(a) To be eligible for a license under this chapter, a person must:
(1) be at least 18 years of age;
(2) hold an associate degree or a more advanced degree;
(3) have completed:
(A) 135 hours, or nine semester hours, specific to substance abuse disorders and treatment and an additional 135 hours, or nine semester hours, specific or related to chemical dependency counseling;
(B) 4,000 hours of approved supervised experience working with chemically dependent persons; and
(C) 300 hours of approved supervised field work practicum;
(4) provide two letters of reference from chemical dependency counselors;
(5) pass a written examination approved by the department;
(6) submit a case presentation to the test administrator;
(7) be determined by the department to be worthy of the public trust and confidence;
(8) successfully complete the chemical dependency counselor examination under Section 504.156;
(9) sign a written agreement to comply with the standards of ethics approved by the department; and
(10) provide to the department written assurance that the applicant has access to a peer assistance program.
(b) The department may waive the requirement under Subsection (a)(10) if the department determines that a peer assistance program is not reasonably available to the license holder.