Board of Alcohol & Drug Counselors - Licensing & Forms

SUPERVISION REQUIRED

Description

An "Alcohol & Drug Counseling Aide" is an individual who is licensed by the Board to engage in an apprenticeship for the purpose of acquiring knowledge and experience in the performance of alcohol and drug counseling services, including but not limited to knowledge of ethical standards. AD licensees may facilitate individual and direct group counseling or assume other facilitation duties under supervision and may supervise nonclinical activities. AD licensees may write treatment chart notations when the notations are cosigned by a Certified Clinical Supervisor "CCS" licensee.

All work associated with the apprenticeship may be conducted only in an agency. "Agency" means an establishment, organization or institution, public or private, that is licensed by the Department of Health & Human Services and that offers, purports to offer, maintains or operates one or more programs for the assessment, diagnosis, care, treatment or rehabilitation of individuals who are suffering physically, emotionally or psychologically from substance use disorder.

AD applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent and submit a Supervision Agreement Form (PDF) with a qualifying agency and CCS supervisor.

All work performed by AD licensees must be under the supervision of a CCS licensee. AD licensees may not practice without an active Supervision Agreement (PDF) on file with the Board. AD licensees may not engage in independent or private practice.

Please refer to Title 32 §6213-B for more information.

Return to License Information

 Applicants for AD licensure are required to submit:

• An online application;

• Proof of age;

• Official documentation of highest level of education;

• A Supervision Agreement Form (PDF);

• Official license verification(s) for any professional or occupational license(s) the applicant currently holds or has ever held, even if they are now expired.

AD Renewal and Continuing Education Information

Renew a License

Terms:

• Renews yearly on November 30th regardless of initial license issue date.

Requirements:

• Every 2 years (odd-numbered year to odd-numbered year): 12 contact hours of continuing professional education, including at least 4 hours in professional ethics, pursuant to Board Rules Chapter 7 (DOCX).

Description

A "Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor" is an individual who provides individual or group alcohol and drug counseling services unaided. The CAC license requires either qualifying education or qualifying licensed supervised work experience hours. This requirement can be met with one of the following: an associate degree or higher in clinically based behavioral sciences, addiction counseling or a related field OR a minimum of 30 college credit hours (10 courses total) in clinically based behavioral sciences, addiction counseling or a related field OR a MHRT/C certificate OR 4000 hours of licensed supervised work experience hours in alcohol and drug counseling services obtained while holding a Maine Alcohol & Drug Counseling Aide "AD" license and while being supervised by a Maine Certified Clinical Supervisor "CCS" licensee. The CAC license also requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and pass the ADC examination.

All work performed must be under the supervision of a CCS licensee within an agency. "Agency" means an establishment, organization or institution, public or private, that is licensed by the Department of Health & Human Services and that offers, purports to offer, maintains or operates one or more programs for the assessment, diagnosis, care, treatment or rehabilitation of individuals who are suffering physically, emotionally or psychologically from substance use disorder.

 CAC licensees may not engage in independent or private practice.

Please refer to Board Rules Chapter 4 (DOCX) for more information.

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 Applicants for CAC licensure are required to submit:

• An online application;

• Proof of age;

• Official documentation of qualifying education OR qualifying licensed supervised work experience;

  • If applying with a minimum of 30 college credit hours: a CAC Educational Worksheet (PDF).

  • If applying with licensed supervised work experience hours: Supervisor's Affidavit Form(s) (PDF).

• Official documentation of ADC passage;

• Official license verification(s) for any professional or occupational license(s) the applicant currently holds or has ever held, even if they are now expired.

Description

A "Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor" is an individual who provides individual or group alcohol and drug counseling services independently within an agency or in private practice. The LC license requires licensed supervised work experience hours in alcohol and drug counseling services that are obtained while holding a qualifying license type and while supervised by a qualifying licensee. Maine Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor "CAC" licensees can obtain these hours while under the supervision of a Certified Clinical Supervisor "CCS" licensee. Other clinical mental health licensees can obtain these hours while under the supervision of a full, clinical, mental health licensee or a CCS licensee. The LC license also requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and pass the AADC examination.

