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148C.04 REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE.

Subdivision 1.General requirements.

The board shall issue licenses to the individuals qualified under this chapter to practice alcohol and drug counseling.

Subd. 2.Fee.

Each applicant shall pay a nonrefundable fee as specified in section 148C.12. Fees paid to the board shall be deposited in the special revenue fund.

Subd. 3.Requirements for licensure before July 1, 2008.

An applicant for a license must furnish evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has met all the requirements in clauses (1) to (3). The applicant must have:

(1) received an associate degree, or an equivalent number of credit hours, and a certificate in alcohol and drug counseling, including 18 semester credits or 270 clock hours of academic course work in accordance with subdivision 5a, paragraph (a), from an accredited school or educational program and 880 clock hours of supervised alcohol and drug counseling practicum;

(2) completed one of the following:

(i) a written case presentation and satisfactorily passed an oral examination that demonstrates competence in the core functions as determined by the board; or

(ii) satisfactorily completed 2,000 hours of supervised postdegree equivalent professional practice in accordance with section 148C.044; and

(3) satisfactorily passed written examinations for licensure as determined by the board.

Subd. 4.Requirements for licensure after July 1, 2008.

An applicant for a license must submit evidence to the board that the applicant has met one of the following requirements:

(1) the applicant must have:

(i) received a bachelor's degree from an accredited school or educational program, including 18 semester credits or 270 clock hours of academic course work in accordance with subdivision 5a, paragraph (a), from an accredited school or educational program and 880 clock hours of supervised alcohol and drug counseling practicum;

(ii) completed a written case presentation and satisfactorily passed an oral examination that demonstrates competence in the core functions as determined by the board; or submitted to the board a plan for supervision during the first 2,000 hours of professional practice, or submitted proof of supervised professional practice that is acceptable to the board; and

(iii) satisfactorily passed written examinations as determined by the board established by the board; or

(2) the applicant must meet the requirements of section 148C.07.

Subd. 5.

[Repealed, 2000 c 460 s 66]

Subd. 5a.Academic course work.

(a) Minimum academic course work requirements for licensure as referred to under subdivision 3, clause (1), and subdivision 4, clause (1), item (i), must be in the following areas:

(1) overview of alcohol and drug counseling focusing on the transdisciplinary foundations of alcohol and drug counseling and providing an understanding of theories of chemical dependency, the continuum of care, and the process of change;

(2) pharmacology of substance abuse disorders and the dynamics of addiction;

(3) screening, intake, assessment, and treatment planning;

(4) counseling theory and practice, crisis intervention, orientation, and client education;

(5) case management, consultation, referral, treatment planning, reporting, record keeping, and professional and ethical responsibilities; and

(6) multicultural aspects of chemical dependency to include awareness of learning outcomes described in Minnesota Rules, part 4747.1100, subpart 2, and the ability to know when consultation is needed.

(b) Advanced academic course work includes, at a minimum, the course work required in paragraph (a) and additional course work in the following areas:

(1) advanced study in the areas listed in paragraph (a);

(2) chemical dependency and the family;

(3) treating substance abuse disorders in culturally diverse and identified populations;

(4) dual diagnoses/co-occurring disorders with substance abuse disorders; and

(5) ethics and chemical dependency.

Subd. 6.Temporary permit requirements.

(a) The board shall issue a temporary permit to practice alcohol and drug counseling prior to being licensed under this chapter if the person:

(1) either:

(i) submits verification of a current and unrestricted credential for the practice of alcohol and drug counseling from a national certification body or a certification or licensing body from another state, United States territory, or federally recognized tribal authority;

(ii) submits verification of the completion of at least 64 semester credits, including 270 clock hours or 18 semester credits of formal classroom education in alcohol and drug counseling and at least 880 clock hours of alcohol and drug counseling practicum from an accredited school or educational program;

(iii) applies to renew a lapsed license according to the requirements of section 148C.055, subdivision 3, clauses (1) and (2), or section 148C.055, subdivision 4, clauses (1) and (2); or

(iv) meets the requirements of section 148C.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), or 6, clauses (1), (2), and (5);

(2) applies, in writing, on an application form provided by the board, which includes the nonrefundable temporary permit fee as specified in section 148C.12 and an affirmation by the person's supervisor, as defined in paragraph (c), clause (1), which is signed and dated by the person and the person's supervisor; and

(3) has not been disqualified to practice temporarily on the basis of a background investigation under section 148C.09, subdivision 1a.

(b) The board must notify the person in writing within 90 days from the date the completed application and all required information is received by the board whether the person is qualified to practice under this subdivision.

(c) A person practicing under this subdivision:

(1) may practice under tribal jurisdiction or under the direct supervision of a person who is licensed under this chapter;

(2) is subject to the Rules of Professional Conduct set by rule; and

(3) is not subject to the continuing education requirements of section 148C.075.

(d) A person practicing under this subdivision must use the title or description stating or implying that the person is a trainee engaged in the practice of alcohol and drug counseling.

(e) A person practicing under this subdivision must annually submit a renewal application on forms provided by the board with the renewal fee required in section 148C.12, subdivision 3, and the board may renew the temporary permit if the trainee meets the requirements of this subdivision. A trainee may renew a practice permit no more than five times.

(f) A temporary permit expires if not renewed, upon a change of employment of the trainee or upon a change in supervision, or upon the granting or denial by the board of a license.

Subd. 7.Effect and suspension of temporary permit.

Approval of a person's application for temporary permit creates no rights to or expectation of approval from the board for licensure as an alcohol and drug counselor. The board may suspend or restrict a person's temporary permit status according to section 148C.09.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes