Code of Massachusetts Regulations
105 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Title 105 CMR 168.000 - Licensure Of Alcohol And Drug Counselors
Section 168.006 - Eligibility Requirements
Universal Citation: 105 MA Code of Regs 105.168
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(A) To be eligible for applying for licensure as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor I, an applicant shall:
(1) be at least 18 years of
age with a copy of either a birth certificate, driver's license or passport as
documentation;
(2) have a master's
or doctorate degree in behavioral sciences from an educational institution
which is recognized by a nationally or regionally recognized educational or
professional accrediting organization, with a minimum of 18 graduate semester
hours in counseling or counseling-related subjects; and have completed an
approved program of education consisting of a minimum of 270 hours that address
the full range of knowledge, skills, and professional techniques related to
alcohol and drug counseling. Minimum requirements are as follow:
(a) 110 hours related to knowledge of
alcoholism and drug abuse.
(b) 75
hours related to alcohol and drug abuse counseling; assessment; clinical
evaluation; treatment planning and case management.
(c) 75 hours related to patient, family and
community education (for alcohol and drugs, HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases,
tobacco cessation, etc.); cultural competency and/or other
co-existing issues.
(d) ten hours
related to professional and ethical responsibilities.
(3) have completed 300 hours of supervised
counseling practicum in a program approved by the department for the education
and training of alcohol and drug counselors. Of the 300 total hours, each of
the 12 counselor core functions must be performed for a minimum of ten hours. A
minimum of one hour of direct face-to-face supervision to ten hours of
practical experience must be documented. Applicants must provided documentation
of the time spent in supervision from a professional supervisor directly
involved in providing this practical training to the applicant.
(4) have at least three years or 6,000 hours
of supervised full-time work experience (approved work experience). This
experience must include the provision of direct patient services or the
provision of documented supervision of direct patient services, and must have
been obtained within the past ten years prior to application. Work experience
must include all of the following minimum requirements to be approved:
(a) practice in diagnostic assessment,
intervention, and alcoholism and/or drug counseling in both individual and
group settings;
(b) practice in
alcoholism and/or drug counseling to establish and maintain recovery and
prevent relapse; and
(c) weekly,
on-site and documented clinical supervision;
(5) successfully completed a Department
prescribed written examination, provided, however, that portions thereof may be
conducted orally.
(6) accept the
standards set forth in the Code of Ethical Principles by signing a affidavit
agreeing to abide by the Code.
(B) To be eligible to apply for licensure as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor II an applicant shall:
(1) be at least 18 years of age with a copy
of either a birth certificate, driver's license or passport as documentation,
and show proof of a high school diploma or equivalent;
(2) have completed an approved program of
education consisting of a minimum of 270 hours that address the full range of
knowledge, skills and professional techniques related to alcohol and drug
counseling. Minimum requirements are as follows:
(a) 110 hours related to knowledge of
alcoholism and drug abuse.
(b) 75
hours related to alcohol and drug abuse counseling; assessment; clinical
evaluation; treatment planning and case management.
(c) 75 hours related to patient, family and
community education (for alcohol and drugs, HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases,
tobacco cessation, etc.); cultural competency and/or other
co-existing issues.
(d) ten hours
related to professional and ethical responsibilities.
(3) have completed 300 hours of a supervised
counseling practicum in a program approved by the department for the education
and training of alcohol and drug counselors. Of the 300 total hours, each of
the 12 counselor core functions must be performed for a minimum of ten hours. A
minimum of one hour of direct face-to-face supervision to ten hours of
practical experience must be documented. Applicants must provide documentation
of the time spent in supervision from a professional supervisor directly
involved in providing this practical training to the applicant.
(4) have at least three years or 6,000 hours
of supervised full-time work experience (approved work experience), provided,
however that applicants with a bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited
school may waive 2,000 of the required 6,000 hours of the required work
experience if official transcripts and other documentation is provided. This
experience must include the provision of direct patient services, and must have
been obtained within the past ten years prior to application. Work experience
must include all of the following minimum requirements to be approved:
(a) practice in diagnostic assessment,
intervention, and alcoholism and/or drug counseling in both individual and
group setting;
(b) practice in
alcoholism and/or drug counseling to establish and maintain recovery and
prevent relapse; and
(c) weekly,
on-site and documented clinical supervision;
(5) successfully complete a Department
prescribed written examination, provided, however, that portions thereof may be
conducted orally.
(6) accept the
standards set forth in the Code of Ethical Principles by signing an affidavit
agreeing to abide by the Code.
(C) To be eligible to apply for licensure as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor assistant an applicant shall:
(1) be at least 18 years of age with a copy
of either a birth certificate, driver's license or passport as documentation,
and show proof of a high school diploma or equivalent;
(2) have at least one year or 2,000 hours of
supervised full-time work experience in the alcoholism and drug abuse
field;
(3) have a minimum of ten
hours of continuing education training in each of the five subject areas
covered by the examination (assessment; counseling; case management; client,
family and community education; and professional responsibility);
(4) have successfully completed a Department
prescribed written examination, provided, however, that portions thereof may be
conducted orally;
(5) accept the
standards set forth in the Code of Ethical Principles by signing an affidavit
agreeing to abide by the Code.
(D) A licensed alcohol and drug counselor I may provide clinical supervision to a licensed alcohol and drug counselor II and/or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor assistant. A licensed alcohol and drug counselor II may provide clinical supervision to a licensed alcohol and drug counselor assistant.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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