Authority: IC 25-23.6-2-8

Affected: IC 25-23.6-10.5

Sec. 1. (a) As used in IC 25-23.6-10.5-1, "a baccalaureate degree in addiction counseling or in a related area" means a degree earned in one (1) of the following:

1. (1) Addiction studies
2. (2) Chemical dependency.
3. (3) Social work.
4. (4) Psychology.
5. (5) Human services.
6. (6) Human development.
7. (7) Family relations.
8. (8) Counseling.

(b) If an applicant is seeking licensure as an addiction counselor based upon a baccalaureate degree not listed in subsection (a), the applicant must provide the board with the following information:

1. (1) Evidence that their degree program and any additional course work are equivalent to the criteria for a baccalaureate degree in addiction counseling as set forth in this section.
2. (2) An official college transcript.
3. (3) Appropriate certifications or affidavits from university officials.
4. (4) Any additional supporting documentation as requested by the board.

(c) As used in IC 25-23.6-10.5-3, "eligible postsecondary educational institution" means a college or university that was accredited prior to the applicant's graduation or within two (2) years from the date of the applicant's graduation by one (1) of the following:

1. (1) New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
2. (2) Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
3. (3) North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
4. (4) Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.
5. (5) Southern Association of Schools and Colleges.
6. (6) Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

(d) An applicant for licensure as an addiction counselor must show successful completion of the degree curriculum set forth in IC 25- 23.6-10.5-5 with a minimum of forty (40) semester hours or sixty (60) quarter hours of course work in the following content areas:

1. (1) Addictions theory.
2. (2) Psychoactive drugs.
3. (3) Addictions counseling skills.
4. (4) Theories of personality.
5. (5) Developmental psychology.
6. (6) Abnormal psychology.
7. (7) Treatment planning.
8. (8) Cultural competency.
9. (9) Ethics and professional development.
10. (10) Family education.

If the course titles as stated on the transcript do not clearly reflect the course work content areas as listed in IC 25-23.6-10.5-5, the applicant must document the course or combination of courses in which the material was covered. At the discretion of the board, applicants may be required to provide further documentation, beyond an official transcript, to demonstrate that submitted course work covered the required content areas.

(e) When evaluating an applicant's baccalaureate degree in addiction counseling or in a related area, the board shall consider, as factors in its evaluation, whether the degree granting program:

1. (1) identifies itself as an addiction counseling program in its catalogs and brochures and demonstrates the program's intent to educate and train counselors in its advertising materials;
2. (2) has an identifiable addiction counseling professional responsible for the program who has clear authority and primary responsibility for the core and specialty areas, whether or not the program cuts across administrative lines;
3. (3) has an integrated and organized sequence of study;
4. (4) has an identifiable body of students who are matriculated in that program for a degree;
5. (5) includes a supervised practicum, internship, or field experience; and
6. (6) the degree program practicum, internship, or field experience should be conducted in a setting focused on addiction counseling services under the auspices of an approved addiction counseling program.

(f) The required practicum, internship, or field experience listed in this section must have been primarily in the provision of direct addiction counseling services. This includes knowledge, skill, or experience derived from direct observations of, and participation in, the practice of addiction counseling. No course intended primarily for practice in the administration and grading of appraisal or assessment instruments shall count toward these clinical semester hour requirements.

(g) As used in IC 25-23.6-10.5-5, "supervised practice, internship, or field experience" means experience gained under an individual who is supervising within his or her scope of experience and training and holds an active license at the time of the supervision as:

1. (1) an addiction counselor;
2. (2) a clinical addiction counselor;
3. (3) a mental health counselor;
4. (4) a clinical social worker;
5. (5) a marriage and family therapist;
6. (6) a physician with training in psychiatric medicine;
7. (7) a psychologist;
8. (8) a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health nursing; or
9. (9) another state-regulated addiction counseling professional or, if the experience was gained in a state where no regulation exists, by an addictions or behavioral health professional of equivalent status;

who has at least three (3) years of experience in providing addiction services.

(Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board; 839 IAC 1-5.5-1; filed Aug 1, 2012, 11:01 a.m.: 20120829-IR-839110676FRA; readopted filed Nov 29, 2018, 10:34 a.m.: 20181226-IR-839180402RFA; readopted filed Jun 24, 2024, 3:49 p.m.: 20240724-IR- 839230815RFA)