Section 163.01. Who may treat substance abuse disorders.

 

(1)   Employment restrictions. A person credentialed by the department as a substance abuse counselor-in-training, a substance abuse counselor or clinical substance abuse counselor may treat substance use disorders only if he or she is qualified to do so by education, training and experience and is certified under s. 440.88 , Stats. In order to treat persons with a substance use disorder, to treat the substance use disorder issues of a person with a dual diagnosis, to advertise as a substance abuse counselor or as a substance use disorder specialist, to be employed in a position identified as a substance use disorder specialist, or to be employed in a position within a program that is identified as a substance use disorder treatment program, a person shall be certified as a substance abuse counselor-in-training, a substance abuse counselor or a clinical substance abuse counselor.

(2)   Exceptions. The preparation of a patient for substance use disorder treatment by referral, the treatment of a patient for substance use disorder until a referral for substance use disorder treatment is completed, and the continuation of treatment with the non-substance use disorder issues of a person are not restricted by this chapter, when performed by a mental health provider practicing within the scope of their credential.