Sec. 23. 32 MRSA §6220, as amended by PL 1991, c. 456, §33, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

§6220.__Endorsement

The board may waive the requirements of this chapter and grant a registration, certificate or license to any applicant who presents proof of authorization to practice by another jurisdiction of the United States or another country that maintains professional standards considered by the board to be substantially equivalent to or higher than those set forth in this chapter, as long as there is no cause for denial of a registration, certificate or license under section 6217-A.__The applicant must pay the application and license fee as set under section 6215.

Sec. 24. Change license status. The Department of Professional and Financial Regulation shall change its records pertaining to licenses to reflect the changes in status of licenses affected by the provisions of this Act and shall issue the appropriate licenses to implement the following provisions.

1. Every person holding an active alcohol and drug counselor registration, R.A.D.C., must be issued an alcohol and drug counseling aide registration, A.D.C.A., at the time the registrant next is issued a registration upon proper application and satisfaction of the registration requirements.

2. Every person holding an active alcohol and drug counselor registration at the time the registrant next is up for renewal may apply for the alcohol and drug counselor certificate, C.A.D.C. The applicant must meet the certified alcohol and drug counselor requirements of this Act.

3. Every person holding an active alcohol and drug counselor license at the time the licensee next is up for renewal must be issued an alcohol and drug counselor license, L.A.D.C., upon proper application for renewal.

Sec. 25. Effective date. This Act takes effect November 1, 2004.