Within the federal government, job positions are categorized in one of the Occupational Series established by the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM). There is no occupational series for professional counselors, despite the fact that occupational series exist for other professions with similar education and training. Without a dedicated occupational series, counselors employed by the federal government can only be employed in generic series, which limits opportunities for hiring and advancement.
S. 785, the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, is signed into law. It contains a provision directing the VA to work with the Office of Personnel Management to create an occupational series for mental health counselors. This series would open up new opportunities for mental health counselors within the federal government.
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) sent a letter to the Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management urging the creation of occupational series for counselors and MFTs.
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) introduced S. 992 that incudes language requesting a timeline for the creation of an occupational series for counselors and MFTs.
NBCC spearheads inclusion of language in three veterans bills, S. 1676, S. 1203, and S. 2921, to urge the creation of the series. NBCC includes similar language in defense proposals.
NBCC works with Sen. Jon Tester (D‐MT) and several appropriations subcommittees to obtain language directing OPM to move forward with the Series
VA submits a letter to NBCC stating that it would not be prioritizing the counselor/MFT Series.
OPM reports to Congress that it was going to meet with the VA about the Series.
NBCC secures language in the FY15 Consolidated Appropriations Act directing OPM to report on the status of the Series.
OPM postpones the Series indefinitely.
NBCC meets with OPM to urge the creation of an Occupational Series.
At the urging of NBCC, the VA requests that OPM create an Occupational Series for counselors and MFTs.
NBCC meets with the VA Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration to encourage the creation of VA qualification standards and a federal Occupational Series.
NBCC submits a letter to OPM requesting the creation of an Occupational Series for counselors.
For years, NBCC has advocated for the development of an occupational series for professional counselors. Creation of an occupational series for counselors is integral to federal government employment and national parity. The lack of an occupational series forces counselors who work for the federal government to be employed in:
The information provided by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC) on the nbcc.org website (site) is for general information purposes only. NBCC makes significant efforts to maintain current and accurate information on this site. We are not responsible for any information concerning NBCC or our programs, services, or activities that is published or displayed on any third-party website(s). These websites are maintained by third parties over which we exercise no control, and for which we have no responsibility. Individuals should verify any information obtained from third-party sources by referring to our official site or contacting our customer service team directly.
Copyright ©2024 National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates | All rights reserved.
Manage Cookie Preferences