Subd. 1. Practice.

After the commissioner adopts rules, no individual shall engage in alcohol and drug counseling practice unless that individual holds a valid license as an alcohol and drug counselor.

Subd. 1a. Practice allowed; certain individuals.

1. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, individuals may engage in alcohol and drug counseling practice only until the commissioner issues a license or denies the license application, whichever occurs sooner, provided the individual:

   1. (1) was employed as an alcohol and drug counselor before January 28, 2000;
   2. (2) is under the supervision of an alcohol and drug counselor who is licensed under this chapter or employed in a program licensed by the department of human services;
   3. (3) has not applied and been rejected or denied a license by the commissioner on any grounds under this chapter, other than failure to satisfy examination requirements, or on the basis of an investigation under chapter 148B; and

   4. (4) either:

      1. (i) made application to the commissioner for a license as an alcohol and drug counselor before January 28, 2000; or
      2. (ii) made application to the administrator of the exam or exams required by the commissioner before January 28, 2000, passes the examinations before January 28, 2001, and within 60 calendar days of passing the examinations makes application to the commissioner for a license under this chapter.
2. (b) As used in this subdivision, supervision means monitoring activities of and accepting legal liability for the individual practicing without a license.
3. (c) Practice allowed under this subdivision creates no rights or expectations of approval from the commissioner for licensing as an alcohol and drug counselor. The commissioner may suspend or restrict practice under this subdivision as authorized under section 148C.09.

Subd. 2. Use of titles.

After the commissioner adopts rules, no individual shall present themselves or any other individual to the public by any title incorporating the words "licensed alcohol and drug counselor" or otherwise hold themselves out to the public by any title or description stating or implying that they are licensed or otherwise qualified to practice alcohol and drug counseling unless that individual holds a valid license. City, county, and state agency alcohol and drug counselors who are not licensed under sections 148C.01 to 148C.11 may use the title "city agency alcohol and drug counselor," "county agency alcohol and drug counselor," or "state agency alcohol and drug counselor." Hospital alcohol and drug counselors who are not licensed under sections 148C.01 to 148C.11 may use the title "hospital alcohol and drug counselor" while acting within the scope of their employment.

Subd. 3. Penalty.

A person who violates sections 148C.01 to 148C.11 is guilty of a misdemeanor.