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HB 4981

Health occupations: counselors; reference to limited licensed counselor; modify to limited licensed professional counselor. Amends secs. 16281, 16905, 18101, 18105, 18106, 18111, 18114 & 18117 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16281 et seq.).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karl Bohnak and 6 co-sponsors

HB 4981 updates terminology to 'limited licensed professional counselor' (LLPC), adds LLPC as a protected title/initial, while keeping licensure rules and supervision unchanged.

recommendation concurred in
#healthoccupations:counselors #occupations:individuallicensingandregistration #stateagencies(existing):licensingandregulatoryaffairs
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Bill Summary · HB 4981

Summary of House Bill 4981 (Michigan)

Overview

  • Bill: HB 4981
  • Title: Health occupations: counselors; reference to limited licensed counselor; modify to limited licensed professional counselor. Amends sections of the Public Health Code (1978 PA 368), MCL 333.16281 et seq.
  • Purpose: Update terminology used for counseling licensure in the Public Health Code. Specifically replaces references to “limited licensed counselor” with “limited licensed professional counselor” (LLPC) and adds the LLPC title and initials (L.L.P.C.) to protected titles.
  • Status: Recommendation concurred in (authorized to proceed, with committee actions completed). Introduced 9/18/2025; subsequent actions include reporting and concurrence in November 2025.
  • Sponsor/Committee: Sponsored by Rep. Parker Fairbairn; cosponsors include Reps. Cavitt, Prestin, Markkanen, Linting, Bohnak, Thompson. Referred to House Committee on Health Policy; later actions include referral to Rules.

What the bill would do (Key Provisions)

  • Terminology change (limited licensed counselor → limited licensed professional counselor) throughout the Public Health Code sections it affects.
  • Adds “limited licensed professional counselor” and the abbreviation “l.l.p.c.” to the list of protected titles/initials, aligning nomenclature with LPCs and LLCs.
  • Maintains existing licensure framework:
    • Two categories continue to exist: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Limited Licensed Counselor (LLC).
    • The LLC remains a restricted license held by individuals practicing under supervision while completing requirements for full licensure.
    • No changes to qualifications, supervision standards, or scope of practice for either license type.
  • Privilege reference: The bill continues to recognize client privileges in relation to protected health information, including the LLPC-client privilege, consistent with existing provisions (the text notes a specific privilege referenced in section 18117).

Who would be affected

  • Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and limited licensed counselors (LLCs) would be affected only in terminology and titles used in statutes.
  • Legal, licensing, and regulatory agencies (e.g., licensing board and state departments) would update references, prefixes, and abbreviations to reflect LLPC terminology.
  • Practitioners, educational institutions, employers, and healthcare facilities that reference protected titles/credentials would align with the LLPC designation.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: September 18, 2025.
  • Initial referral: Health Policy Committee.
  • Subsequent actions: Bill electronically reproduced (Sept 18, 2025); read and referred on multiple occasions; on Nov 12, 2025, reported with recommendation for referral to Committee on Rules and the recommendation was concurred in.
  • The fiscal note indicates no fiscal impact on state or local government.

Fiscal Impact

  • According to the House Fiscal Agency analysis, HB 4981 would have no fiscal impact on state or local governments.

Notes and Definitions

  • Core statutory reference: Public Health Code (1978 PA 368), MCL 333.16281 et seq.
  • Sectional focus includes sections 16281, 16905, 18101, 18105, 18106, 18111, 18114, and 18117 (as amended or added by prior acts).
  • The changes are strictly terminological and do not alter licensure requirements, supervision, or scope of practice.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison of the current statute language with the proposed LLPC terminology for specific sections.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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