PROVIDER
CREDENTIALING & RE-CREDENTIALING
MEDICAID CRITERIA
Revised 09/22/2014
Page 1 of 15
Sandhills Center
Credentialing Criteria
Agency/Facility:

The agency/facility must be established as a legally recognized entity in the United States and
registered to do business as a corporate entity in the State of North Carolina

The agency/facility must have a National Provider Indicator (NPI) number for all services that are
Medicaid reimbursable

The agency/facility must have a Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) number for all services that
are Medicaid reimbursable. (Not applicable if a new agency/facility being credentialed for the first
time for Medicaid reimbursable services)

The agency/facility must have a Federal Tax Identification number

Attest that staff meet the requirements specified in the attached definitions as required in the service
specific credentialing criteria (attached)

Agencies are responsible for supervising their own staff

Attest to compliance with service specific credentialing criteria

Not have current or previous censures, sanctions or exclusions from participation in the Medicare
and Medicaid programs

Agency/facility Insurance Requirements:
An original “Certificate of Liability Insurance” demonstrating proof of compliance with insurance
requirements. The following requirements are reflected in the Sandhills Center Service Agreement
document.
Provider shall have:
a.
Professional Liability: The CONTRACTOR shall purchase and maintain professional liability
insurance protecting the CONTRACTOR and any employee performing work under the Contract for an
amount of not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and proof of coverage at or exceeding
$3,000,000.00 in the annual aggregate. In the event that the CONTRACTOR discovers that a claim,
suit of criminal/administrative proceeding has been brought or may be brought against the
CONTRACTOR and/or Practitioner relating to the quality of services provided under this
Agreement, then CONTRACTOR shall notify LME-MCO within ten (10) days and LME-MCO
will determine whether to terminate this Agreement.
b. Comprehensive General Liability: Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance shall
protect the CONTRACTOR and any employee performing work under the Contract from claims of
Bodily Injury or Property Damage, which may arise from operations under the Contract. The
amounts of such insurance shall not be less than $1,000,000.00 per Occurrence/$3,000,000.00 per
Aggregate/$1,000,000.00 Personal and Advertising Injury/$50,000.00 Fire Damage. The
insurance shall not include exclusion for contractual liability.
Page 2 of 15
c. Automobile Liability: Automobile Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance covering
all owned, non-owned, and hired automobiles for limits of not less than $1,000,000.00 each person
and $1,000,000.00 each occurrence of Bodily Injury Liability and $1,000,000.00 each occurrence of
Property Damage Liability. Policies written on a combined single limit basis should have a limit of
not less than $1,000,000.00.
d. Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Disease Insurance: Insurance Coverage must meet
the statutory requirements of the State of North Carolina; and Employer’s Liability Insurance for
an amount of not less than: Bodily Injury by Accident $100,000.00 each Accident, Bodily Injury by
Disease $100,000.00 each Employee, and Bodily Injury by Disease $500,000.00 Policy Limit.
e. Certificate of Coverage: The CONTRACTOR shall provide the LME-MCO with Certificates of
Insurance Coverage consistent with the Contract within thirty (30) days following the effective date
of the Contract and on an annual basis within ten (10) days of the anniversary date of the Contract,
and shall provide a new Certificate within ten (10) days of the expiration date if the Insurance
Certificate expires during the contract period. Certificates shall contain the provision that the LMEMCO is given thirty (30) days written notice of any intent to amend or terminate by either the
CONTRACTOR or the insurance company. The CONTRACTOR shall notify the LME-MCO of
any cancellation or material change, within forty-eight (48) hours, and within ten (10) days of any
change in insurance provider during the period of the Contract. If the CONTRACTOR changes
insurance providers during the performance period of the Contract, the CONTRACTOR shall provide
evidence to the LME-MCO that the LME-MCO will be indemnified to the limits specified above
for the entire performance period of the Contract, either under the policy or a combination of old
and new policies.
f. Tail Coverage: Liability insurance may be on either an occurrence basis or on a claims-made basis. If
the policy is on a claims-made basis, an extended reporting endorsement (tail coverage) for a period of
not less than three (3) years after the end of the contract term, or an agreement to continue liability
coverage with a retroactive date on or before the beginning of the contract term, shall also be
provided.
g. Waivers of Subrogation: CONTRACTOR shall obtain and provide to LME-MCO waivers from
CONTRACTOR’S workers compensation and occupational disease and commercial general
liability carriers of any right of recovery that such liability carriers may have because of
payments made by them for injury or damage arising out of work done by CONTRACTOR
under this Contract, including contract documents issued under this Contract such as an
LME-MCO Service Authorization Request Form.
Page 3 of 15
Sandhills Center
Re-Credentialing Criteria
Agency/Facility
For Sandhills Center to re-credential a participating provider agency/facility, the provider must:

