Essay Available:
page:
5 pages/≈1375 words
Sources:
3
Style:
APA
Subject:
Psychology
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 24.3
Topic:
State Credentialing Board Research Project
Essay Instructions:
The purpose of this assignment is to help familiarize you with licensure requirements for the state in which you currently reside or the state in which you plan to practice. (California)
In order to complete this assignment, you will need to select a state (California) to use as the basis for your research. You should select either the state in which you currently reside or the state in which you plan to practice.
Information regarding credentialing in the state you have selected can be gathered in one or more of the following ways. (These are options. You are not required to do both of these.)
(Preferred) Reviewing the content of the state credentialing board website.
Attending a public meeting of the state credentialing board and/or review public meeting notes online.
Note: Please do not contact the board to get this information as most likely they will not get back to you in time to complete this assignment. In addition, as you will be gathering information about credentialing, it is important you use paraphrasing as well as in-text citations to avoid plagiarism issues.
Using the information you gathered, write a 1,250-1,500-word scholarly paper on your state credentialing board. Include the following in your paper:
Identifying information about the state board (name, location, frequency of meetings, etc.)
The mission of the state board.
The regulatory authority and scope (cite the statutes and rules that govern the board’s activities, describe the discipline(s) regulated by the board, and describe the scope of the board’s authority to regulate professional practice).
A summary of the licensure and certification requirements for the state in which you plan to practice.
A description of the different tiered levels of licensure (such as LASAC and LISAC) to establish eligibility for addictions licensure. Licensing and/or certification requirements may vary from state to state. It is the students’ responsibility to check the licensing/certification requirements in their respective state.
A description of the state’s legal complaint handling process and/or outcomes, descriptions of types of complaints, and observed patterns.
At least three scholarly sources, one of which should be your state’s licensing board.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Benchmark Information
This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies and professional standards:
MS Addiction Counseling; MS Christian Counseling of Substance Abuse and Addictive Disorders
1.3: Demonstrate knowledge of requirements for licensure and certification for the practice of professional counseling.
2.2: Examine legal and professional ethical standards of professional counseling.
5.1: Differentiate between tiered levels of licensure or certification for professional counselors.
This assignment meets the following NASAC Standards:
20) Understand the addiction professional's obligation to adhere to generally accepted ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the helping relationship.
21) Understand the importance of ongoing supervision and continuing education in the delivery of client services.
35) Seek appropriate supervision and consultation.
47) Inform the client of his/her confidentiality rights, program procedures that safeguard them, and the exceptions imposed by statute.
65) Apply confidentiality-related legal restrictions appropriately.
66) Demonstrate respect and nonjudgmental attitudes toward the client in all contacts with other professionals or agencies.
110) Protect client rights to privacy and confidentiality in the preparation and handling of records, especially in relation to the communication of client information with third parties.
112) Prepare and record treatment and continuing care plans that are consistent with agency standards and comply with applicable administrative rules.
116) Demonstrate ethical behaviors by adhering to established professional codes of ethics that define the professional context within which the counselor works, in order to maintain professional standards and safeguard the client.
118) Adhere to federal and state laws, and agency regulations, regarding addictions treatment.
121) Conduct culturally appropriate self-evaluations of professional performance, applying ethical, legal, and professional standards to enhance self-awareness and performance.
122) Obtain appropriate continuing professional education.
Essay Sample Content Preview:
California State Credentialing for Addiction Counselors: A Scholarly Analysis
Student’s Name
Institution
Course Name
Instructor Name
Date
California State Credentialing for Addiction Counselors: A Scholarly Analysis
Introduction
Credentialing and licensure are measures that promote competency, ethics, and the ability of addiction counselors to provide evidence-based care. As a professional who is planning to practice in California, it is important to know the list of particular requirements that the state has. In California, the use disorder (SUD) counselor licensure and certification is regulated by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in its Division of Licensing and Certification. Studies indicate that educational preparation, supervision, as well as scope of practice among addiction counselors vary significantly in the United States. The study of Geraiser et al. (2025) showed that the graduate-level counselors are advantaged by the structured curricula, formalized training, and broad supervision, which make them more prepared to receive a licensure. As Zerden et al. (2025) point out, the lack of uniformity in state policies on training, supervision, and Medicaid reimbursement has an impact on the quality of the workforce and the service provided to clients. According to Shaari (2021), personal experience and a wish to assist other people usually encourage people in recovery to start working as counselors, which, in turn, affects their interactions, ethical competence, and use of evidence-based practices. A combination of these results with the California-specific regulations creates a holistic picture of licensure, certification, and tiers of practice and legal adherence to addiction counselors in California.
State Board Overview
In California, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) issues addiction counselor licensure through its Substance Use Disorder Certification and Licensing Division in Sacramento. DHCS conducts quarterly open meetings about the updates of the policy, processes of licensing, and workforce plans (DHCS, n.d.). Agenda and minutes are placed on the Internet, and they allow the population to gain access to policy discussions and information about workforce planning. The mission of the board is to safeguard the wellbeing of the populace by assuring that the counselors have the necessary knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation to deliver high quality and evidence based treatment. According to Gaiser et al. (2025), graduate-level counselors are in a more suitable position to address professional requirements by the way of guided training and supervision. Zerden et al. (2025) emphasize that the state-level consistency in licensure is a guarantee of workforce preparedness. Shaari (2021) also highlights that personal recovery experience positively affects the ethical practice of counselor, their empathy, and devotion to client-centered care.
Regulatory Authority and Scope
The DHCS is associated with the licensing, certifications, and disciplinary actions of SUD counsellors in cooperation with the California Business and Professions Code, Division 2, Chapter 7.5 (Sections 1187511879). The board is in control of LASACs (Licensed Advanced Substance Abuse Counsellors) and LISACs (Licensed Intermediate Substance Abuse Counsellors). The tasks involve authorization of education and training programs, setting supervision standards, assessment of licensure eligibility, and processing complaints. Gaiser et al. (2025) also show that counselors who have higher education satisfy competencies needed to be expressed on regulatory approval, such as clinical assessment, treatment planning, and supervision. Zerden et al. (2025) emphasize that the same level of supervision increases the stability of the workforce and its consistency and compliance with the professional and ethical needs. This view is proven by Shaari (2021), who reminds that motivation and the experience of recovery lived by the counselors contribute to their effectiveness in approaching the concert, making ethical choices, and adhering to evidence-based intervention. It should be mentioned that the board restricts the practice to licensed levels to the extent to which the counselor is not allowed to administer clinical supervision or advanced intervention without the corresponding licensure.
Licensure and Certification Requirements
California demands that counse...
Get the Whole Paper!
Not exactly what you need?
Do you need a custom essay? Order right now:
👀 Other Visitors are Viewing These APA Essay Samples:
-
Discussion Post - Psychology and Child Custody
1 page/≈275 words | 3 Sources | APA | Psychology | Essay |
-
Functional Assessment
2 pages/≈550 words | 2 Sources | APA | Psychology | Essay |
-
Scenario Analysis
3 pages/≈825 words | 5 Sources | APA | Psychology | Essay |