The Marriage and Family Therapy Advisory Committee of the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board convened on August 15, 2025, to discuss various topics pertinent to the field and the regulatory processes affecting students and professionals.

The meeting opened with a commendation from a committee member regarding the efficiency of the licensing process for recent graduates. The member noted that students have been impressed with the quick turnaround time for receiving temporary licenses after their degrees are posted. This positive feedback was acknowledged by the agency, which attributed the efficiency to students completing their applications in advance.

A significant point of discussion arose concerning the possibility of students completing background checks prior to their degrees being posted. A committee member inquired whether graduates could initiate background checks ahead of time to streamline the licensing process. The response indicated that while it is a valid question, the current procedures do not allow for sharing background check results from other purposes, such as employment. The agency expressed a commitment to exploring ways to facilitate earlier steps in the application process to avoid delays, while also ensuring that any potential issues from background checks are addressed before licenses are issued.

Further discussions included the use of CE Broker, a platform for managing continuing education credits. A committee member shared their experience with the platform, highlighting its simplicity but also noting challenges related to timing and account requirements. The agency expressed appreciation for this feedback and acknowledged the common struggle of managing continuing education hours.

The meeting concluded with a reiteration of the agency's dedication to improving processes and supporting students and professionals in the field. The committee plans to continue evaluating procedures to enhance efficiency and ensure that all regulatory requirements are met without unnecessary delays.