Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 24 - Mental Health
Part 4 - DMH Addictions Therapist Standards & Requirements
Chapter Five - Certification Phases
Current through September 24, 2024
APPLICATION PHASE
* Individual submits a complete application packet.
* The Division of PLACE reviews application packets for completeness,
* Within prescribed timelines, as determined by the Division and/or the PLACE Review Board, applicants are given the opportunity to correct any application problems/deficiencies. (As a courtesy, the Division may notify applicants and/or their program Staff Development Officers [SDOsJ of application problems/deficiencies; while such courtesy notification may be made, the Division does not guarantee such notification. Rather, it is the applicant's responsibility to submit a complete application and to keep track of and address any application deficiencies/problems.)
* Complete applications are forwarded to the PLACE Review Board. The Review Board reviews all applications, evaluates materials against established criteria and makes recommendations to the DMH Executive Director. Applicants are notified in writing if more information is needed.
Each regularly-scheduled PLACE Review Board meeting has a corresponding deadline for receipt of complete application materials. Review Board meetings may be cancelled without prior notice.
A Review Board meeting calendar will be posted on the DMH website and may be provided to state mental health system programs on an annual basis.
To obtain a copy of the PLACE Review Board meeting calendar, visit the DMH website, contact the Division of PLACE or contact your place of employment.
* The Executive Director/Executive Director designee reviews the PLACE Review Board recommendations and approves or disapproves each application for professional credentialing.
* Each applicant is subsequently notified in writing of the status of his/her application. The possible outcomes are:
1) Approval - Individual is awarded the credential.
2) Hold Pending - Additional information may be requested from the applicant before rendering a decision/recommendation.
3) Denial - Initial, upgrade, or renewal applications for credentialing may be denied for the following reasons, including, but not limited to: lack of appropriate employment; failure to pay required fees; lack of appropriate educational degrees/coursework; lack of appropriate experience; failure to complete successfully upgrade requirements; failure to acquire necessary continuing education hours; unacceptable practice of the applicant; violation of the DMH Principles of Ethical and Professional Conduct; conviction of a crime which is a felony under federal or state law; and/or, declaration of mental incompetence by the court.
CERTIFICATION PHASE
Provisional Certification (PCAT)
Once credentialed, the PCAT will receive a credential award letter, followed by a temporary, provisional certificate. The credential award letter will outline:
* The length of Provisional Certification, including the PCAT expiration date; Provisional certification is not renewable.
* The requirements the PCAT must complete in order to upgrade to full certification; these requirements are outlined in Chapter Three.
Individuals who have been awarded provisional certification are expected to abide by the professional responsibility provisions in Chapter Nine.
Full Certification (CAT)
Once credentialed, the CAT will receive a credential award letter, followed by a full certificate. The credential award letter will outline:
* The length of certification, including the CAT expiration date; the CAT's expiration date is made to coincide with the DMH Addictions Therapist four-year renewal deadline. CATs renew every four years by the renewal deadline. Full certification timelines are addressed in Chapter Six.
* The CAT renewal requirements; renewal requirements are outlined in Chapter Seven.
Individuals who have been awarded full certification are expected to abide by the professional responsibility provisions in Chapter Nine.
CERTIFICATE ISSUANCE
Professional Identification
Individuals who make successful application for provisional certification will be awarded a time-limited, provisional certificate attesting to the title of "Provisionally Certified Addictions Therapist" (PCAT).
Individuals who make successful application for certification will be awarded a full certificate attesting to the title of "Certified Addictions Therapist" (CAT). CAT is renewable every four years.
Certificates
Wall certificates issued by the DMH remain the property of DMH and must be surrendered upon request.
DMH intends that each individual hold only one certificate per professional title. DMH does not provide multiple original wall certificates.
Certificates issued by the DMH reflecting credentialing as a PCAT are valid for up to a maximum two-year (24 consecutive months) Provisional Certification Period. The issuance and expiration dates are printed on the certificate. Dates of provisional issuance and expiration vary from person to person.
An individual's provisional certificate automatically becomes invalid once he/she has successfully upgraded to full certification; the individual will receive a new certificate as a CAT.
Certificates issued by DMH reflecting credentialing as a CAT are valid for a maximum four-year Certification Period established by the Division. The issuance date is indicated on the certificate. Full certification timelines are addressed in Chapter Six. Full certificates are renewable.
Individuals holding a DMH professional credential who are currently practicing in the state mental health system should maintain a copy of proof of certification in their personnel file.
Upon separation from state mental health system employment, the credentialed individual should notify the Division accordingly, as outlined in Chapter Nine. Unless the separating individual is reemployed with another state mental health system program or requests and receives an appropriate credential status change, the certificate is invalid.
Replacement Certificates
Only individuals in good standing who are currently employed in the state mental health system (or in Inactive Status) may request a replacement certificate. Upon written (or email) request, an individual may be allowed one replacement certificate at no charge for any of the following reasons:
* Printing Error;
* Damaged/Destroyed;
* Lost;
* Never received; or,
* Legal Name Change.
If an individual makes more than one request for a replacement certificate, the Division reserves the right to impose the certificate replacement fee.
Once the new replacement certificate is issued, the previous certificate immediately becomes invalid. Possession and utilization of two certificates for fraudulent purposes is grounds for disciplinary action, including possible loss of credentialing.
ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL
The terms of administrative appeal are only applicable to the application process.
An applicant aggrieved by a decision regarding the initial, upgrade or renewal application for professional certification has the right to appeal to the DMH Executive Director. The Division of PLACE must receive the applicant's written notification of appeal (and any supplemental application information submitted by the applicant) within 30 calendar days of the mailing of the application review results, as determined by the Division's records.
The DMH Executive Director (or designee) will review the application and supplemental information, if provided, and notify the applicant of the results of this review within 30 days.
An applicant aggrieved by the DMH Executive Director's final decision may then appeal to the State Board of Mental Health. Appeals to the State Board of Mental Health must be received by DMH within 30 calendar days of the mailing of the DMH Executive Director's final decision, as determined by DMH's records; the appeal must be made and conducted in accordance with established Board policy.