Meet applicable Credentialing Criteria*

Submit a re-credentialing application updating any information that is subject to change (example,
licensure, board certification, liability claims history, disciplinary actions)

Must be in good standing with Sandhills Center as demonstrated by:

No current or previous censures, sanctions or exclusions from participation in the Medicare and
Medicaid Programs.

No unresolved Plans of Correction with the LME-MCO or regulatory agencies, and

LME-MCO has no identified concerns related to timely reporting and response to incidents or
complaints
*Refer to Service Specific Credentialing Criteria
Page 4 of 15
Sandhills Center
Credentialing Criteria
Individual Practitioner:

Is enrolled with the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) as an Outpatient Mental Health Provider

Has an active license and/or certification in good standing with the appropriate governing authority
in the state of North Carolina

Has a Medicaid Identification Number

Has a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number

If a Doctor of Medicine has a DEA number

Provides social security number or federal tax ID number

Provides or has a written agreement with another entity for access to 24 hour coverage for
emergency service. If a written agreement with another provider has been established the provider
must be credentialed, be a member of the Sandhills Center Network, and have an equivalent degree,
license , or higher

Insurance Requirements:
The CONTRACTOR shall purchase and maintain insurance as listed below from a company, which
is licensed and authorized to do business in the State of North Carolina by the North Carolina
Department of Insurance. Insurance policies shall require that the coverage cannot be suspended,
voided, canceled or reduced in coverage or limits without thirty (30) days prior notice to the LMEMCO. Any loss of insurance shall be the basis of a payback to the LME-MCO for services billed
during this period and may result in the termination of this Contract. All insurance requirements
of this Contract must be fully met unless specifically waived in writing by LME-MCO.
a. Professional Liability: The CONTRACTOR shall purchase and maintain professional liability
insurance protecting the CONTRACTOR and any employee performing work under the Contract for
an amount of not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and proof of coverage at or exceeding
$3,000,000.00 in the annual aggregate. In the event that the CONTRACTOR discovers that a claim,
suit of criminal/administrative proceeding has been brought or may be brought against the
CONTRACTOR and/or Practitioner relating to the quality of services provided under this
Agreement, then CONTRACTOR shall notify LME-MCO within ten (10) days and LME-MCO
will determine whether to terminate this Agreement.
b. Comprehensive General Liability: Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance shall
protect the CONTRACTOR and any employee performing work under the Contract from claims
of Bodily Injury or Property Damage, which may arise from operations under the Contract. The
amounts of such insurance shall not be less than $1,000,000.00 per Occurrence/$3,000,000.00 per
Aggregate/$1,000,000.00 Personal and Advertising Injury/$50,000.00 Fire Damage. The insurance
shall not include exclusion for contractual liability.
c. Automobile Liability: Automobile Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance covering
all owned, non-owned, and hired automobiles for limits of not less than $1,000,000.00 each person
and $1,000,000.00 each occurrence of Bodily Injury Liability and $1,000,000.00 each occurrence of
Property Damage Liability. Policies written on a combined single limit basis should have a limit
Page 5 of 15
of not less than $1,000,000.00. Automobile Liability may be waived if the CONTRACTOR
certifies to the LME-MCO in writing that an automobile is not used as part of their business. If the
CONTRACTOR intends to use the CONTRACTOR’S automobile for business, the CONTRACTOR
must immediately notify the LME-MCO (prior to the change) of the intent and provide the required
certificate of coverage.
d. Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Disease Insurance: CONTRACTOR with three (3) or
more employees shall secure Worker’s Compensation and Occupational Disease Insurance. The
insurance coverage must meet the statutory requirements of the State of North Carolina; and
Employer’s Liability Insurance for an amount of not less than: Bodily Injury by Accident
$100,000.00 each Accident, Bodily Injury by Disease $100,000.00 each Employee, and Bodily
Injury by Disease $500,000.00 Policy Limit.
e. Certificate of Coverage: The CONTRACTOR shall provide the LME-MCO with Certificates of
Insurance Coverage consistent with the Contract within thirty (30) days following the effective
date of the Contract and on an annual basis within ten (10) days of the anniversary date of the
Contract, and shall provide a new Certificate within ten (10) days of the expiration date if the
Insurance Certificate expires during the contract period. Certificates shall contain the provision
that the LME-MCO is given thirty (30) days written notice of any intent to amend or terminate by
either the CONTRACTOR or the insurance company. The CONTRACTOR shall notify the
LME-MCO in writing of any cancellation or material change, within forty-eight (48) hours, and
within ten (10) days of any change in insurance provider during the period of the Contract. If the
CONTRACTOR changes insurance providers during the performance period of the
Contract, the CONTRACTOR shall provide evidence to the LME-MCO that the LME-MCO will be
indemnified to the limits specified above for the entire performance period of the Contract, either
under the policy or a combination of old and new policies.
f. Tail Coverage: Liability insurance may be on either an occurrence basis or on a claims-made
basis. If the policy is on a claims-made basis, an extended reporting endorsement (tail coverage) for
a period of not less than three (3) years after the end of the contract term, or an agreement to
continue liability coverage with a retroactive date on or before the beginning of the contract term,
shall also be provided
g. Waivers of Subrogation: CONTRACTOR shall obtain and provide to the LME-MCO waivers
from CONTRACTOR’S workers compensation and occupational disease and commercial general
liability carriers of any right of recovery that such liability carriers may have because of
payments made by them for injury or damage arising out of work done by the CONTRACTOR
under this Contract, including Contract documents issued under this Contract such as an LMEMCO Service Authorization Request Form.



