§ 5-69-8. Licenses. (a) The department shall issue the appropriate license to applicants who meet the qualifications for the license as specified:

(1) "Licensed chemical dependency professional.'' Any individual desiring to obtain a license as a licensed chemical dependency professional shall be currently certified as an advanced chemical dependency professional or advanced chemical dependency professional II in accord with the ICRC/AODA member board standards, as a prerequisite for submitting the application to the licensing board.

(2) "Licensed chemical dependency clinical supervisor.'' Any individual desiring to obtain a license as a licensed chemical dependency clinical supervisor shall be currently certified as an advanced chemical dependency professional or advanced chemical dependency professional II, shall have completed the ICRC/AODA member board standards for chemical dependency clinical supervisor, and shall submit an application to the licensing board.

(3) Other. An applicant having a comparable license, certification, or reciprocity within Rhode Island or from another state or territory of the United States that imposes qualifications substantially similar to those of this chapter, as determined by the licensing board.

(b) In addition to the qualifications listed in this section, an applicant for any of these titles must prove to the licensing board's satisfaction:

(1) Good moral character which is a continuing requirement for licensure;

(2) United States citizenship or status as a legal resident alien;

(3) Absence of a sanction from the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, or ICRC/AODA member board sanction for violation of the code of ethics, or other related state board, which shall be waived by the board upon presentation of satisfactory evidence that the sanction does not impair the ability of the person to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by this license. The applicant shall bear the burden of proving that his or her sanction does not impair his or her ability to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by this license;

(4) Absence of conviction of a felony, which shall be waived by the board upon presentation of satisfactory evidence that the conviction does not impair the ability of the person to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by this license. The applicant shall bear the burden of proving that his or her conviction does not impair his or her ability to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by this license;

(5) That the applicant has not been declared mentally incompetent by any court, and if the decree has ever been rendered, that there has been a subsequent court determination that the applicant is competent; and

(6) Freedom from use of any controlled substance or any alcoholic beverages to the extent that the use impairs the ability of the person to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by this license. The applicant shall bear the burden of proving that he or she is free from use of any controlled substance or any alcoholic beverages that impair his or her ability to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by this license.

History of Section. (P.L. 1994, ch. 117, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 11, § 1.)