Meet Requirements
2017 Opioid Prescribing Rule
- Rule Governing the Prescribing of Opioids for Pain (link is external)
- Opioid Prescribing Rule - What You Need to Know (link is external)
- Rules for Prescribing Opioids for Pain & Vermont Prescription Monitoring System - Frequently Asked Questions: For Prescribers (link is external)
- May 17, 2017 Webinar (link is external) & Handout (link is external)
Vermont’s Opioid Prescribing Rule requires that an Opioid Patient Information Sheet and an Opioid Prescription Informed Consent form be provided by the provider to any patient receiving a new opioid prescription. The information sheet provides patient education about the risks of taking opioids and provides guidance on the safe storage and proper disposal of opioids. The consent form should be signed by the patient and kept on file. The documents have also been translated into Arabic, Burmese, French, Kirundi, Nepali, Somali, and Spanish to provide to new Vermonter patients.
Vermont Prescription Monitoring System
The amended Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS) law requires all providers who prescribe controlled substances to enroll in VPMS and expands query requirements (Act 75, Section 11). Visit the VPMS page for more information.
- Scope of Pain: Safe and Competent Opioid Prescribing Education
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Opioid Overdose Training for Providers
Stay Licensed
Alcohol & Drug Counselors - AAP, CADC, LADC
The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation (link is externalis responsible for certification and licensure of Apprentice Addiction Professionals (AAP), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC), and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC).
Alcohol & Drug Prevention Practitioners - CPS
Competency standards for substance misuse prevention practitioners are established by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (link is external) (IC&RC). For practitioners interested in becoming a Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS), contact the New Hampshire Prevention Certification Board. (link is external)The national Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST) is provided as an introduction to the alcohol and drug prevention field. See the Workforce Development page for more information.
Recovery Coach
The Vermont Association for Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (VAMHAR) provides workforce development training, including Vermont Recovery Coach Training - a comprehensive, current, interactive training designed to equip participants with the basic tools, skills and resources vital to becoming an effective recovery coach.
Prescribers of Controlled Substances
Prescribers of Controlled Substances obtain licensure through the Vermont Board of Medical Practice or the Office of Professional Regulation.
In our commitment to supporting the development and maintenance of a qualified and competent workforce, training opportunities and continuing education resources are listed on the Workforce Development page.
The Substance Abuse Treatment Certification Rule provides certification and operational requirements for Vermont Department of Health approved and preferred providers.
Preferred Providers - Substance Use Disorder Treatment Standards - Effective August 1, 2018 - December 31, 2019
*NEW* Preferred Providers - Substance Use Disorder Treatment Standards - Effective January 1, 2020
The Compliance Assessment Tool (CAT) is used during site visits to determine a Preferred Provider’s level of certification compliance by:
- Providing transparency about the Preferred Provider's compliance status;
- Highlighting areas that require action or emphasis; and
- Evaluating the level and type of technical assistance needs.
Certification Process
Certification requires site visits to funded programs providing substance use disorder treatment to assess program compliance with substance use disorder services guidelines - procedural guidelines of practice for all publicly funded substance use disorder treatment services in Vermont.