Subd. 1. Other professionals.

Nothing in sections 148C.01 to 148C.10 shall prevent members of other professions or occupations from performing functions for which they are qualified or licensed. This exception includes, but is not limited to, licensed physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, licensed psychological practitioners, members of the clergy, American Indian medicine men and women, licensed attorneys, probation officers, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed social workers, licensed professional counselors, licensed school counselors, and registered occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants. These persons must not, however, use a title incorporating the words "alcohol and drug counselor" or "licensed alcohol and drug counselor" or otherwise hold themselves out to the public by any title or description stating or implying that they are engaged in the practice of alcohol and drug counseling, or that they are licensed to engage in the practice of alcohol and drug counseling. Persons engaged in the practice of alcohol and drug counseling are not exempt from the commissioner's jurisdiction solely by the use of one of the above titles.

Subd. 2. Students.

Nothing in sections 148C.01 to 148C.10 shall prevent students enrolled in an accredited school of alcohol and drug counseling from engaging in the practice of alcohol and drug counseling under qualified supervision in an accredited school of alcohol and drug counseling.

Subd. 3. Federally recognized tribes; ethnic minorities.

1. (a) Alcohol and drug counselors licensed to practice alcohol and drug counseling according to standards established by federally recognized tribes, while practicing under tribal jurisdiction, are exempt from the requirements of this chapter. In practicing alcohol and drug counseling under tribal jurisdiction, individuals licensed under that authority shall be afforded the same rights, responsibilities, and recognition as persons licensed pursuant to this chapter.
2. (b) The commissioner shall develop special licensing criteria for issuance of a license to alcohol and drug counselors who: (1) practice alcohol and drug counseling with a member of an ethnic minority population or with a person with a disability as defined by rule; or (2) are employed by agencies whose primary agency service focus addresses ethnic minority populations or persons with a disability as defined by rule. These licensing criteria may differ from the licensing criteria specified in section 148C.04. To develop, implement, and evaluate the effect of these criteria, the commissioner shall establish a committee comprised of, but not limited to, representatives from the Minnesota commission serving deaf and hard-of-hearing people, the council on affairs of Chicano/Latino people, the council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, the council on Black Minnesotans, the council on disability, and the Indian affairs council. The committee does not expire.

Subd. 4. Hospital alcohol and drug counselors.

The licensing of hospital alcohol and drug counselors shall be voluntary, while the counselor is employed by the hospital. Hospitals employing alcohol and drug counselors shall not be required to employ licensed alcohol and drug counselors, nor shall they require their alcohol and drug counselors to be licensed, however, nothing in this chapter will prohibit hospitals from requiring their counselors to be eligible for licensure.

Subd. 5. City, county, and state agency alcohol and drug counselors.

The licensing of city, county, and state agency alcohol and drug counselors shall be voluntary, while the counselor is employed by the city, county, or state agency. City, county, and state agencies employing alcohol and drug counselors shall not be required to employ licensed alcohol and drug counselors, nor shall they require their drug and alcohol counselors to be licensed.