LC licensees may engage in private practice. LC licensees may also assume clinical supervision duties upon being licensed by the Board as a CCS.  

Please refer to Title 32 §6214-D for more information.

Return to License Information 

 Applicants for LC licensure are required to submit:

• An online application;

• Proof of age;

• Official documentation of highest level of education;

• Official documentation of AADC passage;

• Supervisor's Affidavit Form(s) (PDF) documenting the required amount of licensed supervised work experience hours in alcohol and drug counseling services that were obtained while holding a qualifying license type and while under the supervision of a qualifying licensee:

  • 2,000 hours while holding a CAC license and under the supervision of a CCS licensee OR while holding a clinical mental health license and under the supervision of a full, clinical, mental health licensee or a CCS licensee.

  • 1,500 hours while holding a clinical mental health license and under the supervision of a full, clinical, mental health licensee or a CCS licensee AND completion of a master degree that contained at least 12 credit hours in addiction counseling.

• Official license verification(s) for any professional or occupational license(s) the applicant currently holds or has ever held, even if they are now expired.

LC Renewal and Continuing Education Information

Renew a License

Terms:

• Renews yearly on November 30th regardless of initial license issue date.

Requirements:

• If only hold LC license: Every 2 years (odd-numbered year to odd-numbered year): 25 contact hours of continuing professional education, including at least 4 hours in professional ethics, pursuant to Board rules Chapter 7 (DOCX).

• If hold both LC and CCS licenses: Every 2 years (odd-numbered year to odd-numbered year): 37 contact hours of continuing professional education, including at least 4 hours in professional ethics, pursuant to Board rules Chapter 7 (DOCX).

Description

A "Certified Clinical Supervisor" is an individual who is licensed by the Board to provide supervision to individuals who provide alcohol and drug counseling services. "Supervision" includes, but is not limited to, oversight of case record reviews, case management, development of counseling skills, education and treatment modalities, clinical supervision log maintenance and client treatment plans and activities.

Applicants who don't currently hold an active Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor "LC" license are required to obtain 1,000 hours of licensed supervised work experience in alcohol and drug counseling services while holding a clinical, mental health license and while under the supervision of a full, clinical, mental health licensee or CCS licensee. Active LC licensees do not need to meet this work experience requirement. All applicants are required to complete at least 24 hours of training in clinical supervision including at least 6 hours of training in each of the following areas: skills assessment and evaluation; counselor development; management and administration; and professional responsibility.

Please refer to Title 32 §6214-E for more information.

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 Applicants for CCS licensure are required to submit:

• An online application;

• If not an active LC licensee: Supervisor's Affidavit Form(s) (PDF) documenting 1,000 hours of licensed supervised work experience hours in alcohol and drug counseling services while holding a qualifying license type and while under the supervision of a qualifying licensee.

• Official documentation of the completion of the required clinical supervision training(s);

• Official license verification(s) for any professional or occupational license(s) the applicant currently holds or has ever held, even if they are now expired.

CCS Renewal and Continuing Education Information

Renew a License

Terms:

• Renews yearly on November 30th regardless of initial license issue date.

Requirements:

• If only hold CCS license: Every 2 years (odd-numbered year to odd-numbered year): 12 contact hours of continuing professional education pursuant to Board rules Chapter 7 (DOCX).

• If hold both LC and CCS licenses: Every 2 years (odd-numbered year to odd-numbered year): 37 contact hours of continuing professional education, including at least 4 hours in professional ethics, pursuant to Board rules Chapter 7 (DOCX).

Description

Applicants who hold an active alcohol and drug counseling license, in good standing, in another U.S. state or jurisdiction, may apply for the equivalent Maine alcohol and drug counselor license through licensure by endorsement.

Please refer to Title 32 §6220 for more information.

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 Applicants for licensure by endorsement are required to submit:

• An online application;

• Official license verification(s) for any professional or occupational license(s) the applicant currently holds or has ever held, even if they are now expired.