Idaho Capitol Watch
HB 545: COUNSELORS AND THERAPISTS – Amends existing law to provide for the licensure of certain persons who have served as a chaplain in any branch of the United States military.
Amends Idaho Code sections 54-3405 and 54-3405A to allow Idaho resident U.S. military chaplains with honorable discharge, 4 units of clinical pastoral education, and 1,000-2,000 hours of supervised client contact to qualify for licensure as licensed professional counselors and clinical professional counselors without standard exams or fees.
Status
Second Reading (Senate) (March 19, 2026) · Originated in the Idaho House · Introduced January 28, 2026
Sponsors
- BUSINESS COMMITTEE
Committees
- JRA for Printing
Bill history
- February 26, 2026 — House: Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading (do_pass)
- February 27, 2026 — House: Read second time; Filed for Third Reading
- March 9, 2026 — House: Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 52-17-1AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson(Larse (passed)
- March 10, 2026 — Senate: Received from the House passed; filed for first reading (passed)
- March 10, 2026 — Senate: Introduced, read first time; referred to: Commerce & Human Resources
- March 18, 2026 — Senate: Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading (do_pass)
- March 19, 2026 — Senate: Read second time; filed for Third Reading
- March 19, 2026 — Senate: Recommitted to Commerce & Human Resources
If this preview does not update automatically, use the full page link.