Substitute House Bill No. 7081, also known as Public Act No. 25-76, amends the licensure requirements for marriage and family therapists in Connecticut, effective October 1, 2025. The bill repeals the existing Section 20-195c and introduces new criteria for applicants seeking licensure as marital and family therapists and marital and family therapist associates. Key requirements include the completion of a graduate degree program, a supervised practicum or internship, relevant postgraduate experience, and passing a departmental examination. The bill also establishes fees for initial applications—$200 for therapists and $125 for associates—and outlines the conditions under which the department may grant licensure without examination to applicants currently licensed in other states, territories, or commonwealths, provided their standards are deemed equivalent to those in Connecticut.

Additionally, the bill modifies the renewal process for licenses, requiring continuing education programs that include training on cultural competency and mental health conditions common to veterans. It specifies the duration of licenses for associates based on their issuance date and allows for limited practice under supervision for recent graduates. The bill removes previous provisions that allowed applicants from states with lower standards to substitute work experience for certain educational requirements. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance licensure portability and ensure that practitioners meet consistent professional standards across state lines.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 20-195c
PH Joint Favorable Substitute: 20-195c
File No. 122: 20-195c
File No. 813: 20-195c
Public Act No. 25-76: 20-195c