Pursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 278, beginning August 1, 2018, prior to submitting an application for a credential, an individual may apply to the Department for a determination of whether the individual would be disqualified from obtaining the credential due to his or her conviction record.  To apply for a predetermination, please fill out Form #3085 and submit all required documentation specified on the form.  Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 111.335(4)(e), the offenses or kinds of offenses that may result in a refusal, bar, or termination of licensure are published under Additional Resources on the left side of this page.

License Information

Fee Reduction

Pursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 319, beginning August 1, 2018, an applicant for an initial credential may apply for a reduction of the initial credential fee that is equal to 10% of the initial fee.  Qualification is based on the federal adjusted gross income being at or below 180% of the federal poverty guideline prescribed for the applicant's family household size by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. To determine eligibility please visit the United States Department of Health and Human Services website at https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines, prior to submitting Form 3217.

Per Wis. Stat. § 440.08 (2), the required renewal date for the Substance Abuse Counselor In Training credential is 02/28/odd years.  Should you receive your initial credential in the months leading up to this date, you are still required to renew your license by the statutorily defined date.

Pursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 262, as of May 1, 2018, the requirements to obtain a Substance Abuse Counselor in-training credential have changed.

Requirements

• Complete pre-credential education (see below).
• Provide evidence of current employment, a written offer of employment, internship, practicum or agreement authorizing volunteer hours at an agency providing substance use disorder treatment.
• Must provide Employment Verification (Form #2770) from a qualified supervisor. After June 1, 2008, a credential holder acquiring supervised experience as a Substance Abuse Counselor-In-Training may not practice under the supervision of an individual holding a certificate as a Clinical Supervisor-In-Training.
• Complete and submit Application for Substance Abuse Counselor In Training including all required documentation and pay required fee.
• Successfully complete required examination.

Pre-Credential Education Information

Substance abuse education must include at least 100 hours of specialized education in the performance dimensions of assessment, counseling, case management, patient education and professional responsibility. See SPS 161.01

Substance Abuse Counselor-In-Training Core Curriculum

The training hours shall be in seminars, courses or other presentations that meet the criteria for pre-certification education programs for substance abuse counselors or continuing education programs. 

All of the content areas shall be infused with information and application to practice that is responsive to the characteristics of individual, group, family, and couple clients and significant others seeking substance use disorder treatment, including, but not limited to, age, gender, ability, disability, developmental level, sexual orientation, health status, ethnicity, culture, and social issues.

The total number of contact hours submitted must equal 100.  Submit  Education and Training (Form #2832) at the time of application along with proof of attendance, completion and course descriptions.

Note: A requirement to advance to Substance Abuse Counselor or Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor licensure is attendance and completion of 360 hours of approved specialized education in substance use disorder counseling through a postsecondary institution, department approved education program or department approved continuing education. See SPS 161.02.

Current Pre-Certification Education - Current list of Approved Pre-Certification Courses. Additional programs will be added as programs apply and are approved.

Former Pre-Certification Education - Formerly-Approved Pre-Certification Programs.

Educators: To apply for approval of a 360 hour comprehensive program , see application procedure:

Form 2848 - Application Instructions

Form 2784 - Course Application Information

Application for Licensure

Renewal Information

Requirements

• FEE (See Renewal Dates and Fees)
• SIG (Signature regarding the completion of Continuing Education in Chapter SPS 165.01, included in on-line renewal and paper form - see Continuing Education Information for details)
• If your legal status as a qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the United States has changed since the issuance of your credential or your last renewal, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services at (608) 266-2112 or dsps@wisconsin.gov.
  

This credential may only be renewed twice.

Renewal Methods

• Online Log In: License Renewal Online
• Request a Paper Renewal Form: (608) 266-2112

Wisconsin Act 210 (effective June 1, 2012)

This Act extends the license of a service member if the license expires while they are on active duty from 90 days to 180 days from the date of discharge. The same applies to a spouse of a service member if the spouse does not practice under their license while the service member is on active duty and does not practice because the service member is on active duty.

This Act repeals a provision of prior law that required a service member to meet all of the requirements for license extension or renewal, except for continuing education requirements, in order to have the license extended.

Service members and spouses may request extensions of licenses beyond 180 days from discharge and may request a waiver or extension of time to complete continuing education requirements due to hardship.  Please view Active Duty/Discharge Renewal Extension Form #R210.