                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

SCOPE OF PRACTICE, SUPERVISION, AND QUALIFICATIONS OF CERTIFIED SUBSTANCE ABUSE
COUNSELING ASSISTANTS (§ 54.1-3507.2)

A. A certified substance abuse counseling assistant shall be qualified to
perform, under appropriate supervision or direction, the substance abuse
treatment functions of orientation, implementation of substance abuse treatment
plans, case management, substance abuse or dependence crisis intervention,
record keeping, and consultation with other professionals. Certified substance
abuse counseling assistants may participate in recovery group discussions, but
shall not engage in counseling with either individuals or groups or engage in
independent or autonomous practice.

B. Such certified substance abuse counseling assistant shall be supervised or
directed either by a licensed substance abuse treatment practitioner, or by any
other mental health professional licensed by the Department, or by a certified
substance abuse counselor, or, in an exempt setting as described in &#xA7;
54.1-3501, another person with substantially equivalent education, training, and
experience, or such counseling assistant shall be in compliance with the
supervision requirements of a licensed facility.

C. Pursuant to regulations adopted by the Board, an applicant for certification
as a certified substance abuse counseling assistant shall submit evidence
satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has (i) received a high school
diploma or its equivalent, (ii) completed a specified number of hours of
didactic substance abuse education in a program or programs recognized or
approved by the Board, and (iii) accumulated a specified number of hours of
experience and completed a practicum or an internship involving substance abuse
treatment, supervised either by a licensed substance abuse treatment
practitioner, or by any other mental health professional licensed by the
Department, or by a certified substance abuse counselor. The applicant shall
also pass an examination, as required by the Board.

HISTORY: 2001, c. 460.