Provisional Alcohol and Drug Counseling
License Requirements

The requirements for licensure as a Provisional Alcohol/Drug Counselor (PLADC) are in the regulations 172 NAC 15 of the Nebraska Administrative Code. This page summarizes the requirements for Provisional Licensure.

PLADC education requirements
A minimum of a high school diploma or G.E.D.
270 hours of education, to include the following core courses:

1. Counseling theories and techniques
2. Group counseling
3. Human growth and development
4. Professional ethics and issues
5. Alcohol/drug assessment, case planning and management
6. Multicultural counseling
7. Medical and psychological aspects of alcohol/drug use, abuse and addiction
8. Clinical treatment issues in chemical dependency

Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and Licensed Mental Health Practitioner is deemed to have met the educational areas of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 listed above.

Supervised practical training
300 hours of supervised practical training (300 performance hours) in the 12 counselor core functions with a minimum of 10 hours in each core function:

1. Screening
2. Intake
3. Orientation
4. Assessment
5. Treatment planning
6. Counseling: (individual, group, and significant other(s))
7. Case management
8. Crisis intervention
9. Client education
10. Referral
11. Reports and record-keeping
12. Consultation with other professionals

Code of ethics
Sign a code of ethics.

Supervisor Credentials
The practical training supervisor must hold one of the following credentials and can not be a family member:

A) Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor as defined in 172 NAC 15-002 who has been licensed and who has not had his/her license disciplined, limited, suspended, or placed on probation during the 1 year immediately preceding supervision as a practical training supervisor. If any of these actions are taken by the Department during the practical training supervision period, the LADC must terminate the supervision immediately; or

B) If hours are earned out-of-state, a reciprocity level alcohol and drug counselor credential from a member jurisdiction of the IC&RC/AODA, Inc. or its successor; or

C) A physician or psychologist licensed under the Uniform Licensing Law, or an equivalent credential from another jurisdiction (if the hours were earned in another state), and sufficient training as determined by the Board of Medicine and Surgery for physicians or the Board of Psychologists for psychologists, in consultation with the Board of Alcohol and Drug Counseling.

Clinical Supervision: A provisional licensee may not render services without clinical supervision as set out in this section. Effective Date 12/12/2007 Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services 172 NAC 15.

Work experience where a qualified supervisor has not been registered with the Department, in accordance with this section, will not be accepted towards a license as an alcohol and drug counselor.

A Registration of Supervisor: A provisional licensee must register his/her clinical work experience supervisor with the Department. The application must be submitted within 15 days of beginning employment. The application may be submitted on Attachment B attached to these regulations and incorporated by this reference or an alternate format which includes all information as specified in 172 NAC 15-003.09A. The application must include:

1. The name of an assigned qualified supervisor as defined in 172 NAC 15-004.01, item 3e; and

2. Agreement to supervise by the supervisor.

Change of Supervisor: A provisional licensee who changes his/her supervisor must submit an application within 15 days following the change. The application may be submitted on Attachment C attached to these regulations and incorporated by this reference or an alternate format which includes all information as specified in 172 NAC 15-003.09B. The application must include:

1. The name of an assigned qualified supervisor as defined in 172 NAC 15-004.01, item 3e; and

2. Agreement to supervise by the supervisor.

Termination of Supervision: If a supervisor or provisional licensee terminates supervision, s/he must notify the Department in writing immediately of the date of termination. The Department will record said termination date in the record.

Renewal of Provisional Status: Provisional status may be granted once, must be renewed on or before September 1 of each even-numbered year, may only be renewed twice, and may be held for a time period not to exceed 6 years. Also see 172 NAC 15-009.

Expiration of a Provisional License: A provisional alcohol and drug counselor license expires upon receipt of a license as an alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) or expiration date of the PLADC, whichever comes first.