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CCB Submits Public Testimony in Support of SB 1065
March 18, 2013
Wallingford, CT – The Connecticut Certification Board, Inc. has submitted testimony in strong support of new legislation which proposes the reversal of a recent change made to the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) requirements which removed the requirement of LADC candidates to complete 240 hours of alcohol and drug counseling-specific education.
Since the inception of the alcohol and drug counselor licensing legislation in the late 90s, all LADC candidates have been required to demonstrate their competency in alcohol and drug counseling by completing a counseling-related master’s degree; 300 hour supervised practicum; 3 years of supervised work experience; 360 hours of education with no less than 240 of the hours in alcohol and d rug counselor education; and passing a written exam. In 2012, several major changes were made to the LADC requirements which effectively removed the alcohol and drug counselor-specific education requirement and substantially weakened the master’s degree requirement.
In recent months, CCB leadership and community stakeholders have worked with the Department of Public Health to support new legislation to reinstate the alcohol and drug counseling-specific education requirement for all LADCs. The CCB views this requirement as essential in determining LADC candidates have sufficient education in alcohol and drug counseling prior to becoming an LADC and views the removal of this requirement as negatively impacting the profession and ultimately a threat to public safety.
In addition, the CCB is urging the Public Health Committee of the Connecticut Senate to consider similar action around reversing a change made to the LADC master’s degree requirement. All LADC candidates should be required to complete a counseling-related master’s degree in order to become licensed which was initially required of all LADC candidates. New requirements implemented in 2012 make it possible for a candidate with a master’s degree in any area to become license-eligible if they also complete 18 credit hours of counseling content which effectively renders the master’s degree requirement meaningless as it provides no assurance of competency in alcohol and drug counseling.
A public hearing is scheduled by the Public Health Committee on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. in Room 1D of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, CT.
For a copy of the public testimony, please visit the CCB website or contact the CCB office for details.
