Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC)

Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS)

Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)

Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Consultant (CSAPC)

Certified Substance Abuse Residential Facility Director (CSARFD)

Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional Credential (CCJP)

Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC)

Registration

The process begins with the individual requesting in writing an application/ registration package, including $25.00 to this address:

P.O. Box 10126 Raleigh, NC 27605.

To register and begin the certification process, the applicant must send the following to the Board:

1.      The completed registration form found in the registration application package;

2.      Documentation of high school graduation, completion of GED, Baccalaureate or advanced degree. (Use transcripts as documentation as appropriate).

3.      A signed supervision contract documenting the proposed supervision process by either a CCS or a CCS Intern.

4.      A signed form attesting to the applicants commitment to adhere to the Ethical Principles of Conduct of the Board (Verification Statements).

5.      A check or money order in the amount of $125.00 (non-refundable) made payable to NCSAPCB.

Once the above is received by the Board, the applicants materials will be reviewed. If found to be in order, the applicant will be granted registration status.

Substance Abuse Counselor Intern

Early registration with the Board is a requirement for entry level certification. However, should an applicant choose to by-pass early registration and seek the status of a Counselor Intern, he/she must submit all of the materials and fees necessary for registration plus documentation of 300 hours of Supervised Practical Training. Once these materials are reviewed and found to be in order, the applicant will be given a written examination (upon payment of $125.00 written exam fee). If a passing score is achieved, the applicant will be certified as a Counselor Intern.

To be recognized as a Substance Abuse Counselor Intern, a counselor must submit and successfully complete the following:

1. Completed registration form found in the registration/application package.
2. Documentation of high school graduation, completion of GED, Baccalaureate or advanced degree. (Use transcript as documentation where appropriate).
3. A signed form attesting to applicants commitment to adhere to the Ethical Principles of Conduct of the Board.
4. A signed supervision contract documenting the continuing supervision process by a CCS or CCS intern.
5. Documentation verifying the successful completion of 300 hours of Supervised Practical Training.
6. Successful completion of the written examination ($125.00 written exam fee plus $125.00 registration fee, non-refundable, if not already registered with the Board).

NOTE: If a passing score is not achieved, the applicant may request a retest and submit a retest fee of $150.00 (non-refundable), after a period of three (3) months. Once an individual has been recognized as a Substance Abuse Counselor Intern, he/she may function as a counselor under the supervision of a Board approved supervisor at a ratio of 1 hour of supervision for every 40 hours of practice.

Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC)

A Substance Abuse Counselor Intern may seek full certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor after completing the equivalent of three (3) years full time, supervised paid or volunteer experience as a Substance Abuse Counselor. This experience may be full-time or part-time but must amount to 6000 hours of practice not to be earned in less than thirty-six (36) calendar months. He/she must also complete 270 clock hours of Board approved education/training. Once the Board reviews and approves the applicants experience and successful completion of education, a competency based testing procedure will complete the certification process.

Requirements for certification as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor:

1. The equivalent of three (3) years full time paid or volunteer supervised experience (6,000 hours) obtained as defined above. Experience must also be obtained in a setting, program or facility whose function is treating alcohol and drug abuse. If a work setting is not exclusively substance abuse focused, the applicant may accumulate experience proportional to the direct or indirect substance abuse services they perform. For example, with a 75% substance abuse counseling caseload, the applicant would need 4.5 years experience, with a 50% substance abuse caseload, the applicant would need 6 years experience.
2. 270 clock hours of Board approved education/training in the following ratio: 190 hours substance abuse specific (SAS), and up to 80 hours may be directed toward general skill building (GSB). No more than 25% of the 270 hours (67.5 hours) may be in-service education received within your organization by staff of the same employment. All applicants for certification as a Substance Abuse Professional must document twelve (12) hours HIV/AIDS training/education and six (6) hours professional ethics training/education.
3. A $100.00 oral examination/case presentation fee plus a $125.00 written exam fee and $125.00 registration fee (non-refundable), if not already paid previously.
4. Successful completion of a competency-based examination administered by the Board only after the above has been reviewed and approved.
5. Completed evaluation forms must be submitted by three (3) references: Supervisor, Co-Worker, and Colleague. These evaluations must be mailed directly to the Board by the individuals completing the forms.

Upon successful completion of the oral examination/case presentation a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor certificate and number will be awarded. A Board certified Substance Abuse Counselor may function independently.

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Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS)

There are several different ways persons may apply to be a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist.

Listed below are the criteria for applying to become a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist.

