Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 24 - Mental Health
Part 6 - Rules, Regulations and Application Guidelines for the Mental Health Therapist Program
Chapter 5 - Renewal of Professional Certification/Licensure
Section 24-6-5-2 - Renewal General Guidelines

(1) Individuals applying for renewal should read all directions and renewal application materials before beginning the renewal process, as the required Renewal Fee is nonrefundable.

(2) In addition to directions found in this document, directions will also be provided with the renewal notice mailed to each certificant and licensee approximately three months prior to the biennial renewal deadline. These directions are especially important to read and follow.

(3) All renewal application materials must be submitted together in one renewal application packet. If submitted to document inservice/training, an Official Transcript is the only item which may be received separately from the application packet.

(4) An individual holding more than one DMH professional certification /licensure (Mental Retardation, Mental Health, etc.) should submit renewal materials for each credential separately, including separate Official Transcripts, Renewal Verification of Employment Forms, payment of Renewal Fees, etc.

(5) The responsibility for submitting a complete renewal application packet, including all required renewal application forms/materials/fees, is that of the applicant. The Review Board will not review incomplete applications; see Chapter 2, Section 2, B., (7), p. 5.

(6) Once submitted, all renewal application materials become the property of the Division. Renewal application materials will not be returned to the applicant for any reason.

(1) Please print or type the information requested on the renewal application forms; typing is preferred.

(2) All submitted forms should be completed by the appropriate person(s) indicated at the top of each form. Specific directions provided on each form should be read and followed.

(3) All forms submitted in support of the application must bear original signatures. Photocopies and faxed copies of completed forms will not be accepted.

(4) Every numbered item on each form must have a response, even if the response is "Not Applicable." Incomplete forms will not be returned to the applicant for completion; a new form must be completed and submitted.

(5) To ensure validity, all forms other than the notarized Renewal Application Form must be submitted in sealed envelopes, with a signature across the envelope's seal that matches the signature on the document inside the envelope.

(1) A current Renewal Verification of Employment Form will be included with the renewal notice mailed to each certificant and licensee prior to the biennial renewal deadline. The form provided in the renewal notice packet must be used.

(2) The Renewal Verification of Employment Form must reflect the applicant's current place of employment.

(3) Item #2 of the Renewal Verification of Employment Form requesting information on background checks must be addressed and completed clearly.

(4) Individuals unsure of how to mark Item #3 of the Renewal Verification of Employment Form requesting program information should refer to Chapter 3, Section 1, C., p. 7 of this document. The Personnel Officer may need to consult with the program's Director/Executive Director or Business Office to make a correct determination.

(5) Any individual who is no longer employed in the state mental health system as described in Chapter 3, Section 1, C., p. 7 at the time of renewal no longer meets the Employment criteria for DMH professional credentialing. This individual needs to request either Inactive or Relinquished status. See Chapter 5, Section 4, p. 33 for more information on making a special request.

(1) The Renewal Verification of Inservice/ Training Form found on p. 71 is a suggested form. Staff development reporting forms currently in use by programs are acceptable as long as they contain the same information. Another copy of this form will be included in the renewal notice mailed to each certificant and licensee.

(2) Required Contact Hours may be accrued through staff development training provided through the certificant's/licensee's place of employment (including DMH-required training as indicated in the Minimum Standards for Community Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services), DMH-sponsored training events, or conferences/workshops/ CEUs/ etc., approved by the Division.

(3) Priorities for training should be sessions required for programmatic compliance with DMH Minimum Standards and DMH sponsored training events related to the provision of services to individuals with mental illness/emotional disturbance.

(4) Graduate-level coursework related to the field of mental health from an approved educational institution will be accepted as ongoing inservice/ training. One three (3) semester hour applicable course (or its equivalent) shall be considered to be equal to thirty (30) Contact Hours. An official college transcript(s) must be submitted with the Renewal Verification of Inservice/Training Form reporting such training experiences. If necessary, the Official Transcript may be submitted directly to the Division by the approved educational institution. For more information regarding transcripts, see Chapter 4, Section 1, D., p. 20.

(5) Courses claimed for inservice/ training Contact Hours must be beyond the course work necessary to meet the educational requirement for DMH professional credentialing.

(6) Submitted Contact Hours of inservice/ training or graduate-level college credit must have been successfully completed during the current two-year Certification/Licensure Period.

(7) Up to half of the reported Contact Hours may be obtained by presenting educational activities. This should be noted in the appropriate column of the Renewal Verification of Inservice/ Training Form.

(8) Documentation providing proof of training, such as training certificates, Continuing Education Unit forms, etc., should be presented to the program's designated Staff Development Officer. Do not submit such documentation to the Division.