Microsoft Word - FAQs Regarding the LCADC CADC Process Revised 2012.doc

RevisedJanuary2012



Becoming a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor

(LCADC) or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC):

FrequentlyAskedQuestionsRegardingtheLCADC/CADCProcess



NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES,

DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES

This document was created to assist individuals who are interested in becoming an LCADC or CADC and is based on the

New Jersey State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners’ Alcohol and Drug Committee Statutes and Regulations

governing the licensing and credentialing of alcohol and drug counselors. For more information or further clarification on items

discussed in this document, please refer to the Statutes and Regulations, which can be found at

ttp://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/laws/adcregs.pdf.

RevisedJanuary2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1: GENERAL ............................................................................................................................ 4

WhatisthedifferencebetweenaCADCandanLCADC?N.J. A.C.13:34C‐3.1.........................................................4

WhataretherequirementstobecomeaCADC?N.J.A.C.13.34C‐2.2(b)................................................................4

WhataretherequirementstobecomeanLCADC?N.J.A.C.13:34C‐2.3)...............................................................5

Whatisthedifferencebetweenan“alcoholanddrug

counselorintern”anda“credentialedintern?”................7

WhataretheeducationalrequirementsfortheCADCandtheLCADC? N.J.A.C.13:34C‐2.3b‐4...........................7

WhatadditionaleducationisrequiredfortheLCADC?N.J.A.C.13:34C‐2.2..........................................................8

Howlongistheprocesstobecomecertifiedorlicensed?......................................................................................9

SECTION II: COURSE WORK .................................................................................................................. 9

Howmanycoursesarethere?N.J.A.C.13:34C‐2.3b‐4............................................................................................9

Howmanyhoursdoeseachcoursetake?N.J.A.C.13:34C‐2.3b‐4i.......................................................................10

WhatifIhavetakencourses,oramcertified,inanotherstate?DoIhavetotakeallthecourses?WhodoI

contactforassistance?

...................................................................................................................................10

Howfarbackcaneducationalexperiencegoandstillbecountedtowardlicensureorcertific ation?.................11

Aretrainingcertificatesbyagenciesthatnolongerexistcountedtowardslicensureorcertification?...............11

HowcanItellifmycoursesareBoardofMarriageandFamilyTherapyExaminers’,

AlcoholandDrugCounselor

CommitteeorAPCBNJapproved?..................................................................................................................11

Whatcollegesand/oruniversitiesofferpre‐approvedaddictioncoursework?...................................................11

Isdistancelearningpermitted?.............................................................................................................................11

Whenissomeonecertified?..................................................................................................................................11

I’vetakensimilarclassesasanundergraduateorgraduatestudent.DoIstillneedtotake

allofthesecourses?

I’veheardthatAPCBNJwillreviewmytranscript,butIneedmoreinformationabouthowtogetthisdone.

Howlongdoesittake?Whatdoesitcost?...................................................................................................11

SECTION III: ORAL AND WRITTEN EXAM .......................................................................................... 12

Docertaingraduateprogramsallowmaster’slevelindividualsanexemptionfromtakingthewrittenand/ororal

exam?N.J.A.C.13:34C‐2.4(b)........................................................................................................................12

HowdoIapplytotakethewrittenandoralexam?..............................................................................................12

Whenandwherearetheexamsgiven?.................................................................................................................12

Whatcomesfirst,thewrittenor

oralexam?.........................................................................................................12

HowdoIpreparefortheexams?..........................................................................................................................13

HowcanIpurchasea“GettingReadytoTest”manual?.......................................................................................13

Isthereanyotherinformationregardingthewrittenexamavailable?................................................................13

Whatcanyoutellmeabouttheoralpresentation?..............................................................................................13

WhendoI

receivemyexamscores?......................................................................................................................14

WhathappensifIfailtheexam?HowmanytimescanIfailbeforehavingtotakesomeoftheclassesover?

Howdoesthatwork?N.J.A.C.13:34C‐2.3(e)................................................................................................14

CanItaketheexamwhenI’vecompletedallmycourseworkif

I’mnotfinishedwithmyexperiencehours?...14

Whoreviewstheoralexam?.................................................................................................................................14

Arethewrittenandoralexamspass/failordoIreceiveagrade?WhatgradedoIneedtopass?......................14

Arethereprovisionsforthosewithlearningdisabilities(ADHD,etc)totake

un‐timedexams?..........................14

RevisedJanuary2012

SECTION IV: EXPERIENCE & SUPERVISED HOURS ........................................................................... 15

Istherealistofalllicensedtreatmentfacilitiesinthestatethatarehiring?.......................................................15

CanIstartasavolunteer?Willvolunteerhourscounttowardsexperience hours?.............................................15

Whatisinvolvedinaninternship?Howdoesthisdifferfromaregularpaidpositionatanagency?

Willboth

counttowardsexperiencehours?..................................................................................................................15

Howfarbackcanexperiencehoursbecountedtowardscertificationorlicensure?N.J.A.C.13:34C‐2.3b‐3......15

Whoisqualifiedtosupervisemeformysupervisedhours?Doesthispersonneedtobedifferentthanwhois

supervisingmeformyexperience

hours?N.J.A.C.13:34C‐6‐2(a).................................................................15

HowdoIdocumentexperiencehoursiftheyhaveworkedformorethanoneagency.......................................16

Whathappensifthesupervisorfrommypreviousemployerisnolongeremployedattheagencyorrefusesto

completetheform?........................................................................................................................................16

I’ma

SAC/nurse/socialworkerandhavepracticumhours.CanIusethoseasexperiencehours?......................16

Whataresupervisedhours?CanIgetpracticumandsupervisedhoursatthesametime?

N.J.A.C.13:34C‐2.3b‐2....................................................................................................................................16

MysupervisorisnotanLCADC.CanIstillgetcreditforthesehours?

..................................................................17

HowdoesonebecomeaCertifiedClinicalSupervisor(CCS)?...............................................................................17

SECTION V: THE APPLICATION PROCESS ......................................................................................... 17

HowdoIfindtheLCADCapplicationfor licensureortheCADCapplicationforcertification?.............................17

WherecanIfindacopyoftheLCADC/CADCstatutesandregulations?...............................................................17

WhathappensafterIsubmittheapplicationtotheStateDepartmentofLawandPublicSafety,Divisionof

Consumer

Affairs,AlcoholandDrugCounselorCommittee?........................................................................17

IsubmittedmyapplicationtotheState,buttheAPCBNJisrequestingverificationofmycourses/hours.Whatis

itsroleinthisprocess?...................................................................................................................................18

IsubmittedmyapplicationtotheStateandthereisnorecordofit.WhodoI

call?Whocanhelpme?............18

WhoreviewstheCADC/LCADCapplication?.........................................................................................................18

HowquicklywillIbecontactedregardingatestdate?.........................................................................................18

Ihavemanyyearsofexperienceworkinginthefield.CanIbegrandfatheredasaCADCorLCADC?................18

Iletmycertification

orlicenselapse.HowcanIbecomereinstated?N.J.A.C.13:34C‐1.6..................................18

WhataretherenewalrequirementsfortheCADCandLCADC?N.J.A.C.13:34C‐5.1...........................................18

Arethereanyspecificrequirementsforcontinuingeducation?...........................................................................18

HowmanytimesdoIneedtotakethelegalstandardscourse?

