Certified Drug, Alcohol & Addictions Counselor (CDAAC) 2012 Candidate Handbook

Transcription

1 Certified Drug, Alcohol & Addictions Counselor (CDAAC) 2012 Candidate Handbook Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselors PO Box 8604 Redlands, CA (909)

2 Table of Contents ACADC... 3 Mission & Purpose... 4 CDAAC Certification Board... 4 Steps to Certification Overview... 5 CDAAC Certification... 5 Purpose... 5 Objectives... 5 Registration Procedures... 6 Eligibility... 6 Application Process... 7 Overview... 7 Verification of Education and Training... 7 Incomplete Applications... 8 Fees... 8 CSAC I Entrance Inventory... 8 Examination Process... 8 About the Examination... 8 Scheduling the Exam... 9 Examination Content Taking the Examination Examination Results Retests Use of the Certification Mark Change of Address Renewal/Recertification Purpose Requirements Renewal Process Verification of CEUs Reinstatement of Certification Certification Verification & Published Directory Grandfathering Reciprocity Code of Conduct Statement of Faith Other Policies Confidentiality Nondiscrimination Accommodations Disciplinary Policy Appeals Policy Appeals Regarding Examination Results The California Regulations in Regards to Investigation of Disciplinary Matters State: Registration Form Examination Application Form Certification Renewal Form

3 ACADC The Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselors (ACADC) was established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation in 2002 with the purpose of training and certifying Drug, Alcohol & Addictions Counselors in accordance with biblical Christian principles. In 2003, ACADC became authorized by the California Department of Licensed Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians to provide continuing education for all California LVN's and Psych Techs. In 2004, ACADC was informed by the Department of Alcohol & Drug Programs that it would be one of 10 certification organizations approved by the state to grant Drug & Alcohol Counselor Certifications. ACADC has its roots in a Non-denominational Christian counseling and education ministry outreach that began in 1995 founded by Rev. Dr. Michael Belzman. Its original mission was to provide effective biblical counseling to adult men and women and youth desiring to come out of bondage to drugs & alcohol and other addictions. Its mission has expanded since it began to include the training and equipping of effective, cutting edge counselors filled with the Holy Spirit and Biblical Wisdom sufficient to speak to any condition pertaining to the mind, will, emotions, soul and spirit of Man. In 2006, ACADC has for the first time offered a dual certification program in which anyone pursuing the CDAAC Certification (Certified Drug, Alcohol & Addiction Counselor), takes the Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS) examination through the Breining Institute. Through this process candidates have the opportunity to earn both the CDAAC and RAS credentials. ACADC also began providing a large array of state wide and nation wide Continuing Education training which the California State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) Counselor Certification Regulations state must be accepted by all certifying organizations. We believe that The Christian Bible is God's inspired and inerrant Word and is complete and sufficient to equip all counselors with the wisdom needed to counsel & set people free from bondage of every sort. 2. Over the years, Christian biblical counseling has been removed from the public and professional arenas, and has been replaced by humanistic counseling which has kept a nation of suffering people in deeper bondage and in need of true recovery that only belief in and surrender to Jesus Christ can provide. 3. Surrender to Jesus Christ, the application of biblical truth and wisdom, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to be healed, delivered, and transformed, and willingness to adopt a simple faith based upon trust and obedience to God in a deepening personal relationship with HIM are necessary for recovery. 4. We believe that the true definition of "Addiction" is a condition in which a person attaches his or her affections upon anything other than God to be their main source of worship, peace, joy, happiness, satisfaction, pain relief, or meaning in life. 3

