Oklahoma Counseling Institute News and Resources

Representative Insists He Supports Licensure and Is Not Seeking to Restructure the OBBHL

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:06:50 GMT

Representative Mike Osburn Answers Questions About Bill to End Board Independence

On February 2, 2026, Representative Josh Cantrell (R–Oklahoma House District 49) introduced House Bill 3888 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. If enacted, HB 3888 would eliminate the independence of the Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health and the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors by placing both boards under the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health.

The measure appeared to fit within a broader legislative effort to restructure Oklahoma boards and professional licensing. That approach was outlined in the 2024 State of Oklahoma Efficiency in Licensing Task Force Report. Among recommendations by the task force was to improve efficiency by closing or consolidating boards and eliminating or combining licenses with similar professions.

Among many in Oklahoma’s mental health community, HB 3888 was viewed as the latest challenge to the independence of the Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure.

Concern over the board’s future had already been building in late 2025 and early 2026. During that period, Oklahoma Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Behavioral Practitioners spent months awaiting the fate of the Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure after Representative Mike Osburn (R–Oklahoma House District 81) removed Senate Bill 397 from the legislative agenda which would have extended the board’s sunset. According to Representative Osburn, he removed the measure because of a conflict between the board and “several university programs.”

The issue was reportedly resolved, and SB 397 passed early in the 2026 legislative session, extending the sunset of the Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure.

Any relief proved short-lived. Soon afterward, HB 3888 was introduced and assigned to the House Rules Committee, which is chaired by Representative Osburn. The bill ultimately died in committee after it was not heard before the March 5, 2026, deadline.

In a series of email exchanges between March 11 and March 19, 2026, the Oklahoma Counseling Institute asked Representative Osburn about his views on the Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health and mental health licensure in Oklahoma.

OCI asked whether he believed the Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure, the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, or other Oklahoma mental health boards — including OBLCSW for social workers and OBEP for psychologists — should remain independent boards?

Osburn, who served on the Efficiency in Licensing Task Force, responded: “I am not familiar enough with those boards to have an opinion on whether they should exist separately or together. I would defer to you and other licensed mental health professionals on what they would prefer.”

Asked whether he believes mental health counselors should be licensed in Oklahoma, Osburn replied emphatically: “I 100% believe mental health professionals should be licensed in the state of Oklahoma.”

When asked whether he supported HB 3888, which would have moved the Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure and the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors under the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health, Osburn said he had been unaware of the bill until OCI brought it to his attention.

OCI also asked whether his last-minute amendment to House Bill 3320 could help pave the way for ending the independence of those boards. Osburn responded: “Legislators have always had the ability to file any bill they want and that includes bills to eliminate state agencies, boards and commissions. That ability exists whether there is a sunset law or not.”

Osburn also expressed dismay with the possibility that he may have a negative reputation by some in the mental health community. “The narrative that I am somehow ‘against’ mental health professionals is silly and honestly perplexing,” he wrote. “I have friends and family members in all of those professions and I have never heard anything like that from them.”

The Oklahoma Counseling Institute contacted Bradley Horn, chair of the Government Relations Committee of the Oklahoma Counseling Association. Horn stated “The Oklahoma Counseling Association, with our Government Relations Committee and lobbyist, are closely monitoring HB 3320.”

The Oklahoma Counseling Institute thanks Representative Mike Osburn for his participation in the email interview.

The Oklahoma Counseling Institute will continue to monitor Oklahoma legislation which may affect Oklahoma mental health boards and licensure.

To follow legislation in Oklahoma, go to https://www.oklahomacounselinginstitute.org/legislation

These Seven Bills Are Advancing in the Oklahoma Legislature

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:36:06 GMT

Advancing Bills Addressing Behavioral Health, Criminal Justice, and Public Safety

As the Second Regular Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature, which began in February 2026, progresses, several pieces of legislation addressing behavioral health, criminal justice, and public safety have advanced significantly. These measures are among the strongest candidates to receive final votes before the end of the 2026 legislative session.

