Ind. Code ch. 25-23.6-10.5

Ind. Code ch. 25-23.6-10.5
in effect

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-1 Addiction counselor license requirements

Sec. 1. An individual who applies for a license as an addiction counselor must meet the following requirements: (1) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has: (A) received a baccalaureate or higher degree in addiction counseling or in a related area as determined by the board from: (i) an eligible postsecondary educational institution that meets the requirements under section 3(1) of this chapter; or (ii) a foreign school that has a program of study that meets the requirements under section 3(2) or 3(3) of this chapter; (B) completed the educational requirements under section 5 of this chapter; and (C) completed the experience requirements under section 7 of this chapter. (2) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual does not have a: (A) conviction for a crime of violence (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-79); or (B) conviction in the previous two (2) years that has a direct bearing on the individual's ability to practice competently. (3) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has not been the subject of a disciplinary action by a licensing or certification agency of another state or jurisdiction on the grounds that the individual was not able to practice as an addiction counselor without endangering the public. (4) Pass an examination established by the board. (5) Pay the fee established by the board. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29. Amended by P.L.142-2020, SEC.28; P.L.85-2026, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-1.5 Addiction counselor associate license requirements; associate temporary permit

Sec. 1.5. (a) An individual who applies for a license as an addiction counselor associate must meet the following requirements: (1) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has: (A) received a baccalaureate or higher degree in addiction counseling, or in a related area as determined by the board from: (i) an eligible postsecondary educational institution that meets the requirement under section 3(1) of this chapter; or (ii) a foreign school that has a program of study that meets the requirement under section 3(2) or 3(3) of this chapter; and (B) completed the educational requirements under section 5 of this chapter. (2) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual does not have a: (A) conviction for a crime of violence (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-79); or (B) conviction in the previous two (2) years that has a direct bearing on the individual's ability to practice competently. (3) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has not been the subject of a disciplinary action by a licensing or certification agency of another state or jurisdiction on the grounds that the individual was not able to practice as an addiction counselor associate without endangering the public. (4) Pass an examination established by the board. (5) Pay the fee established by the board. (b) The board shall issue an associate temporary permit to practice addiction counseling or clinical addiction counseling to an individual who: (1) meets the educational requirements for a license as an addiction counselor or clinical addiction counselor; (2) is pursuing the required clinical supervisory hours for a license as an addiction counselor or clinical addiction counselor; and (3) pays a fee for the temporary permit set by the board. An associate temporary permit issued under this subsection expires one (1) year after the date the permit is issued, without regard to the number of times the individual passes or fails the required examination to become a licensed addiction counselor or clinical addiction counselor. The temporary permit may not be renewed. As added by P.L.225-2017, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.80-2018, SEC.1; P.L.195-2018, SEC.16; P.L.142-2020, SEC.29; P.L.85-2026, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-2 Clinical addiction license requirements

Sec. 2. An individual who applies for a license as a clinical addiction counselor must meet the following requirements: (1) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has: (A) received a master's or doctor's degree in addiction counseling, addiction therapy, or a related area as determined by the board from an eligible postsecondary educational institution that meets the requirements under section 4(a)(1) of this chapter or from a foreign school that has a program of study that meets the requirements under section 4(a)(2) or 4(a)(3) of this chapter; (B) completed the educational requirements under section 6 of this chapter; and (C) completed the experience requirements under section 8 of this chapter. (2) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual does not have a: (A) conviction for a crime of violence (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-79); or (B) conviction in the previous two (2) years that has a direct bearing on the individual's ability to practice competently. (3) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has not been the subject of a disciplinary action by a licensing or certification agency of another state or jurisdiction on the grounds that the individual was not able to practice as a clinical addiction counselor without endangering the public. (4) Pass an examination established by the board. (5) Pay the fee established by the board. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29. Amended by P.L.142-2020, SEC.30; P.L.85-2026, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-2.5 Clinical addiction counselor associate licensing requirements

