CONTINUING EDUCATION STATEMENT

The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) offers some psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers and play therapists Continuing Education (CE) credit due for good standing with certain states and a limited number of professional organizations. It remains the responsibility of each participant to be aware of state licensure and CE requirements. Participants should check their state and/or local regulations regarding required continuing education hours. 

Alabama 

• The AACC is currently pursuing an approved continuing education provider status with the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling.

Alaska  

• The Alaska Board of Professional Counselors accepts up to 15 hours of Continuing Education that is not pre-approved by the board according to AAC 62.320(b,7), “up to 15 contact hours of continuing education in other courses, seminars, workshops, and in service training not covered under (1) – (6) of this subsection that are not specifically preapproved by the board, but meet the standards contained in (a) of this section.” For more information or clarification on the Alaska Board of Professional Counselors, please click here.  

Arizona  

• The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners does not pre-approve continuing education activities. The types of continuing education activities the Board accepts are provided in the Board’s rules. For more information or clarification on the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and Continuing Education, please click here.  

Arkansas  

• The Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy does not pre-approve continuing education activities. Continuing education activities taken for license renewal credit must focus on increasing knowledge and/or skills in the practice of counseling/therapy. For more information or clarification on the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy and Continuing Education, please click here. 

California  

• The AACC is currently pursuing an approved continuing education provider status with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Colorado  

• The Colorado State Board of Professional Counselor Examiners does not pre-approve or accredit specific educational providers or programs. For more information or clarification on the Colorado State Board of Professional Counselor Examiners and Continuing Education, please click here.  

Connecticut  

• The AACC is currently pursuing an approved continuing education provider status with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Delaware  

• The Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals states in the board Rules and Regulations that any activity that’s purpose is to maintain licensees’ professional competence in the practice of professional mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, chemical dependency counseling, or art therapy is acceptable and does not require Board review and approval. For more information or clarification on the Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals, please click here. 

Florida  

• The AACC has been approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling as a Continuing Education Provider (#50-31176). 

Georgia  

• The Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists board does not approve individual continuing education providers. Please review Board Rule 135-9-.01 for information regarding approved continuing education. For more information or clarification on the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists and Continuing Education, please click here.  

Hawaii 

• The Hawaii Mental Health Counselor Licensing Program does not require a licensee to obtain Continuing Education Credit for renewal of licenses. For more information or clarification on the Mental Health Counselor Licensing Program please click here.  

Idaho  

•  According to the Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists website, “The rules do not require that all continuing education courses that you attend be pre-approved by the Board. It requires ‘The contact hours of continuing education must be obtained in areas of study germane to the practice for which the license is issued as approved by the Board.’ (425.01) Presentations germane to your practice are usually acceptable to the Board.” For more information or clarification, please click here. 

Illinois 

• The AACC is currently pursuing a continuing education provider status with the Illinois Professional Counseling Licensing and Disciplinary Board.  

Indiana 

• The AACC is currently pursuing a continuing education provider status with the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board. 

Iowa 

• The Iowa Bureau of Professional Licensure does not pre-approve continuing education providers, sponsors or individual programs. It is the licensees’ responsibility to determine if the continuing education programs they attend meet the requirements of their professional licensure board. For more information or clarification on the Board of Behavioral Sciences please click here.   

Kansas 

• The Kansas Behavioral Science Regulatory Board does not pre-approve CE programs. It is the individual’s responsibility using his professional judgment, to determine whether or not programs are applicable and appropriate to his professional development and meet the standards outlined within the board’s rules and regulations. For more information or clarification on the Kansas Behavioral Science Regulatory Board and Continuing Education, please click here. 

Kentucky 

• The AACC is currently pursuing a continuing education provider status with the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors. 

Louisiana 

• Continuing education hours will be subject to approval by the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners at the time of renewal. The board does not pre-approve any type of continuing education. The continuing education must be in one of the 14 approved content areas listed in §707.C, and be given by a qualified presenter. A qualified presenter is considered to be someone at the master’s level or above and trained in the mental health field or related services. One may receive one clock hour of continuing education for each hour of direct participation in a structured educational format as a learner. For more information or clarification on the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners and Continuing Education, please click here.  

Maine 

• The Board of Counseling Professional Licensure does not designate pre-approve CE programs. It is the individual’s responsibility using his professional judgment, to determine whether or not programs are applicable and appropriate to his professional development and meet the standards outlined within the board’s rules and regulations. For more information or clarification on the Board of Counseling Professional Licensure and Continuing Education, please click here. 

Maryland 

• The AACC is currently pursuing a continuing education provider status with the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.

Massachusetts 

• The AACC is currently pursuing a continuing education provider status with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions.  

Michigan 

• The Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing for Counseling does not require continuing education for renewal. A licensee is responsible for maintaining their competence in the profession, but a licensee does not have to demonstrate the ways he or she is doing that for renewal. For more information or clarification on the Michigan Bureau of Professional Licensing for Counseling and Continuing Education, please click here. 