The following bills have successfully crossed over from their chamber of origin, meaning they passed either the Oklahoma House of Representatives or Senate and are now under consideration in the opposite chamber.

Senate Bill 1238 modifies Oklahoma law regarding domestic abuse committed in the presence of a child. The bill increases the severity of the offense by making a first violation a felony rather than a misdemeanor.

Senate Bill 1428 would establish the Office of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia Service Coordination within the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The office would coordinate statewide dementia services and work to improve support for patients and caregivers.

House Bill 2947 proposes changes to the state Medicaid plan that would expand behavioral health services by allowing clinical interns to provide services in agencies certified by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).

House Bill 4275 seeks to create more uniform certification standards for behavioral health case managers and peer recovery support specialists.

Senate Bill 1216 updates eligibility requirements for participation in Oklahoma’s drug court program. The bill changes eligibility criteria by removing a previous restriction that prevented individuals with a felony domestic violence conviction within the past ten years from participating. It also clarifies that cases involving certain domestic violence charges are generally not eligible for drug court unless the program allows participation in an approved domestic violence treatment program.

House Bill 3901 would create a pilot program for psychological autopsies, a process used to better understand factors contributing to suicide or unexplained deaths.

Senate Bill 1257 modifies classifications within the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act to update how certain substances are regulated. Included in the bill is amending the definition of "marijuana" to include synthetic equivalents

Having already passed one chamber of the Legislature, these bills have cleared a significant procedural hurdle and will now be considered in the opposite chamber. The due date for bills to be considered and voted on in the opposite chamber is May 7, 2026.

To follow these bills and other important legislation go to our legislation tracker at https://www.oklahomacounselinginstitute.org/legislation

Oklahoma Senate Passes Bill to Improve Alzheimer’s and Dementia Service Coordination

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:53:29 GMT

SB 1428 Seeks to Improve Services for Those with Dementia

The Oklahoma Senate has passed SB 1428 on March 11, 2026, advancing legislation designed to strengthen statewide coordination of services for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The bill now moves to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for consideration.

SB 1428 would create the Office of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia Service Coordination within the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The office’s purpose is to improve statewide coordination of services, expand support for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or related dementias, and provide better access to information, education, and assistance for caregivers.

Under the bill, the office would be responsible for evaluating how dementia-related services are currently delivered across the state and identifying areas where services overlap or could be improved. It would also coordinate informational resources, use available data to improve public health strategies, and work with state agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, and other stakeholders to better meet the needs of affected individuals and their families.

Additional responsibilities would include promoting dementia-specific training for staff across relevant agencies and organizations, recommending ways to improve service coordination, and streamlining government services to improve the quality of care in residential, home-based, and community settings. The office would also help identify and apply for grant opportunities to expand dementia-related programs and services in Oklahoma.

If enacted into law, the measure would take effect on November 1, 2026 .

To follow SB 1428 and other legislation affecting Oklahoma mental health counselors go to https://www.oklahomacounselinginstitute.org/legislation

HB 3888 to Eliminate OBBHL and OBLADC Does Not Move Forward, but Proposed Amendment May Have Future Repercussions

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:54:29 GMT

OBBHL and OBLADC Independence is Safe for Now

House Bill 3888 was introduced during the 2026 Oklahoma legislative session and proposed a significant restructuring of the state’s behavioral health licensing system.

The bill would transfer regulatory authority for The Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure and the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), thereby eliminating the independent boards.

Under the bill the licensing and disciplinary responsibilities for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, and Licensed Behavioral Practioners would be moved to ODMHSAS.

HB 3888 was referred to the House Rules Committee on February 3, 2026. However, the bill was not scheduled for a hearing before the committee deadline for this legislative session-Thursday, March 5, 2026.

As a result, the bill did not advance during this session.

Another legislative development that may affect the long-term outlook for these boards is a floor amendment filed by Representative Mike Osburn (R-Edmond) to HB 3320 on March 10, 2026. Representative Osburn is the Chair of the House Rules Committee and therefore decides if and when a bill will be heard in the Rules Committee.

