West Virginia requires credentials for many alcohol and drug counselors

Alcohol and drug counselors must hold a state license or certificate unless an exception applies. Certified counselors in private practice must work under a licensed alcohol and drug counselor's supervision. Licensed counselors may practice independently. Other state-licensed healthcare professionals covered by the law are exempt. Students are exempt when supervised work forms part of an accredited course and their title identifies their training status. Exceptions cover people employed as state rehabilitation counselors on July 1, 2027, while acting as alcohol and drug counselors. Paid counselors at licensed behavioral health centers and unpaid addiction self-help groups are also exempt. The law took effect June 12, 2026.

Applicants following the standard route must meet education, supervised experience, and exam requirements. These requirements cover applicants using the standard route rather than an alternative allowed by the law. Certification requires 300 hours of supervised practical training, three years of supervised paid work or unpaid internship experience, and a state-prescribed exam. A master's degree may replace one year of experience. Certification also requires 360 hours of approved education, including at least 240 hours related to alcohol and drug counseling. Licensing requires those certification qualifications and a relevant master's degree with at least 18 graduate semester hours in counseling or related subjects. Certified clinical supervisor status from the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals held as of July 1, 2027, may replace the master's degree requirement.

Counselors can qualify through specified existing credentials or supervised experience instead of the standard route. The board-based routes use credentials from the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals. Other routes cover experienced counselors and people credentialed elsewhere. Substance abuse counselor certification from that board held on or before July 1, 2027, qualifies a person for licensing with a master's degree or certification without one. Credentials must be in good standing when applying. People without that board certification on or before July 1, 2027, can qualify for certification with at least five years of full-time or eight years of part-time supervised paid counseling experience and an approved exam passed no later than that date. For certification applications before July 1, 2027, current certification from that board may replace the standard certification requirements. The commissioner may license or certify applicants without an exam when they hold credentials elsewhere under standards the commissioner considers substantially similar to or higher than West Virginia's.

State officials must administer the credential program, restrict counselor titles, and establish rules for fees, ethics, and discipline. Counselors pay application and renewal fees under the state's fee schedule. People may use the listed counselor titles only with a matching state credential. Other state-licensed healthcare professions covered by the law are exempt from this title restriction. The commissioner may suspend, revoke, or refuse a license when circumstances endanger or are likely to endanger public health, welfare, or safety. The West Virginia Department of Human Services must propose rules for legislative approval, including application and renewal fees, continuing education, ethics, and misconduct investigations. The Bureau for Behavioral Health must be fully able to administer the program and carry out all its provisions no later than July 1, 2027.