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December 12, 2025 Clear | 31°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  1. General Laws
  2. Part I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
  3. Title XVI PUBLIC HEALTH
  4. Chapter 111J ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELORS
  5. Section 4 Prohibition of unlicensed alcohol and drug counseling; fine; injunction

Section 4

Section 4: Prohibition of unlicensed alcohol and drug counseling; fine; injunction

[ Text of section effective until March 23, 2025. For text effective March 23, 2025, see below.]

  Section 4. Except as otherwise provided for in this chapter or by regulation, a person who is not licensed or is otherwise exempt from licensing, shall not hold himself out as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and shall not use the title, initials or description of a licensed alcohol and drug counselor or practice or attempt to practice alcohol and drug counseling. Whoever engages in any such unauthorized action shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500. In addition, the department may bring a petition in superior court to enjoin such action or any other violation of this chapter or a regulation of the department.

Chapter 111J: Section 4. Unlicensed recovery coach practice prohibited; exceptions; peer support or self-help activities

[ Text of section as recodified by 2024, 285, Sec. 11 effective March 23, 2025. For text effective until March 23, 2025, see above.]

  Section 4. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or by regulation, a person not licensed or otherwise exempt from licensing shall not hold themself out as a licensed recovery coach and shall not use the title, initials, abbreviations, insignia or description of a licensed recovery coach or practice or attempt to practice recovery coaching unless otherwise authorized by law or rule or regulation of the department. Whoever engages in any such unauthorized action shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500. The department may bring a petition in superior court to enjoin such action or any other violation of this chapter or a regulation hereunder.

  (b) Individuals working under an approved recovery coach supervisor and receiving approved work experience may practice without a license in order to obtain the requisite hours of supervised experience needed to obtain a recovery coach license; provided, however, that such individuals shall meet all other requirements for recovery coach applicants provided for in this chapter or by regulation.

  (c) Nothing in this section shall prevent members of peer groups or self-help groups from performing peer support or self-help activities that may be included within the practice of recovery coaching; provided, however, that no members of peer groups or self-help groups who are not so credentialed shall use a title stating or implying that such person is a licensed recovery coach.