Licensure or Certification

Based on your interview and your review of the current options for licensure or certification in your state (or the state you intend to work) discuss what you think is the best approach for your professional development. Consider which are the most appropriate licenses or certifications for you to hold based on your long-term goals. What additional training might you wish to obtain and where would you find this information? Suggest a web source for continuing training in assessment, evidence-based treatment, and policy information.

Florida has three levels of certification for Substance Abuse Counseling. The lowest tier is known as the Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS), the second tier is known as the Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) and the highest level is known as the Certified Addiction Professional (CAP). Below you will find the requirements for each level of certification.

CAS Level Certification

For this certification, the individual must pass a criminal background check, obtain 150 hours of training in core areas of A&D treatment: Clinical Evaluation (ten hrs); Treatment Planning (five hrs); Referral to other A&D specialists (five hrs); Service Coordination (five hrs); A&D Counseling of Clients (twenty hrs); Client, Family, and Community Education (five hrs); Case Documentation (five hrs); Professional and Ethical Responsibilities (fifteen hrs); Understanding Addiction/Treatment Knowledge (thirty-seven hrs); Application to Practice/Professional Readiness (thirty-seven hrs); HIV/AIDS (four hrs); Domestic Violence (two hrs). There is also a 2,000 hours of supervised experience in A&D treatment, and 100 hours must be direct supervision.

CAC Level Certification

For this certification, the individual must accumulate 6,000 hours of supervised experience in A&D treatment. Also must have an Associate’s degree in Behavioral Sciences or higher you will only need 4,000 hours of supervised experience. 250 hours of training is needed in the core areas of A&D treatment: Clinical Evaluation (twenty-five hrs); Treatment Planning (fifteen hrs); Referral to other A&D specialists (five hrs); Service Coordination (five hrs); A&D Counseling of Clients (thirty hrs); Client, Family, and Community Education (ten hrs); Case Documentation (ten hrs); Professional and Ethical Responsibilities (thirty hrs); Understanding Addiction/Treatment Knowledge (fifty-seven hrs); Application to Practice/Professional Readiness (fifty-seven hrs); HIV/AIDS (four hrs); Domestic Violence (two hrs).With a HS diploma or GED, 300 hours of direct supervision, if there is only a Associate’s degree or higher this is reduced to 150 hours of direct supervision.

CAP Level Certification

For this certification, the individual must need a Bachelor’s degree in a Behavioral Science from a Council of Higher Education Accredited University or College. The individual must accumulate 6,000 hours of supervised A&D experience. With a Master’s or Ph.D. in counseling you will only need 4,000 hours. 350 hours of training is needed in core areas of A&D treatment: Clinical Evaluation (thirty-five hrs); Treatment Planning (twenty hrs); Referral to other A&D specialists (five hrs); Service Coordination (five hrs); A&D Counseling of Clients (fifty hrs); Client, Family, and Community Education (fifteen hrs); Case Documentation (fifteen hrs); Professional and Ethical Responsibilities (thirty hrs); Supervision (fifteen hrs); Understanding Addiction/Treatment Knowledge (seventy-seven hrs); Application to Practice/Professional Readiness (seventy-seven hrs); HIV/AIDS (four hrs); Domestic Violence (two hrs). For a Bachelor’s, 300 hours of direct supervision is needed; and for a Master’s or Ph.D. in Counseling you will only need 200 hours of direct supervision.

All three certifications require three professional letters of recommendation, passing a Florida specific A&D examination, and signing the FCB’s Code of Ethics.

My ultimate goal is to be a licensed clinical psychologist, working in the substance abuse field as well as working with the family, adolescent, child, and individuals. I have spoken to several counselors and psychologists, I was told that the education really never stop as psychologists.

Reference:

https://www.addiction-counselors.com/states/florida-substance-abuse-counselor.html

https://www.humanservicesedu.org/florida-substance-abuse-counselor.html

I plan on receiving my master’s in clinical psychology, and then becoming a licensed LPC; eventually I will love to be able to be to work within a mental and substance abuse treatment program. I personally would also like to get either my Ph.D or my Psy. D; however, if I am unable to financially afford this process, I would be happy with just my Masters. At one point I was even looking into starting my own practice with my friends. It would provide services for all types of people; from cancer patients, to patients suffering from substance abuse, and even mental disorders.  This type of practice was thought about when I was in undergrad with my friends, we were trying to figure out we would positively impact the world (our community ). Before starting this course, I have thought about working as a therapist as an addiction- related. This is because I realized that I loved the environment and atmosphere when I was working the last treatment program. I will look into joining Florida Alcohol & Drug Association; I want to be able to promote excellence in care by advocating for the highest quality and most up-to-date, science-based services for clients, families and communities.  One association that I would one to be a part of it working to make treatment by nationally certified counselors available to every person who needs it. The processes need to be able to help the clients, is one that I really want to take. This one allows me as a helper to learn for my future patients and  help them to overcome the things that maybe holding them back.

• Your goals regarding joining addictions-related professional organizations.
• The areas that you would like to specialize in, and your plans for developing expertise in addictions-related professional work.
• Your plan for networking within the addiction psychology profession to gain exposure and build your credibility.
• Any other thoughts you have regarding how to insure your long-term success in the area of addiction.