Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors; extending sunset date. Effective date. Emergency.

Oklahoma extends its counselor licensing board

The law continues Oklahoma’s alcohol and drug counselor licensing board until July 1, 2028, instead of July 1, 2025. This keeps state oversight of these counselors in place without creating a direct household payment. The seven-member board includes five licensed counselors, one certified counselor, and one public member. The Governor appoints members with Senate approval. Four appointments come from names submitted by the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselor Association. One appointment comes from the Oklahoma Substance Abuse Services Alliance. Another comes from the Oklahoma Citizen Advocates for Recovery and Transformation Association. The public member must be an Oklahoma adult who has never been a licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor. That member cannot have a material financial interest in counseling or related activities. Five board members must have at least a master’s degree, and one must have a bachelor’s as their highest degree. Licensed-counselor appointees must hold Oklahoma certification or licensure, be in good standing, and have three years of in-state experience. Regular terms last five years, with a limit of two consecutive terms. Vacancies are filled through the original appointment process for the remaining term; members stay until their successors qualify. Members can be removed for inability to serve, misuse of office, practice-law or rule violations, or felony convictions. Members receive no pay but can receive reimbursement for actual and necessary travel expenses under state rules. The act lists July 1, 2025, as its effective date and also states immediate effectiveness upon passage and approval.