Sec. 2.5. An individual who applies for a license as a clinical addiction counselor associate must meet the following requirements: (1) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has: (A) received a master's or doctor's degree in addiction counseling, or in a related area as determined by the board from: (i) an eligible postsecondary educational institution that meets the requirements under section 4(a)(1) of this chapter; or (ii) a foreign school that has a program of study that meets the requirements under section 4(a)(2) or 4(a)(3) of this chapter; and (B) completed the education requirements under section 6 of this chapter. (2) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual does not have a: (A) conviction for a crime of violence (as defined in IC 35-31.5-2-79); or (B) conviction in the previous two (2) years that has a direct bearing on the individual's ability to practice competently. (3) Furnish satisfactory evidence to the board that the individual has not been the subject of a disciplinary action by a licensing or certification agency of another state or jurisdiction on the grounds that the individual was not able to practice as a clinical addiction counselor associate without endangering the public. (4) Pass an examination established by the board. (5) Pay the fee established by the board. As added by P.L.225-2017, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.80-2018, SEC.2; P.L.142-2020, SEC.31; P.L.85-2026, SEC.14.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-3 Addiction counselor education requirements

Sec. 3. An applicant under section 1 of this chapter must have a baccalaureate or higher degree in addiction counseling or in a related area as determined by the board from an eligible postsecondary educational institution that meets the following requirements: (1) If the institution is located in the United States or a territory of the United States, at the time of the applicant's graduation the institution was accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. (2) If the institution is located in Canada, at the time of the applicant's graduation the institution was a member in good standing with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. (3) If the institution is located in a foreign country other than Canada, at the time of the applicant's graduation the institution: (A) was recognized by the government of the country where the school was located as a program to train in the practice of addiction counseling; and (B) maintained a standard of training substantially equivalent to the standards of institutions accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-4 Clinical addiction counselor education requirements

Sec. 4. (a) An applicant under section 2 of this chapter must have a master's or doctor's degree in addiction counseling, addiction therapy, or a related area as determined by the board from an eligible postsecondary educational institution that meets the following requirements: (1) If the institution is located in the United States or a territory of the United States, at the time of the applicant's graduation the institution was accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). (2) If the institution is located in Canada, at the time of the applicant's graduation the institution was a member in good standing with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. (3) If the institution is located in a foreign country other than Canada, at the time of the applicant's graduation the institution: (A) was recognized by the government of the country where the school was located as a program to train in the practice of addiction counseling; and (B) maintained a standard of training substantially equivalent to the standards of institutions accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. (b) An applicant under section 2 of this chapter who has a master's or doctor's degree from a program that did not emphasize addiction counseling may complete the course work requirement from an institution that is: (1) accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; (2) recognized by the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors; (3) recognized by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium; (4) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education; (5) accredited by the American Psychological Association's Commission on Accreditation; (6) accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; (7) accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission; or (8) approved by the board as a substantially equivalent program. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29. Amended by P.L.49-2019, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-5 Addiction counselor educational requirements

Sec. 5. (a) An applicant under section 1 of this chapter must complete the following educational requirements: (1) Course work from an eligible postsecondary educational institution that includes the following content areas: (A) Addictions theory. (B) Psychoactive drugs. (C) Addictions counseling skills. (D) Theories of personality. (E) Developmental psychology. (F) Abnormal psychology. (G) Group work. (H) Cultural competency. (I) Ethics and professional development. (J) Family education. (K) Areas of content as approved by the board. (2) At least one (1) supervised practicum, internship, or field experience in an addiction counseling setting that requires the applicant to provide at least three hundred fifty (350) hours of addiction counseling services. (b) The content areas under subsection (a)(1) may be combined into any one (1) college level course. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29. Amended by P.L.49-2019, SEC.9; P.L.149-2022, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-6 Clinical addiction counselor educational requirements

