§ 65-6611 — Temporary license; student temporary addiction counselor license; application; limitations on practice

(a) A person who is waiting to take the examination for licensure as an addiction counselor may apply to the board for a temporary addiction counselor license to practice as a licensed addiction counselor by:
(1) Paying a fee for a temporary license set under K.S.A. 65-6618, and amendments thereto; and
(2) meeting the application requirements as stated in K.S.A. 65-6610(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(4) and (a)(5), and amendments thereto.
(b) A person who is waiting to take the examination for licensure as a master's addiction counselor may apply to the board for a temporary master's addiction counselor license to practice as a licensed master's addiction counselor by:
(1) Paying a fee for a temporary license set under K.S.A. 65-6618, and amendments thereto; and
(2) meeting the application requirements as stated in K.S.A. 65-6610(b)(1)(A), (b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(D) and (b)(1)(E), and amendments thereto.
(c) (1) A temporary addiction counselor license or temporary master's addiction counselor license may be issued by the board after the application has been reviewed and approved by the board and the applicant has paid the appropriate fee.
(2) Absent extenuating circumstances approved by the board, a temporary addiction counselor license or a temporary master's addiction counselor license issued by the board shall expire upon the date the board issues or denies the person a license to practice addiction counseling or 24 months after the date of issuance of the temporary addiction counselor license or temporary master's addiction counselor license.
(3) No temporary addiction counselor license or temporary master's addiction counselor license will be renewed or issued again on any subsequent application for the same license level. The preceding provision in no way limits the number of times an applicant may take the examination.
(d) A person practicing addiction counseling with a temporary addiction counselor license or a temporary master's addiction counselor license may not use the title "licensed addiction counselor" or "licensed master's addiction counselor" or use the initials "LAC" or "LMAC" independently. The word "licensed" may be used only when followed by the words "by temporary license."
(e) No person may practice addiction counseling under a temporary addiction counselor license or a temporary master's addiction counselor license except in a licensed or certified alcohol and other drug abuse program, under the direction of a person licensed by the behavioral sciences regulatory board at the clinical level or a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery.
(f) Nothing in this section shall affect any temporary license to practice issued under this section prior to the effective date of this act and in effect on the effective date of this act. Such temporary license shall be subject to the provisions of this section in effect at the time of its issuance and shall continue to be effective until the date of expiration of the license as provided under this section at the time of issuance of such license.
(g) A person may apply to the board for a student temporary addiction counselor license to practice as a student temporary addiction counselor, on a form and in the manner prescribed by the board, by:
(1) Providing documentation of completing at least 60 credit hours from an institution of higher education with an emphasis in addiction counseling or a related field, as defined by the board in rules and regulations;
(2) providing a signed attestation indicating the applicant's intention to pursue licensure as a licensed addiction counselor with a plan to complete the education requirements toward a licensed addiction counseling license within 48 months;
(3) providing an education plan, signed by an official of the institution of higher education, including steps to obtain coursework necessary to receive an addiction counselor license;
(4) providing a signed attestation from a prospective employer who intends to offer employment when the applicant receives the student temporary addiction counselor license;
(5) submitting a supervision plan signed by a person who is employed by the prospective employer and who would be providing supervision to the applicant under K.S.A. 65-6611(i), and amendments thereto. Such supervision plan shall include not less than four hours of supervision per month and not fewer than two supervision meetings per month. A maximum of two hours per month may be in group supervision;
(6) satisfying the board that the applicant is a person who merits the public trust;
(7) attaining 20 years of age; and
(8) paying a fee for a student temporary addiction counselor license established under K.S.A. 65-6618, and amendments thereto.
(h) A student temporary addiction counselor license issued by the board shall expire upon the date the board issues the person a permanent license to practice addiction counseling or 24 months after the date of issuance of the student temporary addiction counselor license. A student temporary addiction counselor license may be renewed for one additional 24-month period by demonstrating:
(1) Evidence of the person's compliance with the education plan, including completion of coursework and remaining in good standing with the institution of higher education;
(2) changes or updates to the education plan signed by a representative of the institution of higher education;
(3) evidence of supervision logs signed by the supervisor and student for the periods of supervision; and
(4) paying a fee for renewal of a student temporary addiction counselor license established under K.S.A. 65-6618, and amendments thereto.
(i) No person may practice addiction counseling under a student temporary addiction counselor license except in a licensed or certified alcohol and other drug abuse program, a certified community behavioral health clinic or a community mental health center, supervised by a person licensed by the behavioral sciences regulatory board as an addiction counselor, master's addiction counselor or clinical addiction counselor or other individual licensed by the behavioral sciences regulatory board holding a license as a master's social worker, specialist clinical social worker, professional counselor, clinical professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical marriage and family therapist, master's level psychologist, clinical psychotherapist or psychologist.

Legislative History

L. 2010, ch. 45, § 5; L. 2016, ch. 92, § 55; L. 2019, ch. 55, § 16; L. 2023, ch. 90, § 23; July 1.