AR HB1109

Adds criminal background check requirements to licensure conditions for licensed alcoholism and drug abuse counselors, licensed associate counselors, and certified technicians, with applicants must not have been found guilty of or pleaded guilty/nolo contendere to offenses listed in §17-3-102.

Authorizes the State Board of Examiners of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors to require all applicants for license renewal and first-time licensure applicants to undergo state and national criminal background checks conducted by the Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Requires applicants to sign a release of information to the board and pay any associated fees for the criminal background check.

Allows the board to issue a six-month nonrenewable letter of provisional eligibility for licensure to first-time applicants pending criminal background check results.

Restricts access to criminal background check information to the affected applicant/authorized representative or persons whose license is subject to revocation, with information remaining in custody of the State Police Identification Bureau.