California Code of Regulations
Title 9 - Rehabilitative and Developmental Services
Division 4 - Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs
Chapter 8 - Certification of Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors
Subchapter 3 - Requirements for Certification of AOD Counselors
Section 13055 - Renewal of Certification

(a) In order to renew certification, the certifying organization shall require each certified AOD counselor to complete a minimum of forty (40) hours of continuing education, approved by the certifying organization, during each two-year period of certification.

(b) If a previously certified counselor's certification expires prior to April 1, 2007, in order to have his/her certification renewed, the counselor shall complete 1.6 hours of continuing education prorated for every month he/she was certified after the effective date of this Chapter, and rounded to the nearest whole hour. For example, if the counselor's previous certification expires on September 30, 2005, the counselor shall be required to complete ten (10) hours of continuing education (i.e., 1.6 hours multiplied by six months) to renew certification.

(c) The forty (40) hours of continuing education shall include any combination of the following:

(d) At the certifying organization's discretion, the forty (40) hours of continuing education may also include other topics related to the field of alcoholism and drug abuse such as residential treatment, driving-under-the-influence, etc.

(e) All certifying organizations (listed in Section 13035) shall accept as continuing education hours of training in the areas specified in (c) and (d), provided by any State, county, city, or other governmental agency or by any agency which provides services through a contractual arrangement with a State and/or county agency.

(f) The certifying organization shall document completion of all continuing education hours and the subject matter studied in each certified AOD counselor's record maintained pursuant to Section 13075.

(g) Prior to renewing certification, the certifying organization shall review the AOD counselor's record to determine if his/her certification has been revoked during the previous certification period.

(h) If previous certification was revoked, the certifying organization shall document in the registrant's file its reasons for granting or denying renewal of certification. Within 48 hours of renewing certification, the certifying organization shall send written notification to the Department that it has renewed certification of an AOD counselor whose previous certification was revoked.

(i) If the certifying organization denies renewal, it shall send the AOD counselor a written notice of denial. The notice shall specify the counselor's right to appeal the denial in accordance with the provisions of Section 13070.

(j) If the certifying organization decides to renew certification, upon completion of all continuing education requirements and payment of all fees charged by the certifying organization, the certifying organization shall issue a written certificate to the registrant, stating that his/her certification as an AOD counselor has been renewed.

(k) If the AOD counselor's previous certification was revoked, the certifying organization shall deny renewal of certification and shall send the AOD counselor a written notice of denial of renewal. The notice shall specify the AOD counselor's right to appeal the denial in accordance with the procedure established in Section 13070.

(l) If certification as an AOD counselor has not been revoked, the certifying organization shall renew the AOD counselor's certification upon documentation of completion of a minimum of forty (40) hours of continuing education and payment of a renewal fee as specified by the certifying organization.