An Act To Expedite the Issuance of Alcohol and Drug Counseling Licenses
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0228
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Sponsors: PERRY, DILL, BRENNAN, DENNO, FECTEAU, STEWART
Amends: 32 MRSA §6212, 32 MRSA §6214-E, 32 MRSA §6216-A

Legislative Document
No. 228
H.P. 191
House of Representatives, January 22, 2019
An Act To Expedite the Issuance of Alcohol and Drug Counseling 
Licenses
Reference to the Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and 
Business suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative PERRY of Calais.
Cosponsored by Senator DILL of Penobscot and
Representatives: BRENNAN of Portland, DENNO of Cumberland, FECTEAU of Biddeford, 
McCREIGHT of Harpswell, STEWART of Presque Isle.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  32 MRSA §6212, sub-§12, as amended by PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. U, §7, is 
further amended to read:
12.  Clinical supervision.  For purposes of direct clinical supervision of licensed 
practitioners in the field of alcohol and drug counseling, the board may certify upon 
receipt of an application and fee under section 6215 licensed psychologists, physicians, 
registered clinical nurse specialists, clinical professional counselors, clinical social 
workers and any other licensed or certified mental health professionals who are qualified 
to provide alcohol and drug counseling services by virtue of the requirements for that 
profession and who meet the requirements established by board rules license certified 
clinical supervisors. 
Sec. 2.  32 MRSA §6214-E is enacted to read:
§6214-E.  Certified clinical supervisors; qualifications for licensure
1.  Eligibility.  To be eligible to practice as a certified clinical supervisor, an 
applicant must:
A.  Meet the requirements of subsection 2 or 3;
B.  Have taken and passed an examination as prescribed by board rule; and
C.  Have paid an application and license fee under section 6215.
2.  Certain licensed mental health professionals.  An applicant who is a licensed 
psychologist, physician, registered clinical nurse specialist, clinical professional 
counselor or clinical social worker or a licensed or certified mental health professional 
who is qualified to provide alcohol and drug counseling services by virtue of the 
requirements for that profession is eligible for licensure under this section if the 
applicant:
A.  Possesses documented proof of 1,000 hours of practice in alcohol and drug 
counseling under the applicant's qualifying license; and
B.  Possesses documented proof of 30 hours of didactic training in clinical 
supervision including at least 6 hours of training in each of the following areas: skills 
assessment and evaluation, counselor development, management and administration 
and professional responsibility.
3.  Licensed alcohol and drug counselors.  An applicant who is a licensed alcohol 
and drug counselor is eligible for licensure under this section if the applicant:
A.  Possesses documented proof of 30 hours of didactic training in clinical 
supervision including at least 6 hours of training in each of the following areas: skills 
assessment and evaluation, counselor development, management and administration 
and professional responsibility; and
B.  Possesses:
(1)  A high school diploma or its equivalent and submits evidence of 4,000 hours 
of documented clinically supervised work experience as a licensed alcohol and 
drug counselor;
(2)  An associate or bachelor's degree and submits evidence of 2,000 hours of 
documented clinically supervised work experience as a licensed alcohol and drug 
counselor; or
(3)  A master's degree or higher and submits evidence of 1,000 hours of 
documented clinically supervised work experience as a licensed alcohol and drug 
counselor.
Sec. 3.  32 MRSA §6216-A is enacted to read:
§6216-A.  Time frame for granting or denying licenses
The board shall grant or deny a license under this subchapter within 30 days of the 
filing of the application under this subchapter.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, State 
Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors to grant or deny a license to practice as an alcohol 
and drug counseling aide, certified alcohol and drug counselor, licensed alcohol and drug 
counselor or certified clinical supervisor within 30 days of receipt of the application for 
that license.  This bill also clarifies the authority of the State Board of Alcohol and Drug 
Counselors to license certified clinical supervisors.