Provider makes available information on office hours, clinical specialty areas, languages spoken,
and special accommodations
Attests to compliance with service specific criteria
Not have current or previous censures, sanctions or exclusions from participation in the Medicare
and Medicaid programs
Page 6 of 15
Sandhills Center
Re-Credentialing Criteria
Individual Practitioner:
For Sandhills Center to re-credential a participating individual practitioner as a provider, the provider must:

Meet outpatient services criteria *

Submit a re-credentialing application updating any information that is subject to change
licensure, board certification, professional liability claims history, disciplinary actions)

Not have current or previous censures, sanctions or exclusions from participation in the Medicare
and Medicaid programs.

Insurance Requirements:
The CONTRACTOR shall purchase and maintain insurance as listed below from a company, which
is licensed and authorized to do business in the State of North Carolina by the North Carolina
Department of Insurance. Insurance policies shall require that the coverage cannot be suspended,
voided, canceled or reduced in coverage or limits without thirty (30) days prior notice to the LMEMCO. Any loss of insurance shall be the basis of a payback to the LME-MCO for services billed
during this period and may result in the termination of this Contract. All insurance requirements
of this Contract must be fully met unless specifically waived in writing by LME-MCO.
(ex.
a. Professional Liability: The CONTRACTOR shall purchase and maintain professional liability
insurance protecting the CONTRACTOR and any employee performing work under the Contract for
an amount of not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and proof of coverage at or exceeding
$3,000,000.00 in the annual aggregate. In the event that the CONTRACTOR discovers that a claim,
suit of criminal/administrative proceeding has been brought or may be brought against the
CONTRACTOR and/or Practitioner relating to the quality of services provided under this
Agreement, then CONTRACTOR shall notify LME-MCO within ten (10) days and LME-MCO
will determine whether to terminate this Agreement.
b. Comprehensive General Liability: Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance shall
protect the CONTRACTOR and any employee performing work under the Contract from claims
of Bodily Injury or Property Damage, which may arise from operations under the Contract. The
amounts of such insurance shall not be less than $1,000,000.00 per Occurrence/$3,000,000.00 per
Aggregate/$1,000,000.00 Personal and Advertising Injury/$50,000.00 Fire Damage. The insurance
shall not include exclusion for contractual liability.
c. Automobile Liability: Automobile Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance covering
all owned, non-owned, and hired automobiles for limits of not less than $1,000,000.00 each person
and $1,000,000.00 each occurrence of Bodily Injury Liability and $1,000,000.00 each occurrence of
Property Damage Liability. Policies written on a combined single limit basis should have a limit
of not less than $1,000,000.00. Automobile Liability may be waived if the CONTRACTOR
certifies to the LME-MCO in writing that an automobile is not used as part of their business. If the
CONTRACTOR intends to use the CONTRACTOR’S automobile for business, the CONTRACTOR
must immediately notify the LME-MCO (prior to the change) of the intent and provide the required
certificate of coverage.
Page 7 of 15
d. Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Disease Insurance: CONTRACTOR with three (3) or
