Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, Georgia 31217
(478) 207-2440 phone
(866) 877-7127 fax
www.sos.ga.gov/plb/counselors

Update from the Director of the Professional Licensing Boards:
PLB is working diligently to become one of the most technologically advanced licensing agencies in the country.  Throughout this year we have continued to review our business processes and implement technology to increase our performance levels and customer service for our licensees and the general public.

This quarter we have continued to make improvements to the licensure process by implementing the first online applications.  We currently have online applications available for 23 license types with plans to add more throughout the remainder of the year.  There are many advantages to online applications, including ensured completion, decreased paper use, a higher degree of accuracy, and a faster application process. You can visit our website at www.sos.ga.gov/plb to see a complete list of online applications.

Finally, during the third quarter we made significant progress in the outsourcing of the PLB Examination section.  Outsourcing the exam function of PLB allows us to offer more testing locations for some license types, more testing opportunities and overall budget savings for the State of Georgia.  More information will be available in the coming weeks as all outsourcing contracts are finalized.

PLB is committed to continually seeking and implementing initiatives to enable us to provide you with the best service possible.  We look forward to the opportunity to assist you in the very near future.

Regards,
Randy Vaughn
Director of the Professional Licensing Boards

The Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists consist of ten members: three licensed professional counselors, three licensed social workers, three licensed marriage and family therapists and one consumer member. Typically, the Board meets twelve times each year. Board meetings are open to the public, with the exception of executive session, in which confidential matters such as complaints, disciplinary items, and applications are discussed.

The Board is charged by law with regulating the practice of professional counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of Georgia. It does so by enforcing the education and training requirements established by law for licensure in each profession, by adopting and enforcing a code of ethics governing licensees, by establishing and enforcing continuing education requirements, and by addressing unlicensed practice in these professions.

Minutes, upon final approval by the Board, from the Board meetings can be found on the Board’s website: www.sos.ga.gov/plb/counselors.

2009 Meeting Dates:

October 9, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
November 13, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
December 11, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.

The Board meets at the Professional Licensing Board office in Macon.

Board Members:

Board Staff:

Brig Zimmerman
Executive Director
Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists

Number of Active Licensees:

Actions Taken by the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists

August: The Board voted to license six clinical social workers by exam waiver; one clinical social worker by reinstatement; five master social workers by exam waiver; two master social workers by reinstatement; one master social worker by reactivation; 24 associate professional counselors by exam waiver; 40 professional counselors by exam waiver; one associate professional counselor by reinstatement; one professional counselor by reinstatement; four professional counselors by endorsement; six marriage and family therapists by exam waiver; and one marriage and family therapist by endorsement.
 
September: The Board voted to license two clinical social workers by exam waiver; six master social workers by exam waiver; two master social workers by reinstatement; 35 associate professional counselors by exam waiver; 23 professional counselors by exam waiver; one professional counselor by reinstatement; one professional counselor by endorsement; three marriage and family therapists by exam waiver; and one marriage and family therapist by reinstatement.

License Renewals:

Licenses expire as follows:
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist: September 30 of even numbered years
Associate Professional Counselor: September 30 of even numbered years
Clinical Social Worker: September 30 of even numbered years
Marriage & Family Therapist: September 30 of even numbered years
Master Social Worker: September 30 of even numbered years
Professional Counselor: September 30 of even numbered years

It is illegal to practice as a Professional Counselor, a Social Worker or a Marriage & Family Therapist with an expired license.

How do I renew my license? 

You may renew your license on the Professional Licensing Board website with a credit card. Click on the “License Renewal” icon and follow the instructions. You will be asked a series of questions including whether you have been arrested or convicted, received a board sanction since your last renewal, whether you have completed your continuing education requirements, and whether or not you are a U.S. citizen. Renewing your license via the website is the fastest way to renew your license.

The Professional Licensing Boards do not mail paper renewals unless requested. A paper renewal form may be requested by the licensee by calling the Board office at (478) 207-2440, or submitting a written request. Licensees may also call our automated system at (404) 463-1100 and request a paper renewal form using their personal identification number included in their renewal notice.

Disciplinary Issues:

The Board addresses these issues on a case-by-case basis and applies sanctions to those who violate the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists Practice Act, Board rules, and policies. It is important that licensees review all laws, rules and policies that affect their profession. These may be found on the Board’s website at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/counselors.

All public disciplinary actions will be reflected in the Board minutes which may be found on the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists website http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/counselors.

Grounds for denial, suspension, revocation of a license, or other disciplinary actions may be found at O.C.G.A. § 43-10A-17 or at O.C.G.A. § 43-1-19, which can be found on the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists website.

Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists Complaints Process Information:

The Georgia General Assembly created the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists to regulate the licensing and practice of professional counseling, social work and marriage and family therapy. The responsibility of administering the laws in O.C.G.A. § 43-10A is given to the Board, whose members are appointed by the Governor. The Board determines if applicants meet licensure requirements, promulgates rules, and considers complaints against licensees and allegations of unlicensed practice. The process for disposing of complaints is as follows:

Complaint Form:

Complaints must be reported to and received by the Board in writing. Written complaints may be submitted to the Board office or on-line at http://sos.georgia.gov/myverification/submitcomplaint.aspx. Documents received in connection with a complaint will not be returned. The complaint must contain sufficient factual evidence indicating a clear violation of Georgia law or Board rules.

Investigations:

The Board gives serious consideration to all complaints. Further investigative action may be taken. Should you file a complaint, you may be contacted by a Board inspector or investigator for additional information. Investigative files are considered confidential for any purpose other than a hearing before the Board. However, the Board is authorized to release such records to another enforcement agency or lawful licensing authority.

Notification Process:

Frequently Asked Questions:

A list of frequently asked questions may be found on the Board’s website. If you cannot find an answer to your question, you may contact the Board office at (478) 207-2440.