Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors

Educational Programs

Prior to submitting an application for licensure, Level 1 A & D Counselors must have completed six thousand (6,000) clinically supervised counseling experience contact hours and two hundred seventy (270) hours of formal classroom training.  Supervised hours can be obtained by working in an alcohol and drug treatment or rehab facility under the supervision of a licensed A & D counselor who holds a Certificate of Qualified Supervision (CQS) issued by the Tennessee Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors.  The two hundred seventy (270) hours can be obtained by attending formal workshops furnished by employers, A & D training classes, or by attending a community college or any other Board approved school providing A & D related subjects that fulfill the requirement of the eight (8) domains.  A Level 1 A&D counselor may not have a private and must practice in a facility or institution under supervision.

Prior to submitting an application for licensure as a Level 2 counselor, an applicant must have a bachelor's degree in a behavioral health related field or higher  level degree in a non-behavioral health related field from an accredited institution of higher learning, and submit an official transcript, have completed two (2) years of full time or four thousand (4000) hours  of experience while providing alcohol and drug abuse counseling services under the direct supervision of a  Qualified  Clinical Supervisor who meets the requirements of the rules of the Board  and  have alcohol and drug abuse counseling education and training within the eight domains, as listed in TCA § 68-24-606 or have a master's or higher level degree in a behavioral health related field from an accredited institution of higher learning, and submit an official transcript, and have completed one (1) year of full time experience or two thousand (2000) hours of experience while providing alcohol and drug abuse counseling services under the direct supervision of a Qualified Clinical Supervisor who meets the requirements of the rules  of the Board and have  alcohol and drug abuse counseling education and training within the eight domains, as listed in TCA § 68-24-606.  Level 2 Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors may practice independently.