Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

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The Pennsylvania Code website reflects the Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 53 Pa.B. 8238 (December 30, 2023).

28 Pa. Code § 704.7. Qualifications for the position of counselor.

§ 704.7. Qualifications for the position of counselor.

 (a)  Drug and alcohol treatment projects shall be staffed by counselors proportionate to the staff/client and counselor/client ratios listed in §  704.12 (relating to full-time equivalent (FTE) maximum client/staff and client/counselor ratios).

 (b)  Each counselor shall meet at least one of the following groups of qualifications:

   (1)  Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a physician.

   (2)  A Master’s Degree or above from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field which includes a practicum in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If the practicum did not take place in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.

   (3)  A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 1 year of clinical experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person’s experience did not take place in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.

   (4)  An Associate Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 2 years of clinical experience (a minimum of 3,640 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person’s experience was not in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.

   (5)  Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a registered nurse and a degree from an accredited school of nursing and 1 year of counseling experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person’s experience was not in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.

   (6)  Full certification as an addictions counselor by a statewide certification body which is a member of a National certification body or certification by another state government’s substance abuse counseling certification board.

Cross References

   This section cited in 28 Pa. Code §  704.5 (relating to qualifications for the positions of project director and facility director); 28 Pa. Code §  704.9 (relating to supervision of counselor assistant); and 28 Pa. Code §  704.10 (relating to promotion of counselor assistant).



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