Practice of alcohol and drug counseling; eliminating certain educational requirement for membership on the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. Emergency.

Oklahoma counselor board drops specific degree requirements

The law removes specific degree requirements for membership on Oklahoma’s Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. It took effect upon passage and approval and re-created the seven-member Board for a term ending July 1, 2025. Five members must be licensed counselors, and one must be certified. These six must be in good standing and have at least three years of Oklahoma alcohol and drug counseling experience. The Governor appoints all seven members with Senate approval. Four come from lists submitted by the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselor Association. One comes from the Oklahoma Behavioral Health Association and one from the Oklahoma Citizen Advocates for Recovery and Transformation Association. The seventh represents the public and must be an Oklahoma resident age 18 or older. That person must never have been a licensed or certified alcohol or drug counselor or have a spouse who is one. The public member also cannot practice in the field or have a material financial interest in counseling services. Regular terms last five years. Initial appointments include two three-year terms, two four-year terms, and three five-year terms. Vacancies are filled through the same appointment process for the remaining term. Members can be removed for neglecting duties, misusing office for personal or financial gain, breaking counseling laws or rules, or a felony conviction. Members receive no pay but may receive reimbursement for actual, necessary travel expenses under state travel rules. These changes do not directly alter household benefits or costs.