Last update: February 10, 2021
Updates made to: Quarterly Supervision Reports, Essential Business: Do I Need Proof of Healthcare Provider Status? Out of State Licensees Providing Telehealth in NC, National MFT Exam, and Board Meetings.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board has received many questions from licensees, applicants and students. We are sharing the answers we have at this time and will provide updates and information as the situation evolves.
- Office Functionality
- Mail & Submitting Materials
- Quarterly Supervision Reports
- Essential Business: Do I Need Proof of Healthcare Provider Status?
- Essential Business: Should I See Clients In-Person?
- North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services Guidance
- Telehealth
- License Renewal
- National MFT Exam
- Applicants
- Board Meetings
Office Functionality
First, please note that the Board staff is working remotely. While this may impact the speed of internet and delivery of mail and processing times, the expectation is that Board functions will be minimally impacted.
However, if you do experience a delay in receiving a response from Board staff during this fluid and unprecedented situation, your understanding and patience will be appreciated, keeping in mind that the Board and staff have responsibility for the safety of their health and family as well.
Due to an influx in calls from all over the country regarding telehealth, the Board is encouraging you to first review information available on the Board’s website, specifically the information on this page, and then if you have additional questions, contact the Board office via email [email protected]
Mail & Submitting Materials
As the Board physical office is closed at this time, no mail should be sent or delivered to the Board office. All materials should be submitted electronically via email.
Note: While the Board continues to update and revise the current, temporary website (final version scheduled for implementation by January 1, 2021, original PDF forms are being utilized. A temporary process has been created to help you submit forms and applications. Please visit the Temporary PDF Forms page for the directions and to access forms.
Quarterly Supervision Reports
LMFTA supervisors should send quarterly supervision reports (or updated supervision agreements), by following the directions and using the submission form on the Temporary PDF Forms page on the website. The Board will only accept these reports and agreements if they are sent directly to the Board from the supervisor’s email. Supervisors should copy the LMFTA on the email. Send forms to [email protected] – Subject Line – SR Report
Essential Business: Should I See Clients In-Person?
This is a question being asked by many mental health professionals across disciplines. The Board cannot provide legal advice to individual licensees. The answer to this question depends on many circumstances and consultation with your own attorney may be advised.
Employees of agencies, schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and other locations, may also consult supervisors and human resources.
Students may consult faculty members, clinical supervisors, and site supervisors for guidance.
Private Practitioners, additional resources include, but are not limited to:
- AAMFT Code of Ethics
- Your liability/malpractice insurance provider
- Your landlord
- Information shared by any insurance panels you participate in as a provider
- Decisions made by other clinicians in private practice
- Changes and waivers granted for telemedicine at the state and local level
- Details listed in stay-in-place orders that may be issued for your location (many lists what services are specified as essential for that location)
- Information shared by the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services (see next section for more info and direct links)
- Updates from your local state representatives and senators (many are updating their constituents on Facebook as the details change)
- Information shared by the Centers for Disease Control about the virus
Official orders and directives from government officials: Be aware of any differences between directives for the town where you live and the town where you practice, or any travel restrictions for clients travelling to your office. Emergency orders and directors are available on state, county, city, and town websites.
NC Department of Health & Human Services Guidance
The North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services is sharing information about the number of cases in the state, and guidance for schools, healthcare providers (including behavioral health care providers), long-term facilities, child care, travel, individuals, and more on their main Coronavirus page.
Select the icon Providers for healthcare and behavioral health care providers for information such as their PDF for helping healthcare providers prepare their workplaces. Recommendations impacting practice may change as new information becomes available.
Telehealth
UPDATE: Executive Order # 177 extends the provisions of previous orders (with current Order # 193 until May 10, 2021) which permits practice across state lines. Non-licensed MFT providers practicing in NC under the Governor’s Executive Orders must register with the NC MFT Licensure Board. If you would like to apply for an Emergency MFT Provider Permit, contact the Board at [email protected] – subject line Emergency Permit Registration. Allow up to 5 business days for a response. REVIEW THE INFORMATION BELOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR AN EMERGENCY PERMIT.
In each case, the professional health care licensure board shall have the authority to allow or not allow, in its discretion, these waivers or modifications, and the board shall have the authority to impose conditions on any persons authorized to provide care under this Subsection.
Note: this is NOT a license to practice in NC, but an exception to state statute. The practice must cease when the executive order allowing the exception expires – new expiration date of May 10, 2021.
The practice of MFT must be in compliance with the Ethics Code and other laws (see notice below about temporary HIPAA violation waiver*). Some insurance companies, agencies, and workplaces have their own policies for teletherapy. Many have made adjustments, even if temporary, to allow for clinicians to serve their clients.
Due to the increase in telehealth services across the nation, many professional groups are offering free workshops to help mental health providers learn how to implement teletherapy in their practices. They teach both the technology needed and how to deliver techniques.
NOTE to NC MFT LICENSEES: If you wish to practice in another state, jurisdiction or country, you must check with their licensing board or authority. The NC MFT Board cannot advise on practice requirements nor authorize practice in other jurisdictions.
| Teletherapy Across State Lines– UPDATED 12-10-21 |
| NC Governor Roy Cooper has ordered a State of Emergency for NC. Executive Order #139, effective May 12, 2020 extending the relevant provisions of #116 and subsequently #130 through June 26, 2020, extended by #144, issued June 5, 2020 through August 3, 2020 and subsequently extended by Executive Order # 152 to September 22, 2020, Executive Order # 165 to November 20, 2020 and most recently, Executive Order #177 through February 11, 2021 has been extended by #193 until May 10, 2021. NC health care licensure boards are required to implement processes to allow If a North Carolina licensee renders marriage and family therapy services electronically to an out-of-state client, it is recommended that the licensee contact the marriage and family therapy licensing board in the state in which the patient/client resides to determine whether or not such practice or a similar provision exists in that state or jurisdiction.
*On March 17, 2020, the President announced that the administration and the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) are expanding Medicare coverage at the Federal level for telehealth visits, along with waiving potential HIPAA violations for good faith use of teletherapy during this crisis.
If you wish to practice telehealth into another state in which you are not licensed, we advise you to contact that state to determine if their laws and regulations would allow such practice. University Students & TelehealthStudents enrolled in university programs, who are completing practicums, should consult with their university and supervisors for guidance. The university has jurisdiction and responsibility for enrolled students and for setting the parameters for their programs. License Renewal and Reinstatement of Expired LicenseComplete this form https://www.ncbmft.org/license-renewal/ to reinstate an expired license
National MFT ExamFor those scheduled or planning to register for an exam with the exam service, please see this link for more information from the AMFTRB. The AMFTRB, the exam developer who regulates the policies and procedures for the exam has worked extensively to provide solutions for testing during these uncertain times and they provide regular updates to the Board and others via their websites (see links above for current information). The Board will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates on this page, and on the exam application page. ApplicantsApplicants for the exam and licensure, please be aware that the processing time of your application may be impacted. See the calendar on this website for approximate review and processing dates. Board MeetingsBoard meetings will be virtual for the foreseeable future. The scheduled 2021 meeting dates – see calendar on this website. Forms Directory Refer to list below for how to submit forms. EMAIL: [email protected] FAX: 919-336-5156 . General Directions for All FormsDirections for Specific SectionsDirections to Pay Form FeesSubmit Form and Pay Forms Fees HereLinks to Forms General Directions for Forms Forms requiring payment, unless otherwise noted, go to the … Access Forms... |