EXEMPTIONS; APPLICABILITY.

(a) A person is exempt from this chapter if the person does not:

(1) directly or indirectly represent to the public that the person is licensed under this chapter; and

(2) use any name, title, or designation indicating that the person is licensed under this chapter.

(b) This chapter does not apply to an activity or service of a person who:

(1) is employed as a counselor by a federal institution and is providing chemical dependency counseling within the scope of the person's employment;

(2) except as provided by Section 504.1515, is a student, intern, or trainee pursuing a supervised course of study in counseling at a regionally accredited institution of higher education or training institution, if the person:

(A) is designated as a "counselor intern"; and

(B) is engaging in the activity or providing the service as part of the course of study;

(3) is not a resident of this state, if the person:

(A) engages in the activity or provides the service in this state for not more than 30 days during any year; and

(B) is authorized to engage in the activity or provide the service under the law of the state of the person's residence;

(4) is a licensed physician, psychologist, professional counselor, or social worker;

(5) is a religious leader of a congregation providing pastoral chemical dependency counseling within the scope of the person's duties;

(6) is working for or providing counseling with a program exempt under Subchapter C, Chapter 464, Health and Safety Code;

(7) is a school counselor certified by the State Board for Educator Certification; or

(8) provides chemical dependency counseling through a program or in a facility that receives funding from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and who is credentialed as:

(A) a certified criminal justice addictions professional by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium; or

(B) having certified criminal justice professional applicant status issued by the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals.

(c) A person exempt under this section who obtains a license under this chapter is subject to this chapter to the same extent as any other person who obtains a license under this chapter.