For Initial Certification you start by enrolling in and completing the Alcohol/Drug Studies program at one of the CAADE approved colleges (see www.caade.org/colleges.htm for a list of CAADE Colleges). [If you did not attend a CAADE College please inquire about our Equivalency Procedure]. After you've completed the education from one of the CAADE approved colleges (or equivalency), you will be eligible to sit for the Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor (C.A.T.C.) exam, which we offer twice a year - the last Saturday in March, and the last Saturday in October. The Exam fee is $70.00 and you must verify proof of completion from a CAADE approved college program (or equivalency). After you pass the C.A.T.C. exam, your next step is to complete and verify 2240 supervised clinical hours at a State Licensed AOD facility (which include the hours completed in your field experience/practicum/fieldwork class at college and any supervised/verifiable work at a State Licensed AOD facility, dating back 5 years from when you apply for initial certification). You have three (3) years from passing the exam to become certified. If you do not apply for your initial certification within that time, you will be required to take the test again. Anytime during this process, you can become registered with us (we suggest that you register either when you begin your internship or when you begin working in the field, whichever comes first). Registration suggests that you plan to become certified, and according to the State Regulations, you have 5 years from your registration to become certified. If you just want to be a CAADE member, we also offer Membership (Membership indicates that you do not plan to be certified). Both Registration and Membership are $65.00, $25.00 for students (with verification of current student status in ADS program).
CERTIFIED ADDICTIONS TREATMENT COUNSELOR (C.A.T.C.) INITIAL CERTIFICATION The requirements to apply for Initial Certification for a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (C.A.T.C.) are as follows: 1) A completed application 2) A copy of your Pass letter from your CATC exam if you passed the exam prior to 2007. 3) A signed Code of Ethics 4) A signed Scope of Practice 5) A completed Record of Hours form - line listing that you have completed at least 2240 supervised clinical hours at a State Licensed AOD facilty. 6) A letter from each of your supervisors verifying the supervised clinical hours at a State LIcensed AOD facility, that you line listed on the Record of Hours. 7) 3 letters of character reference - this can not be from current employers or family members. 8) A money order or certified bank check for $175.00 for CAADE members, $400.00 for non-members. - NO PERSONAL CHECKS. INITIAL CERTIFICATION DOES NOT INCLUDE MEMBERSHIP - MEMBERSHIP IS $65.00 PER YEAR and you must keep your membership current to get member prices. INITIAL CERTIFICATION IS VALID FOR 2 YEARS. 40 CEU'S ARE REQUIRED TO RENEW YOUR C.A.T.C. AND MUST BE DATED WITHIN THE 2 YEARS OF APPLYING FOR RE-CERTIFICATION. RENEWAL OF YOUR C.A.T.C You must renew your certification every 2 years. Here is the process to renew: 1) A completed application for C.A.T.C renewal 3) A signed Code of Ethics 4) A signed Scope of Practice 5) Verification of 40 CEU's - All CEU's must have a CAADE provider number, be contracted by a level of government or from a State funded College or University (not an extension program unless they have a CAADE provider #). IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO VERIFY THE VALIDITY OF YOUR CEU'S. These CEU's must be dated within the 2 years from you last expiration date forward to renewal. If you are renewing for the first time, you can use CEU's dated back 3 years from your expiration date. After that, all CEU's must be dated within the 2 years after your most recent renewal date to your current expiration date. 6) A money order or certified bank check in the amount of $230 for members (the $230.00 included 2 years renewal of CATC and 2 years membership) or $300 for non-members. RECERTIFICATION POLICY 1. The Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor (CATC) certification is due for renewal every two years. Certificants must re-apply with CAADE to the CAADE Central Office for CATC renewal. Recertification is not automatic. 2. Re-certificants are notified 2-3 months prior to their CATC expiration date. 3. A CATC re-application package is sent to the certificant outlining the following requirements: - Documentation of 40 Continuing Education Hours (CEH's) from State of California approved continuing education providers. The total 40 hours of CEH's must have been completed within the two year period from the original CATC date of issue. The 40 CEH's must reflect TAP 21 guidelines and content areas.
- CAADE will confirm with the California Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP) office if the certificant is in good standing. Proof of current status and good standing is listed on the CAADE searchable database on the CAADE website as mandated by ADP.
4. Re-certificants are verified for identity via the completed application; i.e. social security numbers, addresses, full name, etc... and are matched against computer records. If necessarry, applicants and/or employers are called for verification. 5. Ethics violations or grievances against any re-certificant are reviewed by the ethics subcommitte of the CAADE Certification Committee and dealt with accordingly. Stated Purposes for Re-Certification CAADE's purpose in requiring 40 CEHs based on TAP 21 guidelines are to assure certificants maintain a current knowledge of the substance abuse treatment profession; understand changing or modifying guidelines for certified alcohol and drug counselors; are aware of and understand new or changing state regulations; are familiar with funding source documentation requirements; and are able to implement federal demands such as adhering to stricter privacy and confidentiality standards as well as ethical standards. The CAADE Certification Committee maintains quality of ongoing educational development for re-certification. In addition to the required 40 approved CEH's, CAADE makes certain no ethical violations are noted in ADP's or CAADE's database. |