Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 24 - Mental Health
Part 4 - DMH Addictions Therapist Standards & Requirements
Chapter Two - Organization
DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE & CERTIFICATION (PLACE)
The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH), Division of Professional Licensure and Certification (PLACE) is responsible for the development and implementation of DMH professional credentialing programs. Major duties of the Division include (but are not limited to):
* Promulgates standards and requirements pertaining to DMH professional credentialing;
* Administers DMH professional credentialing programs;
* Processes applications for DMH professional credentialing and related forms, paperwork and fees;
* Assists the public with information pertaining to DMH professional credentialing;
* Maintains a registry of individuals holding a DMH professional credential and provides verification of DMH professional credentials, as appropriate;
* Regulates the use of DMH professional credentialing titles; and,
* Facilitates Professional Licensure and Certification (PLACE) Review Board meetings and related matters.
PLACE REVIEW BOARD
Composition and Appointment
* The Professional Licensure and Certification (PLACE) Review Board is comprised of seven members. When credentialing trends warrant, additional members may be appointed as necessary.
* The term of office is five years; Review Board members may hold consecutive terms.
* Appointments are made by the DMH Executive Director. Attempts are made to ensure adequate representation among disciplines and programmatic types. Review Board members must hold a DMH professional credential in good standing, and at least one Review Board member must also be a DMH Central Office staff representative.
* A Chairperson is chosen by the Review Board from among its members. The Chairperson's term of office is one year. Other Review Board member functions and responsibilities may be assigned by the Review Board or Division, as needed.
Purpose and Powers
* The Review Board reviews applications for DMH professional credentialing and makes recommendations to the DMH Executive Director regarding the awarding of certification.
* The Review Board has the authority to deny applications for DMH professional certification; hold applications pending the submission of additional information; investigate complaints; conduct disciplinary hearings; and impose sanctions, if necessary.
* In conjunction with the Division of PLACE, the Review Board may receive and render decisions regarding special requests pertaining to DMH professional credentialing. The Review Board may stipulate that special request claims be notarized and require supporting evidence to substantiate the request.
* Review Board decisions regarding either the denial of professional certification or disciplinary action may be appealed.
* The Review Board assists the Division of PLACE in developing applicable DMH professional credentialing standards and requirements and engages in continued study of best practices pertaining to DMH professional credentialing with a view of improving standards as needed.
* The Review Board will exercise such powers pertaining to DMH professional credentialing, as provided for in this document.
* The Review Board, in conjunction with the Division of PLACE, may periodically develop and promulgate additional professional standards and requirements and administrative policies and procedures (to work in concert with this document) as it deems necessary for the execution and enforcement of applicable state law and this Standards Requirements document.
* Review Board members are individually exempt from civil liability as a result of any action taken by the Review Board.
* General submissions/requests to the Review Board should be submitted to the PLACE Review Board in writing c/o the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Division of PLACE (or via email to the Division of PLACE); contact information is located inside the document cover.
Meetings
* Review Board meetings are held at least quarterly at a time and place determined by the Review Board, and at such other times as requested by the Division. Meetings may be called by the Division or Chairperson with 10 days advance notice. The 10-day notice requirement may be waived by agreement of a majority of the Review Board.
* Meeting quorum is a majority of the Review Board members present. If quorum is not present, the meeting will be adjourned until a date designated by the Chairperson or Division of PLACE staff.
* The Review Board only reviews complete applications.
* A Review Board meeting calendar, along with corresponding application deadlines, will be posted on the DMH website and will be provided to state mental health system programs.
* The Division reserves the right to cancel or reschedule Review Board meetings without prior notice.
Removal of Review Board members
* A Review Board member may be removed from office if found to be in violation of any of the standards contained in this document.
* A Review Board member may be removed from office if his/her certification or licensure is no longer in good standing.
* A Review Board member must be disqualified from any business on which he/she may not make an objective evaluation or decision.
* A Review Board member subject to disciplinary action, as defined in this document, must disqualify himself/herself from any business until the complaint is resolved.
* Action by either the DMH Executive Director or a majority of the Review Board members, with Executive Director approval, is necessary to remove a Review Board member from office.
DMH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The DMH Executive Director, or designee, reviews and approves/disapproves Review Board recommendations to award DMH professional credentials to individual applicants.
The DMH Executive Director, or designee, reviews and makes decisions regarding Review Board actions relating to the denial of a DMH professional credential (if appealed by the applicant/certified individual) and/or the imposition of sanctions (if appealed by the certified individual).
The DMH Executive Director, or designee, reserves the right to amend or repeal any standard or requirement contained in this document (or adopt a new standard or requirement), with appropriate prior notice. In this event, the DMH Division of PLACE will send notification of the directed change(s) to the last known address of each registered DMH-credentialed individual. The promulgated change(s) will be effective whether received by the person entitled to notice or not. Notice will also be given to state mental health system program directors or staff development officers. Change(s) made under this provision will be incorporated into the existing Standards & Requirements document in a timely manner.
STATE BOARD OF MENTAL HEALTH
During the administrative appeal process, an applicant/certified individual may appeal the decision of the DMH Executive Director to the State Board of Mental Health.
During the disciplinary appeal process, a certified individual may appeal the decision of the DMH Executive Director to the State Board of Mental Health.
The State Board of Mental Health, as the authorized entity under applicable state law to promulgate state mental health system credentialing programs, reserves the right to amend or repeal any standard or requirement contained within this document (or adopt a new standard or requirement) without prior notice. In this event, the DMH Division of PLACE will send notification of the directed change(s) to the last known address of each registered DMH-credentialed individual. The promulgated change(s) will be effective whether received by the person entitled to notification or not. Notice will also be given to state mental health system program directors or staff development officers. Change(s) made under this provision will be incorporated into the existing Standards & Requirements document in a timely manner.
