S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-93.500.508

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 10, October 25, 2024

Section 61-93.500.508 - Counselors (II)

A. Each Facility shall have at least one (1) Staff Counselor who is fully-certified or licensed. All non-certified and/or licensed Counselors shall be under the direct supervision of an on-site fully-certified or licensed Counselor.

B. Staff and Volunteers providing clinical counseling services shall have one (1) of the following qualifications:

1. Certification:

a. Certification under the system administered by the South Carolina Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors Certification Commission, or currently engaged, as verified and documented in the individual's personnel file, in the South Carolina Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors certification process that is to be completed within a three (3)-year period from date of hire as a Counselor; or

b. Certification as a Counselor by:

(1) The National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors;

(2) An International Certification Reciprocity Consortium-approved certification board; or

(3) Any other South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services -approved credentialing or certification association or commission; or

2. Licensure:

a. Licensed as a Psychiatrist by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners;

b. Licensed as a Psychologist by the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology;

c. Licensed as a Social worker by the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners; or

d. Licensed as a Counselor or therapist by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists, pursuant to Section 40-75-30, of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976.; or

3. Licensure as a Licensed Addiction Counselor Associate by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists, pursuant to Section 40-75-30, of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, under appropriate supervision. Full licensure must be completed within a three (3)-year period from date of hire as a Counselor.

C. Counselors in Opioid Treatment Programs shall have one (1) of the following qualifications:

1. Any of the certifications or licensures in 508.B above; or

2. The American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders; or

3. The National Board for Certified Counselors; or

4. Any other equivalent, nationally-recognized, and South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services-approved association or accrediting body that includes similar competency-based testing, supervision, educational, and substantial experience.

D. In Facilities providing prevention services, Counselors shall have one (1) of the following qualifications:

1. Certification by the South Carolina Association of Prevention Professionals and Advocates as a Prevention Professional or Senior Prevention Professional; or

2. In-process of becoming certified as a Prevention Professional. This certification shall be achieved within a thirty-six (36)-month period of time from the date of hire as a prevention Counselor.

E. Any individual employed as a direct Patient Counselor, Opioid Treatment Program Counselor, or prevention services professional, to include contracted Staff, who does not obtain his or her certification or licensing within the above time-periods, shall cease providing counseling services until that certification or licensing status is achieved.

F. The Facility shall verify and maintain documentation of each Counselor's qualifications in the individual's Staff record.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-93.500.508

Added by State Register Volume 44, Issue No. 06, eff. 6/26/2020.