In order to become certified with this credential, the applicant must meet ONE (1) of the following criteria:

Criteria A:

1. A minimum of a masters degree with a clinical application in a human services field;
2. Two years post-graduate supervised substance abuse counseling experience;
3. Three letters of reference from Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist or a masters level Certified Substance Abuse Counselor;
4. Achievement of a combined score set by the Board on masters level written and oral examinations administered by the Board;
5. 180 hours of substance abuse specific training as defined in the statute and in policy statement of the Board;
6. Signed verification statements attesting to the intention to adhere fully to the ethical standards of the Board;
7. That the applicant is not and has not engaged in any practice or conduct that would be grounds for disciplinary action under this statute;
8. Payment of fees.

Criteria B:

1. Minimum of a masters degree with clinical application in a human services field;
2. Current certification as a substance abuse, alcoholism, or drug abuse counselor;
3. One year of post-graduate supervised substance abuse counseling experience;
4. Achievement of a passing score on a master’s level written examination administered by the Board;
5. Three letters of reference from Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist or a masters level Certified Substance Abuse Counselor;
6. Signed verification statements attesting to the intention to adhere fully to the ethical standards of the Board;
7. That the applicant is not and has not engaged in any practice or conduct that would be grounds for disciplinary action under this statute;
8. Payment of fees.

Criteria C:

1. Minimum of a masters degree in a human services field with a substance abuse specialty that includes 180 hours of substance abuse specific training / education;
2. One year of post-graduate supervised substance abuse counseling experience;
3. Achievement of a passing score on an oral examination administered by the Board;
4. Three letters of reference from Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist or a masters level Certified Substance Abuse Counselor;
5. Signed verification statements attesting to the intention to adhere fully to the ethical standards of the Board;
6. That the applicant is not and has not engaged in any practice or conduct that would be grounds for disciplinary action under this statute;
7. Payment of fees.

Criteria D:

1. The applicant must be a member of a professional discipline granted deemed status by the Board;
2. The applicant must be licensed, certified or otherwise recognized by that discipline as having met the standards of a substance abuse specialist; and
3. 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 ;
4. Certification may be obtained through the process as described, and by payment of certification fees. 

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Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)

In order to become certified with this credential, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

1.      Certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor or Certified Clinical Addictions Specialist (applicant must maintain counselor certification in order to maintain supervisor credential).

2.      8,000 hours (four years) and a masters degree in a human services field with a clinical application from a regionally accredited college or university (10,000 hours in order to be reciprocal through the IC&RC/AODA, Inc.).

3.      4,000 hours (two years) experience as a substance abuse clinical supervisor.

4.      Thirty hours of substance abuse clinical supervision specific education/training for initial certification. These hours should be reflective of the twelve core functions in their clinical application and practice.

5.      One letter of reference from the applicants current supervisor.

6.      Three letters of reference: one from a professional who can attest to supervisory competence and two from either counselors who have been supervised by the candidate or professionals who can attest to the applicants competence.

7.      Successful completion of IC&RC/AODA, Inc. written examination.

8.      Payment of all fees. $25.00 should be submitted to the Board with a letter of intent in order to receive the application packet. $250.00 should be submitted to the Board when application packet is completed and mailed ($125.00 registration fee and $125.00 written test fee).

NEW CLINICAL SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS

After January 1, 2003 all applicants for both the CSAC and the CCAS (except through a Deemed Status organization) must be supervised by a CCS or a Clinical Supervisor Intern. A Clinical Supervisor Intern (after January 1, 2003) is a CSAC or CCAS who has submitted:

1. An application
2. Resume
3. Transcript of a completed masters degree in a human services field with a clinical application from a regionally accredited college or university
4. Signed Verification Statements
5. Documentation of at least fifty percent (50%) of clinical supervision specific training as defined by the Board
6. Payments of fees

Upon completion of this process, an applicant for Certified Clinical Supervisor will be designated a Clinical Supervisor Intern by the Board.

Applicant then has three (3) years to complete the application process which will include:

1. Documentation of practice as a clinical supervisor as defined above
2. Letter of reference from current supervisor
3. Three (3) letters of reference from colleagues/co-workers, one of which must be from a person who was supervised by this applicant
4. Documentation of remainder of clinical supervision specific education/training hours
5. Successful completion of IC&RC/AODA, Inc. written examination
6. Payment of fees 

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Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Consultant (CSAPC)

In response to the ever increasing needs of our field, the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Certification Board offers the Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Consultant certification.

This certification is offered to those persons who frequently are not involved in one-to-one and group counseling with persons who have substance abuse problems.

Rather, it is offered to those persons who identify and work with people in high risk categories and/or in alcohol and other drug education settings (i.e.: human service agencies, drug and alcohol educators, high school guidance counselors, etc.).

