1. A. Scope of Practice. The scope of practice of an alcohol and drug trainee shall be limited to the following activities under an approved alcohol and drug counselor supervisor:

   1. (1) Biopsychosocial evaluation, including screening, assessment, and diagnostic impressions for SUDs and CODs;
   2. (2) Treatment planning for SUDs and CODs, including initial, ongoing, continuity of care, discharge, and planning for relapse prevention;
   3. (3) Referral;
   4. (4) Service coordination and case management in the areas of SUDs and CODs;
   5. (5) Counseling, therapy, and trauma informed care with individuals, couples, families and groups in the areas of SUDs and CODs;
   6. (6) Client, family, group, and community education;
   7. (7) Documentation; and
   8. (8) Compliance with professional and ethical responsibilities.
2. B. A trainee may not perform supervision.

3. C. Qualifications. To qualify as an alcohol and drug trainee, an applicant shall meet one of the following requirements:

   1. (1) Hold an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited educational institution:

      1. (a) In a health and human services counseling field; or
      2. (b) Hold an associate’s degree and a completed program of studies determined by the Board to be substantially equivalent in subject matter, which includes 1 semester credit hour or 2 quarter credit hours in the ethics of alcohol and drug counseling; or

   2. (2) Have completed 15 semester credit hours or 25 quarter credit hours from among the topic areas specified in Regulation .05B of this chapter including:

      1. (a) 15 continuing education units (CEUs) in the ethics of alcohol and drug counseling; or
      2. (b) 1 semester credit hour or 2 quarter credit hours in the ethics of alcohol and drug counseling from an accredited educational institution.

4. D. An alcohol and drug trainee shall:

   1. (1) Practice under the supervision of a Board-approved alcohol and drug supervisor as specified under §§E—H of this regulation; and

   2. (2) Have available for inspection a professional disclosure statement, as described in Health Occupations Article, §17-507, Annotated Code of Maryland, that:

      1. (a) Clearly states that the counseling services are provided under supervision; and
      2. (b) Provides the name, title, and credentials of the supervisor of record, including the supervisor’s address and contact information.

5. E. A trainee holding a master’s degree shall:

   1. (1) Practice under the clinical supervision of an approved alcohol and drug counselor supervisor as defined under Regulation .02B of this chapter;
   2. (2) Provide alcohol and drug counseling as an employee of an agency or facility that is certified or licensed by the State; and
   3. (3) Provide documentation satisfactory to the Board every 2 years of progress towards the fulfillment of the experiential and course of study requirements under Health Occupations Article, §17-302, Annotated Code of Maryland.

6. F. A trainee holding a bachelor’s degree shall:

   1. (1) Practice under the moderate supervision of an approved alcohol and drug counselor supervisor;
   2. (2) Provide alcohol and drug counseling as an employee of an agency or facility that is certified or licensed by the State; and
   3. (3) Provide documentation satisfactory to the Board every 2 years of progress towards the fulfillment of the experiential and course of study requirements under Health Occupations Article, §17-403 or 17-404, Annotated Code of Maryland.

7. G. A trainee holding an associate’s degree shall:

   1. (1) Practice under the close supervision of an approved alcohol and drug counselor supervisor;
   2. (2) Provide alcohol and drug counseling as an employee of an agency or facility that is certified or licensed by the State; and
   3. (3) Provide documentation satisfactory to the Board every 2 years of progress towards the fulfillment of the experiential and course of study requirements under Health Occupations Article, §17-403 or 17-404, Annotated Code of Maryland.
8. H. A trainee holding a high school diploma shall meet all guidelines set forth under §G of this regulation.

9. I. Application Process.

   1. (1) To qualify for alcohol and drug trainee status, an applicant shall:

      1. (a) Complete and return the Board-approved application that includes:

         1. (i) Information and supporting documentation regarding the applicant’s current educational level at the start of the trainee period; and
         2. (ii) An attestation specifying the certification or licensure level being sought at the end of the trainee period;
      2. (b) Meet all of the requirements set forth under Regulation .03 of this chapter;
      3. (c) Provide the name and credentials of the applicant’s prospective supervisor before beginning practice; and

      4. (d) Comply with:

         1. (i) Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Annotated Code of Maryland; and
         2. (ii) The code of ethics as set forth in COMAR 10.58.03.
   2. (2) The trainee shall notify the Board in writing within 30 days of any changes in employment and supervision.
   3. (3) An individual licensed as a clinical mental healthcare provider under the Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Annotated Code of Maryland, may not apply as a trainee.

