How To Become Certified
by
Yvonne Thomas
Christian Institute's students must complete an assignment of finding out about
certification in one of the courses. This is the essay Yvonne Thomas submitted.
The process to become a certified SUD counselor can be confusing when one is first starting out. Terms and requirements can seem ill-defined or poorly explained. Luckily, once working in the field, there are typically others who are familiar with the process who can guide you through the steps that are required. For those not working in the field, however, will likely have to do a little more research. There are 2 major decisions to make initially, regardless of the situation. One much choose which certifying body they want to go through and they must choose where to get their education.
In regard to certifying bodies, there are CCAPP, CADTP and CAADE. Each of these organizations is accredited and recognized by DHCS and renders one eligible to take the IC&RC exam. Each requires the same basic requirements, but the process may be slightly different. All the above mentioned organizations will initially require a registration which will consist of the individual taking a 9-hour course on Confidentiality, Ethics and Boundaries, paying a small registration fee and filling out some brief paperwork with that organization. This first step of becoming registered typically allows an individual to be able to provide direct services to clients within an agency. Registrations are good for 1 year and can be renewed for up to 5 years before the individual is typically required to have completed all requirements to become certified.
Once registered, the individual must begin obtaining their education. The specific educational requirements differ depending on the route each future counselor chooses to take. A person may take the minimum required courses dictated by their chosen certifying body. This option is potentially the most straightforward because counselor’s can select one educational provider, take the whole series of courses and essentially be done with the education portion of the requirements. Another option, however, can involve a person simultaneously obtaining a 2-year AA degree. Many community colleges offer courses that fulfill the requirements for an AA degree as well as the required SUD courses. Typically, this would be someone obtained an AA degree specifically in a Human Services Field with an emphasis on Substance Abuse. There are a variety of other confounding factors that can change this education process, for example, a person may already have an AA degree in a related field, fulfilling a portion of the educational requirements for the SUD Certification, but still lacking a few key courses. This individual will need to inquire through their certifying body as to which specific courses they need. In any of the above options, the individual will have to provide copies of their transcripts to the certifying body for evaluation to ensure they are meeting all educational requirements. This process can be confusing, but most certifying bodies are willing to help one sort this out and direct them to what they may still need.
Once a person has chosen the route they want or need to take, they must choose an educational institution. Each certifying body will have a list of approved educational providers to choose from. This is extremely important to ensure that the institution chosen will be acknowledged by the certifying body. Many educational options are available: community colleges, in-person classes, and various online formats such as structured schedule-type classes or work at your own pace classes. It is important to recognize your best learning style and the time you have to complete your education. Most education providers are very receptive to inquiries and are willing to provide guidance and assistance to ensure a student is able to be successful, but it is important to communicate any questions or concerns to be sure that you are able to successfully complete all courses.
The next puzzle piece and requirement of all certifying bodies is the practicum and hours of work experience. This is where a person will get their guided hands-on education and experience. Many agencies are willing to hire someone who is simply registered with a certifying body and actively working toward their education. This allows people to work while getting their education. This, however, is not a requirement, the education can be completed prior to working in an agency. There are benefits to each option and each person should choose which is most feasible for them. If being hired with an agency is difficult or for whatever reason difficult, many people may choose to volunteer for an agency in order to work toward the required hours. Hours work must be logged by the individual and eventually signed off by a supervisor. Depending on the certifying organization, there may be more stringent requirements about who is able to verify those hours.
So, once the above requirements are fulfilled, the bulk of the work has been done. The next step is then ensuring that proof of all the above are submitted to your certifying board. Each certifying board has a slightly different process for this, but the steps for each are laid out on their website. Upon submission of all required paperwork and documentation, the individual will be asked to pay $350 to obtain their certification and to take the IC&RC exam. Once everything is processed, a test date can be set and the individual can then prepare for the exam. Exam preparation is very important and some preparation should begin before this point.
In order to prepare for the exam, there are a number of resources are available. Many educational institutions offer prep courses and materials such as practice exams to help one study. These can be great tools, especially for those who are apprehensive about taking the exam. There are also workshops offered from time to time and it may be worth asking the agency where practicum hours were completed if they have any information on this. And lastly, there are almost always individuals who have recently taken the exam who may be able to provide helpful tips and suggestions regarding how the exam was structured and particular topics that should be reviewed. Once all of this has been taken into consideration and the appropriate resources utilized, it will be time to take the exam. By this point, the individual should be able to pass and receive their certification. However, there are still opportunities to retake the exam (at a cost) should that be necessary.
Overall, the process can seem lengthy and overwhelming. However, if one is able to remain focused and continually take steps to work toward all the needed requirements, getting a certification is quite possible. Reaching out, asking questions from reliable sources, such as teachers, educational institutions and certifying boards can be very beneficial. There is nothing worse than wasting time due to misinformation. But if one is logical when going about this process, it can be navigated.
