§30-31-4. Board of Examiners in Counseling.

(a) The West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling is continued. The members of the board in office on July 1, 2009, shall, unless sooner removed, continue to serve until their respective terms expire and until their successors have been appointed and qualified.

(b) To be effective on July 1, 2009, the Governor shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a licensed marriage and family therapist from a list of three nominees submitted by The West Virginia Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, to replace the citizen member whose term ends on June 30, 2009, and for any vacancy thereafter.

(c) Commencing July 1, 2009, the board shall consist of the following seven members:

(1) Two licensed professional counselors engaged in the teaching of counseling at an accredited institution of higher education;

(2) Three licensed professional counselors;

(3) One licensed marriage and family therapist; and

(4) One citizen, who is not licensed under the provisions of this article and who does not perform any services related to the practice of the professions regulated under the provisions of this article.

(d) Each member shall be appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The term is for five years.

(e) A member may not serve more than two consecutive full terms. A member having served two consecutive full terms may not be appointed for one year after completion of his or her second full term. A member may continue to serve until a successor has been appointed and has qualified.

(f) Each licensed member shall maintain an active license with the board: Provided, That the initial marriage and family therapist appointed to the board must qualify for licensure under the provisions of section nine of this article.

(g) Each member of the board shall be a resident of West Virginia during the appointment term.

(h) A vacancy on the board shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired term of the member whose office is vacant and the appointment shall be made within sixty days of the vacancy.

(i) The Governor may remove any member from the board for neglect of duty, incompetency or official misconduct.

(j) A member of the board immediately and automatically forfeits membership to the board if his or her license to practice is suspended or revoked, is convicted of a felony under the laws of any jurisdiction, or becomes a nonresident of this state.

(k) The board shall elect annually one of its members as chairperson who serves at the will of the board.

(l) Each member of the board is entitled to compensation and expense reimbursement in accordance with article one of this chapter.

(m) A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum.

(n) The board shall hold at least two annual meetings. Other meetings shall be held at the call of the chairperson or upon the written request of two members, at the time and place as designated in the call or request.

(o) Prior to commencing his or her duties as a member of the board, each member shall take and subscribe to the oath required by section five, article four of the Constitution of this state.