...........................................................................19

CanCADCcourseworksatisfythelegalstandardscontinuingeducationrequirement?......................................19

SECTION VI: WHO’S WHO IN THE PROCESS? .................................................................................... 19

WhatistheStateBoardofMarriageandFamilyTherapyExaminers’,DCA?........................................................19

WhatistheroleoftheAPCBNJandwhatdotheydo?..........................................................................................19

WhatistheIC&RC?................................................................................................................................................20

WhatistheroleoftheDivisionofMentalHealthandAddictionServicesinthecertification

andlicensing

process?.................................................................................................................................................................20

FOR MORE INFORMATION .................................................................................................................. 20

KEY TO ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................. 20

RevisedJanuary2012

SECTION 1: GENERAL



1. WhatisthedifferencebetweenaCADCandanLCADC?N.J.A.C.

13:34C3.1 

TheCADC(CertifiedAlcoholandDrugCounselor)certificationandtheLCADC(LicensedClinical

AlcoholandDrugCounselor)licensearebothgrantedbytheNewJerseyDepartmentofLawand

PublicSafety,DivisionofConsumerAffairs,StateBoardofMarriageandFamilyTherapyExaminers’

AlcoholandDrugCounselorCommittee(theCommittee)toalcoholanddrugcounselorsintheState

ofNewJersey.TheprimarydifferencebetweentheCADCandtheLCADCisthattheLCADCis

permittedtoconductunsupervisedindependentpractice.TheCADCisrequiredtopracticeunder

thesupervisionofanapprovedsupervisor.BoththeLCADCandtheCADCcanmakeassessments;

however,theCADCcannotmakediagnoses.LCADCsarepermittedtosuperviseCADC,LCADCs,

alcoholanddrugcounselorinterns,andcredentialedinterns;theCADCcannotsupervise.



TheeducationalrequirementsfortheLCADCandCADC(N.J.A.C.

13:34C‐2.3)bothrequire270hours

ofalcoholanddrugeducation.However,theLCADC(N.J.A.C.

13:34C‐2.3b)mustpossessamaster’s

degreeoradoctorateinaddictionsoracounseling‐relatedfieldfromanaccreditedinstitutionof

higherlearning.Bothcredentialsrequiresimilarhoursofsupervisedpractice.



2. WhataretherequirementstobecomeaCADC?N.J.A.C.

13.34C2.2(b)

AnapplicantforcertificationasaCADCshallsubmitevidenceofthefollowingtotheCommittee:



A. SupervisedInternshipN.J.A.C

.13:342.3(c)

Completionoftwoyears(3,000hours;fulltime=1,500hoursperyearmaximum)supervised

workexperiencewithinfiveconsecutiveyearsimmediatelyprecedingthedateofsubmission

oftheapplication.



i. Supervisedworkexperiencemaybepaidorvoluntarytimeworkingdirectlywith

alcoholorotherdrugclients.

ii. Paidorvoluntarytimeshallbedirectlyrelatedtothe12corefunctionsofalcoholand

drugcounseling.

iii. Aone‐year,full‐timeequivalentshallbe1,500hoursmaximumoveraone‐year,50‐

weekperiod.Clinicalsupervisionofalcoholanddrugcounselorinternsshallincludeat

least50hoursofface‐to‐facesupervisionperyear,averagingonehourperweek.No

morethan25hoursshallbegroupsupervision.

iv. Workexperiencecanbeobtainedfrommorethanoneagency.

v. Workexperiencemaybepart‐timeaslongasthetwo‐yearrequirement(3,000hours)

issatisfiedwithinfiveconsecutiveyearsimmediatelyprecedingthedateofsubmission

oftheapplication.

vi. Formaleducationmaynotbesubstitutedforworkexperience.

vii. Mustobtainpre‐approvaloftheapplicant’splanofsupervision.SeetheProposedPlan

ofSupervisionapplicationontheAlcoholandDrugCounselorwebpage:

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol/proposedplan.pdf

.



B. EducationN.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3b1

Anofficialtranscript(s)/certificates(s)indicatingthattheapplicanthassatisfiedthefollowing

educationalrequirements:



i. Receivedabachelor’sdegreeoranassociate’sdegreeorahighschooldiplomaora

certificateofhighschoolequivalency,and



RevisedJanuary2012

ii. Completed270hoursofalcoholanddrugeducation[N.J.A.C

.13:342.3b4](Seequestion

#5inthissection)approvedbymemberboardsoftheInternationalCertification&

ReciprocityConsortium(IC&RC)[AddictionProfessionalsCertificationBoardofNew

Jersey‐APCBNJoritssuccessor],theNationalAssociationofAlcoholismandDrug

AbuseCounselors(NADAAC‐onlyforthosestatesthathaveNAADACcertification),ora

regionallyaccreditedcollegeoruniversitywhichshallberelatedtotheknowledgeand

skillsassociatedwiththecorefunctionsofanalcoholanddrugcounselor,including

formalclassroomeducation,workshops,seminars,institutes,in‐servicetrainingora

maximumof54coursehoursindistancelearningprograms.



C. SupervisedPracticumTrainingN.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3(b)

Complete300hoursofsupervisedpracticaltraininginalcoholanddrugcounseling

distributedamongallthe12corefunctions:screening;intake;orientation;assessment;

treatmentplanning;counseling(individual,group,andfamily);casemanagement;crisis

intervention;clienteducation;referral;consultation;andrecordkeeping.Aqualifiedclinical

supervisor’scertificationmustbeincludedwiththeapplicationindicatingthattheapplicant

hasmetthesupervisionrequirementsforcertificationassetforthInN.J.A.C.

13:34C‐6.



D. SelfHelpMeetingAttendanceN.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3b5(b)

Attendanceat30alcoholanddrugabuseself‐helpgroupmeetings,ofwhichaminimumof

fivemeetingsshallbeAlcoholicsAnonymous.AminimumoffiveshallbeNarcotics

Anonymous,andaminimumoffivemeetingsshallbeAlanon.Theother15meetingsmaybe

inanyself‐helpgrouprelatedtoaddictionrecovery.



E. Examination N.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3b6

Successfulcompletionofthewrittenandoralexaminationdevelopedandpreparedbythe

IC&RC.



F. Other N.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3b7

Acompletedapplicationform,whichcontainsinformationconcerningtheapplicant’s

educationalandexperientialbackground.Theapplicationcanbefoundat:

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol/

.



Anon‐refundableapplicationfilingfeeof$75assetforthinN.J.A.C

.13:34C‐1:10mustbe

includedwiththeapplication.

3. WhataretherequirementstobecomeanLCADC?N.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3)

AnapplicantforlicenseasaLCADCshallsubmitevidenceofthefollowingtotheCommittee.



A. SupervisedInternshipN.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3b3

Completionoftwoyears(3,000hours;fulltime=1,500hoursperyear)supervisedwork

experiencewithinfiveconsecutiveyearsimmediatelyprecedingthedateofsubmissionofthe

application.



i. Supervisedworkexperiencemaybepaidorvoluntarytimeworkingdirectlywith

alcoholorotherdrugclients.

ii. Paidorvoluntarytimeshallbedirectlyrelatedtothe12corefunctionsofalcoholand

drugcounseling.

iii. Aone‐year,full‐timeequivalentshallbe1,500hoursmaximumoveraone‐year,50‐

weekperiod.Clinicalsupervisionofalcoholanddrugcounselorinternsshallincludeat

least50hoursofface‐to‐facesupervisionperyear,averagingonehourperweek.No

morethan25hoursshallbegroupsupervision.

RevisedJanuary2012

iv. Workexperiencecanbeobtainedfrommorethanoneagency.

v. Workexperiencemaybepart‐timeaslongasthetwo‐yearrequirement(3,000hours)

issatisfiedwithinfiveconsecutiveyearsimmediatelyprecedingthedateofsubmission

oftheapplication.

vi. Formaleducationmaynotbesubstitutedforworkexperience.

vii. Mustobtainpre‐approvaloftheapplicant’splanofsupervision.Seeapplicationof

supervisionontheAlcoholandDrugCounselorwebpage:

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol/proposedplan.pdf

.



