Requirements for licensure as licensed clinical alcohol, drug counselor

4. a. Each person applying for licensure as a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor shall make application to the board on the form and in the manner the committee prescribes and the board shall immediately refer each application to the committee for appropriate action. Each applicant shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the committee that he has: (1) Received a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education with a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in counseling or counseling related subjects; and (2) Successfully completed all the requirements to be a certified alcohol and drug counselor pursuant to section 5 of this act. b. The board shall issue a license as a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor to any health care provider licensed by this State who, within the scope of that provider's practice, diagnoses and treats drug or alcohol related disorders, or both, and demonstrates to the board that the person has equivalent education, training and comparable years of experience as required pursuant to subsection a. of this section, except that the person shall be exempt from meeting the provisions of paragraphs (5) and (6) of subsection a. of section 5 of this act.