Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §13857, as amended by PL 1989, c. 895, §11 and affected by PL 1991, c. 263, §§5 and 6, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

§13857.__Nonresidents; applicants licensed in another jurisdiction

1.__Reciprocal agreements.__The Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure may enter into reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions that have substantially similar licensure laws and accord substantially equal reciprocal rights to residents licensed in good standing in this State.

2.__Applicants licensed in another jurisdiction.__An applicant who is licensed under the laws of another jurisdiction is governed by this subsection.

A.__An applicant who is licensed under the laws of a jurisdiction that has a reciprocal agreement with the Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure may obtain a license under the terms and conditions as agreed upon through the reciprocal agreement.

B. An applicant who is licensed in good standing at the time of application to the board under the laws of a jurisdiction that has not entered into a reciprocal agreement with the Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure may qualify for licensure by submitting evidence to the board that the applicant has actively practiced with a substantially equivalent license for at least 5 consecutive years immediately preceding application to the board at the level of licensure applied for in this State.

C.__An applicant who is licensed in good standing at the time of application to the board under the laws of a jurisdiction that has not entered into a reciprocal agreement and who does not meet the requirements of paragraph B may qualify for licensure by submitting evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant's qualifications for licensure are substantially similar to those requirements in this chapter.

D.__All nonresident applicants shall submit with the application an irrevocable consent to service of process on the applicant for an action filed in a court of this State arising out of the applicant's activities as a licensee in this State.__Service may be made by delivery of the process to the Director of the Office of Licensing and Registration within the department if, in the exercise of due diligence, a plaintiff can not effect personal service upon the applicant.