A substance abuse associate (LSAA) must possess the following qualifications and provide the required documentation with the application.

1. A. Age requirement: Be at least 21 years of age.
2. B. Applicant must sign a statement provided in the application indicating the applicant has read the code of ethics and agrees to be bound and governed by the code of ethics.
3. C. Supervisory requirements: Applicant must have arranged for appropriate supervision, including an experience plan.
4. D. Holds at minimum an associate degree in counseling, counseling related field, or a substance abuse related field from an accredited institution and has a total of 90 clock hours of education and training in the areas of substance abuse counseling. The board may approve, on a case-by-case basis, applicants whose education is not in counseling, a counseling related field, or a substance abuse related field.

5. E. Documentation required for licensure:

   1. (1) a completed application as specified in 16.27.3.8 NMAC, and
   2. (2) proof of completed education requirements: the applicant is required to submit an official transcript in a sealed envelope from each institution contributing to their associate, baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degree; the transcript must be sent directly to the board office from the institution and may be submitted electronically; and
   3. (3) verification on attachment D of 90 clock hours of education and training in substance abuse, and
   4. (4) verification on attachment C that an appropriate supervisor has been obtained and an experience plan has been established and a signed statement is provided by the supervisor indicating the associate shall only participate in alcohol and drug abuse counseling sessions.

[16.27.13.9 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.27.8, 6/15/2001; A, 7/1/2004; A, 2/10/2006; A, 11/19/2007; A, 11/30/2021]