ATTENTION LICENSEES: PLEASE COMPLETE SURVEY
Select this link to complete the Minimum Data Set Survey
Welcome to the home page of the DSHS program that registers and regulates Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors in Texas. This website contains information about these professionals including licensure requirements, how to file a complaint, how to contact our office, and more.
This program also registers Counselor Interns, and Clinical Training Institutions (CTIs), which are facilities authorized to provide substance abuse treatment in which registered Counselor Interns may gain the clinical experience needed to become Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors.
For all other information related to Substance Abuse, please see the DSHS Substance Abuse home page: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/sa
Proposed Rules
The Texas Department of State Health Services has proposed amendments to the rules relating to the licensure and regulation of chemical dependency counselors. The amendments are being proposed to implement the measures of House Bill 3145, which was passed by the 82nd Texas Legislature in 2011. These amendments are being published in the April 13, 2012 edition of the Texas Register. You may access the Texas Register online at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/index.shtml.
Comments and recommendations may be submitted to:
Texas Department of State Health Services, MC-1982
ATTN: Stewart Myrick, LCDC Program Director
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, Texas 78714-9347
You may also submit your comments by email to lcdc@dshs.state.tx.us. If you choose to email your comments, please indicate “Comments on Proposed Rules” in the subject line. Comments will be accepted until May 14, 2012.
The proposed rules are also available for download here. You may download a copy of the current rules by clicking the “Rules/Regulations” link in the box to the right. Please check this website for updates to this process.
Message to the Public on House Bill (HB) 3145
“House Bill (HB) 3145, relating to the licensing and regulation of chemical dependency counselors in Texas, was enacted by the 82nd Texas Legislature and signed by Governor Rick Perry on June 17, 2011. The bill amends Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 504, which is the law that regulates the practice of chemical dependency counseling in Texas. We have prepared some information explaining the highlights of the bill, which you can download here."
Attention All Applications: Background Check Process Improvements
The process for obtaining a criminal history for applicants has changed. Effective immediately, fingerprint cards have been phased out. The licensing program has implemented the FAST, or Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas, process. This involves the electronic scanning of an applicant’s fingerprints, then submitting them electronically to the Texas Department of Public Safety for processing. A background check will be obtained more quickly, thus reducing application processing time. Also, the chance of rejection of a set of fingerprints for lack of quality is significantly reduced. For more information, please see page three of the appropriate licensure application, which can be downloaded by selecting this link.
Attention – Online Search Verification Now Available
Now you can perform a real-time search for licensees online, and you can even print a license verification. For more information, click the “Live Online Search Verification” link under the “Find A Licensee” heading to the left.
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