Committee hears bill to restore LLPC counselor designation to reduce confusion with 'LLC'

Representative Fairbairn and Carol Berger of the Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association told the committee that HB 4,935 would redesignate the limited‑licensed counselor title to 'limited licensed professional counselor' (LLPC). Berger said the 2019 Public Act 96 inadvertently changed the longstanding LLPC designation to 'LLC', creating confusion between counselors and business entities.

Berger told the committee the change matters for clients, insurers, referral sources and counselors who practice across states. She said Michigan stands alone in using the 'LLC' designation after the 2019 change and that restoring LLPC would align Michigan terminology with the 34 states that have entered the multistate counseling compact. Committee members asked whether the compact had been enacted; witnesses replied that legislation had passed the House and that the change in terminology would not prohibit compact participation.

The committee recorded written support from the Michigan Licensed Professional Counselors Association and a submission from the National Association of Social Workers; no roll-call vote on this bill was recorded in the hearing.