Certification Requirements

1. 3,000 hours of supervised work and/or volunteer experience providing peer-to-peer recovery support services.
2. Current state certification with a minimum training requirement of 40 hours OR hold a certificate of completion of a MHA approved training program. 
3. One professional letter of recommendation for certification.
4. One supervisory letter of recommendation for certification.
5. Attest to lived experience.
6. Pass the NCPS examination.
7. Agree to be bound by NCPS Code of Ethics.

Examines child abuse and neglect and why prevention of child maltreatment is important because it can be avoided and because abuse and neglect can lead to negative consequences such as depression, developmental delays, and risk of developing substance abuse during adulthood.

The CAP is a professional credential for people who provide services to individuals with substance use conditions.

The CAP designates competency in the domains of Clinical Evaluation; Treatment Planning; Counseling; Case Management and Referral; Client, Family and Community Education; Documentation; and Professional Responsibility.

Individuals holding the CAP are a qualified professional under Chapter 397, Florida Statutes and the CAP credential is recognized for billable services under Florida’s State Medicaid Plan.

All CAP applicants or certified professionals are eligible to apply for the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) credential.

CAP applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field. Related fields are listed in the CAP Standards and Requirements Tables. If your degree isn’t specifically listed as a related degree but you think your coursework makes your degree equivalent, you may request a Related Degree Equivalency Review. Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Requirements

An individual may achieve CAC status with a high school diploma or GED (http://flcertificationboard.org/certifications/certified-addiction-counselor-cac/). The FCB describes the CAC as an “intermediate credential” and notes that is potentially reciprocal. Some additional requirements are imposed.

Addictions Education: A candidate seeking the Florida CAC must have at least 250 hours of training relevant to the job role. Education must include at least 60 hours each in 1) understanding addictions and treatment and 2) professional readiness/ application to practice. The certification board notes that a candidate seeking international certification will need an additional ten hours in each of these two domains. Professional readiness curriculum must include two hours of domestic violence training and four hours of HIV/AIDS, regardless.

The other 130 hours must be distributed in the following manner:

Clinical evaluation – 25

Treatment planning – 15

Case management/ referral – 10

Counseling – 30

Documentation – 10

Client/ family/ community education – 10

Professional and ethical responsibilities – 30

Experience: The experience requirement is 6,000 hours for a trainee with education at the high school level, 4,000 for one with an associate or vocational degree. The supervision requirement is 300 hours for a non-degreed trainee, 150 hours for one with a degree.

Examination: Candidates must pass the Florida Certified Addiction Counselor Exam. Those who seek the IC&RC credential must also pass the IC&RC examination.