more employees shall secure Worker’s Compensation and Occupational Disease Insurance. The
insurance coverage must meet the statutory requirements of the State of North Carolina; and
Employer’s Liability Insurance for an amount of not less than: Bodily Injury by Accident
$100,000.00 each Accident, Bodily Injury by Disease $100,000.00 each Employee, and Bodily
Injury by Disease $500,000.00 Policy Limit.
e. Certificate of Coverage: The CONTRACTOR shall provide the LME-MCO with Certificates of
Insurance Coverage consistent with the Contract within thirty (30) days following the effective
date of the Contract and on an annual basis within ten (10) days of the anniversary date of the
Contract, and shall provide a new Certificate within ten (10) days of the expiration date if the
Insurance Certificate expires during the contract period. Certificates shall contain the provision
that the LME-MCO is given thirty (30) days written notice of any intent to amend or terminate by
either the CONTRACTOR or the insurance company. The CONTRACTOR shall notify the
LME-MCO in writing of any cancellation or material change, within forty-eight (48) hours, and
within ten (10) days of any change in insurance provider during the period of the Contract. If the
CONTRACTOR changes insurance providers during the performance period of the
Contract, the CONTRACTOR shall provide evidence to the LME-MCO that the LME-MCO will be
indemnified to the limits specified above for the entire performance period of the Contract, either
under the policy or a combination of old and new policies.
f. Tail Coverage: Liability insurance may be on either an occurrence basis or on a claims-made
basis. If the policy is on a claims-made basis, an extended reporting endorsement (tail coverage) for
a period of not less than three (3) years after the end of the contract term, or an agreement to
continue liability coverage with a retroactive date on or before the beginning of the contract term,
shall also be provided
g. Waivers of Subrogation: CONTRACTOR shall obtain and provide to the LME-MCO waivers
from CONTRACTOR’S workers compensation and occupational disease and commercial general
liability carriers of any right of recovery that such liability carriers may have because of
payments made by them for injury or damage arising out of work done by the CONTRACTOR
under this Contract, including Contract documents issued under this Contract such as an LMEMCO Service Authorization Request Form.

Provider makes available information on office hours, clinical specialty areas, languages spoken, and
special accommodations
*Refer to outpatient services credentialing criteria
Page 8 of 15
Sandhills Center
Credentialing Criteria
Hospital:

The hospital must be accredited by The Joint Commission

The hospital must have a National Provider Indicator (NPI) number for all services that are Medicaid
reimbursable

The hospital must have a Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) number for all services that are
Medicaid reimbursable

The hospital must have a Federal Tax Identification number

Hospitals are responsible for credentialing and supervising their own inpatient staff. NOTE: If the
Hospital has a Behavioral Health outpatient clinic it is the responsibility of the hospital to ensure that
each Practitioner completes and submits the “Uniform Application to Participate as a Health Care
Practitioner”.

Attest to compliance with service specific credentialing criteria

Attest to the hospital’s professional liability and claims history

Not have current or previous censures, sanctions or exclusions from participation in the Medicare
and Medicaid programs.

