SECTION 86:11-3-7. Relations with the public and other professions

(a)   Misrepresentation. LPCs shall not misrepresent nor allow the misrepresentation by others of the efficacy of the LPC's professional services.

(b)   Credentials claimed. LPCs shall claim or imply only the professional credentials possessed and shall be responsible for correcting any known misrepresentations of their credentials by others. Professional credentials include graduate degrees in counseling or closely related mental health fields, accreditation of graduate programs, national voluntary certifications, government-issued certifications or licenses, or any other credential that might indicate to the public the LPCs additional knowledge or expertise in counseling.

(c)   The use of doctoral degrees and the title "Doctor". An LPC may use the doctoral degree and the title "Doctor" in advertising, practice and status as a counselor, if the doctoral degree is in counseling or a closely related mental health field, and if the degree was granted by a regionally accredited college or university recognized by the United States Department of Education.

(1)   Non-counseling doctorates. An LPC who holds a doctoral degree in a non-counseling related field shall not use the doctoral degree or the term "Dr." in advertising, practice or status as a counselor.

(2)   Non-regionally accredited doctorates. An LPC who holds a doctoral degree from a college or university not regionally accredited and recognized by the United States Department of Education shall not use the doctoral degree or the title "doctor" in advertising, practice or status as a counselor, unless the following conditions are met:

(A)   the degree was conferred or matriculation was begun before May 5, 1995; and

(B)   the conferring institution was certified or accredited by the state wherein the institution is located.

(d)   Advertisement. When an LPC announces services or advertises, the LPC shall represent services to the public by identifying credentials in an accurate manner that is not false, misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent. An LPC may only advertise the highest degree earned in counseling or a closely related field from a regionally accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. All advertisements or announcements of counseling services including telephone directory listings by an LPC shall clearly state the counselor's licensure status by the use of a title such as "LPC", or "Licensed Professional Counselor" or a statement such as "licensed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health."

(e)   License. Each LPC shall display the original, current license in a prominent place in the primary location of practice.

(f)   Public statements. When an LPC provides advice or comment by means of public lectures, demonstrations, radio or television programs, prerecorded tapes, printed articles, mailed material, or other media, they shall take reasonable precautions to ensure that:

(1)   The statements are based on appropriate professional literature and practice;

(2)   The statements are otherwise consistent with the LPC Rules of Professional Conduct; and

(3)   There is no implication that a professional counseling relationship has been established.

(g)   Rebates. An LPC shall not give or accept a commission, rebate, or other form of remuneration for referral of clients for professional services.

(h)   Accepting fees from agency clients. An LPC shall refuse a fee or other remuneration for rendering services to persons who are entitled to such services through the employer of the LPC.

(i)   Candidates for LPC licensure. Candidates for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor shall not refer to themselves as Licensed Professional Counselor or LPC.

[Source: Transferred from 310:405-3-5 by Laws 2013, c. 229, § 3(F), eff 11-1-13 (see Editor’s Note at beginning of this Chapter)]