STATE OF WISCONSIN
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY, PROFESSIONAL
COUNSELING, AND SOCIAL WORK EXAMINING BOARD
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IN THE MATTER OF RULE-MAKING : ORDER OF THE
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE : MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY,
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY, : PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING, AND
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING, AND : SOCIAL WORK EXAMINING BOARD
SOCIAL WORK EXAMINING BOARD : ADOPTING RULES
: (CLEARINGHOUSE RULE 18-098)
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ORDER
An order of the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board to create MPSW 1.09, relating to substance use disorder specialty authorization.
Analysis prepared by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
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ANALYSIS
Explanation of agency authority:
Each board shall promulgate rules for its own guidance and the guidance of the profession to which it pertains and define and enforce professional conduct and unethical practices not inconsistent with the law relating to the particular profession. [s. 15.08 (5) (b), Stats.] The board establishes the educational and supervised training requirements in rules promulgated by the board to authorize an individual who is certified by the board to treat substance use disorder as a specialty. In promulgating rules under this subsection, the examining board shall consider the requirements for qualifying for a credential under s. 440.88, Stats. [s. 457.02 (5m), Stats.] Plain language analysis:
This rulemaking order creates the educational and supervised training requirements for a person certified by the board to treat alcohol or substance dependency as a specialty. The board utilizes the DSM V term substance use disorder rather than the previous DSM IV terms of dependence and abuse.
The first subsection delineates the use of the title and scope of practice. If a person who is certified by the board wants to treat substance use disorder as a specialty, without being credentialed under s. 440.88, Stats., the person must meet the requirements in this section. The second subsection recognizes that a credential holder who holds an advanced practice social worker or independent social worker credential would have received education in treatment, therefore, a minimum of 135 contact hours of substance use disorder education is required to supplement that education in four subject matter areas (understanding addiction; knowledge of addiction treatment; application to addiction practice; and professional readiness in addiction treatment). The credential holder would also be required to have 200 hours of supervised face-to-face client treatment. The education could be obtained in the course of earning the master’s degree or in addition to the degree. The 200 hours of supervised training may be obtained during or separately from the hours required to obtain the underlying credential.
The third subsection provides the requirements for the remaining credentials certified under ch. 457, Stats. The requirements include 180 contact hours of substance use disorder education. The education must include assessment training, counseling training, case management, patient education, professional responsibility, and boundaries and ethics. The education could be obtained in the course of earning of the bachelor’s degree or in addition to the degree. In addition, the individual must complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of face-to-face substance use disorder treatment experience. The 1,000 hours of supervised training may have been obtained during or separately from the hours required to obtain the underlying credential. The fourth subsection indicates the qualifications for a person who is supervising the person obtaining the training for the specialty. The following people are qualified, provided they have knowledge in psychopharmacology and addiction treatment: a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed professional counselor, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed psychologist, a licensed physian, a clinical supervisor as defined by SPS 160.02 (7), or another individual approved in advance of the supervising by the board.
The fifth subsection indicates that at least 6 continuing education hours in substance use disorder must be obtained during each biennial credentialing period. This continuing education may be counted toward the continuing education required for the renewal of the underlying credential.
Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation: None
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: Illinois does not have requirements for a social worker to obtain specified education or training to specialize in substance use disorder treatment.
Iowa: Iowa does not have requirements for a social worker to obtain specified education or training to specialize in substance use disorder treatment.
Michigan: Michigan does not have requirements for a social worker to obtain specified education or training to specialize in substance use disorder treatment.
Minnesota: Minnesota does not have requirements for a social worker to obtain specified education or training to specialize in substance use disorder treatment.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
The Board considered the requirements for qualifying for a credential under s. 440.88, Stats, Scopes of Practice & Career Ladder for Substance Use Disorder Counseling (September 2011) by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Technical Assistance Publication Series Addiction Counseling Competencies (March 2008) by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
