New Mexico Register / Volume XXXII, Issue 22 / November 30, 2021

This is an amendment to 16.27.13 NMAC, Sections 3, 8, and 9, effective 11/30/2021.

16.27.13.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: These parts are promulgated pursuant to the Counselor and Therapist Practice Act, [Section 61-9A-3 through 61-9A-7 NMSA 1978] Sections 61-9A-1, 61-9A-3, 61-9A-5, 61-9A-9, 61-9A-14.1, 61-9A-15, 61-9A-23, and 61-9A-24 NMSA 1978 and the Uniform Licensing Act, Section 61-1-34 NMSA 1978.

[16.27.13.3 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.27.3, 6/15/2001; A, 11/30/2021]

16.27.13.8 SUPERVISION:

A. Supervision received for substance abuse associate must be provided by a licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCC), licensed marriage and family therapist (LFMT), licensed professional art therapist (LPAT), [licensed] psychologist, [licensed clinical] psychiatrist, licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor (LADAC) with three years of alcohol and drug abuse experience acquired after licensure, clinical nurse specialist in psychiatry or licensed independent or clinical social worker (LISW or LCSW). Supervisors must have experience in alcohol and drug abuse counseling. A licensed substance abuse associate must practice under supervision at all times. If the associate has completed the requirements for LADAC the associate must continue practicing under supervision until the associate has acquired the official LADAC license.

B. It is the responsibility of the individual seeking supervision to assure the supervision is acceptable for the level of licensure.

[16.27.13.8 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.1.7.5.3&4, 6/15/2001; A, 7/1/2004; A, 2/10/2006; A, 11/19/2007; A, 11/30/2021]

16.27.13.9 APPLICANTS FOR LICENSURE: A substance abuse associate (LSAA) must possess the following qualifications and provide the required documentation with the application.

A. Age requirement: Be at least 21 years of age.

B. Applicant must sign a statement provided in the application indicating the applicant has read the code of ethics and agrees to be bound and governed by the code of ethics.

C. Supervisory requirements: Applicant must have arranged for appropriate supervision, including an experience plan.

D. Holds at minimum an associate degree in counseling, counseling related field, or a substance abuse related field from an accredited institution and has a total of 90 clock hours of education and training in the areas of [alcohol, drug, and counseling] substance abuse counseling. The board may approve, on a case-by-case basis, applicants whose education is not in counseling, a counseling related field, or a substance abuse related field.

[E. Documentation required for licensure:

(1) a completed application as specified in 16.27.3.8 NMAC, and

(2) proof of completed education requirements: the applicant is required to submit an official transcript in a sealed envelope from each institution associate, baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degree; the transcript must be submitted with the application; and

(3) verification of associates degree in counseling, a counseling-related field, or substance abuse related field and 90 clock hours of education and training in the fields of alcohol [and/or] and drug abuse, and

(4) verification on attachment C that an appropriate supervisor has been obtained and an experience plan has been established and a signed statement is provided by the supervisor indicating the associate shall only participate in alcohol and drug abuse counseling sessions.]

E. Documentation required for licensure:

(1) a completed application as specified in 16.27.3.8 NMAC, and

(2) proof of completed education requirements: the applicant is required to submit an official transcript in a sealed envelope from each institution contributing to their associate, baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degree; the transcript must be sent directly to the board office from the institution and may be submitted electronically; and

(3) verification on attachment D of 90 clock hours of education and training in substance abuse, and

(4) verification on attachment C that an appropriate supervisor has been obtained and an experience plan has been established and a signed statement is provided by the supervisor indicating the associate shall only participate in alcohol and drug abuse counseling sessions.

[16.27.13.9 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.27.8, 6/15/2001; A, 7/1/2004; A, 2/10/2006; A, 11/19/2007; A, 11/30/2021]