Requirements

1.      Three (3) years full-time experience in the field or two (2) years if applicant has a bachelors degree or higher in a human services field.

2.      270 hours of board approved academic/didactic training divided in the following manner:

a.      170 hours in the area of primary prevention and life skills training; and

b.      100 hours in substance abuse specific material.

c.      Twelve (12) hours of HIV training and six (6) hours of professional ethics are required.

3.      A minimum of 300 board approved practicum hours documented by a qualified alcohol, drug or substance abuse professional.

4.      Evaluations from a supervisor on this practicum as well as two evaluations from colleagues/co-workers.

5.      Successful completion of a written examination.

6.      Signed verification statements confirming that applicant will abide by high ethical standards as defined by the board and that applicant has been free of addictive use of alcohol and other drugs for a minimum of two (2) years.

7.      $250 registration/testing fee.

8.      Application Packet-$25.00 

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Certified Substance Abuse Residential Facility Director (CSARFD)

 The Certified Substance Abuse Residential Facility Director certification is one that is obtained in addition to the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor.

A person must already be a certified counselor in order to obtain the residential facility director certification.

Requirements

1. 50 hours of NCSAPCB approved academic/didactic management specific training.
2. Positive recommendation of applicants current supervisor.
3. Positive recommendation of a colleague or co-worker of the applicant.
4. Registration/application fee of $250.00
5. Application Packet-$25.00. 

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Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional Credential (CCJP)

The Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional Credential (CCJP) is designed for addiction professionals who work in one of these three settings: law enforcement, the judiciary and/or corrections.

The CCJP credential, unlike the other clinical credentials of the Board, does not require an active caseload of clients.

Education

• The education/training requirement is a total of 270 hours or
• 180 hours if the applicant has a masters degree or higher in a human services field from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Education is defined as formal, structured instruction in the form of workshops, seminars, institutes, in-services, college/university credit courses and distance learning.
• One hour of education/training is equal to 60 minutes of continuous instruction.
• Education/ Training must be specifically related to the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the tasks within the IC&RC/AODA, Inc. Criminal Justice Addictions Professional performance domains as they relate to both adults and juveniles.

Performance Domains:

Domain #1 - Dynamics of Addiction and Criminal Behavior,

Domain #2 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Responsibility,

Domain #3 - Criminal Justice System and Processes

Domain #4 - Screening, Intake and Assessment,

Domain #5 - Case Management, Monitoring, and Client Supervision,

Domain #6 - Counseling (a minimum of 10 hours in each domain)

• Twelve hours of education/training must be in the HIV/AIDS/STDs/TB/Blood-borne pathogens and
• Six hours of education/training must be in professional ethics and responsibilities.
• All education/training must be documented.

Supervised Practical Training

Realizing that supervision may take place in a variety of settings and have many faces, the IC&RC AODA, Inc. determined not to place limiting criteria on areas of supervision. (A minimum of 10 hours supervision is required in each domain as part of the 300 hour supervised practicum.)

Supervised hours are to be face-to-face supervision received in the CCJP Performance Domains.

Experience

• The experience requirement is 6,000 hours (three years) of supervised work experience for a Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP).
• Supervised work experience is defined as a paid or voluntary professional experience providing direct service to individuals involved in the criminal justice system (e.g. law enforcement, judicial, corrections, probation/ parole, etc.).
• Supervised work experience must be in the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium CCJP performance domains.
• Unsupervised work experience may NOT be substituted for the experience requirements
• All experience must be documented.
• All supervised experiences for this certification must be provided by a Certified Clinical Supervisor or Clinical Supervisor Intern.

1. High School/GED -- 6,000 hours (3-years) documented work experience in direct services in criminal justice/addictions services and obtained over the past 10 years.
2. AA/AS -- 5,000 hours documented work experience in direct services in criminal justice/addictions services and obtained over the past 10 years.
3. BA/BS -- 4,000 hours documented work experience in direct services in criminal justice/addictions services and obtained over the past 10 years.
4. MA/MS -- 2,000 hours documented work experience in direct services in criminal justice/addictions services and obtained over the past 10 years or post degree if masters is substance abuse specific.
5. Masters Level with other advanced substance abuse specific credential (i.e. NBCC, CRCC, NASW, MAC, etc.) -- 1,000 hours documented work experience in direct services in criminal justice/addictions services and obtained over the past 10 years.

International Written Examination

• The practice board requires all applicants to pass the IC&RC/AODA, Inc.s CCJP international written examination.

Code of Ethical Conduct

• The applicant must sign the Boards Code of Ethical Conduct and will abide by a specific criminal justice code of ethics.

Renewal

• The renewal requirement is 40 hours of continuing education that must be earned every two years in the Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP) performance domains.

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