B. EducationN.J.A.C.

13:34C2.2b1(b)

Anofficialtranscript(s)/certificate(s)indicatingthattheapplicanthassatisfiedthefollowing

educationalrequirements:



i. Receivedamaster’sdegreeincounselingoraddictionsoracounseling‐relatedfieldas

describedbelowandinN.J.A.C.

13:34C‐1.2.

ii. Completed270hoursofalcoholanddrugeducation(Seequestion#5inthissection)

approvedbymemberboardsoftheInternationalCertificationReciprocityConsortium

(IC&RC),[AddictionProfessionalsCertificationBoard–APCBNJoritssuccessor],the

NADAAC(onlyforthosestatesthathaveNAADACcertification),oraregionally

accreditedcollegeoruniversitywhichshallberelatedtotheknowledgeandskills

associatedwiththecorefunctionsofanalcoholanddrugcounselor,includingformal

classroomeducation,workshops,seminars,institutes,in‐servicetrainingoramaximum

of54coursehoursindistancelearningprograms.



**PleasenotethatforLCADCcandidates,the270hoursofrequiredalcoholanddrug

counselorcourseworkmaybepartofthemaster’sdegreeprogramaslongasthecourse

isgivenbyanapprovedproviderofsuch

matriculatedcoursework.Seequestions#5,6,7

and8ofSectionIIformoreinformationregardingapprovededucationproviders.



C. SupervisedPracticalTrainingN.J.A.C

.13:34C6.2

Completionof300hoursofsupervisedpracticaltraininginalcoholanddrugcounseling

distributedamongallthe12corefunctions:screening;intake;orientation;assessment;

treatmentplanning;counseling(individual,group,andfamily);casemanagement;crisis

intervention;clienteducation;referral;consultation;andrecordkeeping.



D. SelfHelpMeetingAttendanceN.J.A.C.

13:342.3B5

Attendanceat30alcoholanddrugabuseself‐helpgroupmeetings,ofwhichaminimumof

fivemeetingsshallbeAlcoholicsAnonymous,aminimumoffiveshallbeNarcotics

Anonymous,andaminimumoffivemeetingsshallbeAlanon.Theother15meetingsmaybe

inanyself‐helpgrouprelatedtoaddictionrecovery.



E. Examination N.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3b6

Successfulcompletionofthewrittenandoralexaminationdevelopedandpreparedbythe

IC&RC.



Individualsholdingamaster’sdegreeand/orthosewhohavecompletedcertaingraduate

programsarenotexemptfromthewrittenand/ororalexam.Theexemptionappliesonlyto

thoseindividualswhoholdanactiveNewJerseyclinicallicenseinanappropriate

disciplineaslistedonpage15oftheLCADCapplication.Theprofessionallicensemustbe

appropriatetoprovideindependent(non‐supervised)practiceatthemaster’sordoctorate

levelandincludes:



RevisedJanuary2012

 Ph.D/Psy.D.–DoctorofPsychology(NewJerseylicensed)

 M.D/D.O.–DoctorofMedicineorDoctorofOsteopathicMedicine(NewJerseylicensed)

 LCSW–LicensedClinicalSocialWorker(NewJerseylicensed)

 APN–AdvancedPracticeNurse(NewJerseylicensed)

 LPC–LicensedProfessionalCounselor(NewJerseylicensed)

 LMFT–LicensedMarriageandFamilyTherapist(NewJerseylicensed)



F. Other(N.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3b7)

Acompletedapplicationform,whichcontainsinformationconcerningtheapplicant’s

educationalandexperientialbackground.Theapplicationcanbefoundat:

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol/

.



Anon‐refundableapplicationfeeof$75assetforthinN.J.A.C.

13:34C‐1:10mustbeincluded

withtheapplication.

4. Whatisthedifferencebetweenan“alcoholanddrugcounselorintern”anda“credentialed

intern?”

 An“AlcoholandDrugCounselorIntern”isanindividualworkingtowardscertificationasaCADCor

licensureasanLCADC.A“CredentialedIntern”isanindividualworkingtowardslicensureasa

LCADCwhoalreadypossessesaprofessionalclinicallicenseincounselingorinaclosely‐relatedfield

(e.g.,LPC,LCSW,MFT,andAPN).Boththealcoholanddrugcounselorinternandthecredentialed

internmustbesupervisedbyaqualifiedclinicalsupervisorasdescribedinN.J.A.C.

13:34C‐6‐2and

6.3.(Seequestion#5inSectionIV.)

5. WhataretheeducationalrequirementsfortheCADCandtheLCADC?N.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3b4

BoththeCADCandLCADCapplicantmustcomplete270hoursofalcoholanddrugeducation,

approvedbymemberboardsoftheInternationalCertificationReciprocityConsortium(IC&RC)

[APCBNJinNewJerseyoritssuccessor],theNAADAC(suchapprovalisonlyvalidforcoursestaken

inthosestatesthathaveNAADACcertification),oraregionallyaccreditedcollegeoruniversitywhich

shallberelatedtotheknowledgeandskillassociatedwiththefunctionsofanalcoholanddrug

counselor,includingformalclassroomeducation,workshops,seminars,institutes,in‐servicetraining

oramaximumof54coursehoursindistancelearningprogramsasfollows:



  A.Fifty‐fourcoursehoursofassessment,withaminimumofsixhoursineachofthe

  topicsanddistributedamongallofthefollowing: 

i. Initialinterviewingprocess;

ii. Biopsychosocialassessment;

iii. Differentialdiagnosis;

iv. Diagnosticsummaries;

v. Compulsivegambling;and

vi. Psychopharmacology/physiologyofaddiction



  B.Fifty‐fourcoursehoursofcounseling,withaminimumofsixhoursineachofthe

  topicsanddistributedamongallofthefollowing:

i. Introductiontocounseling;

ii. Introductiontotechniquesandapproaches;

iii. Crisisintervention;

iv. Individualcounselingfocusedonaddiction;

v. Groupcounseling;and

vi. Familycounseling



RevisedJanuary2012



  C.Fifty‐fourcoursehoursofcasemanagement,withaminimumofsixhoursineach

  ofthetopicsanddistributedamongallofthefollowing:

i. Communityresources;

ii. Consultation;

iii. Documentation;and

iv. HIVpositiveresources



  D.Fifty‐fourcoursehoursofclienteducation,withaminimumofsixhoursineachof

  thetopicsanddistributedamongallofthefollowing:

i. Addictionrecovery;

ii. Psychologicalclienteducation;

iii. Biochemical/medicalclienteducation;

iv. Socioculturalclienteducation;

v. Addictionrecoveryandpsychologicalfamilyeducation;

vi. Biomedicalandsocioculturalfamilyeducation;and

vii. Communityandprofessionaleducation



E.Fifty‐fourhoursofprofessionalresponsibility,withaminimumofsixhoursineachof 

thetopicsanddistributedamongallofthefollowing:

i. Ethicalstandards;

ii. Legalaspects;

iii. Culturalcompetency;

iv. Professionalgrowth;

v. Personalgrowth;

vi. Dimensionsofrecovery;

vii. Supervision;

viii. Consultation;and

ix. Communityinvolvement



**PleasenotethatforLCADCcandidates,the270

hoursofrequiredalcoholanddrugcourse

workcanbepartofadegreeprogramaslongasthecourseisgivenbyanapprovedproviderof

suchcoursework.Seequestions#5,6,7and8ofSectionIIformoreinformationregarding

approvededucationproviders.