Sec. 6. (a) An applicant under section 2 of this chapter must complete the following educational requirements: (1) Graduate course work that must include graduate level course credits with material in at least the following content areas: (A) Addiction counseling theories and techniques. (B) Psychopharmacology. (C) Psychopathology. (D) Clinical appraisal and assessment. (E) Theory and practice of group addiction counseling. (F) Counseling addicted family systems. (G) Multicultural counseling. (H) Research methods in addictions. (I) Areas of content as approved by the board. (2) Graduate course work in the following areas: (A) Legal, ethical, and professional standards issues in the practice of addiction counseling and therapy or an equivalent course approved by the board. (B) Appraisal and assessment for individual or interpersonal disorder or dysfunction. (3) At least one (1) supervised clinical practicum, internship, or field experience in an addiction counseling setting that requires the applicant to provide seven hundred (700) hours of clinical addiction counseling services and that must include the following: (A) Two hundred eighty (280) face to face client contact hours of addiction counseling services under the supervision of a qualified supervisor, as determined by the board. (B) Thirty-five (35) hours of supervision from a qualified supervisor, as determined by the board. However, an applicant who has completed a clinical practicum, an internship, or field experience to obtain another license under this article is not required to complete the clinical addiction counseling services hours required under this subdivision. (4) Any qualifications established by the board under subsection (c). (b) The content areas under subsection (a)(1) may be combined into any one (1) graduate level course. (c) The board shall adopt rules to establish any additional educational or clinical qualifications as specified by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs or a successor organization. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29. Amended by P.L.49-2019, SEC.10; P.L.207-2021, SEC.27; P.L.149-2022, SEC.10.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-7 Addiction counselor counseling experience

Sec. 7. (a) For purposes of this section, "virtual supervision" means supervision of an applicant for a license as an addiction counselor by a qualified supervisor through an electronic platform that provides for synchronous visual and audio interaction in real time, and which is compliant with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Virtual supervision does not include telephone calls, electronic mail, or text messages. (b) An applicant under section 1 of this chapter must have at least two (2) years of addiction counseling experience that must include at least one hundred fifty (150) hours under supervision, one hundred (100) hours of which must be under individual supervision and fifty (50) hours of which must be under group supervision. The supervision required must be provided by a qualified supervisor, as determined by the board. (c) If an individual is obtaining the supervised addiction counseling experience described in subsection (b) in Indiana, the individual must be licensed as an addiction counselor associate under section 1.5 of this chapter. (d) A doctoral internship, or a supervised master's level practicum, an internship, or field experience in addiction counseling, may be applied toward the supervised work experience requirement. (e) Except as provided in subsection (f), the experience requirement may be met by work performed at or away from the premises of the qualified supervisor. (f) Except as provided in subsection (g), the work requirement may not be performed away from the qualified supervisor's premises if: (1) the work is the independent private practice of addiction counseling; and (2) the work is not performed at a place that has the supervision of a qualified supervisor. (g) Up to one hundred percent (100%) of the supervised addiction counseling experience hours required under subsection (b) may be accounted for through virtual supervision by a qualified supervisor described in subsection (b). (h) Any supervised addiction counseling experience hours that an applicant accumulates under this chapter after being licensed as an addiction counselor associate under section 1.5 of this chapter do not expire and may be used by the applicant to satisfy the supervised addiction counseling experience requirements under this chapter. (i) After obtaining a temporary permit under section 1.5 of this chapter, any supervised addiction counseling experience hours that an applicant accumulates under this chapter before the temporary permit expires may be used by the applicant to satisfy the supervised addiction counseling experience requirements under this chapter. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29. Amended by P.L.160-2018, SEC.6; P.L.207-2021, SEC.28; P.L.83-2024, SEC.22; P.L.130-2025, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-8 Clinical addiction counselor counseling experience

