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Latest Batch of Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board Rules: What Providers Should Know

Client Alert

The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board recently released several new rules and proposed amendments to existing rules. A hearing for the new rules was held on February 16, 2024, but the Board has not yet finalized them.

A summary of the proposed rule changes is below. The biggest takeaway from this batch of new rules is that LCDC IIIs and LICDCs can now provide clinical supervision while they are unsupervised.

Scope of practice for licensed chemical dependency counselors III (LCDC III - OAC Rule 4758-6-04)

Under the new version of the rule, a chemical dependency counselor III (LCDC III) may provide substance use disorder counseling and diagnose substance use disorder conditions without supervision. Additionally, the amended rule removes the requirement that a LCDC III be under supervision when providing clinical supervision. Lastly, LCDC IIIs may perform family counseling in additional to individual and group counseling.

Scope of practice for licensed independent chemical dependency counselors (LICDC - OAC Rule 4758-6-05)

The new version of the rule removes the requirement that a LICDC be under supervision when providing clinical supervision. Additionally, an LICDC may perform family counseling in additional to individual and group counseling.

Scope of practice for chemical dependency counselors III (LCDC III) with gambling disorder endorsement (OAC Rule 4758-6-12)

Under the new version of the rule, an LCDC III with gambling disorder endorsement may perform family counseling in additional to individual and group counseling. Additionally, an LCDC III may supervise gambling disorder counseling without being supervised themselves.

Reciprocity with IC&RC jurisdictions (OAC Rule 4758-15-01)

The amended rule removes the language that (1) individuals holding a LCDC II, LCDC III or LICDC are reciprocal with the IC&RC alcohol drug counselor (ADC) certification; (2) individuals holding a LICDC are reciprocal with the IC&RC clinical supervisor (CS) certification; and (3) individuals holding an OCPS or OCPC are reciprocal with the IC&RC prevention specialist (PS) certification.

Under the new version of the rule, to be certified as an IC&RC alcohol drug counselor (ADC), an individual must:

  1. Submit an application and required non-refundable fee.
  2. Complete one hundred and twenty (120) hours of education specific to the ADC domains not used to obtain their original license. Previously, they had to complete 300 hours.
  3. Hold an active LCDC II, LCDC III, or LICDC. This is a new requirement under this rule.
  4. Complete four thousand hours of supervised work experience specific to the ADC domains not used to obtain their original license. Previously, they had to complete six thousand hours.

Further, to be certified as an IC&RC clinical supervisor (CS), an individual must:

  1. Submit an application and the required non-refundable fee.
  2. Hold an active LICDC-CS. This is a new requirement under this rule.
  3. Hold and maintain an IC&RC ADC certification at the IC&RC reciprocal level.
  4. Complete eight thousand hours of ADC counseling specific work experience not used to obtain original license. Previously, they had to complete ten thousand hours.

The new version of the rule further removes the requirements that (1) individuals must obtain thirty hours of education specific to the first five IC&RC clinical supervisor domains with a minimum of four hours in each and (2) individuals transferring to the state from a non-IC&RC jurisdiction may apply for and be issued a non-IC&RC reciprocal credential.

If you have questions about these proposed rules, please contact your local BMD Healthcare Member Daphne Kackloudis at dlkackloudis@bmdllc.com.


Department of Education Proposes Redefinition of “Professional Degree,” Excluding Nursing and Limiting Graduate Loan Borrowing

The U.S. Department of Education has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would redefine “professional degree” programs under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The proposal excludes nursing from the recognized list and would impose new borrowing limits for graduate students while eliminating the Grad PLUS program. Public comments are due by March 2, 2026.

First-of-Its-Kind Federal Ruling Finds Use of Consumer AI Tool May Destroy Attorney-Client Privilege

On February 10, 2026, Judge Jed Rakoff of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued a first-of-its-kind ruling finding that documents generated by a criminal defendant using a consumer AI platform were not protected by attorney-client privilege after being shared with counsel. The court treated the AI tool as a third party, concluding that entering sensitive information into a publicly available platform may waive confidentiality. The ruling also suggests that the work product doctrine may not apply where AI-generated materials are created independently by a client rather than at counsel’s direction. The decision signals that parties should exercise caution when using consumer AI tools in connection with legal matters.

Your Golden Chance for H-1B Lottery Registration - March 2026

USCIS H-1B registration opens March 4–19, 2026. U.S.-based employees on valid nonimmigrant status are exempt from the $100,000 fee for change of status petitions. The new weighted lottery favors higher-skilled and higher-paid employees, improving odds for advanced degree holders and Wage Level 3 or 4 workers.

Invisible Algorithms: The Hidden Role of Artificial Intelligence in USCIS Immigration Processing

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that artificial intelligence and machine learning tools are now integrated into numerous operational functions within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These tools are described as mechanisms to improve efficiency, reduce backlogs, and assist officers in managing an unprecedented volume of applications. DHS emphasizes that human adjudicators retain decision-making authority and that AI systems do not independently grant or deny immigration benefits. Find out how AI affects the U.S. immigration process.

OAAPN | Year In Review: 2026 Ohio Board of Nursing and Ohio Law Rules

Find out key changes to Ohio law and the Ohio Board of Nursing rules that have directly impacted APRN practice over the past year, including Psychiatric Inpatient Documents, Intimate Examinations, Signature Authority, Duties Related to Fetal Death, Retail IV Therapy Clinics, Release from Permanent Restrictions, Disciplinary Action, Course on Drugs and Prescriptive Authority, Overdose Reversal Drugs, Office Based Opioid Treatment, Withdrawal Management for Substance Use Disorder, Safe Haven Program, and more.