                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

SCOPE OF PRACTICE OF AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSED SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT
PRACTITIONERS (§ 54.1-3507)

A. A licensed substance abuse treatment practitioner shall be qualified to (i)
perform on an independent basis the substance abuse treatment functions of
screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, treatment, case
management, substance abuse or dependence crisis intervention, client education,
referral activities, recordkeeping, and consultation with other professionals;
(ii) exercise independent professional judgment, based on observations and
objective assessments of a client&#8217;s behavior, to evaluate current
functioning, to diagnose and select appropriate remedial treatment for
identified problems, and to make appropriate referrals; and (iii) supervise,
direct and instruct others who provide substance abuse treatment.

B. Pursuant to regulations adopted by the Board, an applicant for a license as a
licensed substance abuse treatment practitioner shall submit evidence
satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has (i) completed a specified
number of hours of graduate studies, including a specified number of didactic
substance abuse education courses at, and has received a master&#8217;s degree
in substance abuse or a substantially equivalent master&#8217;s degree from, an
institution of higher education accredited by an accrediting agency recognized
by the Board; and (ii) completed a specified number of hours of experience
involving the practice of substance abuse treatment supervised by a licensed
substance abuse treatment practitioner, or by any other mental health
professional licensed by the Department, such number of hours being greater than
the number of hours required of a certified substance abuse counseling
assistant. The applicant shall also pass an examination, as required by the
Board.

HISTORY: 1997, c. 901; 2001, c. 460.