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![handle is hein.sag/sagok0051 and id is 1 raw text is:
OFFICE oF ATTiORNEY( GENERAL
S rE(OF 0 OKLAHOMA
ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION
2016-1A
Eric Ashmore, Executive Director January 7, 2016
State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure
3815 N. Santa Fe Ave., Ste. 110
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118
Dear Executive Director Ashmore:
This office has received your request for a written Attorney General Opinion regarding agency
actions that the State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure intends to take. The proposed actions
are to deny the requests of Licensed Professional Counselors Shawn Brue and Stacey Reynolds
to use the title doctor. Neither applicant has a doctoral degree from a regionally accredited
college or university.
The Licensed Professional Counselors Act, 59 O.S.2011 & Supp.2015, §§ 1901-1920,
authorizes the Board to [a]dopt and establish rules of professional conduct, 59 O.S.Supp.2015,
§ 1905(A)(2). The Board's rules clarify that Licensed Professional Counselors may use the
doctoral degree and the title 'Doctor' in advertising, practice and status as a counselor[] if the
doctoral degree is in counseling . .. and if the degree was granted by a regionally accredited
college or university. OAC 86:10-3-5(c). This action enforces this straightforward requirement
by barring licensees from advertising to the public as doctors when they do not have doctoral
degrees from accredited educational institutions.
It is, therefore, the official opinion of the Attorney General that the State Board of Behavioral
Health Licensure has adequate support for the conclusion that these actions advance the State of
Oklahoma's policy to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
E. SCOTT PRUITT
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF OKLAHOMA
N 01,1 A C ( OK 37105 * (405) 521-3921 *Fix: (405) 521-6246
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