§34-17A-5. Exemptions.

(a) The following persons shall be exempt from this chapter:

(1) A person practicing marriage and family therapy as part of his or her duties as an employee of a recognized educational institution; a federal, state, county, or municipal governmental institution or agency; a public corporation authorized by Section 22-51-2, which is certified by the Alabama Department of Mental Health pursuant to a contract with the State of Alabama; or an organization that is nonprofit while performing those duties for which the employee was employed by the institution, agency, facility, or organization.

(2) A person who is a marriage and family therapy intern or person preparing for the practice of marriage and family therapy under qualified supervision in a training institution or facility or supervisory arrangement recognized and approved by the board, provided, that he or she is designated by title as a "marriage and family therapy intern," "marriage therapy intern," "family therapy intern," or another title clearly indicating a training status. A person who is completing his or her two-year postgraduate supervision shall be designated as an associate before applying for his or her license as a marriage and family therapist.

(3) A psychologist, properly licensed by the State of Alabama, who is practicing within the scope of his or her expertise.

(4) A professional counselor, properly licensed by the State of Alabama, who is practicing within the scope of his or her expertise.

(5) A licensed certified social worker, properly licensed by the State of Alabama, who is practicing within the scope of his or her expertise.

(6) A minister of religion or a nurse when practicing within the scope of his or her expertise.

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent qualified members of other licensed professional groups, including, social workers, attorneys, psychiatric nurses, psychologists, physicians, or professional counselors, or members of the clergy, from providing or advertising that they provide marriage and family therapy or counseling consistent with the accepted standards of their respective professions.

(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit marriage and family therapists licensed pursuant to this chapter to administer, dispense, or prescribe drugs, or in any manner engage in the practice of medicine as defined by the laws of this state.

(Acts 1997, No. 97-170, p. 247, §5; Act 2006-540, p. 1243, §1.)