Georgia

Georgia credentials five types of addiction counselors through two different agencies. The Georgia Addiction Counselors Association credentials addiction counselors as Certified Addiction Counselors (CAC) I and II. The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia credentials Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC) I and II and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CAADC).

A CAC I requires a high school diploma, 180 hours of relevant education and 4,000 hours of supervised experience. A CAC II requires a bachelor’s degree, 270 hours of relevant education and 6,000 hours of experience.

A CADC I requires a high school diploma, 270 hours of relevant education and 6,000 hours of supervised experience. A CADC II requires a bachelor’s degree, 270 hours of relevant education and 4,000 hours of supervised experience. A CAADC requires a master’s degree, 270 hours of relevant education and 4,000 hours of supervised experience. Georgia Addiction Counselors Association and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board

Professional counselors utilize counseling and psychotherapy to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and recommend a course of treatment for emotional and mental problems and conditions. The counselor must have training and experience working with people with mental illness, developmental disability, or substance abuse. Ga. Code §43-10A-3

As of August 2018, 42 NPs in Geogria have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. Consistent with their prescriptive authority and with proper training or appropriate experience, an NP can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Ga. Rules & Regs. §410-11-.14

As of August 2018, 11 PAs in Georgia have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. In Georgia, Schedule III-V controlled substances may be prescribed by a PA as delegated by a supervising physician. A Georgia PA with proper training or appropriate experience can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Ga. Code §43-34-103(e.1)(1)

The standards and requirements for the certification of peer specialists are developed and administered by a third-party, non-profit certification provider.

Physician relationship required for practice and prescriptive authority.

A written protocol is required between the NM and the supervising physician. The protocol specifies medical acts delegated by the physician and provides for immediate consultation with the physician. An NM may prescribe Schedules III-V controlled substances if the NM is authorized to prescribe and has submitted the written protocol with the supervising physician. Ga. Code §43-34-25; Ga. Rules & Regs. §410-11-.14

Physician relationship required for practice and prescriptive authority.

A written protocol is required between the NP and the supervising physician. The protocol specifies medical acts delegated by the physician and provides for immediate consultation with the physician. An NP may prescribe Schedules III-V controlled substances if the NP is authorized to prescribe and has submitted the written protocol with the supervising physician. Ga. Code §43-34-25; Ga. Rules & Regs. §410-11-.14

Only physicians may sign POLST forms. Ga. Code §31-1-14

NPs are not explicitly recognized in state policy as primary care providers.

Optometrists may perform procedures related to foreign body removal, including lumps and bumps, and the examination, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye. Ga. Code Ann. § 43-30-1(2)(a)

Optometrists may administer all pharmaceutical agents for the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including epinephrine auto-injections to counter anaphylaxis. Ga. Code Ann. § 43-30-1(2)(C)

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and also Schedule II hydrocodone or hydrocodone combination medications. Ga. Code Ann. § 43-30(2)(D)

Dental hygienists may practice outside the dental office in certain settings such as schools, nursing homes, hospitals, long-term care facilities, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, among others. The dental hygienist must practice under general supervision, meaning the dentist does not need to present for services to be rendered. Ga. Code §43-11-74.

Statute does not identify dental therapists as an oral health provider.

Dentists and dental hygienists may practice teledentistry and be reimbursed through Georgia Medicaid for live video and store-and-forward telehealth services. Georgia Department of Community Health, Division of Medicaid, Telemedicine Guidance, pg. 38

Georgia has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the federal PREP Act does allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through the duration of the public health emergency.

Georgia does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

Georgia does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

Georgia does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

A PA’s supervising physician has the primary responsibility for supervising the PA’s practice pursuant to the PA’s job description. Ga. Code §43-34-102(9)

Physician may delegate prescriptive authority if outlined in the job description. The PA may prescribe drugs, devices and Schedules III-V controlled substances. PA’s are not allowed to prescribe Schedule II medications. Ga. Code §43-34-103(e.1)(1)

A job description document must be signed by the supervising physician and the PA, and the document delegates the tasks a PA may perform. The activities must be within the supervising physician’s scope of practice and be approved by the State Medical Board. Ga. Code §43-34-105