Certifications

Prominently displaying your certificate and using the international acronym on professional materials can help you gain greater professional recognition. It confirms your proficiency level in the profession.

Certification Process

Certifications

A certification is typically a voluntary process, although certification can be mandatory or required to practice in certain states. Certification is often provided by a private organization for the purpose of providing the public protection on those individuals who have successfully met all requirements for the credential and demonstrated their ability to perform their profession competently. It represents the achievement of a level of professional competency agreed by the international community as qualified to practice effectively. In some states, holding a certification can help a professional obtain a license. Like a license, certification requirements can and do vary from state to state.

Regulators and community treatment agencies have long required substance use disorder treatment professionals to hold a professional certification. With the advance of managed healthcare over the past several years, many governments have now adopted standards that parallel certification requirements for substance use disorder practitioners.

Peer Recovery Specialist – Reciprocal

Peer Recovery Support Specialists are individuals who are in recovery from substance use or co-occurring mental health disorders. Their life experiences and recovery allow them to provide recovery support in such way that others can benefit from their experiences.

Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) – Non-Reciprocal

The Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) credential is one of the most widely recognized credentials. It is the basis of the mandated credential or license in many jurisdictions.

The CAC credential is designed to be an entry-level credential and covers the basics of addiction counseling.

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) – Reciprocal

The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential is a professional who works with individuals who are experiencing issues with substance use disorders. These professionals work with individuals to develop treatment plans and provide individual and/or group counseling to assist them to recover. A substance use disorder counselor may specialize in specific theories, modalities or work with specific groups.

Advanced Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ACADC – Level III)

An advanced certified alcohol and drug counselor is a professional who works with individuals who are experiencing issues with substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders. These professionals work with individuals to develop treatment plans and provide individual and/or group counseling to assist them to recover. A substance use disorder counselor may specialize in specific theories, modalities or work with specific groups. Addiction Counselor credential that requires a master’s degree, is international in scope and reciprocal, and meets the state staffing requirements.

Certified Clinical Supervisor

A thorough understanding of addiction and the latest evidence-based practices for treatment is the hallmark of a qualified professional. The Clinical Supervisor credential requires professionals to demonstrate competency through experience, education, supervision, and the passing of a rigorous examination.

Certified Prevention Specialist or Professional

Credentialed prevention staff ensure that programs and their funders are delivering on their mission of ensuring public safety and well-being. A thorough understanding of prevention and the latest evidence-based practices for treatment is the hallmark of a qualified professional. The Prevention Specialist credential requires professionals to demonstrate competency through experience, education, supervision, and the passing of a rigorous examination.

Certified Criminal Justice Specialist or Professional

In addition to addiction counseling skills and theoretical understanding, Criminal Justice Addictions Professionals (CCJP) need an understanding of the criminal justice system and criminal thought patterns. The CCJP credential requires professionals to demonstrate competency through experience, education, supervision, and the passing of a rigorous examination.