Minnesota 

• The AACC is currently pursuing a continuing education provider status with the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.

Mississippi 

• For those organizations, groups or individuals that do not carry provider status by one of the above associations, the CEH will be subject to approval by the Board at the time of renewal. The Board will not pre-approve any type of CEH. The CEH must be given by a qualified presenter. A qualified presenter is considered to be someone at the master’s level or above and trained in the mental health field or related services. One may receive one clock hour of CEH for each hour of direct participation in a structured educational format as a learner. Credit cannot be granted for: business/governance meetings; breaks; or social activities including meal functions, except for actual time of a content speaker. Verification for workshops, seminars, or conventions should consist of copies of certificates of attendance, and other documentation, which clearly indicates learning objectives. For more information and clarification on the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors, please click here.   

Missouri 

• Continuing education providers, seminars, workshops etc. do not need to be approved by the Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors prior to a licensee taking a seminar or workshop. NOTE: Personal counseling, psychotherapy, workshops on personal growth, supervision of individuals for licensure, or services provided to professional associations or organizations are not considered continuing education. For more information or clarification on the Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors and Continuing Education, please click here.   

Montana 

• The Montana Board of Behavioral Health t no longer pre-approves any courses or sponsors. Each licensee is responsible for taking courses which directly relate to the scopes of practice as defined in board statute. Licensees are responsible for selecting quality programs that contribute to their knowledge and competence. For more information or clarification on the Montana Board of Behavioral Health, please click here.  

Nebraska  

• The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Licensure does not pre-approve continuing education programs (Title 172 94-014.01) and the professional must determine if the program meets the criteria set forth in Title 172 94-014.02. For more information or clarification on the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Licensure, please click here. 

Nevada  

• The AACC is an approved continuing education provider status with the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors. CEU Provider # NVCEP2025. 

New Hampshire  

• The New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice allows licensed counselors to receive up to 10 hours of continuing education of a non-approved mental health seminar or workshop. The AACC is currently pursuing a continuing education provider status with the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice. For more information or clarification, please click here.  

New Jersey  

• The New Jersey Professional Counselor Examiners Committee itself does not approve continuing education courses or programs. Those who take AACC courses and workshops must seek approval from the New Jersey Professional Counselor Examiners Committee. For more information or clarification, please click here. 

New Mexico  

• The AACC is currently pursuing a continuing education provider status with the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board.  

New York  

• The AACC is approved by the New York State Board for Mental Health Practitioner to provide continuing education to Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) with the approval number of #MHC-0228. The AACC is not approved for continuing education for Licensed Master Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Creative Arts Therapists, Marriage and Family Therapists or Psychoanalysts in the state of New York.

North Carolina  

• The AACC is currently an approved continuing education provider with the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors for up to 15 hours for any given renewal period in the state of North Carolina. For more information or clarification, please click here.

North Dakota  

• In the state of North Dakota, CE’s are reviewed for counseling related content and appropriate presenter credentials. The criteria for Board approval states that the educational event has formal, institutional sponsorship and is presented by professionals or educators in counseling and human service fields. For more information or clarification on the North Dakota State Board of Counselor Examiners and Continuing Education, please click here. 

Ohio  

• The AACC is currently pursuing a continuing education provider status with the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. According to Ohio Counselor, Social, Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, professionals are able to request post-approval for continuing education if the credits have not been pre-approved by the board. For more information and clarification, please click here. 

Oklahoma  

• The AACC is currently pursuing a continuing education provider status with the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure.  

Oregon  

• The Oregon Board of Licensed Counselors and Therapists Board does not pre-approve continuing education courses at this time. The Board provides guidelines to help you decide whether a particular course will meet the Board’s administrative guidelines. For more information or clarification on the Oregon Board of Licensed Counselors and Therapists Board and Continuing Education, please click here. 

Pennsylvania  

• The AACC is currently pursuing an approved continuing education provider status with the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.

Rhode Island 

• The AACC is currently pursuing an approved continuing education provider status with the Rhode Island Board of Licensing Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists.  

South Carolina   

• The AACC is an approved continuing education provider with the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists, provider # SPN 4627. 

South Dakota   

• The AACC is a pre-approved CE provider for the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists.

Tennessee   

• The Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors board does not pre-approve CE programs. It is the individual’s responsibility using his or her professional judgment, to determine whether or not programs are applicable and appropriate to his or her professional development and meet the standards outlined within the board’s rules and regulations. For more information or clarification on the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors and Continuing Education, please click here.  

Texas   

• The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors does not approve continuing education providers. Instead, the Council has adopted rules that outline what is considered appropriate continuing education. This means a licensee can receive continuing education from any person or organization that provides the education in accordance with the Council’s rules. No approval by the Council is needed for the individual or organization to engage in the delivery of continuing education. Licensees are still audited for continuing education compliance and during those reviews, staff evaluate the continuing education documentation submitted. For more information or clarification on the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and Continuing Education, please click here. 

