2006 Kansas Code - 65-6602

      65-6602.   Representation as alcohol and other drug abuse counselors, prohibition, misdemeanor; registration of counselors, rules and regulations, qualifications; examination, fee; construction of act. (a) On and after January 1, 1993, no person shall represent that such person is a registered alcohol and other drug abuse counselor unless such person is registered under this act as an alcohol and other drug abuse counselor. A violation of this subsection is a class C misdemeanor.

      (b)   The board shall adopt by rules and regulations a system for registration of alcohol and other drug abuse counselors. Such rules and regulations shall include qualifications for registration which promote safe and adequate treatment, evaluation and prevention of alcohol and other drug abuse. Such rules and regulations shall require the following:

      (1)   A bachelors degree, a masters degree or a doctors degree in a social-services or health-related field which includes 18 academic credit hours of coursework in the following care work functions of an alcohol and other drug abuse counselor as follows: Three credit hours screening and intake; three credit hours orientation and assessment; three credit hours treatment planning and counseling; three credit hours case management and crisis intervention; three credit hours client education and referral; and three credit hours reports and recordkeeping and consultation with other professionals; and

      (2)   experience of not less than 500 hours of practicum and 2,500 hours of supervised work experience, at least 1,000 hours of which are postgraduate hours, under the supervision of a registered alcohol and other drug abuse counselor, or an individual qualified for registration as an alcohol or other drug abuse counselor under this act, within three years immediately preceding first registration under this act.

      (c)   The board shall require each person seeking registration as an alcohol and other drug abuse counselor to successfully complete an examination prescribed by the board. The board shall fix by rules and regulations a fee for such examination in an amount sufficient to pay for the costs and administration thereof. Any person desiring to take the examination shall first submit satisfactory proof that the person has the qualifications required pursuant to subsection (b) or (d).

      (d)   A person who does not have the qualifications prescribed pursuant to subsection (b) may qualify for examination and, upon passage of the examination, registration pursuant to this act if the person submits satisfactory proof that, on December 31, 1992, the person:

      (1)   Is practicing as an alcohol and other drug abuse counselor in this state, has an offer of employment as an alcohol and other drug abuse counselor in this state or is an alcohol and other drug abuse counselor living in this state; and

      (2)   has 1,000 hours of experience as an alcohol and other drug abuse counselor within the immediately preceding 12-month period or has 3,000 hours of experience in alcohol and other drug abuse counseling within the immediately preceding 60-month period.

      (e)   A person may qualify for registration if such person submits satisfactory proof that the person was practicing as an alcohol and other drug abuse counselor in another state and is qualified in accordance with standards which the board determines are comparable to those provided pursuant to this act.

      (f)   Nothing in the alcohol and other drug abuse counselor registration act shall be construed to authorize a person registered under the act to diagnose or treat mental illness or mental disease.

      History:   L. 1992, ch. 184, § 2; July 1.