Hospital Insurance Information:
An original “Certificate of Liability Insurance” demonstrating proof of compliance with insurance
requirements. The following requirements are reflected in the Sandhills Center Service Agreement
document.
a. Professional Liability: The CONTRACTOR shall purchase and maintain professional
liability insurance protecting the CONTRACTOR and any employee performing work under
the Contract for an amount of not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and proof of coverage
at or exceeding $3,000,000.00 in the annual aggregate. In the event that the CONTRACTOR
discovers that a claim, suit of criminal/administrative proceeding involving an LMEMCO Member has been brought or may be brought against the CONTRACTOR
and/or Practitioner relating to the quality of services provided under this Agreement, then
CONTRACTOR shall notify LME-MCO within ten (10) days.
b. Comprehensive General Liability: Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance
shall protect the CONTRACTOR and any employee performing work under the Contract from
claims of Bodily Injury or Property Damage, which may arise from operations under the Contract.
The amounts of such insurance shall not be less than $1,000,000.00 per Occurrence/$3,000,000.00
per Aggregate/$1,000,000.00 Personal and Advertising Injury/$50,000.00 Fire Damage. The
insurance shall not include exclusion for contractual liability.
Page 9 of 15
c. Automobile Liability: Automobile Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance
covering all owned, non-owned, and hired automobiles for limits of not less than
$1,000,000.00 each person and $1,000,000.00 each occurrence of Bodily injury Liability
and $1,000,000.00 each occurrence of Property Damage Liability. Policies written on a
combined single limit basis should have a limit of not less than $1,000,000.00.
d. Workers' Compensation and Occupational Disease Insurance: Insurance Coverage must meet
the statutory requirements of the State of North Carolina; and Employer's Liability Insurance for an
amount of not less than: Bodily Injury by Accident $100,000.00 each Accident, Bodily Injury by
Disease $100,000.00 each Employee, and Bodily Injury by Disease $500,000.00 Policy Limit.
e. Certificate of Coverage: The CONTRACTOR shall provide Sandhills Center with Certificates of
Insurance Coverage consistent with the Contract within thirty (30) business days following
the effective date of the Contract and on an annual basis within ten (10) business days of the
anniversary date of the Contract, and shall provide a new Certificate within ten (10) business days
of the expiration date if the Insurance Certificate expires during the Contract period. The
CONTRACTOR shall notify Sandhills Center in writing of any cancellation or material change,
within forty-eight (48) hours, and within ten (10) days of any change in insurance
provider during the period of the Contract. If the CONTRACTOR changes insurance
providers during the performance period of the Contract, the CONTRACTOR shall provide
evidence to Sandhills Center that Sandhills Center will be indemnified to the limits
specified above for the entire performance period of the Contract, either under the policy or
a combination of old and new policies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the
CONTRACTOR shall have the right to self-insure so long as the CONTRACTOR's self-insurance
program is licensed by the Department of Insurance of the State of North Carolina and is
actuarially determined sufficient to pay the insurance limits required in this paragraph.
f. Tail Coverage: Liability insurance may be on either an occurrence basis or on a claims-made
basis. If the policy is on a claims-made basis, an extended reporting endorsement (tail
coverage) for a period of not less than three (3) years after the end of the contract term, or an
agreement to continue liability coverage with a retroactive date on or before the beginning of
the contract term, shall also be provided.
Page 10 of 15
Sandhills Center
Re-Credentialing Criteria
Hospital:
For Sandhills Center to re-credential a participating provider hospital, the hospital must:

Meet applicable Credentialing Criteria*

Submit a re-credentialing application updating any information that is subject to change (ex.
licensure, board certification, liability claims history, disciplinary actions)

The hospital must remain accredited with The Joint Commission

Attest to the hospital’s professional liability and claims history.

Attest to compliance with service specific credentialing criteria

Not have current or previous censures, sanctions or exclusions from participation in the Medicare
and Medicaid programs
*Refer to Hospital Inpatient Credentialing Criteria
Page 11 of 15
Staff Definitions
1. Associate Professional (AP) within the mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse
services (mh/dd/sas) system of care means an individual who is a:

Graduate of a college or university with a Masters degree in a human service field with less than one
year of full-time, post-graduate degree accumulated mh/dd/sas experience with the population
served, or a substance abuse professional with less than one year of full-time, post-graduate degree
accumulated supervised experience in alcoholism and drug abuse counseling. Supervision shall be
provided by a qualified professional with the population served until the individual meets one year
of experience. The supervisor and the employee shall develop an individualized supervision plan
upon hiring. The parties shall review the plan annually; or

Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a human service field with less than
two years of full-time, post-bachelor’s degree accumulated mh/dd/sas experience with the population
served, or a substance abuse professional with less than two full years of full-time, post-bachelor’s
degree accumulated supervised experience in alcoholism and drug abuse counseling. Supervision
shall be provided by a qualified professional with the population served until the individual meets
two years of experience. The supervisor and the employee shall develop an individualized
supervision plan upon hiring. The parties shall review the plan annually; or

Graduate of a college or university with bachelor’s degree in a field other than human services with
less than four years of full-time, post-bachelor’s degree accumulated mh/dd/sas experience with the
population served, or a substance abuse professional with less than four years of full-time, postbachelor’s degree accumulated supervised experience in alcoholism and drug abuse counseling.
Supervision shall be provided by a qualified professional with the population served until the
individual meets four years of experience. The supervisor and the employee shall develop an
individualized supervision plan upon hiring. The parties shall review the plan annually; or

