The department shall promulgate rules that establish the following: minimum standards and qualifications for the certification for substance abuse counselors, clinical supervisors and prevention specialists; minimum number of hours of continuing education required for renewal of certification and the topic areas that the continuing education must cover; the criteria for the approval of continuing education programs and courses required for renewal of certification of substance abuse counselors, clinical supervisors and prevention specialists; the criteria for the approval of the sponsors and cosponsors of those continuing education programs and courses; and minimum standards for the practice of substance abuse counseling, supervision, and prevention.
Plain language analysis:
Section 1 amends the title to include applicability as well as definitions.
Section 2 creates a section clarifying the title protection for substance abuse counselor, clinical supervisor, and prevention specialist. It specifies that Chapters SPS 160 to 168 do not apply to a physician, clinical social worker, psychologist or person credentialed under ch. 457 with the specialty authorization under s. MPSW 1.09 as well mental health providers practicing within the scope of their credential preparing a patient for treatment by referral until the referral is completed and the ability to continue treatment with the no-substance use disorder issues of the patient. Section 3 adds a definition for “assessment training”. The definition was previously located in s. SPS 166.01 (1). Assessment training is education on the process of collecting data as a basis for making decisions regarding a diagnosis and treatment or referral. Section 4 adds marriage and family therapy and professional counseling to recognized behavior science fields.
Section 5 adds a definition for “case management”. The definition was previously located in s. SPS 166.01 (2). Case management is education on administrative, clinical, and evaluative activities included in the process of patient treatment goals and working with the patient and others and other services, agencies and resources to achieve the treatment goals. Section 6 revises the last sentence to indicate the primary purpose of “clinical supervision” is to ensure quality patient care.
Section 7 repeals the definitions of “comprehensive program” and “core functions” due to the terms no longer being used in the code.
Section 8 adds the definitions for “counseling” and “education”. The definition for “counseling” was previously located in s. SPS 166.01 (3) and “education” was previously located in s. SPS 166.01 (4). Counseling is education which includes theories, principles and techniques of counseling to help patients reach treatment goals. Education is education about teaching others on risks of substance use, the process of dependence and available resources for prevention, treatment and recovery. Section 9 repeals the definitions of “GED”, “HSED” and prevention domains due to the terms no longer being used in the code.
Section 10 adds the definition for “professional responsibility”. The definition was previously located in s. SPS 166.01 (5). Professional responsibility is education which address standards of conduct and professional behavior. Section 11 deletes the terms “substance dependence” and “substance abuse” due to those being obsolete DSM terms. It adds the term “substance use disorder” because that is the diagnosis term in the DSM.
Section 12 repeals the definition for “transdisciplinary foundations” due to the term no longer being use in the code.
Section 13 repeals and recreates the requirements for certification chapter.
Requirements for substance abuse counselor-in-training are:
• Completion of 100 hours of substance use disorder education;
• Current or offer of employment of a place to obtain experience hours; and
• Pass an exam on Wisconsin laws.
Requirements for the substance abuse counselor are:
• Completion of 360 hours of substance use disorder education;
• Pass the NCAC I exam;
• Pass the jurisprudence exam (except if taken for the substance abuse counselor-in-training credential); and
• Complete 3,000 hours of work experience.
In the alternative, the substance abuse counselor requirements are deemed met if the person holds a credential under ch. 457 with the substance abuse specialty. Requirements for the clinical substance abuse counselor are:
• Holds a substance abuse counselor credential or completion of 360 hours of substance use disorder education;
• Associate’s degree or higher in a behavioral science field;
• Pass the NCAC I exam
• Pass the jurisprudence exam (except if taken for the substance abuse counselor-in-training credential); and
• Complete 5,000 hours of work experience (may include hours accrued for the substance abuse counselor credential)
In the alternative, the clinical substance abuse counselor requirements are deemed met if the person holds a credential at the master’s level or higher under ch. 457 with the substance abuse specialty. Requirements for the clinical supervisor-in-training are:
• Holds a clinical substance abuse counselor credential or a credential at the master’s level or higher under ch. 457 with the substance abuse specialty; and • Current or offer of employment of a place to obtain experience hours.
Requirements for the intermediate clinical supervisor or independent clinical supervisor are:
• Holds a clinical substance abuse counselor credential or a credential at the master’s level or higher under ch. 457 with the substance abuse specialty; 2 years clinical supervisory experience as a supervisor-in-training or intermediate supervisor within the last 5 years;
• Complete 30 hours of education in clinical supervision or hold an intermediate clinical supervisor credential; and
• Pass the NCSE exam.
Requirements for the prevention specialist-in-training is:
Complete of 40 hours of approved education, including 5 hours specific to ethics.
Requirements for the prevention specialist are:
• Pass the jurisprudence exam; and
• Complete 120 hours of education, including 50 hours specific to alcohol, tobacco and other substance abuse and 6 hours specific to ethics.
Applicants who hold a credential from another state whose requirements are not lower than Wisconsin’s requirements shall pass the jurisprudence exam.
Section 15 repeals and recreates the supervised practice chapter.
Supervision for a substance abuse counselor shall be done by a clinical supervisor, physician knowledgeable in addiction treatment or a psychologist knowledgeable in psychopharmacology and addiction treatment.
A supervisor will provide 1 hour of clinical supervision for every 40 hours of work performed by a substance abuse counselor obtaining a clinical substance abuse counselor. A supervisor will provide 2 hours of clinical supervision for all other applicants for a substance abuse counselor credential. The hourly requirement can be averaged over a month period. One meeting per month must be done in person or by visual electronic conferencing.
Group supervision may be done in groups of 8 or less.
Supervisor responsibility includes:
• Exercise supervisor responsibility over all activities;
• Provide the opportunity to develop competency;
• Allow the supervisee to engage only in practice that the supervisee is competent to perform and that the supervisor can competently perform;
• Be legally and ethically responsible for the supervisee’s activities;
• Be available for consultation and intervention;
• Be able to interrupt of stop the supervisee from practicing in certain cases; and
• Be able to terminate the supervised relationship.
Supervision for clinical supervisor practice shall be done by clinical supervisor, physician knowledgeable in addiction treatment or a psychologist knowledgeable in psychopharmacology and addiction treatment.
A supervisor shall provide 1 hour of supervision for every 40 hours of clinical supervisory practice. The hourly requirement can be averaged over a month period. One meeting per month must be done in person or by visual electronic conferencing.
Supervisor responsibility includes:
• Exercise supervisor responsibility over all clinical supervisory activities;
