THE NORTH CAROLINA SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION BOARD would like to thank the professionals in the substance abuse field who had input and recommendations in the process of developing these requirements. These requirements are part of a certification procedure that is compatible with that of the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium.
The NCSAPCB has membership with the ICRC. In efforts to conform to their standards, the NCSAPCB has adopted the current certification requirements which were implemented on January 1, 1990.
At its June 23, 1989 meeting, the Board voted to adopt a Certification process of three stages leading toward full certification as a substance abuse counselor:
Registration
Substance Abuse Counselor Intern
Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
The applicant must have a high school diploma or GED. The applicant shall provide an NCSAPCB approved supervision contract (which is part of the application/registration package) for review and sign a form attesting to the intention to adhere fully to the Ethical Standards adopted by the NCSAPCB.
A registrant, if serving in a counseling position, must have supervision at a ratio of 1: 10 hours and obtain supervised experience required for full certification, unless a practicum has been completed.
The process begins with the individual requesting in writing an application registration package, including $25 to this address: P.O. Box 10126 Raleigh, North Carolina 27605 (919) 832-0975.
A Substance Abuse Counselor Intern must successfully complete a written examination and 300 hours of board approved Supervised Practical Training.
A Substance Abuse Counselor Intern will be recognized as a Counselor in Training by the NCSAPCB, performing as a counselor under supervision at a ratio of 1: 40 hours.
A Substance Abuse Counselor Intern becomes a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor after obtaining three (3) years full-time experience, or 18 months if a graduate of an NCSAPCB approved master's program, a minimum of 270 hours of board approved education and successfully completing the oral examination/ case presentation.
A Substance Abuse Counselor will be recognized as a fully certified counselor by the Certification Board and may function independently.
Certification is for a period of two (2) years after which recertification is necessary. Certification may be revoked as a result of conviction for a criminal offense as stated in the board's manual, willfully submitting false information to the board or committing an act contrary to the Ethical Standards adopted by the Certification Board.
In an effort to maintain the highest quality standards, the Certification Board requires that each certified professional receive continuing education to maintain certification. It is the responsibility of the individual to obtain 60 hours of board approved training during the current certification period and maintain proper documentation of such training. A minimum of 30 hours must be substance abuse specific training and no more than 25% (15 hours) can be inservice training. Six (6) hours of HIV training and three (3) hours of professional ethics are required for every recertification.
Anyone allowing their certification to lapse beyond three (3) months of the recertification due date will be required to re-apply for certification as a new applicant.
The Certification Board will continue its efforts in conjunction with the ICRC to develop an advanced level of certification.
Being a member of the ICRC means that NCSAPCB is in compliance with international certification requirements and that the professional counselors certified by this board will be eligible for reciprocal certification with member boards and that those substance abuse professional certified by other member boards will be eligible for reciprocal certification in North Carolina. The ICRC/AODA reciprocity application form is also available from the NCSAPCB by written request.
In response to further review of ICRC requirements, alcohol and other drug abuse counselors would have the option to convert to Substance Abuse Counselor certification under the current conversion requirements or maintain their alcohol or drug abuse certification.
In accordance with the board's membership in the ICRC, the testing procedures will change to reflect their guidelines. Successful completion of the written examination and oral examination/case presentation is mandatory for certification.
CERTIFICATION
$25 Application/Registration Package; which includes all blank forms necessary for certification and CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES MANUAL.
A. $100 at time of submission of Supervision Contract, Ethical Standards form education hours and Supervised Practical Training verification.
B. $100 at time of written examination.
C. $100 at time of oral examination/case presentation.
D. If all phases are successfully completed at once, $300.
RECERTIFICATION: $100
CONVERSION: $100
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.
In order to maintain uninterrupted certification, applicant must take 40 hours of continuing education every two (2) years and maintain proper documentation of such training. Anyone allowing certification to lapse beyond three (3) months of the recertification due date will be required to reapply as a new applicant.
At its April 1993 meeting, the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Certification Board voted unanimously to institute the clinical supervisor credential. This is a specific aspect of staff development dealing with the clinical skills and competencies for persons providing counseling.