Education Requirements
Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor candidates must complete and document at least 350 clock hours of education and training that focus on chemical dependence counseling knowledge, skills, and professional techniques. Clock hours are defined as the actual number of hours documented. Successfully completed college credit hours translate to 15 clock hours per one credit hour. This means that a three credit college course will count as 45 clock hours. Continuing education units (CEUs) count as well; one CEU equals a total of 10 clock hours.
The following minimum hour requirements must be met:
- 85 clock hours in knowledge of alcoholism and substance abuse, including at least four hours in tobacco and nicotine use and dependence
- 150 clock hours in alcoholism and substance abuse counseling, including at least 15 clock hours in cultural competence
- 70 clock hours in assessment, clinical evaluation, treatment planning, case management, and patient, family, and community education
- 45 clock hours in professional and ethical responsibilities, including at least two clock hours of child abuse and maltreatment mandated reporting and at least 15 clock hours in ethics for addiction professionals
Distance learning is permitted, but OASAS only accepts coursework completed through:
- Accredited colleges and universities
- Sponsors approved by the National Addiction Technology Transfer Center
- OASAS-Certified Education and Training Providers
CACREP Accredited Online Certification
Two types of accreditation are recognized in the United States; institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation takes the entire institution into account while the specialized focus on professional preparation programs. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is a specialized accreditation that focuses on master’s and doctoral degree programs in substance abuse counseling at colleges and universities worldwide. Only already-accredited institutions are eligible for CACREP review. The review for accreditation will center on programs offering graduate degrees in substance abuse counseling.
Choosing a CACREP-accredited program ensures that the program meets the highest of quality standards. Many counseling specialties are accredited bythe CACREP, including addiction counseling. Accredited addiction counseling programs prepare individuals to work with those affected by addictive behavior and their families. Addictive behaviors include alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex, and anything else that negatively affects your personal or work life by creating addiction behaviors.
CACREP-accredited programs will focus on treatment models and the phases of addiction including prevention, recovery, and relapse prevention. These 60-semester hour programs will include the application of interventions. When students choose a CACREP-accredited program they can be confident that:
- the program meets or exceeds national standards
- the program will focus on professional counseling rather than psychology oreducation
- the program has an excellent reputation
- CACREP graduates statistically receive higher scores on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE).
- the requirements for licensure will be met.
Counselor Testing & Examination Process
In order to take ICRC Examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors, candidates must first submit a CASAC application to be reviewed by the OASAS Credentialing Unit. These can be found on the OASAS website. The following items must be submitted with the application:
- Application Summary form
- Canon of Ethical Principles, Misconduct, and Other Prohibited Acts Attestation form
- NYS Justice Center Code of Conduct form
- Copy of your diploma or transcript(s)
- Copy of your OASAS 350-hour standardized training certificate or equivalent transcript(s)
- $100 application processing fee
- Three Evaluation of Competency and Ethical Conduct forms
- Work Experience form
CASAC applications are accepted on a rolling basis and, upon completion, your application packet should be mailed to:
NYS OASAS
Attn: Credentialing Unit
1450 Western Avenue
Albany, New York 12203-3526
After your application has been approved, you’ll receive an approval letter with information on how to complete the CASAC Examination Registration form and $245 exam fee. If the application is found to be incomplete, you will have five years to address the discrepancies.
The ICRC Examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors is a computer-based test composed of 150 multiple-choice questions. It’s offered on a weekly basis but, if failed, can only be taken every 90 days. Each attempt at the exam will cost an additional $245.
Adequate preparation for the ICRC Examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors is essential. While coursework taken specifically to prepare for the exam does not count toward the education and training requirements, OASAS recommends that candidates become familiar with the following:
- The various models and theories of chemical abuse and, or dependency-related issues
- Social, political, economic, and cultural context in which drug and alcohol abuse and, or dependency exist
- The behavioral, psychological, and physical health effects of chemical abuse and, or dependence on patients and their significant others
- The potential for chemical abuse and, or dependence to copy other various medical and psychological disorders
- The potential for medical and psychological disorders to exist simultaneously with chemical abuse and, or dependence
- The philosophies, practices, policies, and outcomes of accepted treatment, recovery, and relapse prevention for issues related to chemical abuse and, or addiction
- The importance of family, social, and community networks in chemical abuse and, or addiction treatment and recovery
- The value of approaching chemical abuse and, or dependence treatment from a number of different disciplines
- The use of established diagnostic criteria and a variety of treatment options when providing continuous care for chemical abuse and, or dependence
- The use of a variety of substance abuse counseling strategies based on patient dependency and stage of recovery
- The medical and pharmaceutical resources available to assist in the treatment of chemical abuse and, or dependence
- The incorporation of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural needs within special population
- The obligation to focus on chemical abuse and, or addiction prevention in addition to treatment
- The obligation to remain ethical and accept all behavioral standards of conduct with regards to the patient-counselor relationship
- The English language, including both speaking and writing it
Renewal and Continuing Education
CASAC certification must be renewed every three years. You will need to request a Renewal Application Packet from the Credentialing Unit by calling 1-800-482-9564. This packet must be submitted to OASAS at least 45 days prior to your CASAC expiration. Once approved, you’ll receive a new certificate.
As part of the renewal process, you will be asked to submit documentation to prove the successful completion of a minimum of 60 clock hours of continuing professional education. This education must be completed within the credentialed period and consists of any kind of relevant training session, seminar, workshop, or in-service from a provider that is approved by OASAS including:
- Accredited colleges and universities
- State, federal, or local government authorities
- Nationally recognized professional organizations
Additional continuing education conditions to keep in mind include:
- Repeat coursework will not be counted
- A maximum of 20 clock hours in professional development may be claimed
- A maximum of 28 clock hours of professional activities, including delivering presentations, teaching, volunteering, or writing published articles, may be claimed
You must also arrange for your current or most recent supervisor or program director to complete the Evaluation of Competency and Ethical Conduct form. This will need to be submitted with the rest of your CASAC renewal packet.