Assembly Bill 2473 (AB 2473), enacted in 2022 and being implemented in 2025, updates the educational and professional requirements for individuals pursuing certification as SUD counselors. These updates aim to improve quality of care, align with national standards, and create a clearer path to certification for registrants.
First-Year Registrant
- Applies to newly registered counselors who have not yet completed one full year of registration.
- Requirement: Must complete 80 hours of core competency education within six (6) months of registration and before first-year renewal.
Core Competency Requirements Under AB 2473
AB 2473 mandates a standardized set of core competencies that all registrants must complete in their first six months. At Palomar College, AODS 165 (Law and Ethics) and AODS 255 (Case Management) meet the following core competencies.
This set of core competencies includes:
- DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
- ASAM Criteria for placement and treatment planning
- Cultural Competency and Disability Inclusion
- Case Management / Care Coordination
- Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Clinical Documentation
- Co-Occurring Disorders
- Confidentiality & Ethics
- Professional Boundaries
- Behavioral Health System Navigation