65D-30.0031. Certifications and Recognitions Required by Statute

(1) Department Recognition of Accrediting Organizations.

(a) The Department shall recognize one (1) or more professional credentialing entities as an accrediting organization for persons providing substance use treatment, prevention, and recovery support services. A list of Department recognized accrediting organizations can be found at the following link: http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/substance-abuse.

(b) Accrediting organizations that desire Department recognition shall submit a request in writing to the Director for the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. The Director for the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health shall respond in writing to the organization’s chief executive officer denying or granting recognition. An organization must meet the following criteria in order to be granted recognition by the Department.

1. The accrediting organization shall have fees and practice standards which apply to substance use services. These standards shall incorporate administrative, clinical, medical, support, and environmental management standards.

2. The accrediting organization shall have written procedures detailing the survey and accreditation process.

3. The accrediting organization shall submit evidence of three (3) years of experience functioning as an accreditation organization for substance use services.

4. For the purposes of this rule, a service provider must hold a valid license for each service component type prior to seeking accreditation for substance use treatment services, as defined in subsection 65D-30.002(18), F.A.C.

5. The provider must submit the accrediting survey report to the Department.

(2) Department Recognition of Credentialing Entities.

(a) The Department shall recognize one (1) or more professional credentialing entities as a certifying organization for addiction professionals. A list of Department recognized credentialing organizations can be found at the following link: http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/substance-abuse/licensure-regulation. An organization that desires recognition by the Department as a certifying organization for addiction professionals shall request such approval in writing from the Department. Organizations seeking approval shall be:

1. A non-profit and governed by a Board of Directors representative of the population it intends to certify;

2. Include specific requirements which applicants must meet to become certified and to maintain certification;

3. Establish core competencies, certification standards, and examination instruments according to nationally recognized certification and psychometric standards;

4. Require annual continuing education units to ensure addiction treatment, prevention, or recovery support subject matter content is current;

5. Require applicants and certificants to adhere to a professional code of ethics and disciplinary process;

6. Conduct investigations into allegations of professional misconduct; and

7. Maintain a web-based public-access database of certificants’ status, including ethical violation history.

(b) The Department shall recognize one (1) or more credentialing entities as a certifying organization for recovery residences who meets all requirements of Section 397.487, F.S. A list of Department recognized credentialing entities can be found at the following link: http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/samh/recovery-residence. An organization that desires recognition by the Department as a certifying organization for recovery residences shall request such approval in writing from the Department.

(c) The Department shall recognize one (1) or more credentialing entities as a certifying organization for peer specialists, in accordance with Section 397.417, F.S. A list of Department recognized credentialing organizations for peer specialists can be found at the following link: http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/licensing/samh/. An organization that desires recognition by the Department as a certifying organization for peer specialists shall request such approval in writing from the Department. Organizations seeking approval must demonstrate compliance with the following nationally recognized standards for developing and administering professional certification programs to certify peer specialists:

1. Core competencies required for certification of an individual as a peer specialist that include:

a. Advocacy,

b. Mentoring,

c. Recovery support,

d. Cultural and linguistic competence,

e. Motivational interviewing,

f. Vicarious trauma/Self-care,

g. Professional responsibility, and

h. Group facilitation skills.

2. Certification guidelines and requirements, including training requirements;

3. Ability to screen applicants;

4. Capacity to administer exams for certification at proctored test-taking sites, including policies for special accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act;

5. Established code of ethics;

6. Policies and procedures for investigation of complaints and corrective action against a certified peer specialist, which may include suspension and revocation of certification, and appeals;

7. Procedures for continuing education requirements for, and a process for, biennial certification renewal; and

8. Publicly available fee schedule and payment process for costs associated with certification, exam, recertification, and continuing education units.

Rulemaking Authority 397.321(5) FS. Law Implemented 397.321(6), (15), 397.403, 397.417, 397.4871 FS. History–New 8-29-19, Amended 3-30-23.