Kansas Problem Gambling Counselor Certification and Application

The Kansas Problem Gambling Counselor Certification and Application process is overseen by the Kansas Department of Behavioral and Health Services. Problem gambling services, for which state reimbursement is sought, must be provided by individuals who meet the following provider qualifications and certification requirements (Revised July1, 2012):

Provider Qualifications

Problem gambling services, except residential treatment, must be provided by individuals who meet the following qualifications:
  1. Shall be working for a Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) - licensed or KDADS-certified alcohol and drug treatment program, or
  2. Shall be working for an KDADS-licensed community mental health center, or
  3. Shall be licensed by the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) at the clinical level, or
  4. Shall be licensed by the state of Kansas to practice medicine or surgery, or both, or
  5. Shall be licensed by Kansas state board of nursing as an advanced registered nurse practitioner in the category of clinical nurse specialist.
Problem gambling residential treatment services must be provided by individuals working for a KDADS-licensed or KDADS-certified alcohol and drug treatment program.

Certification Requirements

Kansas Certified Gambling Counselor Level I (KCGC I)
Individuals seeking the KCGC I must hold a current certification as a National Certified Gambling Counselor OR meet all of the following conditions:
  1. Individuals must (a) hold a Master’s or Doctorate Degree in a related field from an accredited college or university, OR (b) hold a Bachelor’s Degree and licensed with the BSRB as an LAC or LCAC, and
  2. Complete a designated gambling specific training program approved by KDADS/Behavioral Health Services (BHS), and
  3. Receive a passing score on a designated problem gambling counselor exam approved by KDADS/BHS, and
  4. Complete 24 hours of supervision in problem gambling counseling. Supervision shall be obtained over a minimum of a 12 month period (with no more than 4 hours of supervision each month) to a maximum of a 3 year period. The supervision must be documented and include evidence of an assessment and evaluation of the counselor’s KCGC professional competencies. The supervision must be from a:
  • Kansas Certified Gambling Counselor Level II (KCGC II), or
  • National Board Approved Clinical Consultant (BACC), or
  • National Certified Gambling Counselor II (NCGC II), or
  • KDADS approved KCGC Level I, or NCGC I, or
  • KDADS approved individual practicing in another state as a problem gambling counselor with equivalent experience and education as either a KCGC II or BACC.
Provisional Kansas Certified Gambling Counselor Level I (P-KCGC I)
Individuals meeting the educational requirements of a KCGC I, as specified under conditions 1 and 2 of the KCGC I requirements, may apply for a P-KCGC I certificate. Provisional certificate is a temporary certificate that allows an individual to provide problem gambling treatment services. P-KCGC I status may be held a maximum of three (3) years. To apply for a P-KCGC I certificate, an individual must meet the following conditions:
  1. Submission of a P-KCGC I application, including signing an agreement to abide by the P-KCGC I practice ethics, and
  2. Submission of a written plan including applicable dates to take and pass a designated problem gambling counselor exam approved by KDADS/BHS, not to exceed 365 days from completion of the KDADS designated gambling specific training program, and
  3. Submission of a written supervisory plan describing how the P-KCGC I will obtain clinical supervision for services provided to problem gamblers and their concerned others. The plan will show how the P-KCGC I will complete 24 hours of supervision in problem gambling counseling, including a timeline and methodology to assess and document the counselor’s P-KCGC competencies and any additional training needs. The supervision shall be obtained over a minimum of a 12 month period (with no more than 4 hours of supervision each month) to a maximum of a 3 year period. The supervision must be documented and include evidence of an assessment and evaluation of the counselor’s KCGC professional competencies. The supervision must be completed and documented by a:
  1. Kansas Certified Gambling Counselor Level II (KCGC II), or
  2. National Board Approved Clinical Consultant (BACC), or
  3. National Certified Gambling Counselor II (NCGC II), or
  4. KDADS approved KCGC Level I, or NCGC I, or
  5. KDADS approved individual practicing in another state as a problem gambling counselor with equivalent experience and education as either a KCGC II or BACC