HB 3320 would eliminate the "sunset" provision for many independent boards including the OBBHL and the OBLADC. HB 3320 unanimously passed the Administrative Rules Committee on February 10, 2026.

While Representative Osburn's amendment does not directly eliminate any mental health boards, its changes to HB 3320 would make it easier for future legislatures to consider restructuring or eliminating boards at any time through new legislation.

The Osburn amendment was filed late—identified in legislative records as “untimely filed.” Under House rules, amendments submitted after the filing deadline require special permission from the chamber before they can be considered.

To follow this bill and other legislation affecting Oklahoma mental health professionals go to https://www.oklahomacounselinginstitute.org/legislation

This article was amended on March 17, 2026 to add that Representative Mike Osburn is Chair of the Oklahoma House Rules Committee.

Changes to Membership Program

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:39:51 GMT

Important Update to our Membership Program

At the Oklahoma Counseling Institute (OCI), we are continually evaluating our programs to ensure we are providing the highest value and most accessible continuing education opportunities for mental health professionals across Oklahoma and beyond.

As part of this effort, we want to share an important update regarding our membership program.

Effective February 15, 2026, the Oklahoma Counseling Institute will suspend its membership program. This decision was not made lightly and was the result of our transition to a new, more user friendly, online learning platform. Unfortunately, the new platform does not have the technical capability to support our membership program. We are investigating the feasibility of a membership program with our new platform, however, for now, our membership program is indefinitely suspended.

Current Members Will Continue to Receive Discounts!

We deeply value our relationship with our customers.

All active members, who currently have a membership (this does not include those enrolled in our free trial membership) as of February 15, 2026 will become "Legacy members" and will continue to receive 20-50% discounts on all of our in-person workshops, live webinars, and on-demand courses including the Summer Super Summit.

The discounted price will automatically show in the catalogue for all courses. Legacy Memberships, regardless of when they were purchased, will be extended to March 1, 2027. After March 1, 2027 Legacy Membership will be discontinued.

Change Is Hard, and We Thank You for Your Patience

We are incredibly grateful for the professionals who have supported and participated in the OCI membership program! Although we hate to see the membership program suspended, we are incredibly excited to start using the new learning management software. We are hopeful that it will provide a more streamline and better customer experience while also improving our back office processes so that we can continue to provide high quality continuing education at an affordable price.

We thank you and look forward to continuing to support your professional growth through our educational opportunities.

New Website to Better Serve You!

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 22:47:13 GMT

New Website Launching February 2026

We’re excited to announce the launch of the new Oklahoma Counseling Institute website!

Our new website reflects our commitment to better serve Oklahoma’s mental health professionals through a smoother, more intuitive, and more effective learning experience.

A Better Learning Experience

The redesigned website makes it easier than ever to explore courses, access content, and manage your learning in one place. With improved navigation, a cleaner layout, and better technical integration the new site reduces friction and gives a better customer experience while also improving our back office processes.

Suspending the Membership Program

While the new website platform offers many benefits it's software does not support a membership program. As a result, the Oklahoma Counseling Institute is suspending its membership program. For those who have a current paid membership with OCI you will continue to receive savings on all of our in-person workshops, live webinars, and on-demand courses as a legacy member.

Introducing the On-Demand Course Subscription

The NEW on-demand annual subscription provides unlimited access to our on-demand course library, allowing counselors to learn at their own pace throughout the year. While courses can continue to be bought individually, an annual on-demand subscription will save you money compared to purchasing individual courses.

We’re proud to launch this new chapter and look forward to continuing to serve mental health professionals across Oklahoma, and beyond, with high-quality, affordable, and evidenced-based continuing education.

Will the Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure Dissolve in 2025?