6. Whatadditionaleducation

isrequiredfortheLCADC?N.J.A.C.13:34C2.2

AnLCADCalsorequiresamaster’sdegreeincounseling,addictionsoracounseling‐relatedarea,

whichshallincludeaminimumof18graduatesemesterhoursincounselingfromanaccredited

institutionofhighereducation.Theeducationmustbedesignedtoensurethatstudentsachieve

competencyintheknowledgeandskillsassociatedwiththecorefunctionsofanalcoholanddrug

counselorandmustbepartofamatriculatedprograminanaddictionsorcounseling‐relatedareamay

includepre‐andpost‐master’sgraduatehoursandmustbedistributedamongthefollowingareas:



A. counselingtheoryandpractice;

B. thehelpingrelationship;

C. humangrowthanddevelopment;

D. lifestyleandcareerdevelopment;

E. groupdynamics,processes,counseling,andconsulting;

F. assessmentofindividuals;

G. socialandculturalfoundations;

H. researchandevaluation;

RevisedJanuary2012

I. thecounselingprofession;and

J. pharmacologyandphysiology



The18hoursofgraduatecourseworkcanalsoapplytowardtherequired270hoursofrequiredcore

courseworkaslistedonpage16oftheLCADCapplication.Ifusingacademiccoursework,the

applicantmustalsosubmitverificationfromtheAPCBNJortheacademicinstitutionthatthecourse

workwaspre‐approvedasinitialcoretraining.Ifanindividualisunsureifthecourseworkhasbeen

pre‐approved,pleasecontactAPCBNJforverification.Ifithasnotbeenpre‐approved,theABCBNJ

canapprovecorecontentareasintheacademiccourseworkafterthefact.Formoreinformation,

visithttp://www.certbd.com/applications/cadcverification.htm

.

7. Howlongistheprocesstobecomecertifiedorlicensed?

TheprocesstobecomelicensedasaLCADCorcertifiedasaCADCdependsonthecourseofstudy

eachindividualpursues.TheLCADCisamaster’slevelcredentialandtheCADCisnot.Boththe

LCADCandtheCADCrequire270hoursofrequiredcorecoursesinalcoholanddrugcounseling.

Keepinmind,however,thatalongwiththeeducationalhoursrequired,acandidateforcertification

orlicensuremustalsocomplete3,000supervisedexperiencehoursatanapprovedinternship.For

example,ifacandidateisinterning20hoursperweek;itwouldtake3yearstocompletethe

internshiphours.Ifacandidateisworkingfull‐timeatanapprovedinternshipagency,itispossible

tocompletetheinternshiphoursinaminimumof2years.Theinternshiphoursmustbecompleted

withinthefiveyearsprecedingtheapplication.



SECTION II: COURSE WORK

1. Howmanycoursesarethere?N.J.A.C.13:34C2.3b4

ToobtaineithertheLCADCortheCADC,onemustcomplete270hoursofrequiredcorecoursework.

Thecoursescoverfivedomains.Eachdomainconsistsof9courses,whichare6hourseach.Courses

canbecompletedataregionalaccreditedcollege/universityorothereducationalproviderapproved

bymemberboardsoftheInternationalCertificationReciprocityConsortium(APCBNJinNewJersey

oritssuccessor),theNADAAC(forthosestatesthathaveNADAACcertification)andberelatedtothe

knowledgeandskillassociatedwiththefunctionsofanalcoholanddrugcounselor,includingformal

classroomeducation,workshops,seminars,institutes,in‐servicetrainingoramaximumof54course

hoursindistancelearningprogramsasfollows:



  A.Fifty‐fourcoursehoursofassessment,withaminimumofsixhoursineachofthe

  topicsanddistributedamongallofthefollowing: 

vii. Initialinterviewingprocess;

viii. Biopsychosocialassessment;

ix. Differentialdiagnosis;

x. Diagnosticsummaries;

xi. Compulsivegambling;and

xii. Psychopharmacology/physiologyofaddiction



  B.Fifty‐fourcoursehoursofcounseling,withaminimumofsixhoursineachofthe

  topicsanddistributedamongallofthefollowing:

vii. Introductiontocounseling;

viii. Introductiontotechniquesandapproaches;

ix. Crisisintervention;

x. Individualcounselingfocusedonaddiction;

xi. Groupcounseling;and

xii. Familycounseling

RevisedJanuary2012



  C.Fifty‐fourcoursehoursofcasemanagement,withaminimumofsixhoursineach

  ofthetopicsanddistributedamongallofthefollowing:

v. Communityresources;

vi. Consultation;

vii. Documentation;and

viii. HIVpositiveresources



  D.Fifty‐fourcoursehoursofclienteducation,withaminimumofsixhoursineachof

  thetopicsanddistributedamongallofthefollowing:

viii. Addictionrecovery;

ix. Psychologicalclienteducation;

x. Biochemical/medicalclienteducation;

xi. Socioculturalclienteducation;

xii. Addictionrecoveryandpsychologicalfamilyeducation;

xiii. Biomedicalandsocioculturalfamilyeducation;and

xiv. Communityandprofessionaleducation



E.Fifty‐fourhoursofprofessionalresponsibility,withaminimumofsixhoursineachof 

thetopicsanddistributedamongallofthefollowing:

x. Ethicalstandards;

xi. Legalaspects;

xii. Culturalcompetency;

xiii. Professionalgrowth;

xiv. Personalgrowth;

xv. Dimensionsofrecovery;

xvi. Supervision;

xvii. Consultation;and

xviii. Communityinvolvement

2. Howmanyhoursdoeseachcoursetake?

N.J.A.C.13:34C2.3b4i

IfcoursesaretakenattheNewJerseyPreventionNetwork(NJPN)oranothereducationalprovider

thatdoesnotoffertheclassesaspartofacollegeprogram,the270corehoursofaddictioncourse

workiscomprisedof45courses,eachofwhichisaminimumof6hours.Ifcompletingonerequired

courseaweek,thecourseworkcanbecompletedinoneyear.



Ifcoursesarepartofanaccreditedcollegeoruniversitydegreeprogram,thelengthoftimeto

completeeachcoursewoulddependonthecoursecontent.Typicallycollegecoursesareheldoncea

weekfor12‐15weeks.Itispossiblethataftercompletingseveralcollegeoruniversityclasses,the

requiredcorecoursescouldbecompleted.Keepinmind,however,thatthesecoursesmustbepre‐

approvedasinitialalcoholanddrugcounseloreducationbytheAddictionProfessionalsCertification

BoardofNewJersey(APCBNJ).

3. WhatifIhavetakencourses,oramcertified,inanotherstate?DoIhavetotakeallthe

courses?WhodoIcontactforassistance?

Forindividualswhotookcoursesorwerecertifiedinanotherstate,theAPCBNJwillreviewyour

courseworkonbehalfoftheAlcoholandDrugCounselorCommittee.Individualsarerequiredto

completeanapplicationandsubmitallrequiredtranscriptstotheAPCBNJ.Afterareviewofyour

documents,APCBNJwillprovideatranscripttotheCommitteeverifyingwhetherornotall

requirementshavebeenmetforeithertheLCADCorCADC.Aletterwillthenbesentfromthe

APCBNJtotheapplicantandtheCommittee.Allindividualssee

kingreviewoftheircourseworkare

RevisedJanuary2012

requiredtosimultaneouslycompletethestate’sApplicationforLicensureasaClinicalAlcoholand

DrugCounselororCertificationasanAlcoholandDrugCounselor andremitsubsequentStatefees.

Formoreinformationongettingyourcourseworkorcertificationreviewed,visit

http://www.certbd.com

orcontact[email protected].

4. Howfarbackcaneducationalexperiencegoandstillbecountedtowardlicensureor

certification?

Theregulationsdonotstipulateoridentifyalimitoneducation.

5. Aretrainingcertificatesbyagenciesthatnolongerexistcountedtowardslicensureor

certification?

Ifapplicantshaveoriginaldocumentationofattendancefromanapprovededucationalprovider,the

Committeemayacceptit.

