Section 504.152 - Eligibility Requirements(a) To be eligible for a license under this chapter, a person must: (1) be at least 18 years of age;(2) hold an associate degree or a more advanced degree;(3) have completed:(A) 135 hours, or nine semester hours, specific to substance abuse disorders and treatment and an additional 135 hours, or nine semester hours, specific or related to chemical dependency counseling;(B) 4,000 hours of approved supervised experience working with chemically dependent persons; and(C) 300 hours of approved supervised field work practicum;(4) provide two letters of reference from chemical dependency counselors;(5) pass a written examination approved by the department;(6) submit a case presentation to the test administrator;(7) be determined by the department to be worthy of the public trust and confidence;(8) successfully complete the chemical dependency counselor examination under Section 504.156;(9) sign a written agreement to comply with the standards of ethics approved by the department; and(10) provide to the department written assurance that the applicant has access to a peer assistance program.(b) The department may waive the requirement under Subsection (a)(10) if the department determines that a peer assistance program is not reasonably available to the license holder.Amended By Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 564, Sec. 4, eff. 6/17/2011.Amended By Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1373, Sec. 5, eff. 9/1/2007.Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1172, Sec. 4, eff. 9/1/2004. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/1999.