The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development is accepting public comments through May 26 on proposed fee changes for professional counselors and their supervisors.

The changes would increase license and renewal fees for professional counselors from current levels. The proposal also adds new fees for associate counselors and approved counselor supervisors, categories that either lack current fees or need updates.

Under the proposal, professional counselors would pay $200 for applications, $270 for initial licenses, and $270 for renewals. Associate counselors would pay $200 for applications, $150 for initial licenses, and $150 for renewals. Approved counselor supervisors would pay $200 for both initial certification and renewal.

State law requires the department to set fees so the total collected roughly equals the actual cost of regulating each occupation. The Board of Professional Counselors oversees licensing for mental health counselors across Alaska.

Written comments must reach the department by 4:30 p.m. on May 26. Submit comments to Stefanie Davis, Regulations Specialist, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, P.O. Box 110806, Juneau, AK 99811-0806. The department also accepts comments by fax at 907-465-2974, by email at [email protected], or through the Alaska Online Public Notice System at notice.alaska.gov/223526.

The proposed regulation text is available at commerce.alaska.gov/web/portals/5/pub/Regulations/PCO-Fees-0925.pdf. Questions must be submitted at least 10 days before the comment deadline. Contact Davis at 907-465-2537 or [email protected].