A. Application Packet
Upon reading the requirements for professional credentialing
in Chapter 3, Section 3, pp. 10-11 and making a decision to upgrade to
Certified Mental Health Therapist (CMHT), an individual shall submit to the
Division an upgrade application packet containing the forms/materials listed
below. These forms verify the certification requirements listed in Chapter 3,
Section 3, pp. 10-11.
(1) Application:
A completed, notarized Upgrade Application Form;
(2) Employment: A completed Upgrade
Verification of Employment Form from the applicant's current place of
employment meeting the employment requirement listed in Chapter 3, Section 3,
B., (1), p. 10;
(3) Education: An
Official Transcript(s) meeting the educational requirements listed in Chapter
3, Section 3, B., (2), p. 11.
If the educational requirement for CMHT is met by the
Official Transcript already on file with the individual's initial application
for PCMHT, then no further documentation is necessary.
(4) Experience: A completed Upgrade
Verification of Experience Form(s) meeting the experience requirements listed
in Chapter 3, Section 3, B., (3), p. 11.
However, if any of the experience requirement for CMHT is met
by the Verification of Experience Form(s) already submitted with the
individual's initial application for PCMHT, then only the balance necessary to
meet CMHT experience requirements should be submitted.
(5) Ongoing Inservice /Training: A completed
Upgrade Verification of Inservice/Training Form(s) verifying required
inservice/training obtained during the Provisional Certification Period as
indicated in Chapter 3, Section 2, E., (2), pp. 9-10; and,
(6) MH-CTP: While successful completion of
the MH-CTP is required for a provisional certificant to upgrade, there is no
reporting requirement for the upgrade applicant. See Chapter 4, Section 1, I.,
p. 23 for more information on documenting participation in the
MH-CTP.
(7) Application Fee: A
nonrefundable $75.00 check or money order made payable to the Mississippi
Department of Mental Health. See Chapter 6, Section 1, A., p. 36 for more
information on the Application Fee.
B. Directions
(1) When preparing to submit an upgrade
application for certification (CMHT), be sure to follow the General Guidelines
found in Chapter 4, Section 1, pp. 19-23, as well as the directions found at
the top of each form. Directions are also located in Chapter 9 on p. 58 and in
a checklist format found on pp. 59-60.
(2) If questions arise which are not
addressed in this document, please contact the Division for
assistance.
C.
Submission Timelines
When upgrading from PCMHT to CMHT, individuals are expected
to follow these timelines:
(1) Upon
conclusion of the Provisional Certification Period (24 consecutive month
maximum), a provisional certificant is expected to submit an upgrade
application packet so that it is received by the Division no later than the
last working day of the 25th month (one month past the 24 consecutive month
maximum).
(2) Provisional
certificants who have completed all Provisional Certification Period
requirements prior to reaching the maximum number of months allowed (24 months)
and who wish to submit an upgrade application packet prior to the 25 month
deadline may do so.
(3) A
provisional certificant who has been unable to complete all requirements during
the Provisional Certification Period due to extenuating circumstances may
submit a written request to the Review Board for Extended status. This written
request must be received by the Division no later than the last working day of
the 25th month. See Chapter 3, Section 7, B., (2) p. 15 for more information on
Extended status.
(4) If neither the
upgrade application packet nor the written request for Extended status is
received by the last working day of the 25th month, the provisional
certificantis considered to have Defaulted. See Chapter 3, Section 7, B., (3),
pp. 15-16 for more information on Defaulted status.