6. HowcanItellifmycoursesareBoardofMarriageandFamily

TherapyExaminers’,Alcohol

andDrugCounselorCommitteeorAPCBNJapproved?

EveryparticipantshouldreceiveacertificateofcompletionattheendofthecoursewiththeAPCBNJ

approvalnumber,nameofthecourse,anddateofcourse.IftheAPCBNJapprovalnumberismissing

onthecertificate,itismostlikelyinvalid.

7. Whatcollegesand/oruniversitiesofferpreapprovedaddictioncoursework?

Alistofcollegesanduniversitiesthatcurrentlyofferpre‐approvedgraduatecourseworkand/or

undergraduatecourseworkcanbefoundontheAPCBNJwebsite:

http://www.certbd.com/courses/approvedproviders.htm

.



8. Isdistancelearningpermitted? 

TheAlcoholandDrugCounselorCommitteeallowsthecompletionofamaximumof54hoursof

distancelearning(towardtheinitial270hoursofeducationrequired)aslongasthecourseworkis

approvedbytheAPCBNJoritssuccessor.N.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3b4

9. Whenissomeonecertified?

IndividualsarecertifiedorlicensedonlyaftermeetingALLtherequirementsforcertificationor

licensure.Thecourseworkrepresentsonlytheeducationalrequirementofcertificationand

licensure.TheapplicantisnotifiedbytheAlcoholandDrugCounselorCommitteeoncetheyhave

satisfactorilycompletedallofrequirementstobecomecertifiedorlicensed.

10. I’vetakensimilarclassesasanundergraduateorgraduatestudent.DoIstillneedtotakeallof

thesecourses?I’veheardthatAPCBNJwillreviewmytranscript,butIneedmoreinformation

abouthow

togetthisdone.Howlongdoesittake?Whatdoesitcost?

ItispossiblethatsomeacademiccourseworkattheBachelor’sorMaster’slevelmaycounttowards

certification.Ifyouareunsurewhetherthecoursesarepre‐approvedorcounttowardsthe

LCADC/CADC,APCBNJwillreviewyourtranscriptsand/orcertificatesforafeeof$75.TheAPCBNJ

willthensendanofficialletterstatingwhichcoursescanbeappliedtowardscertificationor

licensureandwhatcorecoursesstillneedtobetaken.Toobtaintheeducationalreviewapplication,

pleasevisittheAPCBNJwebsite:http://www.certbd.com/applications/cadcverification.htm

.



RevisedJanuary2012

InordertosubmitcourseworktoAPCBNJforreview,an“official”(sealedandunopened)transcript

mustbesentfromcollegesanduniversitiesyouattended.Commoncausesfordelayintranscript

reviewinclude:



 Missingdocumentation

 Lackofcourseworkdescriptionordetailforcourseswithnon‐specifictitles(i.e,SocialWorkI)

 Thereviewformisnotattached

 Thereviewfeeisnotincluded

 Transcripthasbeenopened

SECTION III: ORAL AND WRITTEN EXAM

1. Docertaingraduateprogramsallowmaster’slevelindividualsanexemptionfromtakingthe

writtenand/ororalexam?N.J.A.C.

13:34C2.4(b) 

Individualsholdingamaster’sdegreeand/orthosewhohavecompletedcertaingraduateprograms

arenotexemptfromthewrittenand/ororalexam.Theexemptionappliesonlytothoseindividuals

whoholdanactiveNewJerseyclinicallicenseinanappropriatedisciplineaslistedonpage15of

theLCADCapplication.Theprofessionallicensemustbeappropriatetoprovideindependent(non‐

supervised)practiceatthemaster’sordoctoratelevelandincludes:



 Ph.D/Psy.D.–DoctorofPsychology(NewJerseylicensed)

 M.D/D.O.–DoctorofMedicineorDoctorofOsteopathicMedicine(NewJerseylicensed)

 LCSW–LicensedClinicalSocialWorker(NewJerseylicensed)

 APN–AdvancedPracticeNurse(NewJerseylicensed)

 LPC–LicensedProfessionalCounselor(NewJerseylicensed)

 LMFT–LicensedMarriageandFamilyTherapist(NewJerseylicensed)

2. HowdoI

applytotakethewrittenandoralexam?

YoucansitforthewrittenandoralexamsonlyafterapprovalbytheAlcoholandDrugCounselor

Committee.Whenanapplicantsubmitshis/herapplicationtotheCommitteeandithasbeen

approved,he/shewillreceivealetterstatingthathe/shemayschedulethewrittenandoralexam.

TheCommitteenotifiestheAPCBNJthattheapplicanthasbeenapprovedtotakethetest.Itisthe

individual’sresponsibilitytoregisterwiththeAPCBNJtotaketheexam.Examdatesandlocationcan

befoundathttp://www.certbd.com/applications/testingforms.htm

.



APCBNJsendstheCommitteethetestscoresastheybecomeavailable.Oncebothtestsarepassed,

theCommitteeschedulesabackgroundcheck.

3. Whenandwherearetheexamsgiven?

TheexamsaregivenquarterlyinMiddlesexCounty.TheschedulecanbefoundontheAPCBNJ

website:http://www.certbd.com/information/testinginformation.htm

.

4. Whatcomesfirst,thewrittenororalexam?

Thewrittenexamtakesplacefirst.Individualsmaynotscheduletheoralexamuntilaftertheyhave

passedthewrittenexam.



RevisedJanuary2012

5. HowdoIpreparefortheexams?

Thewrittenexamconcentratesonthe12corecompetenciesofaddictioncounseling.Agood

resourcetoreviewistheSAMHSATAP21AddictionCounselorCompetencies:TheKnowledge,

Skills,andAttitudesofProfessionalPractice.TheTAPisavailablefreeandcanbedownloadedfrom

theSAMHSANationalClearinghousewebsite:http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov./

.Theoralexam

consistsofformulatingandansweringquestionsregardingacasepresentation.



DistanceLearningCenter(DLC)hasprepareda“GettingReadytoTest”exammanualthathelpsthe

applicantprepareforboththewrittenandoralexamination.Themanualsmaybepurchasedat

http://www.readytotest.com/

.



APCBNJhasalinkfor“DirectionsforPreparingaCasePresentation.”Itcanbefoundat

www.certbd.com

.



AnIC&RCstudyguideisavailablebycalling717‐540‐4455orvisiting

http://www.IC&RCaoda.org/studyguides.cfm

.

6. HowcanIpurchasea“GettingReadytoTest”manual?

DistanceLearningCenterpublishesthreetestmanualsthatareavailableforpurchasedirectlyfrom

theDistanceLearningwebsite(http://www.readytotest.com/

).

7. Isthereanyotherinformationregardingthewrittenexamavailable?

ThewrittenexaminationisaninternationalalcoholanddrugproficiencytestpublishedbyThe

IC&RC.Thetestwasupdatedin2008toreflecttheresultsofaJobTaskAnalysisofaddiction

counselors.Guidancewiththewrittenexamprocessandsamplequestionscanbefoundonthe

IC&RCwebsite:http://www.IC&RCaoda.org/

.Thequestionschangewitheachexam.

8. Whatcanyoutellmeabouttheoralpresentation?

 Candidateswillprepareacasestudyandrespondtoeachofthefollowingquestions,usingtheGlobal

Criteriaandprovidingexamples.



I. SCREENING‐Describethepurposeofscreeningandtheprocessesusedwiththisclient.



II. INTAKE‐Describetheelementsofintakeandhowtheintakeprocesswascompletedinthis

case.



III. ORIENTATION‐Describetheprocessoforientingthisclienttoyourservices.



IV. ASSESSMENT‐Describethemethodsandproceduresusedtoassessthisclient,andexplain

theresultsofthoseassessments.



