Addiction counselors eligible for expedited licensure in Nevada

Nevada officials are touting as an economic development tool a new state law providing for expedited licensure of a number of healthcare professionals relocating from practice in other states. Licensed alcohol and drug counselors are among the professionals who fall under the new law, which took effect July 1 and allows healthcare providers in good standing in another state to be licensed in Nevada within 60 days.

An official with the Governor's Office of Economic Development said in an Oct. 6 news release that along with recent enhancements to graduate medical education in the state, the new licensure law will boost the state's healthcare workforce development.

The law says that a licensed provider in another state is eligible to receive an expedited license by one of several credentialing boards in the state. Among the boards are the Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Counselors and the Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors. Physicians, nurses, social workers and a number of medical specialists also come under the new law.

“This need is critical for patient access as we experience unprecedented growth in the numbers of Nevadans covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance resulting from the federal Affordable Care Act,” said former Nevada State Medical Association executive director Larry Matheis.