(1) At the time of application, an applicant for licensure as an addiction counselor or registration as an addiction counselor licensure candidate must have graduated from an accredited college or university with:

(a) a baccalaureate or advanced degree in alcohol and drug studies, psychology, sociology, social work, or counseling, or a comparable degree per 37-35-202(9), MCA; or

(b) an associate of arts degree in alcohol and drug studies, addiction, or substance abuse.

(2) At the time of application, an applicant must have graduated from an accredited college or university with:

(a) a baccalaureate or advanced degree in alcohol and drug studies, psychology, sociology, social work, or counseling, or a comparable degree per 37-35-202(9), MCA; or

(b) an associate of arts degree in alcohol and drug studies, addiction, or substance abuse.

(3) To qualify for LAC licensure, a candidate's education must include 330 contact hours of addiction courses. These are contact hours that may be obtained through academic course work, approved workshop training, or approved home study courses. The 330 hours must include minimum hours in each of the following areas:

(a) chemical dependency assessment and patient placement (must include chemical dependency assessment, biopsychosocial testing, diagnosis, referrals, and patient placement); 60 hours

(b) counseling; 90 hours

(c) pharmacology (must include drug classification, effects,

detoxification and withdrawal); 30 hours

(d) ethics (ethics for addiction counselors); 15 hours

(e) alcohol and drug studies; 30 hours

(f) treatment planning and documentation; 30 hours

(g) multicultural competency - knowledge of and sensitive

to the cultural factors and needs of diverse populations and demonstrate

competency in applying culturally relevant skills; 15 hours

(h) co-occurring disorders; 30 hours

(i) gambling/gaming disorder assessment and counseling. 30 hours