FAQs

How can I add my name to your email list? Please email info@ctcertboard.org and we will add you to our email list.

Where can I find information about CCB trainings? A list of our approved training providers can be found here.

How can I have individual trainings CCB-approved? Our training approval application can be found here.

How can I have my agency trainings CCB-approved? Please email Scott at sschaefer@ctcertboard.org.

What is reciprocity? Reciprocity is the process of transferring an IC&RC credential from one IC&RC member board to another. In order to qualify for reciprocity, you must be fully certified with the IC&RC and CCB as an AADC – Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, CAC – Certified Addiction Counselor, CCS – Certified Clinical Supervisor, CPS – Certified Prevention Specialist, or a CPRS – Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. Some professionals may choose to maintain their credentials in multiple regions (for example, Connecticut and Florida) and in order to do so you would be required to meet the ongoing renewal standards with both boards.  Please click here for more information.

Certification is a demonstration of competency in several areas including education and training, supervised practical training, supervised work experience, a written case presentation and passing of a standardized exam.  Certification differs from licensure in the following ways:

• Certification is a demonstration of competency in addiction counseling while the license is permission to practice within the state, and no verification of any skills or to provide supervision.
• Certification is based upon international minimum standards and is reciprocal to other states/territories and countries, while licensure is valid only in the individual state that offers it.
• IC&RC certification is legally defensible.
• It is backed up by the knowledge and experience of national and international experts in the field.
• You are Board certified.
• Shows the public and employers that you have met high international standards for education, training, and experience that are transferable to other states, regions and countries.
• Enhances your professional reputation and credibility.
• Offers both you and your clients the protection of an enforceable, legally defensible Code of Ethical Conduct.
• Demonstrates your commitment to continued professional development and skills expansion.
• Increases your opportunities for career advancement.
• Provides opportunities for you to contribute to advocacy efforts for the profession.
• Makes you part of a 50,000+ network of professionals certified by the IC&RC, the largest and most financially sound organization for substance use and co-occurring disorders prevention, treatment and recovery professionals in the world.

Benefits of certification:

• Certification identifies professionals who are specialists in their field.
• Certified professionals are recognized by professional affiliations, state, and national legislation.
• Legally defensible
• Certified professionals are provided with the opportunity for peer networking, in addition to involvement and impact through CCB sponsored education opportunities and committee work.
• Certification increases professionalism in the field.
• Certification provides a strong basis for employment hiring and professional advancement.
• Certification provides the certified professional freedom to move to another state within the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium Member Boards and be granted that state’s credential via the process of reciprocity.

Who benefits from certification?

• The Patient / Client Certification assures competent, professional services while continuously improving the quality of service being provided to the client and family members.
• The public benefits…
  • Assures that certified providers have the knowledge, skill and experience to provide quality services.
  • Provides a mechanism to report allegations of professional misconduct.
• The Public Certification promotes standards of training and competency that will meet standards required for licensing, accreditation, and third-party payers.
• The Certified Professional Certification provides recognition of competency and a marketable credential that will enhance the role of the professional.
  • Assures the public, employers and payers that you have met established standards of professional competency.
  • Enhances confidence in ability to provide recovery support services.
    • Provides portability … the credential belongs to the individual, not the position.
  • Increases sense of professional accomplishment and credibility.
  • Supports continued professional development through annual educational requirements.
  • Demonstrates commitment to ethical and professional conduct.
• The Profession Certification provides opportunity whereby the highest professional standards can be established, maintained, and updated.

The employer benefits…

• Demonstrates agency commitment to quality service delivered by certified Peer Advocates.
• Provides increased opportunity for reimbursement of peer-led services.
• Encourages on-going professional development.
• Allows real-time verification of potential employee’s qualifications and disciplinary history.

Licensing is simply permission to practice and is issued by the state.  Certification is verification of competencies, as determined by international experts in the field, and the standards are not the same.  There is no mutual agreement that holding one guarantees the other.  Both have different standards.