The process to become a certified SUD counselor can be confusing when one is first starting out. Terms and requirements can seem ill-defined or poorly explained. Luckily, once working in the field, there are typically others who are familiar with the process who can guide you through the steps that are required. For those not working in the field, however, will likely have to do a little more research. There are 2 major decisions to make initially, regardless of the situation. One much choose which certifying body they want to go through and they must choose where to get their education.
In regard to certifying bodies, there are CCAPP, CADTP and CAADE. Each of these organizations is accredited and recognized by DHCS and renders one eligible to take the IC&RC exam. Each requires the same basic requirements, but the process may be slightly different. All the above mentioned organizations will initially require a registration which will consist of the individual taking a 9-hour course on Confidentiality, Ethics and Boundaries, paying a small registration fee and filling out some brief paperwork with that organization. This first step of becoming registered typically allows an individual to be able to provide direct services to clients within an agency. Registrations are good for 1 year and can be renewed for up to 5 years before the individual is typically required to have completed all requirements to become certified.
Once registered, the individual must begin obtaining their education. The specific educational requirements differ depending on the route each future counselor chooses to take. A person may take the minimum required courses dictated by their chosen certifying body. This option is potentially the most straightforward because counselor’s can select one educational provider, take the whole series of courses and essentially be done with the education portion of the requirements. Another option, however, can involve a person simultaneously obtaining a 2-year AA degree. Many community colleges offer courses that fulfill the requirements for an AA degree as well as the required SUD courses. Typically, this would be someone obtained an AA degree specifically in a Human Services Field with an emphasis on Substance Abuse. There are a variety of other confounding factors that can change this education process, for example, a person may already have an AA degree in a related field, fulfilling a portion of the educational requirements for the SUD Certification, but still lacking a few key courses. This individual will need to inquire through their certifying body as to which specific courses they need. In any of the above options, the individual will have to provide copies of their transcripts to the certifying body for evaluation to ensure they are meeting all educational requirements. This process can be confusing, but most certifying bodies are willing to help one sort this out and direct them to what they may still need.
Once a person has chosen the route they want or need to take, they must choose an educational institution. Each certifying body will have a list of approved educational providers to choose from. This is extremely important to ensure that the institution chosen will be acknowledged by the certifying body. Many educational options are available: community colleges, in-person classes, and various online formats such as structured schedule-type classes or work at your own pace classes. It is important to recognize your best learning style and the time you have to complete your education. Most education providers are very receptive to inquiries and are willing to provide guidance and assistance to ensure a student is able to be successful, but it is important to communicate any questions or concerns to be sure that you are able to successfully complete all courses.
The next puzzle piece and requirement of all certifying bodies is the practicum and hours of work experience. This is where a person will get their guided hands-on education and experience. Many agencies are willing to hire someone who is simply registered with a certifying body and actively working toward their education. This allows people to work while getting their education. This, however, is not a requirement, the education can be completed prior to working in an agency. There are benefits to each option and each person should choose which is most feasible for them. If being hired with an agency is difficult or for whatever reason difficult, many people may choose to volunteer for an agency in order to work toward the required hours. Hours work must be logged by the individual and eventually signed off by a supervisor. Depending on the certifying organization, there may be more stringent requirements about who is able to verify those hours.
So, once the above requirements are fulfilled, the bulk of the work has been done. The next step is then ensuring that proof of all the above are submitted to your certifying board. Each certifying board has a slightly different process for this, but the steps for each are laid out on their website. Upon submission of all required paperwork and documentation, the individual will be asked to pay $350 to obtain their certification and to take the IC&RC exam. Once everything is processed, a test date can be set and the individual can then prepare for the exam. Exam preparation is very important and some preparation should begin before this point.
In order to prepare for the exam, there are a number of resources are available. Many educational institutions offer prep courses and materials such as practice exams to help one study. These can be great tools, especially for those who are apprehensive about taking the exam. There are also workshops offered from time to time and it may be worth asking the agency where practicum hours were completed if they have any information on this. And lastly, there are almost always individuals who have recently taken the exam who may be able to provide helpful tips and suggestions regarding how the exam was structured and particular topics that should be reviewed. Once all of this has been taken into consideration and the appropriate resources utilized, it will be time to take the exam. By this point, the individual should be able to pass and receive their certification. However, there are still opportunities to retake the exam (at a cost) should that be necessary.
Overall, the process can seem lengthy and overwhelming. However, if one is able to remain focused and continually take steps to work toward all the needed requirements, getting a certification is quite possible. Reaching out, asking questions from reliable sources, such as teachers, educational institutions and certifying boards can be very beneficial. There is nothing worse than wasting time due to misinformation. But if one is logical when going about this process, it can be navigated.