Sec. 8. (a) For purposes of this section, "virtual supervision" means supervision of an applicant for a license as a clinical addiction counselor by a qualified supervisor through an electronic platform that provides for synchronous visual and audio interaction in real time, and which is compliant with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Virtual supervision does not include telephone calls, electronic mail, or text messages. (b) An applicant under section 2 of this chapter must have at least two (2) years of clinical addiction counseling experience that must include at least two hundred (200) hours under supervision, one hundred (100) hours of which must be under individual supervision and up to one hundred (100) hours of which may be under group supervision. The supervision required must be provided by a qualified supervisor, as determined by the board. (c) If an individual is obtaining the clinical addiction counseling experience described in subsection (b) in Indiana, the individual must be licensed as a clinical addiction counselor associate under section 2.5 of this chapter. (d) A doctoral internship may be applied toward the supervised work experience requirement. (e) Except as provided in subsection (f), the experience requirement may be met by work performed at or away from the premises of the qualified supervisor. (f) Except as provided in subsection (g), the work requirement may not be performed away from the qualified supervisor's premises if: (1) the work is the independent private practice of addiction therapy; and (2) the work is not performed at a place that has the supervision of a qualified supervisor. (g) Up to one hundred percent (100%) of the supervised clinical addiction counseling experience hours required under subsection (b) may be accounted for through virtual supervision by a qualified supervisor described in subsection (b). (h) Any supervised clinical addiction counseling experience hours that an applicant accumulates under this chapter after being licensed as a clinical addiction counselor associate under section 2.5 of this chapter do not expire and may be used by the applicant to satisfy the supervised clinical addiction counseling experience requirements under this chapter. (i) After obtaining a temporary permit under section 1.5 of this chapter, any supervised clinical addiction counseling experience hours that an applicant accumulates under this chapter before the temporary permit expires may be used by the applicant to satisfy the supervised clinical addiction counseling experience requirements under this chapter. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29. Amended by P.L.207-2021, SEC.29; P.L.83-2024, SEC.23; P.L.130-2025, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-9 Requirements to take examination; examination in last term

Sec. 9. (a) As used in this section, "term" refers to an academic semester, trimester, or quarter. (b) An individual who satisfies the requirements of sections 4, 6, and 8 of this chapter may take the licensed clinical addiction counselor examination established by the board. (c) An individual who satisfies the requirements of sections 3, 5, and 7 of this chapter may take the licensed addiction counselor examination established by the board. (d) An individual who: (1) is enrolled in the last term of the last year of a program leading to a degree that meets the requirements of section 1.5(a)(1) of this chapter; and (2) provides a letter of good standing from the director of the addiction counselor department or the director's designee; may take the examination provided by the board for a license as an addiction counselor associate. (e) An individual who: (1) is enrolled in the last term of the last year of a program leading to a degree that meets the requirements of section 2.5(1) of this chapter; and (2) provides a letter of good standing from the director of the addiction counselor department or the director's designee; may take the examination provided by the board for a license as a clinical addiction counselor associate. (f) A letter of good standing provided under subsection (d)(2) or (e)(2) by an individual who applies for a license as an addiction counselor associate or clinical addiction counselor associate must include the following information: (1) The individual's first and last name. (2) The type of degree and program in which the individual is enrolled. (3) A statement confirming that the individual is currently in the final term of the program. (4) The anticipated date of completion of the program. (5) A statement confirming that the individual is in good academic standing. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29. Amended by P.L.83-2024, SEC.24.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-9.5 Reciprocity for licensed addiction counselors and licensed clinical addiction counselors

Sec. 9.5. The board shall issue a license to an individual to be a licensed addiction counselor or licensed clinical addiction counselor, not more than thirty (30) days after the application is filed and completed, if the individual: (1) has a valid license or certificate to practice from another state or jurisdiction; (2) has passed an examination substantially equivalent to the level for which licensure is being requested; (3) does not have a pending disciplinary proceeding in another state; and (4) pays a fee. As added by P.L.225-2017, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.149-2022, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-10 Temporary permit

Sec. 10. (a) The board may issue a temporary permit to allow an individual to profess to be a licensed addiction counselor or licensed clinical addiction counselor if the individual pays a fee established by the board and the individual: (1) has a valid license or certificate to practice from another state and the individual has applied for a license from the board; (2) is practicing in a state that does not license addiction counselors or therapists but is certified by a national association approved by the board and the individual has applied for a license from the board; or (3) has been approved by the board to take the examination and has graduated from a school or program approved by the board and the individual has completed any experience requirement. (b) A temporary permit issued under this section expires the earliest of: (1) the date the individual holding the permit is issued a license under this article; (2) the date the board disapproves the individual's license application; or (3) one hundred eighty (180) days after the initial permit is issued. (c) The board may renew a temporary permit if the individual holding the permit is scheduled to take the next examination and the individual: (1) does not take the examination; and (2) shows good cause for not taking the examination. (d) A permit renewed under subsection (c) expires on the date the individual holding the permit receives the results from the next examination given after the permit was issued. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-11 Examination exemptions