V. TREATMENTPLANNING‐Identifythecomponentsoftreatmentplanninganddescribethe

treatmentplanningprocessthatoccurredbetweenyouandyourclient.



VI. COUNSELING‐Identifyyourcounselingapproachesandtheories,andthoroughlydescribe

howyouappliedthemtoyourclient.



VII. CASEMANAGEMENT‐Describethepurposeofcasemanagementandhowitappliedtothis

client.



RevisedJanuary2012

VIII. CRISISINTERVENTION‐Giveanexampleofacrisisthatoccurredinthiscaseandexplain

howyourespondedtoit.Ifnocrisisoccurred,giveanexampleofacrisisusinganothercase.



IX. CLIENTEDUCATION‐Whatisthepurposeofclienteducationanddescribehowyouprovided

itinthiscase.



X. REFERRAL‐Describetheprocessofreferralandexplainhowitwasusedinthiscase.



XI. RECORDKEEPING‐Describethereportandrecordkeepingprocessandhowtheywereused

inthiscase.



XII. CONSULTATIONWITHOTHERPROFESSIONALS‐Describethepurposeof,therationalefor

andtheresultsofconsultationsnecessaryinthiscase.Ifnoconsultationoccurred,provide

anexamplefromanothercase.

9. WhendoIreceivemyexamscores?

Youwillreceiveyourexamscoresinthemailwithineightweeks.DonotcalltheAPCBNJforresults

astheydonotprovidescoresoverthephone.

10. WhathappensifIfailtheexam?HowmanytimescanIfailbeforehavingtotakesomeofthe

classesover?Howdoesthatwork? N.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3(e)

Afterthethirdattemptorthereaftertopassthewrittenand/ororalsectionsoftheexamination,the

applicantmaynotreapplyafourthtimeoranytimethereafterwithouthavingsuccessfully

completedacourse(s)inthesubjectmatter(s)inwhichthewrittenand/ororalexaminationhas

demonstratedtheapplicant’sdeficiencies.

11. CanItaketheexamwhenI’vecompletedallmycourseworkifI’mnotfinishedwithmy

experiencehours?

No.Acompletedapplication,includingdocumentationofinternshipandsupervisedhours,mustbe

approvedbytheCommittee.

12. Whoreviewstheoralexam?

TheoralexamisreviewedbytrainedaddictionprofessionalshiredasconsultantsbyAPCBNJ.Each

oralexamisratedbythreereviewers.

13. Arethewrittenandoralexamspass/failordoIreceive

agrade?WhatgradedoIneedto

pass?

Bothexamshavescores,whicharedeterminedbythetestingcompany’s“cutscore”processforeach

typeofexam.Thewrittenexam’spassingscoreisascoreofatleast500outofapossible800.The

OralExamis76%outof100%topass.

14. Arethereprovisionsforthosewithlearningdisabilities(ADHD,etc)totakeuntimedexams?

Yes.Thereareprovisionsforthosewithlearningdisabilitiestotakeanun‐timedwrittenexam.

Whenregisteringforthewrittenexam,theapplicantmustsendawrittenrequestandrecent

professionaldocumentationoftheirdisabilityalongwiththeapplicationform.



RevisedJanuary2012

SECTION IV: EXPERIENCE & SUPERVISED HOURS

1. Istherealistofalllicensedtreatmentfacilitiesinthestatethatarehiring?

AsearchabledirectoryoflicensedtreatmentfacilitiescanbefoundontheDivisionofMentalHealth

andAddictionServices’(DMHAS)website:

http://samsdev.rutgers.edu/dastxdirectory/txdirmain.htm

.



2. CanIstartasavolunteer?Willvolunteerhourscounttowardsexperiencehours?

Volunteerhourscancounttowardsaninternshipaslongastheyareobtainedatatreatmentfacility

underthesupervisionofaqualifiedsupervisor.Internshipscompletedinamedicalsettingorprivate

practitioner’sofficesettingmaycountaslongastheplanofsupervisionhasbeenapproved.See

question#5inthissectionformoreinformationonwhocansupervisealcoholanddrugcounselor

interns.

3. Whatisinvolvedinaninternship?Howdoesthisdifferfromaregularpaidpositionatan

agency?Willbothcounttowardsexperiencehours?

Internshipexperiencesmayvary.However,aninternshipshouldallowtheindividualthe

opportunitytobecomefullyimmersedintheday‐to‐dayworkofanalcoholanddrugtreatment

settingtolearnandpracticethecorefunctionsofworkingasaLCADC/CADCunderthesupervisorof

aqualifiedsupervisor.Thatis,aninternshouldobtainamin

imumof3,000totalexperiencehoursin

allthecorefunctionsrequiredontheLCADC/CADCapplication:



1.Screening8.FamilyCounseling

2.Intake9.CaseManagement

  3.Orientation     10.CrisisIntervention

4.Assessment11.ClientEducation

  5.TreatmentPlanning   12.Referral

  6.IndividualCounseling   13.Consultation

  7.GroupCounseling    14.Reports/Recordkeeping

4. Howfarbackcanexperiencehoursbecountedtowardscertificationorlicens ure?N.J.A.C.



13:34C2.3b3

Experienceisvalidonlywithinfiveconsecutiveyearsimmediatelyprecedingthedateofsubmission

oftheapplication.The3,000hoursofsupervisedworkexperiencemaybepaidorvoluntarytime

workingdirectlywithalcoholorotherdrugclients.Paidorvoluntarytimeshallbedirectlyrelatedto

thecorefunctionslistabove.

5. Whoisqualifiedtosupervisemeformysupervisedhours?Doesthispersonneedtobe

differentthanwhoissupervisingmeformyexperiencehours?N.J.A.C.

13:34C62(a)

Supervisedandexperiencehoursmustboth

besupervisedbyaqualifiedclinicalsupervisor.The

3,000hoursofrelatedworkexperiencemayincludethe300hoursofsupervisedpracticaltraining.

Anapplicantmayhavemorethanonequalifiedclinicalsupervisor.



AccordingtoN.J.A.C.

13:34C‐6.2,thefollowingindividualsarequalifiedclinicalsupervisorsofalcohol

anddrugcounselinginternsandcredentialedinterns:



i. ANewJersey‐licensedclinicalalcoholanddrugcounselor(LCADC);

ii. ANewJersey‐licensedphysician,whoiscertifiedbytheAmericanSocietyofAddiction

Medicine(ASAM)orapsychiatristwithaddedqualificationsinchemicaldependencyfrom

theAmericanPsychiatricAssociation;and

RevisedJanuary2012

iii. ANewJerseycertifiedadvancedpracticenurse,licensedpsychologist,licensedclinicalsocial

worker(LCSW),licensedmarriageandfamilytherapist(LMFT),orlicensedprofessional

counselor(LPC),allofwhomshallbecertifiedasaclinicalsupervisorbytheIC&RCmember

(APCBNJ)oritssuccessor.



Qualifiedclinicalsupervisorsshallhaveawrittenagreementwithsuperviseeswhichoutlines

plannedhoursofpractice,plannedhoursofclinicalsupervision,typesofsupervision,natureofwork

assignmentsandotherspecificationsthatthesupervisordeemsappropriatetothecounselorintern’s

leveloftraining.N.J.A.C.

13:34C‐6.2(b).



TheplanofsupervisionformisavailableattheMarriageandFamilyTherapyExaminers’,Alcohol

andDrugCounselorCommitteewebsite:

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol/proposedplan.pdf

.



6. HowdoIdocumentexperiencehoursiftheyhaveworkedformorethanoneagency?

TheapplicantneedstocompletetheDocumentationof3,000Ho ursofRelatedWorkExperience

(ScheduleAoftheapplication)pursuanttoN.J.A.C.13:34C‐2.3(b),pagesixoftheLCADC/CADC

application,foreachpositionforwhichtheyaredocumentinghours.Separateplansofsupervision

mustbeapprovedforeachworksettingandsupervisor.



