Alcohol and Drug Counselor Continuing Education
Connecticut licensees are required to participate in continuing education (CE) activities. Please note the following:
Number of Hours
Each licensee applying for license renewal shall complete a minimum of 20 hours of qualifying continuing education during the one year period for which the license or certificate is being renewed. Continuing Education is mandated pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes.
For registration periods ending on and after January 1, 2016, alcohol and drug counsleors are required to complete not less than two contact hours of training or education and not less than once every six years thereafter on the topic of mental health conditions common to veterans and family members of veterans, including (1) determining whether a patient is a veteran or family member of a veteran, (2) screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief, and (3) suicide prevention training. Qualifying continuing education activities are educational offerings sponsored by a hospital or other licensed health care institutions, courses offered by a regionally accredited institution of higher education or courses offered by individuals or organizations on the list maintained by the Connecticut Certification Board, Inc. as approved providers of such continuing education activities.
Qualifying CE
The continuing education shall be in areas related to the individual's practice. Qualifying continuing education activities are educational offerings sponsored by a hospital or other licensed health care institution, courses offered by a regionally accredited institution of higher education or courses offered by individuals or organizations on the list maintained by the Connecticut Certification Board, Inc. (CCB ) as approved providers of such continuing education activities. Internet-based and distance learning opportunities are acceptable provided they are offered or sponsored by qualifying continuing education providers. The Department does not approve continuing education courses or pre-approve specific coursework for individual licensees, nor does the Department maintain a list of continuing education courses.
For registration periods beginning on and after October 1, 2014, each licensee shall complete not less than one contact hour of training or education in each registration period on the topic of cultural competency.
Documentation Requirements
Each licensee must obtain a certificate of completion from the provider of the continuing education for all continuing education hours that are successfully completed and shall retain the certificate for a minimum of three years following the renewal date for which the activity satisfies the continuing education requirement. Certificates of completion should not be mailed to the Department unless a licensee is specifically directed to do so. The Department may conduct an audit of continuing education records at any time. Upon request by the Department, the licensee shall submit certificates of course completion to the Department. A licensee who fails to comply with the continuing education requirements, including failure to maintain proof of course completion, may be subject to disciplinary action.
Exemptions/Waivers
A licensee who is applying for license renewal for the first time is exempt from continuing education requirements until such licensee’s next registration period.
The Department may, for a licensee or certificate holder who has a medical disability or illness, grant a waiver of the continuing education requirements for a specific period of time or may grant the licensee or certificate holder an extension of time in which to fulfill the requirements. Waivers must be requested annually, at the time of license or certificate renewal. Please use this form to request a waiver.