NRS641C.390. Requirements for issuance of certificate; period certificate is valid; scope of practice authorized by certificate.

      1.  The Board shall issue a certificate as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor to a person who:

      (a) Is not less than 21 years of age;

      (b) Is a citizen of the United States or is lawfully entitled to remain and work in the United States;

      (c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, has received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of social science approved by the Board;

      (d) Has completed 4,000 hours of supervised counseling of alcohol and drug abusers;

      (e) Passes the written and oral examinations prescribed by the Board pursuant to NRS 641C.290;

      (f) Pays the fees required pursuant to NRS 641C.470; and

      (g) Submits all information required to complete an application for a certificate.

      2.  The Board may waive the educational requirement set forth in paragraph (c) of subsection 1 if an applicant for a certificate has contracted with or receives a grant from the Federal Government to provide services as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor to persons who are authorized to receive those services pursuant to 25 U.S.C. §§ 450 et seq. or 25 U.S.C. §§ 1601 et seq. An alcohol and drug abuse counselor certified pursuant to this section for whom the educational requirement set forth in paragraph (c) of subsection 1 is waived may provide services as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor only to those persons who are authorized to receive those services pursuant to 25 U.S.C. §§ 450 et seq. or 25 U.S.C. §§ 1601 et seq.

      3.  A certificate as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor is valid for 2 years and may be renewed.

      4.  A certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor may:

      (a) Engage in the practice of counseling alcohol and drug abusers; and

      (b) Diagnose or classify a person as an alcoholic or abuser of drugs.

      (Added to NRS by 1999, 3053; A 2003, 1165; 2005, 2763)