Education Required for Addiction Counselor Credentialing

Illinois credentials five types of addiction counselors. Certified Associate Addictions Professionals (CAAPs), Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselors (CADCs), Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselors (CRADCs), Certified Supervisor Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselors (CSADCs) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADCs).

A CAAP requires a high school diploma and passage of an examination. There is no experience requirement, but ongoing supervision is required. A CADC requires a high school diploma, 225 hours of relevant education and 4,000 hours of experience. A higher-level degree can substitute the number of hours (i.e. a person with a bachelor’s degree needs 2,000 hours). A CRADC requires a high school diploma, 300 hours of relevant education and 6,000 hours of experience. A higher-level degree can substitute the number of hours (i.e. a person with a bachelor’s degree needs 2,000 hours). A CSADCs requires a high school diploma and 350 hours of relevant education. The counselor must be a CADC before applying for the CSADC credential. A CAADC requires a master’s degree, 180 hours of relevant education and 2,000 hours of experience. 77 Ill. Adm. Code §2060.309 and Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association

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Licensed Professional Counselor Ability to Diagnose

A licensed professional counselor (LPC) may provide services to individuals, couples, groups, families, and organizations. Counseling includes the therapeutic process of conducting assessments and diagnosing for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives. LPCs also plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans using treatment interventions to facilitate human development and to identify and remediate mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and associated distresses that interfere with mental health. 225 ILCS §107/10

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Number of Nurse Practitioners Prescribing Buprenorphine

As of August 2018, 101 NPs in Illinois 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 NPs 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. 225 ILCS §65/65-40

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Number of Physician Assistants Prescribing Buprenorphine

As of August 2018, 31 PAs in Illinois have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. An Illinois PA may prescribe Schedules II-V controlled substances if outlined in the written supervision agreement with a supervising physician. Illinois PAs 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. 225 ILCS §95/7.5

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Peer Support Specialist Certification or Credentialing Authority

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

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Authority to Sign POLST Forms

Patients are required to have a consultation with their health care provider, including NPs, prior to having the practitioner orders for life-sustaining treatment form signed. Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 755 §40/65

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Practice Authority

A written collaboration agreement is required and must describe the relationship between the NP and the supervising physician. The agreement must describe the categories of care, treatment or procedures that may be provided by the NP. An advanced practice registered nurse certified as a nurse practitioner who files with the Department a notarized attestation of completion of at least 250 hours of continuing education or training and at least 4,000 hours of clinical experience after first attaining national certification shall not require a written collaborative agreement. 225 ILCS §65/65-35

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Prescriptive Authority

An NP’s prescriptive authority must be outlined in the collaborative agreement. NPs may prescribe prescription drugs and Schedules III-V controlled substances. A nurse practitioner who files with the Department a notarized attestation of completion of at least 250 hours of continuing education or training and at least 4,000 hours of clinical experience after first attaining national certification shall not require a written collaborative agreement for prescribing privileges. Schedule II controlled substances may still be prescribed if delegated by the supervising physician and if certain requirements outlined in the rules are met. 225 ILCS §65/65-40

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Nurse Practitioner as a Primary Care Provider

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. Maternal and Child Health primary care providers may include NPs. Ill. Admin. Code tit. 89, §140.924

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Authority to perform ophthalmic procedures

Optometrists may only examine, diagnose and treat conditions of the visual system. 225 Ill. Comp. Stat. §80/24.2(c)(3) and 225 Ill. Comp. Stat. §80/24.2(f)

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Injectable Authority

Optometrists may use injections to counter anaphylactic reactions as well as the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. 225 Ill. Comp. Stat. §80/15.1(a-5)

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Prescription of controlled substances

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances and also Schedule II hydrocodone or hydrocodone combination medications. 225 Ill. Comp. Stat. §80/15.1(a)

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Dental Hygienists with Direct Access

Under a written public health supervision agreement, a qualified dental hygienist may provide services in public health settings without a dentist’s presence, supervision or initial examination to patients who are Medicaid-eligible or uninsured with low incomes. 225 ILCS §25.18.1

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Dental Therapists

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

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Practice of Teledentistry

Teledentistry uses telehealth systems and methodologies in dentistry and includes patient care and education. Services may be delivered using live video and store-and-forward modalities. 225 ILCS 25/4

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Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine

Illinois 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.

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Prescription Adaptation

Illinois does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

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Prescription of Hormonal Contraceptives

A pharmacist may dispense no more than a 12-month supply of hormonal contraceptives to a patient. A pharmacist must complete an educational training program that is related to the patient self-screening risk assessment, patient assessment contraceptive counseling and education, and dispensation of hormonal contraceptives. A pharmacist must have the patient complete the self-screening risk assessment tool. A pharmacist shall provide, during the patient assessment and consultation, counseling and education about all methods of contraception, including methods not covered under the standing order, and their proper use and effectiveness. 225 ILCS §85/43

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Prescription of Tobacco Cessation Aids

Illinois does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

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Supervision Requirements

Physician assistants perform procedures in collaboration with a physician. Delegated tasks or duties shall be consistent with physician assistant education, training, and experience. Collaboration with the physician assistant shall not be construed to necessarily require the personal presence of the collaborating physician at all times at the place where services are rendered, as long as there is communication available for consultation by radio, telephone or telecommunications within established guidelines as determined by the physician/physician assistant team. 225 ILCS §95/7.5

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Prescriptive Authority for Physician Assistants

A PA may prescribe drugs and Schedules II-V controlled substances if outlined in the written supervision agreement by the physician. 225 ILCS §95/7.5

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Scope of Practice Determination

A written collaborative agreement at the practice level shall describe the categories of care, treatment, or procedures to be provided by the physician assistant. 225 ILCS §95/7.5

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