# Health Occupations (GHO)

## Title 17. Professional Counselors and Therapists

### Subtitle 4. Certification

#### Section 17-404

(a) To qualify as a certified supervised counselor-alcohol and drug, an applicant shall:

  (1) Be of good moral character;

  (2) At a minimum:

    (i) Hold an associate's degree from a regionally accredited educational institution in a health and human services counseling field; or

    (ii) Hold an associate's degree from a regionally accredited educational institution and have completed a program of studies judged by the Board to be substantially equivalent in subject matter as may be required by the Board in regulation; and

  (3) Have completed any additional educational requirements established by the Board in regulation.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this title, the applicant shall pass:

  (1) An examination approved by the Board under this title; and

  (2) The law examination on this title administered by the Board.

(c) A certified supervised counselor-alcohol and drug shall practice alcohol and drug counseling under the supervision of a Board-approved alcohol and drug supervisor who is:

  (1) A licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor;

  (2) A certified professional counselor-alcohol and drug;

  (3) A certified associate counselor-alcohol and drug;

  (4) A licensed clinical professional counselor;

  (5) A licensed clinical marriage and family therapist;

  (6) A licensed clinical professional art therapist; or

  (7) A health care provider licensed under this article with documented expertise in alcohol and drug counseling.

(d) A certified supervised counselor-alcohol and drug:

  (1) May provide only:

    (i) Alcohol and drug counseling as an employee of an agency or facility that is certified or licensed by the State; and

    (ii) Alcohol and drug counseling under the supervision of a Board-approved supervisor as specified in subsection (c) of this section; and

  (2) May not:

    (i) Provide supervision; or

    (ii) Practice independently.

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Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)