10. J. Trainee Practice of Alcohol and Drug Counseling.

    1. (1) An individual may practice alcohol and drug counseling as a trainee for a maximum of 6 years.

    2. (2) After fulfilling the experiential and course of study requirements under Regulations .04, .05, .07, or .08 of this chapter, the alcohol and drug trainee may be eligible to apply for:

       1. (a) Licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor (LCADC);
       2. (b) Licensed graduate alcohol and drug counselor (LGADC);
       3. (c) Certified associate counselor-alcohol and drug (CAC—AD); or
       4. (d) Certified supervised counselor-alcohol and drug (CSC—AD).

11. K. Renewal.

    1. (1) The Board shall issue a letter to the individual authorizing the individual to practice alcohol and drug counseling as a trainee for 2 years, renewable in 2-year increments up to a total of 6 years.

    2. (2) In each 2-year renewal application, before the expiration of the current trainee period, the trainee shall:

       1. (a) Document progress made during the current 2-year period towards the stated educational and supervised clinical experience required for the licensure or certification sought at the end of the trainee period, including:

          1. (i) A verification from the approved alcohol and drug supervisor documenting the number of hours of supervised clinical experience obtained during the 2-year period; and
          2. (ii) A copy of an official transcript from an educational institution approved by the Board documenting progress made in completing the required education;
       2. (b) Submit a completed Board-approved trainee renewal application;
       3. (c) Pay the required renewal fee set forth in COMAR 10.58.02; and
       4. (d) Provide documentation, satisfactory to the Board, every 2 years of the applicant’s progress towards fulfilling the experiential and course of study requirements under Health Occupations Article, §17-403 or 17-404, Annotated Code of Maryland.
    3. (3) The Board may deny renewal if the applicant fails to document sufficient progress as determined by the Board.
    4. (4) A trainee who fails to renew their trainee status is not authorized to practice alcohol and drug counseling.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§17-101, 17-102, 17-205, 17-301, 17-302, 17-305, 17-308, 17-309, 17-401(b), 17-403—17-407, and 17-501—17-509, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.06 adopted as an emergency provision effective October 1, 2001 (28:22 Md. R. 1932); adopted permanently effective January 21, 2002 (29:1 Md. R. 23)

Regulation .02B amended as an emergency provision effective October 1, 2002 (29:25 Md. R. 1979); amended permanently effective March 3, 2003 (30:4 Md. R. 317)

Regulation .02B amended effective November 23, 2006 (33:23 Md. R. 1796)

Regulations .07 and .08 adopted as an emergency provision effective October 1, 2001 (28:22 Md. R. 1932); amended as an emergency provision effective March 30, 2002 (29:7 Md. R. 617); adopted permanently effective June 24, 2002 (29:12 Md. R. 929)

Regulation .07 amended as an emergency provision effective August 15, 2002 (29:18 Md. R. 1439); amended permanently effective November 25, 2002 (29:23 Md. R. 1811)

Regulations .09—.12 adopted as an emergency provision effective October 1, 2001 (28:22 Md. R. 1932); adopted permanently effective January 21, 2002 (29:1 Md. R. 23)

Regulation .12 amended effective November 23, 2006 (33:23 Md. R. 1796)

Regulation .13 adopted as an emergency provision effective October 1, 2002 (29:25 Md. R. 1979); adopted permanently effective March 3, 2003 (30:4 Md. R. 317)

Regulation .14 adopted effective May 17, 2010 (37:10 Md. R. 723)

Regulation .15 adopted effective May 17, 2010 (37:10 Md. R. 723)

Regulation .16 adopted effective May 17, 2010 (37:10 Md. R. 723)

Regulation .17 adopted effective May 17, 2010 (37:10 Md. R. 723)

Chapter revised effective July 22, 2013 (40:14 Md. R. 1176)

Regulation .03A, D amended effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)

Regulation .04 amended effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)

Regulation .05 amended effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)

Regulation .06 amended effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)

Regulation .07 amended effective November 9, 2015 (42:22 Md. R. 1379)

Chapter revised effective December 31, 2018 (45:26 Md. R. 1247)

Chapter revised effective June 28, 2021 (48:13 Md. R. 508)