Sec. 11. (a) An individual who applies for an addiction counselor license under this article may be exempted by the board from the examination requirement under section 1 of this chapter if the individual: (1) is licensed or certified as an addiction counselor in another state and has passed a licensing examination substantially equivalent to the licensing examination required under this article; (2) has engaged in the practice of addiction counseling for at least three (3) of the previous five (5) years; (3) has passed an examination pertaining to the addiction counseling laws and rules of Indiana; and (4) has not committed any act and is not under investigation for any act that constitutes a violation of this article; and is otherwise qualified under sections 1, 3, 5, and 7 of this chapter. (b) An individual who applies for a clinical addiction counselor license under this article may be exempted by the board from the examination requirement under section 2 of this chapter if the individual: (1) is licensed or certified as a clinical addiction counselor in another state and has passed a licensing examination substantially equivalent to the licensing examination required under this article; (2) has passed an examination pertaining to the addiction therapy laws and rules of Indiana; and (3) has not committed any act and is not under investigation for any act that constitutes a violation of this article; and is otherwise qualified under sections 2, 4, 6, and 8 of this chapter. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-12 Renewal

Sec. 12. (a) This section is subject to section 12.3 of this chapter. (b) Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), a license issued by the board under this chapter is valid for the remainder of the renewal period in effect on the date the license was issued. (c) An individual may renew a license by paying a renewal fee on or before the expiration date of the license. (d) If an individual fails to pay a renewal fee on or before the expiration date of a license, the license becomes invalid. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29. Amended by P.L.177-2015, SEC.58; P.L.225-2017, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-12.3 Associate license renewals

Sec. 12.3. (a) Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), an associate license issued by the board under this chapter is valid for the remainder of the renewal period in effect on the date the license was issued. (b) An individual may renew an associate license two (2) times by: (1) paying a renewal fee on or before the expiration date of the license; and (2) completing at least twenty (20) hours of continuing education each licensure year. (c) The board may renew an associate license for additional periods based on circumstances determined by the board. (d) If an individual fails to pay a renewal fee on or before the expiration date of an associate license, the associate license becomes invalid. As added by P.L.225-2017, SEC.10.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-13 Reinstatement of invalid license

Sec. 13. (a) The board may reinstate an invalid license up to three (3) years after the expiration date of the license if the individual holding the invalid license meets the requirements under IC 25-1-8-6. (b) If more than three (3) years have elapsed since the date a license expired, the individual holding the license may renew the license by satisfying the requirements for renewal established by the board and meeting the requirements of IC 25-1-8-6. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-14 Notification of retirement

Sec. 14. (a) An individual who is licensed under this article shall notify the board in writing when the individual retires from practice. (b) Upon receipt of the notice, the board shall: (1) record the fact the individual is retired; and (2) release the individual from further payment of renewal fees. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.29.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.5-16 Mental health diagnosis evaluation; requirements; documentation

Sec. 16. (a) This section applies if an individual licensed under this chapter performs an evaluation to determine a mental health diagnosis of a patient and determines that the patient either: (1) has not seen: (A) a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5; (B) an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under IC 25-23; or (C) a physician assistant licensed under IC 25-27.5; within the previous twelve (12) months; or (2) may have a physical condition that requires medical attention. (b) The individual performing the evaluation shall do the following: (1) Advise the patient to schedule, and offer to assist the patient with the scheduling of, a physical examination at the earliest opportunity with: (A) a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5; (B) an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under IC 25-23; or (C) a physician assistant licensed under IC 25-27.5. (2) Provide the patient with a list of practitioners specified in subdivision (1) that the patient may contact to schedule a physical examination, including the: (A) name; (B) address; and (C) telephone number; of the practitioners. (3) Coordinate patient care as appropriate with the practitioner who is providing physical medical care to the patient, unless the patient has declined to consent to the coordination of care. (c) An individual performing the evaluation shall document all actions taken under subsection (b) in the patient's medical record. As added by P.L.138-2021, SEC.9.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/25Fetched: 10/17/2026

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