AllAlcoholandDrugCounselorInternsandCredentialedInternsshouldfilloutScheduleAona

regularbasiswhileworkingtowardstheir3,000experiencehours.Ideally,thisformshouldbe

updatedeverythreetosixmonthstoensuredocumentationofexperiencehoursisaccurateand

complete.Itisparticularlyimportanttoupdatetheformifyouchangejobsoryoursupervisor

changesorleavesyouragency.

7. Whathappensifthesupervisorfrommypreviousemployerisnolongeremployedat

the

agencyorrefusestocompletetheform?

Theapplicantwouldneedtodoeverythingpossibletoprovethattheyhavetriedtocontactthe

supervisor.Ifallavenueshavefailed,theapplicantmaycompleteanaffidavitverifyingtheirsearch

forCommitteeconsideration.

8. I’maSAC/nurse/socialworkerandhavepracticumhours.CanIusethoseasexperience

hours?

Practicumhourscanonlybecountediftheywere:



i. underthesupervisionofaqualifiedsupervisoraccordingtoN.J.A.C.

13:34C‐6.2‐2;

ii. tookplaceatanagencysettingprovidingalcoholanddrugtreatment;and

iii. theinternshipandsupervisedhoursincorporatethe12corefunctionsofalcoholanddrug

counseling.Insomeinstancesifthesupervisionplanispre‐approved,aSACorotherschool

employeemaybeabletocountaportionoftheirhourswithCommitteeapproval.

9. Whataresupervisedhours?CanIgetpracticumandsupervisedhoursatthesametime?

N.J.A.C.

13:34C2.3b2

Yes.The3,000hoursofrelatedworkexperiencemayincludethe300hoursofsupervisedpractical

training.Documentedworkexperienceasacounselor,intern,trainee,orvolunteermaybevalidfor

fiveyearsaslongasitincludesthe12corefunctionsofalcoholanddrugtreatment.Thedocumented

andsupervisedhoursmustbeundertheclinicalsupervisionofanapprovedsupervisor.

RevisedJanuary2012

10. MysupervisorisnotanLCADC.CanIstill getcreditforthesehours?

Onecanreceivecreditonly

ifthesupervisormeetstherequirementassetforthinN.J.A.C.13:34C‐6.2.

Thefollowingindividualsmaybequalifiedclinicalsupervisorsofalcoholanddrugcounselinginterns

andcredentialedinterns:



i. ANewJersey‐licensedclinicalalcoholanddrugcounselor(LCADC);

ii. ANewJersey‐licensedphysician,whoiscertifiedbytheAmericanSocietyofAddiction

Medicine(ASAM)orapsychiatristwithaddedqualificationsinchemicaldependencyfrom

theAmericanPsychiatricAssociation;and

iii. ANewJerseycertifiedadvancedpracticenurse,licensedpsychologist,licensedclinicalsocial

worker(LCSW),licensedmarriageandfamilytherapist(LMFT),orlicensedprofessional

counselor(LPC),allofwhomshallbecertifiedasaclinicalsupervisor(CCS)bytheIC&RC

member(APCBNJ)oritssuccessor.

11. HowdoesonebecomeaCertifiedClinicalSupervisor(CCS)?

 TheCertifiedClinicalSupervisor(CCS)credentialisintendedforusewithinlicensedalcoholanddrug

counselingprograms.TheCCSisnotaclinicalpracticecredentialandshouldonlybeusedforwork

withinhealthcareorcounselingsettings.Privatepracticecounselorsmusthavealicenseapproved

bytheDivisionofConsumerAffairstoprovideindependentcounseling.TheCCSrequiresfive(5)

years’experienceworkinginthefieldofchemicaldependency.Thesefiveyears’aretobe

immediatelypriortothedateofapplication.Also,aminimumofthree(3)yearsclinicalsupervisory

experienceinthefieldofchemicaldependencywithinten(10)yearsimmediatelypriortothedateof

applicationisrequired.TheCCSapplicantmustdocumentaminimumof30hoursofclinical

supervisorycoursework(previouslyapprovedbyAPCBNJ)withinten(10)yearsimmediatelyprior

tothedateoftheapplication.In‐servicetrainingwillnotbeaccepted.TheCCSapplicationcanbe

foundathttp://certbd.com

.



SECTION V: THE APPLICATION PROCESS

1. HowdoIfindtheLCADCapplicationforlicensureortheCADCapplicationforcertification?

TheapplicationfortheLCADCandCADCcanbefoundontheBoardofMarriageandFamilyTherapy

Examiners’,AlcoholandDrugCounselorCommitteewebsite:

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol

.

2. WherecanIfindacopyoftheLCADC/CADCstatutesandregulations?

TheLCADC/CADCstatutesandregulationsmaybefoundontheAlcoholandDrugCounselor

Committeewebsite:http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol.



3. WhathappensafterIsubmittheapplicationtotheStateDepartmentofLawandPublicSafety,

DivisionofConsumerAffairs,AlcoholandDrugCounselorCommittee?

Applicationsarereviewedintheorderthattheyarereceived.Onceanapplicationisreceived,itis

datestampedandreviewedbyadministrativestaffforcompleteness.Iftheapplicationisnot

complete,adeficiencyletterwillbesenttotheapplicant.Iftheapplicationiscomplete,itwillbe

presentedtoAlcoholandDrugCounselorCommittee.Committeemeetingsareheldonceamonth.

TheCommitteemeetingschedule,agenda,andpastminutescanbefoundontheirwebsite:

http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol/

.

RevisedJanuary2012

4. IsubmittedmyapplicationtotheState,buttheAPCBNJisrequestingverificationofmy

courses/hours.Whatisitsroleinthisprocess?

TheStateBoardofMarriageandFamilyTherapyExaminers’,AlcoholandDrugCounselor

Committee,mayrequestthattheAPCBNJreviewanapplicant’scourseworktoensurethatitmeets

initialcorecourseworkrequirements.Thisisdoneonlyincaseswheretheapplicanthasnot

completedtheapplicationproperly.

5. IsubmittedmyapplicationtotheStateandthereisnorecordofit.WhodoI

call?Whocan

helpme?

TheCommitteesuggeststhatapplicantsdothefollowingwhensubmittingtheirapplication:



a. MakecopiesofeverythingsenttotheCommittee–application,transcripts,etc.

b. RefertothelastcorrespondencereceivedwhencallingtheCommitteeforassistance.

6. WhoreviewstheCADC/LCADCapplication?

TheapplicationisreviewedbytheAlcoholandDrugCounselorCommitteememberswhohavebeen

appointedbytheGovernor.AlistoftheCommitteemembersisavailableontheAlcoholandDrug

CounselorCommitteewebsite:http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol/.

7. HowquicklywillIbecontactedregardingatestdate?

 OnceyourapplicationhasbeenapprovedbytheAlcoholandDrugCounselorCommittee,youwill

receivealetterstatingthatyouareapprovedtositforthewrittenororalexam,basedonacase

presentation.ItisyourresponsibilitytoregisterwiththeAPCBNJtotaketheexam.Examdatesand

locationcanbefoundathttp://www.certbd.com/applications/testingforms.htm

.

8. Ihavemanyyearsofexperienceworkinginthefield.CanIbegrandfatheredasaCADCor

LCADC?

No.ThetimeframeforobtainingalicenseorcertificationunderthegrandfatherprovisionsofN.J.S.A.



45:2D‐16oftheAlcoholandDrugCounselorLicensingandCertificationendedonMarch15,2006.

