R523. Health and Human Services, Substance Use and Mental Health.

R523-17. Behavioral Health Crisis Response Systems Standards.

R523-17-1. Authority and Purpose.

(1) Subsections 26B-5-610(3)(b) and 26B-5-610(5) authorize this rule.

(2) This rule establishes:

(a) the training and minimum standards for the qualification or certification of crisis workers and certification of peer support specialists, as described in Subsection 26B-5-610(3); and

(b) the hours and days of operation for the statewide warm line, as described in Subsection 26B-5-610(5).

R523-17-2. Definitions.

(1) Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 26B-5-610. Additionally:

(2) "Office" means the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health, under the Department of Health and Human Services.

R523-17-3. Certification Requirements for Crisis Workers.

(1) The office shall certify an individual who:

(a) is 18 years of age or older;

(b)(i) is qualified by training and experience upon successful completion of training provided by the office; or

(ii) is qualified by completing a crisis worker course through a college or university that has been approved by the office; and

(c) has passed the required test for the course.

(2) The certification process is initiated when an employer refers an individual to the office or when an individual contacts the office directly and requests to participate in the certification process.

(3)(a) The training curriculum shall:

(i) provide at least 40 hours of training; and

(ii) include didactic information and skill practice using components related to crisis intervention as provided or approved by the office.

(b) The curriculum methodology shall include:

(i) an opportunity to function as a co-crisis worker with experienced staff before assignment;

(ii) an opportunity to work on an independent basis;

(iii) didactic presentation and reading assignments; and

(iv) role playing and other experiential based methods.

(4) To qualify for crisis worker certification renewal, each crisis worker shall:

(a) complete at least eight hours of continuing education every two years pertaining specifically to crisis services; and

(b) maintain and keep adequate documentation for three years after the end of the renewal cycle in which the continuing education is due as proof of compliance with this section, such as a certificate of completion, school transcript, course description, or other course materials, which at minimum, shall contain the:

(i) course objectives;

(ii) course provider's name;

(iii) course title;

(iv) date of the course;

(v) instructor's name; and

(vi) number of hours of continuing education credit.

(5) An individual who receives a crisis worker certification:

(a) shall comply with Rule R380-80;

(b) shall follow each relevant federal, state, and local law; and

(c) may not receive a criminal charge or violation resulting in separation from employment with the individual's employer.

R523-17-4. Corrective Action of Crisis Worker Certification.

(1) If the office becomes aware that a crisis worker is noncompliant with this rule, the office shall immediately review the noncompliance.

(a) The office shall revoke or suspend the crisis worker's certification, based on the severity of the noncompliance, if the crisis worker's conduct:

(i) results in a financial loss to a client, the state or another employee;

(ii) results in personal financial gain through:

(A) a business transaction with a client; or

(B) deception;

(iii) results in physical or emotional harm to a person; or

(iv) is determined by the office to be severe enough that immediate action shall be taken to protect others.

(b)(i) If the office becomes aware of a crisis worker's conduct in violation of Subsection R523-17-4(1) that does not result in immediate revocation or suspension, within 30 days of becoming aware of the conduct, the office shall notify the crisis worker through a notice of violation specifying the area of noncompliance.

(ii)(A) Within 30 days after receiving the notice of violation, the crisis worker shall submit a written plan to the office explaining how the crisis worker will achieve compliance.

(B) If the office finds the submitted plan does not describe how the crisis worker will be compliant with the noncompliance that led to this action or does not receive the plan within 30 days of sending the notice of violation, the office shall suspend the crisis worker's certification until that individual submits an acceptable plan.

(c) The office shall revoke the certification of a crisis worker if the crisis worker:

(i) fails to provide the office with satisfactory written evidence of compliance to a plan of action within 30 days after the case manager receives a notice of suspension; or

(ii) receives more than two notices of violation of this rule within one year.

(2) An individual with a revoked crisis worker certification may not reapply for recertification for one year.

(3) Notice that an individual's crisis worker certification has been revoked shall include instruction on how to appeal the decision as provided in Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act and Rule R410-14.

(4) If a crisis worker fails to complete the requirements for continuing education in Subsection R523-17-3(4), the office shall allow the crisis worker's certificate to expire and may not renew the certification unless, within 30 days of expiration, that individual submits proof of completion of the required continuing education.

(5) If an individual's crisis worker certification expires as described in Subsection (4), that individual may submit a new application for office certification no sooner than 60 days after the expiration date.

R523-17-5. Standards for Statewide Mental Health Crisis Warm Lines.

Agencies providing a statewide mental health crisis warm line shall maintain a comprehensive telephonic system that is:

(1) open between the hours of 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, 365 days a year; and

(2) capable of assessing any individual experiencing a self-defined crisis situation, leading to appropriate crisis stabilization and makin g appropriate referrals.

KEY: crisis response services, crisis worker certification, statewide crisis line standards

Date of Last Change: January 26, 2026

Notice of Continuation: November 22, 2023

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 26B-5-610(3)(b); 26B-5-610(5)