(a) On and after October 1, 2004, each alcohol and drug counselor licensed or certified pursuant to this chapter shall complete a minimum of twenty hours of continuing education each registration period. For purposes of this section, registration period means the twelve-month period for which a license or certificate has been renewed in accordance with section 19a-88 and is current and valid. The continuing education shall be in areas related to the individual’s practice and shall include not less than one contact hour of training or education each registration period on the topic of cultural competency and, on and after January 1, 2016, not less than two contact hours of training or education during the first renewal period in which continuing education is required and not less than once every six years thereafter on the topic of mental health conditions common to veterans and family members of veterans, including (1) determining whether a patient is a veteran or family member of a veteran, (2) screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief, and (3) suicide prevention training. Qualifying continuing education activities are educational offerings sponsored by a hospital or other licensed health care institutions, courses offered by a regionally accredited institution of higher education or courses offered by individuals or organizations on the list maintained by the Connecticut Certification Board, Inc. as approved providers of such continuing education activities.

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(b) Each licensee or certificate holder shall obtain a certificate of completion from the provider of continuing education activities for all continuing education hours successfully completed. Each licensee or certificate holder shall maintain such written documentation for a minimum of three years following the license or certificate renewal date for which the activity satisfies continuing education requirements. Certificates of completion shall be submitted by the licensee or certificate holder to the Department of Public Health upon the department’s request. A licensee or certificate holder who fails to comply with the continuing education requirements shall be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to subsection (r) of section 20-74s or section 19a-17.

(c) The continuing education requirements shall be waived for licensees and certificate holders applying for licensure or certification renewal for the first time. The department may, for a licensee or certificate holder who has a medical disability or illness, grant a waiver of the continuing education requirements for a specific period of time or may grant the licensee or certificate holder an extension of time in which to fulfill the requirements.