A. A professional specialty designation area may be established by the State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure upon receipt of a petition signed by fifteen qualified persons who are currently licensed as licensed professional counselors, and who meet the recognized minimum standards as established by appropriate nationally recognized certification agencies; provided, if a nationally recognized certification does not exist, the Board may establish minimum standards for specialty designations.

B. Upon receipt of credentials from the appropriate certification agency, the Board may grant the licensed professional counselor the appropriate specialty designation. The licensed professional counselor may attain specialty designation through examination. A licensed professional counselor shall not claim or advertise a counseling specialty and shall not incorporate the specialty designation into the professional title of such licensed professional counselor, unless the qualifications and certification requirements of that specialty have been met and have been approved by the Board and the appropriate certification agency.