Idaho may consider allowing former military chaplains to be licensed as counselors
House Bill 545 in the Idaho Legislature would create an alternative licensure pathway for former U.S. military chaplains to become licensed professional counselors or licensed clinical professional counselors in Idaho by amending existing sections of state law governing those credentials. Under the bill, eligible chaplains who are Idaho residents and who have completed specified units of clinical pastoral education and a required number of direct client contact hours under military supervision could be exempted from certain standard licensing requirements that typically apply to civilian applicants, acknowledging that their education and experience in the military exceed typical expectations for counseling qualifications. Proponents describe the change as reducing barriers to practice for veterans with substantial relevant experience, while opponents might raise questions about equivalence of training and public protection.