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Bill

Bill

A 918

Establishes professional licensure and certification for tobacco treatment counseling.

2026-2027 Regular Session

Establishes two regulated tobacco treatment credentials (LCTTS/CTTS) with education, exams, supervision, and practice restrictions to standardize and credential treatment providers

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee
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Bill Summary · A 918

Overview

A 918 (NJ 2026) proposes establishing professional licensure and certification for tobacco treatment counseling. The bill would create two regulated professions—Licensed Clinical Tobacco Treatment Specialist (LCTTS) and Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist (CTTS)—and assign their regulation to the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee within the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners. It sets education, training, examination, and supervision requirements, and it restricts practice to those who are licensed or certified.

Main purpose and intent

  • Improve public protection and quality of tobacco treatment by establishing formal licensure and certification standards for tobacco treatment counseling.
  • Create clear credentials and public recognition for professionals specializing in tobacco and nicotine dependence treatment.
  • Ensure practitioners meet education, training, ethics, and competency standards similar to other alcohol/drug counseling professions.

Key provisions and changes

  • New regulated titles:
    • Licensed Clinical Tobacco Treatment Specialist (LCTTS)
    • Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist (CTTS)
  • Regulatory body and board:
    • Regulation under the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee, part of the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners.
  • Licensure pathway (for LCTTS):
    • Applicants must have at least a master’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in counseling or related subjects.
    • Must meet the requirements to be a CTTS.
    • Must pass a written examination (developed by the bill’s framework).
    • The board can license health care providers already treating tobacco/nicotine disorders if they demonstrate equivalent education, training, and experience.
  • Certification pathway (for CTTS):
    • Applicants must provide evidence of completing the Rutgers Tobacco Dependence Program (42 hours).
    • Additional experience requirements vary by educational background:
    • Master’s degree in human services: 1 year of full-time counseling/health care experience (2000 hours).
    • Bachelor’s degree in human services: 2 years (4000 hours).
    • Other recognized health care qualifications (e.g., A&D counselors, nursing): 4 years (8000 hours).
    • Required supervised practical training and supervised work experience in tobacco treatment counseling.
    • Substantive, hands-on experience in screening, intake, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, education/prevention, referrals, consultation, and recordkeeping.
  • Practice restrictions:
    • It is unlawful to practice or hold out as an LCTTS or CTTS without licensure/certification.
    • Use of the titles and abbreviations is restricted to those licensed or certified under the act.
    • Independent practice for a fee requires licensure; CTTS may practice under supervision.
    • Supervision by a physician is required for those practicing as LCTTS/CTTS.
  • Existing practice exemptions:
    • The bill preserves certain activities (e.g., self-help, non-compensated counseling, designated employer employees, clergy performing ministerial duties, student-in-supervision activities) that fall outside licensure/certification requirements.
  • Confidentiality:
    • Aligns with 42 C.F.R. 2 confidentiality rules for tobacco/alcohol treatment records.
  • Administrative/process provisions:
    • The committee must review qualifications and determine eligibility; final board actions rest with the board, which can reverse or modify committee determinations.
  • Effective date:
    • The act would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Potential impact

  • Practitioners: Existing clinicians who diagnose and treat tobacco/nicotine disorders may need to pursue LCTTS or CTTS credentials to practice independently.
  • Consumers: More standardized and potentially higher-quality tobacco treatment services; clearer expectations regarding provider qualifications.
  • Employers and health systems: Ability to verify credentials and ensure staff meet state standards for tobacco treatment counseling.
  • Regulatory landscape: Establishes new licensure/certification workflows, examinations, and supervision requirements within New Jersey’s regulatory framework for health professionals.

Timeline note

  • If enacted, the bill would become effective 90 days after enactment, with implementation of licensure/certification processes following.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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