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 18:03:23 GMT

Representative States There Is No Chance the Sunset Bill Will Not Be Signed Next Year

On Monday May 12, 2025, Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure Vice-Chair, Dr. Johnie Fredman , wrote a plea in a post on the Oklahoma Providers for Privacy Facebook page, calling for clinicians to reach out to their Oklahoma legislators about the removal of Senate Bill 397 from the 2025 Oklahoma Legislature Agenda. SB397 would have extended the sunset date of the Board of Behavioral Health from July 1 ^st , 2025 to July 1 ^st , 2028. If the Board of Behavioral Health Licensure were to sunset, the Board would have one year to wrap up operations and close unless the Oklahoma Legislators extend the sunset date in the 2026 legislative session.

Though the May 12 ^th Facebook post by Dr. Fredman warned that if SB397 did not pass the Board of Behavioral Health Licensure would cease operations as of June 30 ^th , 2025, at this time the Board will remain operational until at least June 30 ^th , 2026. Nevertheless, Oklahoma clinicians commenting on Dr. Fredman’s post and beyond voiced concerns about the future of the Board, along with the future of their licenses to practice. Being that Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt had recently vetoed the sunset extension of the Board of Cosmetology, many questioned what would happen if the Board were to ultimately sunset in 2026.

The Oklahoma Counseling Institute Staff reached out to the office of Representative Mike Osburn, who initiated the removal of SB397 from the 2025 agenda, and met with him via Zoom on May 23 ^rd to discuss his rationale for removing the bill and to inquire about the future of the Board of Behavioral Health. According to Osburn, though it is not uncommon to hold off on voting on such bills until the year the boards sunset, reportedly it was recent inaction by members of the Board of Behavioral Health Licensure that had led him to pull the bill.

According to Osburn, students from the University of Central Oklahoma were denied the ability to sit for their licensing exam, reportedly due to the Board not accepting their curriculum. Osburn stated that the University of Central Oklahoma, along with he and Senator Adam Pugh, had attempted to contact leadership of the Board of Behavioral Health Licensure to have a discussion on the rationale, but that their requests for a meeting with Board members were not granted. Osburn stated, “in an effort to try to get everyone to the table, we pulled this bill back off the agenda.”

When asked about where the breakdown in communication between the University, the Board, and the legislators had originated, Osburn stated he did not know. Osburn called into question the Board’s decision-making power when it comes to gatekeeping mental health clinicians. He stated that being that there is a shortage of mental health providers in the state, the Board should not be denying candidates based on education, but should allow anyone who passes a licensing test the ability to practice.

Representative Osburn stated, “In my opinion, that’s not the Board’s decision. That’s what the exam’s for.” He followed up, stating, “regardless of the path you got to take there, you should be able to test and if you pass the test, you’re a counselor.” Currently, the Board of Behavioral Health Licensure requires applicants to hold at minimum a master’s degree with specific graduate course work requirements and to have obtained at least 300 hours of clinical internship in order to be considered for licensure candidacy to become a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

When asked about the chances of the sunset extension either not passing or being vetoed next legislative session, Osburn stated he believed there was no chance that the bill would not be signed into law next year. However, when asked what he believed would occur if the sunset extension was not passed and the Board of Behavioral Health Licensure did dissolve, Osburn stated he believed that clinicians would still be able to maintain their licenses to practice and that the duties of the Board may be transferred to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, like the Board of Cosmetology. Osburn further clarified, stating, “if for whatever reason the licensing board should happen to go away, that doesn’t mean the licenses aren’t still valid.”

Osburn reported that he believed Governor Stitt was attempting to allow boards to sunset in order to consolidate licenses. Osburn stated that he, along with what he believes are a majority of his colleagues, do not agree with the Governor’s vetoes. However, Osburn expressed confidence in his and his colleagues’ ability to override vetoes, when necessary.

This legislative session ended as of May 30 ^th . After numerous protests and calls for action, the Governor and legislature reached an agreement to extend the Board of Cosmetology for one more year, until June of 2026.

Follow the Oklahoma Counseling Institute on Facebook or contact us to sign up for our email blasts for more updates on this and other topics concerning the mental health field in Oklahoma.