Alcohol or Drug Counselor

Exam

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Education

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Experience

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Background check

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<h3>Occupational Description</h3><br>Drug and Alcohol Counselors provide and/or perform services to individuals with substance (drugs and/or alcohol) abuse issues, including: screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling (individual, group, and significant others), case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports, record keeping, and consultation with other professionals in regard to client treatment and service.<br><h3>Licensure Requirements</h3><br>There are two levels of licensure: Licensed Alcohol/Drug Counselor (LADC) and Provisional Licensed Alcohol/Drug Counselor (PLADC). Provisional Alcohol/Drug Counselor (PLADC)- Allows an individual to practice and acquire the work experience required to qualify for an LADC license. Provisional status may be held for a time period not to exceed six years. Applicants for provisional licensure (PLADC) must hold a high school diploma or GED, in addition to having obtained 270 hours of education related to the knowledge and skills of alcohol/drug counseling, including: 1. A minimum of 45 hours in Counseling Theories & Techniques coursework 2. 45 hours in Group Counseling coursework 3. 30 hours in Human Growth & Development coursework 4. 15 hours in Professional Ethics & Issues coursework 5. 30 hours in Alcohol/Drug Assessment, Case Planning, & Management coursework 6. 30 hours in Multicultural Counseling coursework 7. 45 hours in Medical & Psychosocial Aspects of Alcohol/Drug Use, Abuse, & Addiction coursework 8. 30 hours in Clinical Treatment Issues in Chemical Dependency coursework. (Contact licensing agency for more specific information on coursework requirements.) PLADC applicants must also document a supervised practical training that includes performing a minimum of 300 hours in the counselor core functions in a work setting where alcohol/drug treatment counseling is provided, and attest to having read and agreeing to be bound by the Code of Ethics. Licensed Alcohol/Drug Counselor (LADC)- Applicants must: 1. Have obtained high school diploma or GED; 2. Have obtained 270 hours of education related to the knowledge and skills of alcohol/drug counseling. (Coursework requirements are the same as those required for PLADC licensure, listed above); 3. Document completion of a supervised practical training that includes performing a minimum of 300 hours in the counselor core functions in a setting where alcohol/drug treatment counseling is provided; 4. Document completion of 6,000 hours of supervised clinical work experience providing alcohol and drug counseling services to alcohol and drug clients; 5. Successfully pass a written examination; 6. Attest to having read and agreeing to be bound by the Code of Ethics; 7. Be a citizen of the United States, an alien lawfully admitted into the United States who is eligible for a credential under the Uniform Credentialing Act, a nonimmigrant lawfully present in the United States who is eligible for a credential under the Uniform Credentialing Act, or submit an unexpired employment authorization document issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, or any other federal agency, demonstrating that such person is described in section 202(c)(2)(B)(i) through (ix) of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, Public Law 109-13. Such credential shall be valid only for the period of time during which such person’s employment authorization document is valid. Licensure through Reciprocity- The department, with the recommendation of the board, may issue a license based on licensure in another jurisdiction to an individual who: 1. Meets the requirements of the Alcohol and Drug Counseling Practice Act; 2. Meets substantially equivalent requirements as determined by the department, with the recommendation of the board; -OR- 3. holds a license or certification that is current in another jurisdiction that authorizes the applicant to provide alcohol and drug counseling, has at least 270 hours of alcohol and drug counseling education, has at least three years of full-time alcohol and drug counseling practice following initial licensure or certification in the other jurisdiction, and has passed an alcohol and drug counseling examination. <br><h3>Fees</h3><br>Examination Fee- $100.00 Provisional Alcohol & Drug Counselor, Initial Fee- $275.00 Alcohol & Drug Counselor, Initial Fee- $175.00<br><h3>Renewal</h3><br>Licenses must be renewed by September 1 of even-numbered years. The renewal fee is $175.00. Forty hours of continuing professional education are required biennially.