§ 63-22-204 — Exclusions from part

(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as limiting the ministry, activities or services of a rabbi, priest, minister of the gospel or others authorized by a regularly organized and functioning religious body in performing the ordinary duties or functions of the clergy, nor shall anything in this chapter apply to or be construed as limiting the activities or services of Christian Science practitioners. Nor shall any rabbi, priest or minister who offers counseling services, even if fees are charged, shall be subject to the limitations of this part, as long as they do not hold themselves out as licensed pastoral therapists or licensed pastoral counselors and as long as they do not purport to provide the integration and professional application of resources and techniques from the religious community's traditions of pastoral care and counsel along with recognized principles, methods and procedures of clinical psychotherapy. (b) This part does not apply to a person if the person is preparing for the practice of clinical pastoral therapy under qualified supervision in a training institution or facility or supervisory arrangement recognized and approved by the board; provided, that such person is designated by such titles as "pastoral therapy intern," "pastoral therapy trainee" or others clearly indicating such training status. (c) Nothing in this part shall be construed to prevent qualified members of other professional groups as defined by the board, including, but not limited to, licensed clinical social workers, licensed psychologists, licensed psychological examiners, licensed senior psychological examiners, certified psychological assistants, psychiatric nurses, physicians or attorneys at law, from performing or advertising that they provide or offer counseling services consistent with the accepted standards of their respective professions nor to prevent alcohol and drug abuse counselors licensed under § 68-24-605 or operating under qualified supervision while seeking such licensure from doing counseling consistent with the accepted standards of such profession.

Legislative History

Acts 1997 , ch. 485, § 9; 1998, ch. 818, § 1; 2001, ch. 334, § 17; 2003 , ch. 250, § 5.