37-35-202. Licensure requirements -- examination -- fees. (1) To be eligible for licensure as a licensed addiction counselor, the applicant shall submit an application fee in an amount established by the department by rule and a written application on a form provided by the department that demonstrates that the applicant has completed the eligibility requirements and competency standards as defined by department rule.
     (2) A person may apply for licensure as a licensed addiction counselor if the person has:
     (a) received a baccalaureate or advanced degree in alcohol and drug studies, psychology, sociology, social work, or counseling, or a comparable degree from an accredited college or university; or
     (b) received an associate of arts degree in alcohol and drug studies, addiction, or substance abuse from an accredited institution.
     (3) Prior to becoming eligible to begin the examination process, each person shall complete supervised work experience in an addiction treatment program as defined by the department, in an internship approved by the department, or in a similar program recognized under the laws of another state.
     (4) Each applicant shall successfully complete a competency examination, in writing only, as defined by rules adopted by the department.
     (5) A person holding a license to practice as a licensed addiction counselor in this state may use the title "licensed addiction counselor".
     (6) For the purposes of this section, "comparable degree" means a degree with accredited college course work, of which 6 credit hours must be in human behavior, sociology, psychology, or a similar emphasis, 3 credit hours must be in psychopathology or course work exploring patterns and courses of abnormal or deviant behavior, and 9 credit hours must be in counseling. For the 9 credit hours in counseling, 6 credit hours must be in group counseling and 3 credit hours must be in the theory of counseling. The credit hours specified in this subsection may be obtained in an associate or master's degree program if the applicant does not have a qualifying baccalaureate degree.

     History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 507, L. 1997; amd. Secs. 9, 10, Ch. 23, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 41, Ch. 126, L. 2005.