination of failure to submit a satisfactory request for Extended (or other) Status; e. Failure to comply with the terms of an extension granted by the Review Board; f. Separation from employment in the state mental health system without appropriate change in status category; and/or, g. Failure of the DMH Mental Health Therapist Examination/DMH Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Therapist Examination/DMH Substance Use Therapist Examination, as applicable, a fourth time. 2. Upon defaulting from the respective DMH professional credentialing program, the individual immediately ceases to hold provisional certification (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS or PCPSS). 3. Defaulting from the respective DMH professional credentialing program immediately overrides any other status category held by a provisionally- certified individual. 4. To return to Current Status, an individual in Defaulted Status would be required to repeat the application process meeting all current requirements, including any specific requirements determined necessary by the Review Board. 5. Except in rare and extenuating circumstances, as determined on a case-by-case basis by the Review Board, a provisionally-certified individual (i.e., PCMHT, PCIDDT, PCSUT, PCCSS or PCPSS) who has defaulted twice in a DMH professional credentialing program will not be allowed to reapply for the same DMH professional credentialing program a third time. D. Relinquished Status 1. A provisionally-certified individual who determines that he/she no longer needs/wants to hold and maintain professional certification may submit a request via the DMH credential online system, on the prescribed special request form, or an email to the Division. The Division will subsequently present the request to the Review Board. The Review Board may verify the circumstances surrounding the request. 2. Once approved for Relinquished Status, the individual no longer holds the credential. The individual’s certificate is null and void. 3. To return to Current Status, a provisional individual in Relinquished Status would be required to repeat the application process, meeting all current requirements, including any specific requirements determined necessary by the Review Board.