HB1633 passed the House and the Senate and was signed into law by Governor Lynch. This has a very significant effect on the profession of Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Counseling as well as on all those who currently hold a LADC and who seek one in the future.

HB1966 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Laurie Harding of Grafton. The bill cleans up the language in the old LADC legislation that made rule making difficult for the licensing board, gives the board increased control over the processes and instruments to be used to test and credential counselors, and established a tiered license for those working in the profession. Most significantly, the bill creates a tier for counselors with a masters degree or higher in a counseling field (MLADC), a tier for counselors with a bachelors or associates degree in a related field (LADC), a Licensed Clinical Supervisor (LCS), and a certification with those who do not hold an associates degree or better, Certified Recovery Support Worker.

The MLADC requires:

	a minimum graduate degree of a 60-hour masters in a clinical mental health, clinical psychology, substance use treatment, social work, or human services discipline or equivalent from an accredited college or university
	270 hours of alcohol and drug use education, which may be included in the coursework of the master’s program
	300 hours of supervised practical training
	applicant must either hold a current LADC license or pass the testing procedures required for the LADC
	complete 4,000 hours of clinically supervised experience in alcohol and other drug disorders treatment   Up to 1,000 hours of clinically supervised hours of experience accumulated by the applicant during graduate degree internship may be counted toward the required 4,000 hours.   Up to 2,000 hours of clinically supervised experience accumulated by the applicant during his or her practice as an LADC may be counted toward the required 4,000 hours.   A current license issued by the board of mental health practice may be substituted for 2,000 hours of clinically supervised experience.

The LADC requires:

	An associate’s degree in substance use counseling, addiction studies, or equivalent program and 6,000 hours of supervised work experience, which may include 270 hours of alcohol and drug use education and 300 hours of supervised practical training; or
	a bachelor’s degree in a clinical mental health, social work, psychology, substance use counseling, addiction studies, human services discipline, or equivalent program from an accredited college or university and completed 4,000 hours of supervised work experience, which may include 270 hours of alcohol and drug use education and 300 hours of supervised practical training.

All applicants for licensure must pass testing procedures of a nationally recognized credentialing entity specified by the board. Such procedures shall be based on the core functions and practice dimensions of addiction counseling.

The LCS requires:

	A MLADC or LADC;
	10,000 hours of experience as an alcohol and drug counselor;
	4,000 hours of experience as a clinical supervisor supervising professionals providing alcohol and drug counseling, which hours my be accumulated as part of the 10,000 hours of practice;
	200 hours of face-to-face supervision;
	30 hours of training in clinical supervision covering assessment, evaluation, counselor development, management, administration, and professional responsibility;
	Pass testing procedures of a nationally recognized credentialing entity specified by the board; and

The Certified Recovery Support Worker requires:

	The ability to read and write in the English language
	a high school diploma or its equivalent;
	training requirements established by the board; and

The new law will require criminal records checks for all levels of licensure, continuing education as in the past, and clinical supervision or peer collaboration depending on the level of licensure. Under the new law, the MLADC becomes the credential allowing for independent practice and all counselors holding the MLADC will be required to participate in peer collaboration to insure the quality and integrity of their practice. LADC’s will be required to obtain ongoing clinical supervision with eligible clinical supervisors defined in the law.

All counselors who currently hold a LADC and who meet criteria for the MLADC will automatically be upgraded to the MLADC when the law takes effect on July 1, 2008.

All counselors who currently hold a LADC and who are engaged in independent practice will be grandfathered under the statute and be required to document peer collaboration and NOT clinical supervision so as to allow them to continue in independent practice after July 1, 2008.

This bill DOES NOT expand the scope of practice of the MLADC to include the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring mental health disorders.

It is important for everyone to familiarize themselves with the details of this legislation. Your counselors association is continuing to work with our law and policy-makers to insure the best legislation for our profession and our clients and we need feedback from you.

Please view the final version of law by visiting the web address below.

Please contact us with questions and feedback.