(a) To be eligible for, and to complete an initial application for, a chemical dependency counselor license under this subchapter, an individual must:
  (1) complete the application required under §140.404 of this title (relating to LCDC Licensure Application Standards and Counselor Intern Registration);
  (2) meet the requirements to be a counselor intern in §140.405 of this title (relating to Requirements for Counselor Intern Registration);
  (3) hold an associate degree or more advanced degree, with the exception of those LCDCs who are renewing an existing license;
  (4) complete 4,000 hours of approved supervised experience working with chemically dependent individuals as described in §140.409 of this title (relating to Standards for Supervised Work Experience);
  (5) pass the written chemical dependency counselor examination approved by the department;
  (6) submit an acceptable written case presentation to the test administrator;
  (7) submit two letters of recommendation from LCDCs;
  (8) submit written assurance that the individual has access to an approved peer assistance program. The department may waive this requirement if the department determines, based upon information submitted by the applicant sufficient to support the determination, that a peer assistance program is not reasonably available to the individual; and
  (9) pay the initial LCDC licensure fee.
(b) The department may waive the 4,000 hours of supervised work experience for individuals who hold a masters or doctoral degree in social work or a counseling-related field, and have 48 semester hours of graduate-level courses. An applicant for waiver shall submit an official college transcript with the official seal of the college and the signature of the registrar, and any other related documentation requested by the department.

Source Note: The provisions of this §140.408 adopted to be effective September 9, 2008, 33 TexReg 7520; amended to be effective August 9, 2012, 37 TexReg 5788