Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:3387.1 – A.(1) The practice of certified addiction counseling within the meaning and intent of this Chapter shall consist of the rendering of supervised professional guidance to individuals s
Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:3387.1
- Addiction counselor: means any person who is licensed, certified, or registered in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter and procedures established by the board and who, by means of his special knowledge acquired through formal education or practical experience, is qualified to provide addiction counseling services to those individuals afflicted with or suffering from an addictive disorder or certain co-occurring disorders. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:3386.1
- Addictive disorder: means the repeated pathological use of substances including but not limited to alcohol, drugs, or tobacco, or repeated pathological compulsive behaviors including but not limited to gambling, which cause physical, psychological, emotional, economic, legal, social, or other harms to the individual afflicted with the addiction or to others affected by the individual's affliction. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:3386.1
- Board: means the governing body of the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:3386.1
- Certified clinical supervisor: means any person holding the necessary credential of licensed, certified, or registered addiction counselor or any person who holds a specialty substance abuse credential in another professional discipline in a human services field at the master's level or higher; and who has satisfied the requirements established by the board to provide clinical supervision. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:3386.1
- Core functions: means the screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports, and record-keeping activities associated with counseling and consultation with other credentialed professionals. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:3386.1
- Custodial environment: means a setting created by a court system in which a person has been deprived of freedom of action in any significant way. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:3386.1
- KSA: means the knowledge, skills, and attitudes designated by the board as being necessary for effective addiction counseling and required by the board to be utilized by addictive disorders counselors in providing addiction counseling services. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:3386.1
- Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
- person: includes a body of persons, whether incorporated or not. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 1:10
- Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
- Qualified mental health professional: means :
(a) A psychiatrist licensed pursuant to La. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 37:3386.1
A.(1) The practice of certified addiction counseling within the meaning and intent of this Chapter shall consist of the rendering of supervised professional guidance to individuals suffering from an addictive disorder to assist them in gaining an understanding of the nature of their disorder and developing and maintaining a responsible lifestyle.
(2)(a) The certified addiction counselor may not practice independently, except when providing addiction counseling services in a prison or other custodial environment.
(b) The certified addiction counselor shall work only under the supervision of a licensed addiction counselor or qualified mental health professional.
(c) The certified addiction counselor shall register his supervisory licensed addiction counselor or qualified mental health professional with the board.
(d) Supervisory contact between the certified addiction counselor and the supervisory licensed addiction counselor or qualified mental health professional shall be regular and documented, and shall be provided to the board upon request.
(3) The certified addiction counselor may not render a diagnostic impression.
(4) The scope of practice, in addition to any other applicable provision of this Chapter, shall include making supervised referrals to appropriate professionals, providing supervised counseling to family members, and, as appropriate, to others affected by the individual’s addictive disorder, and the utilization of KSA and core functions.
B. The board shall adopt and promulgate rules which govern certified addiction counselors in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.
C. Any person seeking to be recognized by the board as a certified addiction counselor shall submit an application to the board on a form and in a manner as the board shall prescribe. The initial application form shall be accompanied by an initial application fee as provided for in this Chapter.
D. Upon investigation of the application, the board shall, not less than forty-five days prior to any examination, notify each candidate that the application is satisfactory and accepted or unsatisfactory and rejected. If an application is rejected, the notice shall state the reason for such rejection.
E. The board shall recognize as a certified addiction counselor each candidate who:
(1) Possesses a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. The degree shall be in a human services or behavioral science discipline, or such other discipline or disciplines as the board may deem appropriate.
(2) Is a legal resident of the United States and at least twenty-one years of age on the date the application is received.
(3) Is not in violation of any ethical standards subscribed to by the board.
(4) Is not now and has not been a substance abuser or compulsive gambler during the previous two years from the date the application is received.
(5) Has not been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony. However, the board may, in its discretion, waive this requirement upon review of the individual’s circumstances. Each candidate shall sign a form prescribed by the board authorizing the board to obtain a criminal history or to conduct a criminal background check.
(6)(a) Demonstrates professional competence by passing a written examination.
(b) The board shall determine the scope and administration of the examination.
(c) The board may provide for circumstances under which a candidate who fails the examination, but who meets all other requirements, may retake the examination.
(d) The board shall make reasonable accommodations for those candidates who demonstrate a special need or disability.
(7) Documents the completion of ethics training as prescribed by the board.
(8) Signs a form of professional and ethical accountability and responsibility as prescribed by the board.
(9) Documents the completion of supervised clinical hours under such conditions as shall be determined by the board. The board may require that such supervision be conducted by a certified clinical supervisor.
(10) Provides three letters of recommendation as prescribed by the board.
F. The board may prescribe such other qualifications and requirements for certified addiction counselors as may be appropriate for the protection of the public or the enhancement of professional services provided pursuant to the authority of this Chapter.
Acts 2004, No. 803, §3, eff. July 8, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 427, §2; Acts 2016, No. 534, §1; Acts 2018, No. 206, §3; Acts 2020, No. 328, §2.