The CAC (and it’s master’s level compatriot, the AADC are not considered practice credentials in Connecticut.  Certification is not permission to practice independently, but is verification of one’s competency as determined by subject matter experts from across the globe under the supervision of a professional psychometrician, giving it significant legal defensibility.  Licensure, a function of state government, is overseen by the Department of Public Health and is considered permission to practice.  Please note that the licensure process is put into place by the legislature, but may lack the protection and legal defensibility of psychometric oversight.

This is why we recommend that all individuals holding the LADC in Connecticut become certified as well.

What is CAC-Emeritus?

Emeritus Status Certification has been developed by the Connecticut Certification Board to recognize long-term certified counselors who are no longer in clinical practice, and to enable them to maintain a significant connection with the Board. Emeritus Status is available immediately for counselors who have been continuously certified for at least 10 years in good standing, and who have made a significant contribution to the field of substance abuse treatment. This contribution would not necessarily have been highlighted in the news media, but rather would consist of having had an impact on recovering persons and their treatment. No on-going training is required to maintain this status.

When you apply for Emeritus status, you agree to the following:

I understand that this status: – is not reciprocal; – is not a basis for clinical practice; – is not a basis for Clinical Supervision Certification.

What is a credential? A credential establishes the qualifications of a professional. A credential is not the same as a license. The CCB credentials behavioral health care professionals. To become licensed as a behavioral health care professional, please contact the Department of Public Health.

I would like to become credentialed with the CCB. Where do I start? We recommend you take the Overview of the CCB Certification Process which is designed to provide participants with tools and information to simplify certification.  For more information and to register, click here.

What is the CCB Registry application? This application is simply identity verification and agreeing to abide by the CCB Code of Ethics which can be accessed here.  It is not an exam registration form.

Where can I find a list of credentialing fees? Fees are listed within each credentialing application.

Do you accept online payments? The CCB accepts credit card payments online. Click here to make an online payment. 

Does the CCB offer payment plans? Yes, payment plans are available. An initial payment of 20% must accompany any payment plan request form. If you have any questions about payment plans or would like a payment plan request form, please email Scott at sschaefer@ctcertboard.org.

How soon can I test?

In order to test, candidates must meet eligibility criteria and be pre-authorized by the CCB. Passing a certification exam is only one of the requirements to certification.

What is CBT?

CBT stands for computer based testing. The CCB will begin offering on demand computer based testing for all IC&RC exams beginning March 2011.

Do you offer paper and pencil exams? The CCB no longer offers this option.

How soon will I get my results? Before leaving the testing site, you will receive a pass or fail preliminary exam letter. The official score report containing the percent correct in each domain will be emailed to you within 3 business days.

What happens if I don’t pass the exam? There is a 90-day waiting period, and the exam fee must be paid again.

How do I request a special accommodation? Special accommodation requests must be received 60 days prior to testing. For more information, please email Scott at sschaefer@ctcertboard.org.

How do I purchase a study guide for the LADC/CAC/CADC exam. The IC&RC offers a practice exam to assist you as well.  The practice exam is $49 and can be purchased by clicking on the link Practice Exam.

Other exam prep materials, including exam candidate guides and exam study guides, can be found at: Exam Prep.

A CAC exam study guide from ReadyToTest that contains a practice exam can be ordered via the link: CAC Exam Study Guide.

There is another IC&RC approved study guide available at: https://flcertificationboard.org/products/icrc-adc-study-guide.

How can I check my credential status? If you are actively credentialed with the CCB, you can check your credential status here.

Does the CCB provide distance learning? Yes, the CCB provides easy to use distance learning. For information on our distance learning series click here.

What happens if my certification lapses? Your credential will no longer be active and will not appear on our website search results. You have 3 years to renew your credential before it expires.  Please complete the renewal packet here and submit to renewals@ctcertboard.org.

What happens if my certification expires? Your credential will need to be reinstated, and please email Scott at sschaefer@ctcertboard.org.