Substance abuse counselors, clinical supervisors, and prevention specialists
Wis. Stat. § 440.88
in effect(1) Definitions. In this subchapter:
(a) “Clinical supervisor” means a clinical supervisor-in-training, an intermediate clinical supervisor, or an independent clinical supervisor.
(am) “Prevention specialist” means a prevention specialist-in-training or a prevention specialist.
(b) “Substance abuse counselor” means a substance abuse counselor-in-training, a substance abuse counselor, or a clinical substance abuse counselor.
(2) Certification. Except as provided in sub. (3m) and s. 440.12 or 440.13, the department shall certify as a substance abuse counselor, a clinical supervisor, or a prevention specialist any individual who satisfies the applicable conditions in sub. (3) and who has presented evidence satisfactory to the department that applicable certification standards and qualification of the department, as established by rule, have been met.
(3) Certification; standards and qualifications.
(a) Subject to pars. (b) and (c) and except as provided in sub. (3m), the department shall promulgate rules that establish minimum standards and qualifications for the certification of all of the following, including substance abuse counselors and clinical supervisors, as defined by the department of health services by rule:
1. Substance abuse counselors-in-training.
2. Substance abuse counselors.
3. Clinical substance abuse counselors.
4m. Clinical supervisors-in-training.
5. Intermediate clinical supervisors.
6. Independent clinical supervisors.
7. Prevention specialists-in-training.
8. Prevention specialists.
(b) Rules promulgated under par. (a) shall include standards based on demonstrated requisite competency, knowledge, skills, and attitudes of professional practice that are culturally competent and evidence-based.
(c) Before the department may promulgate rules under par. (a), the department shall appoint a certification review committee under s. 227.13 and shall consult with the certification review committee on the proposed rules.
(3m) Exception. This section does not apply to a physician, as defined in s. 448.01 (5), a clinical social worker, as defined in s. 457.01 (1r), an independent social worker, as defined in s. 457.01 (2g), an advanced practice social worker, as defined in s. 457.01 (1c), a psychologist licensed under s. 455.04 (1) or (2), a marriage and family therapist, as defined in s. 457.01 (3), or a professional counselor, as defined in s. 457.01 (7), who practices as a substance abuse clinical supervisor or provides substance abuse counseling, treatment, or prevention services within the scope of his or her credential.
(4) Applications; certification period. An application for certification as a substance abuse counselor, clinical supervisor, or prevention specialist under this section shall be made on a form provided by the department and filed with the department and shall be accompanied by the initial credential fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a). The renewal date for certification as a substance abuse counselor, clinical supervisor, or prevention specialist is specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a) and the renewal fee for such certifications is determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a). Renewal of certification as a substance abuse counselor-in-training, a clinical supervisor-in-training, or a prevention specialist-in-training may be made only twice.
(5) Certification required. Except as provided in sub. (3m) and s. 257.03, no person may represent himself or herself to the public as a substance abuse counselor, clinical supervisor, or prevention specialist or a certified substance abuse counselor, clinical supervisor, or prevention specialist or use in connection with his or her name a title or description that conveys the impression that he or she is a substance abuse counselor, clinical supervisor, or prevention specialist or a certified substance abuse counselor, clinical supervisor, or prevention specialist unless he or she is so certified under sub. (2).
(6) Revocation, denial, suspension, or limitation of certification. The department may, after a hearing held in conformity with ch. 227, revoke, deny, suspend, or limit under this subchapter the certification of any substance abuse counselor, clinical supervisor, or prevention specialist or reprimand the substance abuse counselor, clinical supervisor, or prevention specialist, for practice of fraud or deceit in obtaining the certification or any unprofessional conduct, incompetence, or professional negligence.
(7) Reciprocal certification. The department shall, upon application and payment of the required fee, issue certification as a substance abuse counselor, clinical supervisor, or prevention specialist to an individual who holds a similar unexpired certification issued to the individual by another state for which the requirements for certification are of a standard that is not lower than that specified in this subchapter.
(8) Certification other than by department prohibited. No entity other than the department may certify substance abuse counselors, clinical supervisors, or prevention specialists.
(9) Continuing education. The department may do all of the following:
(a) Establish the minimum number of hours of continuing education required for renewal of certification under this section and the topic areas that the continuing education must cover.
(b) Require continuing education as part of any disciplinary process for an individual.
(10) Continuing education course approval. The department shall establish the criteria for the approval of continuing education programs and courses required for renewal of certification of a substance abuse counselor, clinical supervisor, or prevention specialist and the criteria for the approval of the sponsors and cosponsors of those continuing education programs and courses. The department shall approve continuing education programs and courses in accordance with the criteria established under this subsection.
(11) Scope of practice. The department shall promulgate rules establishing minimum standards for the practice of substance abuse counseling, supervision, and prevention.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/440.88Fetched: 10/7/2026