Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 375-5-6-.06 - Qualifications of Program Instructors
(1)
Initial qualifications. To
be certified by the Department, each Applicant for Program Instructor shall
meet the following initial qualifications:
(a)
Clear criminal record. Each
Applicant for Program Instructor shall be subject to a fingerprint-based check
of their criminal history, as designated by the Department, for review of any
convictions. For the purposes of this chapter, a plea of nolo
contendere and "first offender" sentences imposed pursuant to O.C.G.A.
§
42-8-60, et seq.,
shall be considered a conviction.
1. Unless
pardoned, an Applicant convicted of a felony shall be disqualified from
Certification by the Department.
2.
An Applicant convicted for a dangerous sexual offense or an offense against a
victim who was a minor at the time of the offense shall be permanently
disqualified from eligibility.
3.
Unless pardoned, an Applicant with the following convictions shall be
disqualified from Certification by the Department for a period of 10 years from
custody or supervision:
(i) a crime involving
violence; or
(ii) a crime of moral
turpitude.
(b)
Safe driving record. Each Applicant for Program Instructor shall
possess a valid driver's license from the state of their legal residence unless
a medical condition makes them ineligible for a driver's license. Each
Applicant for Program Instructor shall be subject to a check of their driving
history. No Person whose driver's license or privilege to drive has been
suspended or revoked as the result of any conviction or combination of
convictions during the five-year period immediately preceding application for
Certification shall be certified by the Department as a Program
Instructor.
(c)
Academic and
work experience qualifications. Each Applicant for Program Instructor
shall have the following documented academic and/or prior work experience
requirements:
1. A degree from an accredited
college or university; or
2. A high
school diploma or GED and at least two years of full-time work experience as a
licensed, certified, or credentialed substance abuse counselor with at least
six months of experience in group counseling or group facilitation.
(d)
Age. Each
Applicant for Program Instructor shall be at least 21 years of age.
(e)
Freedom from substance abuse and
illicit drug use. Each Applicant for Program Instructor shall certify to
the Department that they refrain from, and will continue to refrain from,
abusing alcoholic beverages or controlled substances and from using illicit
drugs.
(2)
Ongoing
qualifications. Each Instructor certified by the Department shall
possess the following qualifications, on an ongoing basis:
(a)
Continued clear criminal
record. Each Program Instructor shall maintain a criminal record free of
felony or misdemeanor convictions or pleas. In addition, each Instructor
certified by the Department shall notify the Department if they plead guilty or
nolo contendere to, or is convicted of, any felony or misdemeanor within five
business days immediately following such event. Further, each Program
Instructor certified by the Department shall, within five business days
immediately thereafter, report to the Department any arrests that, if convicted
thereof, would have excluded him or her from becoming initially certified as a
Program Instructor pursuant to Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R.
375-5-6-.06(1)(a).
The Department may suspend or revoke any Program Instructor Certification upon
receipt of notice of a conviction or arrest.
(b)
Continued safe driving
record. Each Program Instructor shall continue to maintain a safe
driving record during their period of Certification by the Department. Each
Program Instructor shall continue to possess a valid driver's license from the
state of their legal residence, unless a medical condition makes them
ineligible for a driver's license. Each Program Instructor shall notify the
Department, within five business days immediately thereafter, if their driver's
license or privilege to drive is cancelled, suspended, or revoked in any
jurisdiction, including the State of Georgia, for any reason. The Department
may suspend or revoke any Program Instructor's Certification upon receipt of
such notice.
(c)
Continuing
education. Each Program Instructor shall complete a minimum of 32 hours
of continuing education in alcohol and drug training or group facilitation
training sponsored or approved by the Department every four years. A minimum of
16 hours shall be in Department-designated refresher courses specific to
Program components. Each Program Instructor shall complete a minimum of 16 of
the required 32 hours of continuing education training biannually and provide
proof thereof to the Department on a biannual basis.
Notes
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