Therefore,applicantsmaynolongerbegrandfatheredforlicensureorcertificationunderN.J.A.C.



13:34C‐2.1.

9. Iletmycertificationorlicenselapse.HowcanIbecomereinstated?N.J.A.C.

13:34C1.6

TheCommitteerequireslicenseesorcertificateholdersseekingareturntoactivestatustosubmita

completedrenewalapplication,arenewalfee,andanaffidavitofemploymentandevidenceofhaving

completedthenumberofcontinuingeducationrenewalhoursrequiredforlicenseorcertificate

renewalforthebiennialperiod.Theapplicantmusthavecompletedthecontinuingeducation

renewalhourswithinthreeyearspriortothedateoftheapplication.

10. WhataretherenewalrequirementsfortheCADCandLCADC?N.J.A.C

.13:34C5.1

LCADC–Fortyhoursofcontinuingeducationearnedeverytwoyears. 

CADC–Sixtyhoursofcontinuingeducationearnedeverytwoyears.

11. Arethereanyspecificrequirementsforcontinuingeducation?

Yes,duringtheinitialrenewalperiod,LCADCs/CADCsmustsatisfysixhoursinlegalstandards

relatedtothepracticeofalcoholanddrugcounseling.Threehoursofculturalcompetencetrainingis

requiredeverybiennialperiod(onceeverytwo‐yearperiod).

RevisedJanuary2012

12. HowmanytimesdoIneedtotakethelegalstandardscourse?

Thelegalstandardscourseisrequiredtobetakenonlyonceduringtheinitialrenewalperiod.

However,individualsarepermittedtorepeatthecourseiftheywish,asitwillbecountedtoward

continuingeducation.

13. CanCADCcourseworksatisfythelegalstandardscontinui ng educationrequirement?

No.TheLegalStandardsRelatedtothePracticeofAlcoholandDrugCounselinginNewJersey

courseis

aspecializedrenewalcoursethatisonlyofferedbyapprovedtrainersandisforindividualswho

alreadyhavetheirLCADCorCADC.

SECTION VI: WHO’S WHO IN THE PROCESS?

1. WhatistheStateBoardofMarriageandFamilyTherapyExaminers’,DCA?

TheDepartmentofLawandPublicSafety,DivisionofConsumerAffairs,StateBoardofMarriageand

FamilyTherapyExaminers’,AlcoholandDrugCounselorCommittee(theCommittee)was

establishedonJanuary9,1998pursuanttoN.J.S.A

.45:2D‐1etseq.ThepurposeoftheAlcoholand

DrugCounselorCommitteeisto: 



i. protectthehealth,safety,andwelfareofthepeopleofNewJersey;

ii. regulatethepracticeofalcoholanddrugcounseling;

iii. takeactionagainstunprofessional,improper,unauthorized,orunqualifiedpracticeofalcohol

anddrugcounselingandguardagainstunprofessionalconductbythelicensedindividualswho

practicealcoholanddrugcounseling;and

iv. toreviewapplicationsforcertificationandlicensureandtoensurethattheminimum

requirementshavebeenmet.



AllAlcoholandDrugCounselorInternsandCredentialedInternsshouldvisitDCA’swebsiteearlyin

theirinternshiptobesuretheyunderstandwhattherequirementsaretobecomeanLCADCorCADC,

thedocumentationneededforeachstepoftheprocess(foundintheLCADC/CADCapplication)and

toreadalltheimportantinformationpostedonthewebsite.



Forfurtherinformation,visithttp://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol/

.

2. WhatistheroleoftheAPCBNJandwhatdotheydo?

TheAddictionProfessionalsCertificationBoardofNewJersey’s(APCBNJ)primarymissionisto

ensurethecompetencyinaddictionsandotherbehavioralhealthcareprofessionalsusing

educational,experiential,testing,andethicalmeasures.Itsvisionistobethepremiereproviderof

qualitycertificationproductsandtrainingandtostriveforthehighestlevelofprotectionforthe

consumersofaddictionandotherbehavioralhealthcare.Itsscopeistoenhancetheprofessionalism

ofaddictionsandotherhealthcareprofessionsbyofferingqualitycertificationproductstoprovide

andmonitoracceptedethicalstandardsforconsumerprotectionandtoprovideaddictionand

behavioralhealthcrosstraining.



APCBNJhasbeenamemberoftheInternationalCertificationandReciprocity(IC&RC)forthepast25

years.MembershipintheIC&RCrequiresadherencetoestablishedinternationaleducationaland

testingstandardsforaddictionprofessionals.Thesesamestandardswereadaptedbythe

DepartmentofPublicSafety,DivisionofConsumerAffairs,MarriageandFamilyExaminers’,Alcohol

andDrugCounselorCommitteetogovernthepractice,certification,andlicensureofaddiction

professionalsintheStateofNewJersey.TheAlcoholandDrugCounselorCommittee’saffiliation

RevisedJanuary2012

withtheAPCBNJisregulatedbyNewJerseyStatutesN.J.S.A

.45:2D‐1to45:2D‐18andtheNewJersey

AdministrativeCodeAlcoholandDrugCounselorCommitteeN.J.A.C

.13:34C.

APCBNJschedulesandadministersthewrittenandoralexamsandreviewstranscriptstodetermine

ifacoursequalifiestowardstherequired270hoursofeducationintheeventtheeducationwas

obtainedatanagencythatisnotanapprovedCADCeducationalproviderapprovedbytheAPCBNJ.

3. WhatistheIC&RC?

TheInternationalCertification&ReciprocityConsortium(IC&RC)setstheinternationalstandardsof

practiceinaddictioncounseling,prevention,andclinicalsupervisionthroughtestingand

credentialingofaddictionprofessionals.Incorporatedin1981,andcurrentlyheadquarteredin

Harrisburg,Pennsylvania,IC&RCisavoluntarymembershiporganizationcomprisedofcertifying

agenciesinvolvedinthecredentialingorlicensingofalcoholandotherdrugabusecounselors,

clinicalsupervisors,preventionspecialists,co‐occurringprofessionalsandcriminaljustice

professionals.Forfurtherinformation,visittheirwebsiteathttp://www.IC&RCaoda.org/about.asp

.

4. WhatistheroleoftheDivisionofMentalHealthandAddictionServicesinthecertification

andlicensingprocess?

 AstheSingleStateAuthorityinNewJersey,theDivisionofMentalHealthandAddictionServices

(DMHAS)grantslicensestotreatmentfacilitiestoprovidealcoholanddrugtreatment.DMHASdoes

notgrantlicensesorcertificationtoalcoholanddrugcounselors.However,DMHASdoespublish

residentialandoutpatienttreatmentregulationsthatdetailthequalificationsrequiredtoworkata

DMHAS‐licensedfacility.



FOR MORE INFORMATION



• ForfurtherinformationregardinglicensingandcredentialingofDMHAS’alcoholanddrugtreatment

agencyworkforce,pleasecontactElizabethConte,WorkforceDevelopmentandTraining

Coordinator,atElizabeth.[email protected]

.



• Forfurtherinformationregardingatranscriptorcertificateeducationreview,pleasecontactRichard

Bowe,ExecutiveDirector,AddictionProfessionalsCertificationBoardofNewJerseyat

[email protected]

.



• Forfurtherinformationregardinglicensingandcredentialingofalcoholanddrugcounselors,please

visithttp://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/alcohol/

.



KEY TO ACRONYMS



APCBNJ‐AddictionProfessionalsCertificationBoardofNewJersey



DMHAS‐DivisionofMentalHealthandAddictionServices



IC&RC‐InternationalCertification&ReciprocityConsortium



DCA‐DivisionofConsumerAffairs



LCADC‐LicensedClinicalAlcoholandDrugCounselor



CADC‐CertifiedAlcoholandDrugCounselor