An applicant for registration as an alcohol and drug peer support specialist shall pay the board an initial fee for registration, and shall:

1. (1) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;
2. (2) Have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent;

3. (3) Have completed five hundred (500) hours of board-approved experience working with persons having a substance use disorder, twenty-five (25) hours of which shall have been under the direct supervision of:

   1. (a) A certified alcohol and drug counselor who has at least two (2) years post- certification experience and has attended the board-sponsored supervision training;
   2. (b) A licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor who has at least twelve (12) months of post-licensure experience or has attended the board-sponsored supervision training; or
   3. (c) Under supervision of the board, a registered alcohol and drug peer support specialist who has at least two (2) years of post-registered experience and has attended the board-sponsored supervision training;
4. (4) Have completed at least forty (40) classroom hours of board-approved curriculum;
5. (5) Have passed a written examination that has been approved by the board;
6. (6) Have signed an agreement to abide by the standards of practice and code of ethics approved by the board;
7. (7) Attest to being in recovery for a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive months from a substance-related disorder;
8. (8) Have completed at least sixteen (16) hours of ethics training; three (3) hours of domestic violence training; two (2) hours of training in the transmission, control, treatment, and prevention of the human immunodeficiency virus; ten (10) hours of advocacy training; ten (10) hours of training in mentoring and education; and ten
9. (10) hours of training in recovery support;
10. (9) Have submitted two (2) letters of reference from certified alcohol and drug counselors or licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselors;
11. (10) Live or work at least a majority of the time in Kentucky; and
12. (11) Have complied with the requirements for the training program in suicide assessment, treatment, and management in KRS 210.366 and any administrative regulations promulgated thereunder.

Effective: July 15, 2024

History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 89, sec. 6, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 99, sec. 8, effective March 1, 2021. -- Created 2015 Ky. Acts ch. 29, sec. 5, effective June 24, 2015.