Utah   

• The Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing does not designate specific continuing education programs that their professionals must take workshops or courses through. They do have requirements on the workshops that can be viewed on their website. For more information or clarification on the Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing and Continuing Education, please click here.  

Vermont   

• The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation does not designate specific continuing education programs that their professionals must take workshops or courses through. They do have requirements on the workshops that can be viewed on their website. For more information or clarification, please click here.  

Virginia   

• The Virginia Board of Counselors requires that “each licensee, certification holder or registrant use their best and professional judgment to determine if the course meets the requirements outlined in the regulations.” (Click here for more information) The requirements state that CE units will be approved if the program has been approved in another state. Currently, the AACC has been approved in Florida and North Carolina. For more information or clarification on the Virginia Board of Counselors please click here.  

Washington   

• The Washington Department of Health does not approve continuing education for licensed mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists or licensed social workers. The CE program or course must be relevant and contribute to the advancement, extension and enhancement of the professional competence of the licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor or licensed social worker (WAC 246-809-610). For more information or clarification on the Washington Department of Health s and Continuing Education, please click here.   

Washington D.C. 

• The AACC is currently pursuing an approved continuing education provider status with the Professional Licensing Counseling. 

West Virginia   

• The AACC is currently pursuing an approved continuing education provider status with the West Virginia Board of Examiners. According to the West Virginia Board of Examiners, a professional may take credits and submit information for post-approval from the board as stated in rule 6.2.c.1. For more information or clarification, please click here. 

Wisconsin   

• The Wisconsin Professional Counselor Section of the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board does not pre-approve continuing education (CE) courses or programs. If the course or program satisfies the requirements in MPSW 19, it will be accepted toward the professional counselor’s CE license renewal requirements. Any course or continuing education program offered by public or private agencies that provide in-house training and development programs; however, only 15 of the required 30 continuing education hours shall be met through in-house training and development programs that are not approved by an organization identified in MPSW 19.03 (1) (a) through MPSW 19.03 (1) (e). For more information or clarification on the Wisconsin Professional Counselor Section of the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board and Continuing Education, please click here.  

Wyoming 

• The Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board does not pre-review or pre-approve any continuing education. The board requires licensees to complete continuing education contact hours on coursework or classes that have significant intellectual or practical content, and the primary objective shall be to increase the participant’s competence within each licensed or certified discipline. The scope of practice for each discipline in these rules and regulations shall be used as a basis of what knowledge and skills are acceptable to the Board as continuing education activities. For more information or clarification on the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board and Continuing Education, please click here.

International Board of Christian Care 

• The training offered through AACC sponsored conferences and training programs also meets the ongoing CE requirements for counselors, life coaches, and crisis responders who are credentialed through the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC) or one of its affiliate boards: the Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counseling (BCPPC); the Board of Christian Life Coaching (BCLC); the Board of Mental Health Coaching (BMHC) and the Board of Christian Crisis and Trauma Response (BCCTR). 

Liberty University Global Center for Mental Health, Addiction, & Recovery

• The American Association of Christian Counselors has been approved to give Continuing Education credit from Liberty University in conjunction with the Liberty University Global Center for Mental Health, Addiction, & Recovery.

* The AACC is approved through the following organizations to provide continuing education for Live Event and Webinars only. 

Association of Social Work Boards* 

The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), #1400, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ASWB Approval Period: (09/06/2020 to 09/06/2023). Licensed social workers should contact their individual regulatory boards to review current continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. Any presentation that is less than 50 minutes in duration is not approved by the ASWB for continuing education credits. (Plenary sessions do not meet ASWB standards).  

Association of Play Therapy* 

 The AACC offers continuing education credit for play therapists through the Association of Play Therapy (APT Approved Provider #14-373), so long as the training element is specifically applicable to the practice of play therapy. 

 National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors* 

The AACC is approved by the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), #166470, as an Approved Education Provider and is recognized as meeting nationally approved standards of education developed for the addiction/substance use disorders in the counseling profession. CE contact hours that are provided will be accepted toward national credentialing by NAADAC and many of the individual state licensing and certification bodies, as well. Please check with your state for further information and authorization. 

It remains the responsibility of each participant to be aware of state licensure requirements. Participants should check their state and/or local regulations regarding required continuing education hours. 

Grievance Policy for Continuing Education

The AACC welcomes feedback from all participants and encourages the prompt resolution of any/all grievances from attendees in an efficient, professional and timely manner. A grievance filed from an attendee regarding any particular conference, conference workshop, or home-study should be directed to contactmemberservices@aacc.net and will be sent to the Director of Program Development (Dr. Connors) for review and resolution. Any grievance that is submitted to the AACC is kept confidential and those who submitted the grievance are treated with the utmost respect and as all parties involved work to resolve the grievance. Individuals who do not agree or unhappy with a grievance resolution provided by the AACC have the option to appeal to AACC Executive Leadership if they are displeased with the results of the process for further review.  For a copy of the Grievance Policy and Procedure for Continuing Education, please email contactmemberservices@aacc.net.