Ind. Code ch. 25-23.6-10.1

Ind. Code ch. 25-23.6-10.1
in effect

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.1-1 Prohibited use of certain titles; practice without license; exemptions

Sec. 1. (a) Beginning July 1, 2010, an individual may not: (1) profess to be a licensed addiction counselor or licensed clinical addiction counselor; (2) use the title: (A) "licensed addiction counselor"; (B) "licensed clinical addiction counselor"; (C) "licensed clinical addiction therapist"; (D) "licensed addiction therapist"; (E) "addiction counselor"; (F) "addiction therapist"; (G) "clinical addiction counselor"; (H) "clinical addiction therapist"; (I) "substance abuse counselor"; (J) "substance abuse therapist"; (K) "clinical substance abuse counselor"; or (L) "clinical substance abuse therapist"; (3) use any other title containing the words: (A) "licensed addiction counselor"; (B) "licensed addiction therapist"; (C) "licensed clinical addiction counselor"; (D) "licensed clinical addiction therapist"; (E) "addiction counselor"; (F) "addiction therapist"; (G) "clinical addiction counselor"; (H) "clinical addiction therapist"; (I) "substance abuse counselor"; (J) "substance abuse therapist"; (K) "clinical substance abuse counselor"; (L) "clinical substance abuse therapist"; (M) "licensed addiction counselor associate"; or (N) "licensed clinical addiction counselor associate"; (4) use any other: (A) words; (B) letters; (C) abbreviations; or (D) insignia; indicating or implying that the individual is a licensed addiction counselor or licensed clinical addiction counselor; or (5) practice as an addiction counselor or clinical addiction counselor for compensation; unless the individual is licensed under this article. (b) Subsection (a)(5) does not apply to a person who is described in section 2(a) or 3 of this chapter. (c) An individual who is exempt from licensing under section 2(a)(4) of this chapter may use the title "pastoral addiction counselor" and may engage in the practice of addiction counseling for compensation. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.28. Amended by P.L.225-2017, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.1-2 Practice by individuals who are not licensed

Sec. 2. (a) This article may not be construed to limit addiction counselor or clinical addiction counselor services performed by a person who does not use a title specified in this article and who is any of the following: (1) A licensed or certified health care professional acting within the scope of the person's license or certificate, including a: (A) social worker licensed under this article; (B) clinical social worker licensed under this article; (C) marriage and family therapist licensed under this article; (D) mental health counselor licensed under this article; (E) psychologist licensed under IC 25-33; (F) physician licensed under IC 25-22.5; or (G) nurse licensed under IC 25-23; and who has training and experience in addiction counseling. (2) A student, an intern, or a trainee pursuing a course of study in medicine or psychology or a course of study to gain licensure under this article as follows: (A) In an accredited eligible postsecondary educational institution or training institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for undergraduate and graduate institutions. Accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs or a substantially equivalent accreditation program approved by the board is required for graduate institutions. (B) Through a National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors approved academic education provider; or (C) By a graduate accumulating experience required for licensure if: (i) the services are performed under qualified supervision and constitute a part of the person's supervised course of study or other level of supervision; and (ii) the student or graduate uses a title that contains the term "intern", "student", or "trainee". (3) A nonresident of Indiana if the person performs addiction counseling or therapy in Indiana for not more than: (A) five (5) days in any one (1) month; or (B) fifteen (15) days in any one (1) calendar year; and the person is authorized to perform such services under the laws of the state or country in which the person resides. (4) A rabbi, priest, Christian Science practitioner, minister, or other member of the clergy. (5) An employee or a volunteer for an organization performing charitable, religious, or educational functions or providing pastoral counseling or other assistance. (6) A person who provides school counseling. (7) A governmental employee who remains in the same job classification or job family of that job classification. (8) An employee of a court alcohol and drug program, a drug court, or a reentry court certified by the office of judicial administration when performing assigned job duties. (9) A probation officer when performing assigned job duties. (b) This section does not prohibit a person referred to in subsection (a) from qualifying for licensure under this article. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.28. Amended by P.L.161-2018, SEC.35; P.L.49-2019, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.1-3 Prohibited locations to provide services by individuals who are not licensed

Sec. 3. A person who is not licensed under this article may provide or ensure the provision of addiction counseling services in: (1) a health facility licensed under IC 16-28; (2) a hospital licensed under IC 16-21 or IC 12-25; (3) a substance abuse facility certified by the division of mental health and addiction as an addiction services regular agency; (4) a home health agency licensed under IC 16-27-1; (5) a community health center; (6) an institution operated by the department of correction; or (7) a community mental health center under IC 12-21-2-3; if the person has met all of the requirements established by a credentialing agency approved by the department of mental health and addiction, and the person does not profess to be a licensed addiction therapist or a licensed addiction counselor under this article. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.28.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.1-4 Required use of certain titles

Sec. 4. An individual who is licensed as an addiction counselor or clinical addiction counselor must include the words "licensed addiction counselor" or "licensed clinical addiction counselor" or the letters "LAC" or "LCAC" on all promotional materials, including: (1) business cards; (2) brochures; (3) stationery: (4) advertisements; and (5) signs; that name the individual. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.28.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.1-4.5 Display of license; promotional materials

Sec. 4.5. An individual who is licensed as an addiction counselor or a clinical addiction counselor shall: (1) display the license or a clear copy of the license at each location where the addiction counselor or clinical addiction counselor regularly practices; and (2) include the words "licensed addiction counselor" or "licensed clinical addiction counselor" or the letters "LAC" or "LCAC" on all promotional materials, including business cards, brochures, stationery, advertisements, and signs that name the individual. As added by P.L.49-2019, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.1-5 Testimony

Sec. 5. A licensed addiction counselor or licensed clinical addiction counselor licensed under this article may provide factual testimony but may not provide expert testimony. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.28.

Ind. Code § 25-23.6-10.1-6 Penalties

Sec. 6. An individual who knowingly and intentionally violates this chapter after July 1, 2010, commits a Class A misdemeanor. As added by P.L.122-2009, SEC.28.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/25Fetched: 10/17/2026