Sec 32-3321. Licensed substance abuse technician; licensed associate substance abuse counselor; licensed independent substance abuse counselor; licensure; qualifications; supervision

A. A person who wishes to be licensed by the board to engage in the practice of substance abuse counseling as a licensed substance abuse technician shall present documentation as prescribed by the board by rule that the person has:

1. Received one of the following:

(a) An associate degree in chemical dependency or substance abuse with an emphasis on counseling, that meets the requirements as prescribed by the board by rule, from a regionally accredited college or university.

(b) Beginning January 1, 2009, a bachelor's degree in a behavioral science with an emphasis on counseling, that meets the requirements as prescribed by the board by rule, from a regionally accredited college or university.

2. Passed an examination approved by the board.

B. A licensed substance abuse technician shall only practice under direct supervision as prescribed by the board.

C. The board may waive the education requirement for an applicant requesting licensure as a substance abuse technician if the applicant provides services pursuant to contracts or grants with the federal government under the authority of Public Law 93-638 (25 United States Code sections 450 through 450(n)) or Public Law 94-437 (25 United States Code sections 1601 through 1683). A person who becomes licensed as a substance abuse technician pursuant to this subsection shall only provide substance abuse services to those persons who are eligible for services pursuant to Public Law 93-638 (25 United States Code sections 450 through 450(n)) or Public Law 94-437 (25 United States Code section 1601 through 1683).

D. A person who wishes to be licensed by the board to engage in the practice of substance abuse counseling as a licensed associate substance abuse counselor shall present evidence as prescribed by the board by rule that the person has:

1. Received one of the following:

(a) A bachelor's degree in a behavioral science with an emphasis on counseling, that meets the requirements as prescribed by the board by rule, from a regionally accredited college or university and present documentation as prescribed by the board by rule that the applicant has received at least three thousand two hundred hours of work experience in not less than twenty-four months in substance abuse counseling under supervision that meets the requirements prescribed by the board by rule. The three thousand two hundred hours must include a minimum of one thousand six hundred hours of direct client contact and not more than one thousand six hundred hours of indirect client service. For the direct client contact hours, not more than four hundred hours may be in psychoeducation. The board by rule may prescribe the number of hours required for functions related to direct client contact and indirect client service.

(b) A master's degree or a higher degree in a behavioral science with an emphasis on counseling, as prescribed by the board by rule, from a regionally accredited college or university.

2. Passed an examination approved by the board.

E. A licensed associate substance abuse counselor shall only practice under direct supervision as prescribed by the board.

F. A person who wishes to be licensed by the board to engage in the practice of substance abuse counseling as a licensed independent substance abuse counselor shall:

1. Have received a master's degree or higher degree in a behavioral science with an emphasis on counseling, in a program that is approved by the board pursuant to section 32-3253 or that meets the requirements as prescribed by the board by rule, from a regionally accredited college or university.

2. Present documentation as prescribed by the board by rule that the applicant has received at least three thousand two hundred hours of work experience in not less than twenty-four months in substance abuse counseling under supervision that meets the requirements as prescribed by the board by rule. The three thousand two hundred hours must include at least one thousand six hundred hours of direct client contact and not more than one thousand six hundred hours of indirect client service. For the direct client contact hours, not more than four hundred hours may be in psychoeducation. The board by rule may prescribe the number of hours required for functions related to direct client contact and indirect client service.

3. Pass an examination approved by the board.