1. A. An applicant for licensure as an addiction technician shall have:

   1. 1. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in a program accredited by NASAC;
   2. 2. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in an educational program previously approved by the Board under A.R.S. § 32-3253(A)(14); or
   3. 3. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in a behavioral health science program that includes coursework from the seven core content areas listed in subsection (B).

2. B. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree under subsection (A)(3), shall include at least three semester or four quarter credit hours in each of the following core content areas:

   1. 1. Psychopharmacology, including but not limited to effects on mood, behavior, cognition and physiology;
   2. 2. Models of treatment and relapse prevention and/or recovery management, including but not limited to philosophies and practices of generally accepted and evidence-supported models;
   3. 3. Group work: Group dynamics and processes as they relate to addictions;
   4. 4. Social and cultural diversity focused on understanding cultural belief systems, cultural identity development, and counseling strategies;
   5. 5. Co-occurring disorders, including but not limited to philosophies and practices of generally accepted and evidence-supported models;

   6. 6. Ethics, including but not limited to:

      1. a. Legal and ethical responsibilities and liabilities;
      2. b. Standards of professional behavior and scope of practice; and
      3. c. Confidentiality and informed consent; and
   7. 7. Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Use of assessment and diagnosis to develop appropriate treatment interventions for addictions.

3. C. The Board shall waive the education requirement in subsection (A) for an applicant requesting licensure as an addiction technician if the applicant demonstrates all of the following:

   1. 1. The applicant provides services under a contract or grant with the federal government under the authority of 25 U.S.C. § 5301 or § 1601 – 1683;
   2. 2. The applicant has obtained at least the equivalent of a high school diploma;
   3. 3. Because of cultural considerations, obtaining the degree required under subsection (A) would be an extreme hardship for the applicant; and
   4. 4. The applicant has completed at least 6400 hours of supervised work experience in addiction counseling, as prescribed in R4-6-705(C), in no less than 48 months within the seven years immediately preceding the date of application.
4. D. In evaluating the curriculum required under subsection (B), the Board shall assess whether a core content area is embedded or contained in more than one course. The applicant shall provide information the Board requires to determine whether a core content area is embedded in multiple courses. The Board shall not accept a core content area embedded in more than two courses unless the courses are succession courses. The Board shall allow subject matter in a course to qualify in only one core content area.
5. E. An applicant for licensure as an addiction technician who completed the applicant’s coursework no later than October 31, 2017, may request that the Board evaluate the applicant’s coursework using the standards in effect before the effective date of this Section.

Historical Note

New Section made by exempt rulemaking at 10 A.A.R. 2700, effective July 1, 2004 (Supp. 04-2). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 11 A.A.R. 2713, effective June 27, 2005 (Supp. 05-2). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 14 A.A.R. 4532, effective January 1, 2009 (Supp. 08-4). Amended by final exempt rulemaking pursuant to Laws 2015, Chapter 154, § 10, at 21 A.A.R. 2630, effective November 1, 2015 (Supp. 15-4). Amended by final exempt rulemaking pursuant to Laws 2015, Chapter 154, § 10, at 22 A.A.R. 3238, effective November 1, 2016 (Supp. 16-4). Clerical error correction made to subsection (B)(4); the Office inadvertently did not remove repealed text as filed at 22 A.A.R. 3238; correction made at the request of the Board (Supp. 17-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 26 A.A.R. 2881, effective January 3, 2021 (Supp. 20-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 31 A.A.R. 3032 (September 26, 2025), effective November 2, 2025 (Supp. 25-3).