Code of Massachusetts Regulations
105 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Title 105 CMR 168.000 - Licensure Of Alcohol And Drug Counselors
Section 168.004 - Definitions

The terms used in 105 CMR 168.000 shall be interpreted as follows, unless the context or subject matter clearly requires a different interpretation:

Alcohol/Drug Abuse means the use of alcohol or other drugs, or both, to the extent or frequency that it impairs of endangers one's health, social, or economic function, or the health and welfare of others, and can be used interchangeably with "substance abuse".

Approved Program means a program approved by the Department for the education and training of alcohol and drug counselors.

Approved Work Experience means supervised work experience, approved by the Department, in alcohol and drug abuse treatment, intervention and prevention. Minimum requirements include practice in diagnostic assessment, intervention, and alcoholism and/or drug counseling to establish and maintain recovery and prevent relapse; and weekly, on-site and documented clinical supervision.

Behavioral Sciences means anthropology, art/dance therapy, child development/family relations, community mental health, chemical dependence, counseling/guidance, criminal justice, divinity/religion/theology, drama therapy, education, gerontology, health administration, health education, human services, music therapy, nursing/medicine, occupational therapy, pastoral counseling, physical therapy, psychology, recreational therapy, rehabilitation counseling, social work, sociology, special education, speech pathology, and vocational counseling.

Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (or "Bureau") means the Department of Public Health's Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, including its director and staff.

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor means a person who is certified by the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification (MBSACC), the American Academy of Healthcare Providers in the Addictive Disorders, the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), or the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC), or who holds a current certificate from any recognized certifying body (i.e. CEAP, CNAC, CCS, etc.) satisfactory to the department.

Certificate of Approval means a certificate issued to programs approved by the Department for the training of alcohol and drug counselors.

Clinical Supervision means an ongoing, regularly occurring process of examination, critique, and improvement of a counselor's skills provided by a Licensed alcohol and drug counselor I, that involves one to one or small group in structure, and utilizes the methods of intensive case review and discussion, and direct and indirect observation of clinical practice.

Commissioner means the Commissioner of Public Health or his/her designee.

Counselor Core Functions means the following categories: screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referrals, reports and record keeping, and consultation with other professionals.

Continuing Professional Education means training obtained from an accredited post-secondary institution, a governmental agency, professional organization, training institute, in-service training program, or other training approved by the Department. Approval of continuing professional education requires a curriculum with specified goals and objectives (published in advanced), appropriate credentials of the presenter, and a written evaluation to be completed by participants.

Department means the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Facility means an alcohol and other drug abuse prevention, intervention, or treatment agency which is publicly or privately owned, for-profit or not-for-profit, and which is licensed, or required to be licensed by the Commonwealth, or is under contract to a Commonwealth (state) agency.

ICRC/AODA, Inc. means the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Inc.

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor Assistant means a person licensed by the Department to provide recovery based services under direct clinical and administrative supervision. A licensed alcohol and drug counselor assistant shall meet the work experience and educational requirements established by the Department.

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor I means a person Licensed by the Department to conduct an independent practice of alcohol and drug counseling, and to provide supervision to other alcohol and drug counselors. A licensed alcohol and drug counselor I: shall have received a master's or doctoral degree in behavioral sciences, including a supervised counseling practicum which meets the requirement established by the Department or such equivalent educational credits as may be established by the Department; shall have at least three years of approved work experience; and shall have passed a licensing examination approved by the Department.

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor II means a person licensed by the Department to practice alcohol and drug counseling under clinical supervision. A licensed alcohol and drug counselor II: shall have completed an approved program of education, including a supervised counseling practicum which meets the requirement established by the Department; shall have at least three years of approved work experience; and shall have passed a licensing examination approved by the Department.

Public Health Council means the Public Health Council of the Department of Public Health.

Recognized Certifying Body means an organization recognized by the Department that certifies, credentials or licenses alcohol and drug counselors; provided, however, that the standards of such body are at least as stringent as those established by the Department.

Supervised Counseling Practicum means those activities designed to provide training in specific counselor core functions in a program approved by the Department for the educational and training of alcohol and drug counselors.