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RSA 330-A:17 · Pastoral Psychotherapists

Title: XXX: OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS
Chapter: 330-A · MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE
Status: current
Official source linked: Yes

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330-A:17 Pastoral Psychotherapists. – The office shall issue a pastoral psychotherapist license to any person who satisfactorily meets all of the following requirements or their equivalent:

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Has passed a satisfactory proctored examination in pastoral counseling. The examination shall be set and defined by the board.

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II.

Has a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college.

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III.

Has a Master of Divinity degree, or an equivalent, from a school of theology accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.

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IV.

Has been authorized by a denomination or faith group through ordination, consecration, or equivalent means to exercise specific religious leadership and service within and on behalf of the denomination or faith group.

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Has completed one unit of full-time clinical pastoral education or its equivalent.

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VI.

Has given evidence of serving at least 3 years as a clergy person, demonstrating growing maturity in one's identity and role as a professional religious leader.

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VII.

Has received a doctoral degree in pastoral psychotherapy based on a program the content of which was primarily psychology, pastoral psychotherapy, and clinical studies, or its equivalent in both subject matter and extent of training.

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VIII.

Has done at least 1,375 hours of pastoral counseling while receiving at least 250 hours of interdisciplinary supervision of that counseling, dealing with the theological and psychological dimensions of human development.

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IX.

Has given evidence of having undergone sufficient theological and psychotherapeutic investigation of one's own intrapsychic and interpersonal processes so that one is able to protect the client from the pastoral psychotherapist's problems and to deploy oneself to the maximum benefit of the client.

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Has given evidence of:

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(a)

An understanding of the counseling and psychotherapeutic process;

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(b)

An ability to develop the counseling or psychotherapeutic relationship;

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(c)

An ability to perform a leadership role in the context of the religious community; and

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(d)

An ability to integrate one's professional role and personal identity.

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XI.

Has attained the level of Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors or an equivalent organization. Source. 1998, 234:1. 2010, 244:11, eff. July 1, 2010. 2025, 161:9, eff. Sept. 13, 2025.

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Source note

Source. 1998, 234:1. 2010, 244:11, eff. July 1, 2010. 2025, 161:9, eff. Sept. 13, 2025.

Source history

1998, 234:1
2010, 244:11, eff. July 1, 2010
2025, 161:9, eff. Sept. 13, 2025

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Bill relationships

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2026 HB1796-FN reference · effective 2027-01-01
ciate licensed pursuant to RSA 328-D, an advanced practice registered nurse under RSA 326-B, a psychologist licensed pursuant to RSA 329-B, or a social worker licensed pursuant to RSA 330-A, who is registered by the department to administer treatment with psilocybin. XXI. “Qualified therapy provider agent” means an individual who holds a valid qualified therapy provider agent registration card. XXII.
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on received pursuant to this section. [V.] IV. The applicant shall bear the cost of a criminal history record check. 161:9 Mental Health Practice; Pastoral Psychotherapists. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 330-A:17 to read as follows: 330-A:17 Pastoral Psychotherapists. The [board] office shall issue a pastoral psychotherapist license to any person who satisfactorily meets all of the following requirements or their equiv
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re Law; Reimbursement for Providers Waiting for Health Carrier Credentialing Verification; Cross-Reference Removed. Amend RSA 420-J:8-c, II(a) to read as follows: (a) Mental health practitioners licensed under RSA 330-A [and applicants for mental health practice licensure from other states who are permitted to practice in this state pursuant to RSA 330-A:26, II]. 161:16 Mental Health Practice; Repeal. The following are repeal