32-3321. Licensed addiction technician; licensed associate addiction counselor; licensed independent addiction counselor; qualifications; supervision

A. A person who wishes to be licensed by the board to engage in the practice of addiction counseling as a licensed addiction 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 addiction with an emphasis on counseling that meets the requirements as prescribed by the board by rule from a regionally accredited college or university.

(b) 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 addiction technician shall practice only under direct supervision as prescribed by the board.

C. The board may waive the education requirement for an applicant requesting licensure as an addiction 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 5301 through 5332) or Public Law 94-437 (25 United States Code sections 1601 through 1683). A person who becomes licensed as an addiction technician pursuant to this subsection shall provide addiction services only to those persons who are eligible for services pursuant to Public Law 93-638 (25 United States Code sections 5301 through 5332) or Public Law 94-437 (25 United States Code sections 1601 through 1683).

D. A person who wishes to be licensed by the board to engage in the practice of addiction counseling as a licensed associate addiction 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 one thousand six hundred hours of direct client contact work experience in at least twenty-four months in addiction counseling under supervision that meets the requirements prescribed by the board by rule. For the direct client contact hours, not more than four hundred hours may be in psychoeducation.

(b) A master's or 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.

3. Provided an attestation from the person's supervisor on a board-approved form that the person both:

(a) Was observed during supervised hours to have demonstrated satisfactory competency in clinical documentation, consultation, collaboration and coordination of care related to clients to whom the person provided direct care.

(b) Has a rating of at least satisfactory in overall performance.

E. A licensed associate addiction counselor shall practice only 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 addiction counseling as a licensed independent addiction counselor shall:

1. Have received a master's 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 one thousand six hundred hours of work experience in at least twenty-four months in addiction counseling with direct client contact under supervision that meets the requirements as prescribed by the board by rule. For the direct client contact hours, not more than four hundred hours may be in psychoeducation. 

3. Pass an examination approved by the board.

4. Provide an attestation from the person's supervisor on a board-approved form that the person both:

(a) Was observed during supervised hours to have demonstrated satisfactory competency in clinical documentation, consultation, collaboration and coordination of care related to clients to whom the person provided direct care.

(b) Has a rating of at least satisfactory in overall performance.