Registered nurse who is licensed to practice in the State of North Carolina by the North Carolina
Board of Nursing with less than four years of full-time accumulated experience in mh/dd/sas with
the population served. Supervision shall be provided by a qualified professional with the population
served until the individual meets four years of experience. The supervisor and the employee shall
develop an individualized supervision plan upon hiring. The parties shall review the plan annually.
2. Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) means an individual who is certified as such by the North Carolina
Substance Abuse Professional Certification Board.
3. Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) means an individual who is certified as such by the North
Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Certification Board.
4. Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Consultant (CSAPC) means an individual who is certified as such by
the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board
5. Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist
Criteria A:
 A minimum of a master's degree with a clinical application in a human services field;
 Two years post-graduate supervised substance abuse counseling experience;
 Three letters of reference from Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist or a master's level Certified
Substance Abuse Counselor;
Page 12 of 15





Achievement of a passing score on a master's level written examination administered by the Board;
180 hours of substance abuse specific training as defined in the statute and in policy statement of the
Board;
Signed verification statements attesting to the intention to adhere fully to the ethical standards of the
Board;
That the applicant is not and has not engaged in any practice or conduct that would be grounds for
disciplinary action under this statute;
Payment of fees.
Criteria B:
 Minimum of a master's degree with clinical application in a human services field;
 Current certification as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor;
 Achievement of a passing score on a master's level written examination administered by the Board;
 Three letters of reference from Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist or a master's level Certified
Substance Abuse Counselor;
 Signed verification statements attesting to the intention to adhere fully to the ethical standards of the
Board;
 That the applicant is not and has not engaged in any practice or conduct that would be grounds for
disciplinary action under this statute;
 Payment of fees.
Criteria C:







Minimum of a master's degree in a human services field with a substance abuse specialty that
includes 180 hours of substance abuse specific training/education;
One year of post-graduate supervised substance abuse counseling experience;
Achievement of a passing score on the written examination administered by the Board;
Three letters of reference from Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist or a master's level Certified
Substance Abuse Counselor;
Signed verification statements attesting to the intention to adhere fully to the ethical standards of the
Board;
That the applicant is not and has not engaged in any practice or conduct that would be grounds for
disciplinary action under this statute;
Payment of fees.
Criteria D:




The applicant must be a member of a professional discipline granted deemed status by the Board;
(Deemed status organizations)
The applicant must be licensed, certified or otherwise recognized by that discipline as having met the
standards of a substance abuse specialist; and
Must hold a substance abuse certification from that professional discipline which has been granted
deemed status by the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board;
Certification may be obtained through the process as described, and by payment of certification fees.
6. Paraprofessional within the mh/dd/sas system of care means an individual who, with the exception of staff
providing respite services or personal care services, has GED or high school diploma; or no GED or high
school diploma, employed prior to November 1, 2001 to provide a mh/dd/sas service. Supervision shall be
provided by a qualified professional or associate professional with the population served. The supervisor
Page 13 of 15
and the employee shall develop an individualized supervision plan upon hiring. The parties shall review the
plan annually.
7. Qualified professional means within the mh/dd/sas system of care:
 an individual who holds a license, provisional license, certificate, registration or permit issued by the
governing board regulating a human service profession, except a registered nurse who is licensed to
practice in the State of North Carolina by the North Carolina Board of Nursing who also has four
years of full-time accumulated experience in mh/dd/sas with the population served; or
 a graduate of a college or university with a Masters degree in a human service field and has one year
of full-time, post-graduate degree accumulated mh/dd/sas experience with the population served, or
a substance abuse professional who has one year of full-time, post-graduate degree accumulated
supervised experience in alcoholism and drug abuse counseling; or
 a graduate of a college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a human service field and has two
years of a full-time, post-bachelor’s degree accumulated mh/dd/sas experience with the population
served, or a substance abuse professional who has two years of full-time, post-bachelor’s degree
accumulated supervised experience in alcoholism and drug abuse counseling; or
 a graduate of a college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than human services
and has four years of full-time, post-bachelor’s degree with accumulated mh/dd/sas experience with
the population served, or a substance abuse professional who has four years of full-time, postbachelor’s degree accumulated supervised experience in alcoholism and drug abuse counseling.
Page 14 of 15
Sandhills Center
Credentialing & Re-Credentialing Criteria
For Service Definitions and Requirement, please refer to the North Carolina DHHS website at
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dma/mp/.
Page 15 of 15