4 Mission & Purpose The Mission of the Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors, as a counselor certification The mission of Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors, as a counselor certification organization, is to test and certify Christian men and women who desire to do professional drug,alcohol and addiction counseling from a biblical Christian world view. Certification through ACADC is intended to insure that: 1. That Christians who desire to practice drug, alcohol and addiction counseling as a profession, understand how to counsel from a biblical Christian world view. 2. That Christians who desire to practice drug, alcohol and addiction counseling as a profession, understand the dangers of humanistic practices but also understand TAP 21 Counseling Competencies from a biblical perspective. 3. To plant and establish ACADC Institutes worldwide through a developing network of churches, ministries, and organizations headed by leaders with a heart for the recovery of people coming out of addictive lifestyles. 4. To train Church leaders and ministers, as well as unchurched future leaders as students called to the profession and/or ministry of Drug, Alcohol and Addictions counseling. 5. To equip students to be people who demonstrate the character, wisdom, love, and knowledge required to effectively reach people coming out of addictive lifestyles of any kind. 6. To equip them to be effective counselors who have nurtured a deep personal relationship with Christ and can, from that relationship, counsel with the penetrating power of biblical truth. 7. To be interdenominational, embracing all denominations confessing Christ as Lord and Savior without prejudice to any denomination or non-denomination upholding the Holy Scriptures as the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. 8. That those certified through ACADC have working knowledge of the 12 core functions of counselor competency as outlined in TAP That those certified through ACADC will have a general understanding of the main modalities used by the other California Certifying agencies in order to make informed referrals and effective collaboration with other agencies. CDAAC Certification Board Within the ACADC, the Certification Board is responsible for the development, administration and maintenance of the CDAAC certification program and supports the mission of the ACADC. The Certification Board is responsible for conducting certification activities in a manner that upholds standards for competent practice in the alcohol and drug treatment field. The Certification Board has the authority to operate all areas of the certification program and is responsible for the development of standards and policies and procedures for the CDAAC certification program. 4

5 Steps to Certification Overview 1. Review this Candidate Handbook to learn about the certification process. Contact ACADC with any questions. 2. Register by completing the registration form available in this booklet (available online at 3. Complete any required education and/or training or gather your documentation for the training and education you have completed. 4. Apply for the examination by submitting the application form in the booklet and submit the form with the signed code of conduct and other required documentation. 5. Complete CSAC I Entrance Inventory. 6. Complete the CSAC II field experience and supervision verification requirement. 7. Complete the CDAAC requirement of 155 hours of course training related to AOD counseling. 8. Keep the test admission letter that will be sent to you verifying that you have successfully completed the application process. 9. Submit a copy of your test admission letter to the Breining Institute and sign up for the RAS examination. 10. Review the study guide materials provided by Breining. 11. Schedule your exam. CDAAC Certification Purpose The purpose of the CDAAC certification program is to certify Christian men and women who desire to do professional drug, alcohol and addiction counseling from a biblical Christian world view. Objectives That Christians who desire to practice drug, alcohol and addiction counseling as a profession, understand how to counsel from a biblical Christian world view. That Christians who desire to practice drug, alcohol and addiction counseling as a profession, understand the dangers of humanistic practices but also understand TAP 21 Counseling Competencies from a biblical perspective. To ensure CDAAC counselors are people who demonstrate the character, wisdom, love, and knowledge required to effectively reach people coming out of addictive lifestyles of any kind. To ensure CDAAC counselors who have nurtured a personal relationship with Christ are effective counselors and counsel with the penetrating power of biblical truth. 5

6 Registration Procedures Individuals planning to pursue CDAAC certification must first register by completing the registration form available in this booklet or on the ACADC Web site and submitting it with the registration fee. Once registered a candidate has five years to complete the CDAAC certification process. Completing the registration process also serves to register the candidate with the CA Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. Candidates that register will be entered into the ACADC database and listed as a registrant. Once registered candidates have three options to pursue CDAAC certification: 1. Begin classes at ACADC or another approved school 2. Submit transcripts and affidavits attesting to field experience and supervision hours for evaluation (see Examination Application Form) 3. If the candidate holds an active AOD certification with another organization approved by the state of California he/she may schedule to take the exam after completing the Examination Application Eligibility 1. Education: Complete a minimum of 155 documented hours of classroom AOD education, which shall include at least the following subjects: a. The curriculum contained in "Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice", Technical Assistance Publication Series 21 (TAP 21), published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Reprinted 2002; b. Provision of services to special populations such as aging individuals; individuals with cooccurring disorders (e.g., alcoholism and mental illness); individuals with post traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]); individuals with disabilities; diverse populations; individuals with cultural differences, individuals on probation/parole, etc.; c. Ethics; d. Communicable diseases including tuberculosis, HIV disease, and Hepatitis C; and e. Prevention of sexual harassment; 2. CSAC I Entrance Inventory: Complete the CSAC I Entrance Inventory. The Entrance Inventory is intended to be a filtering instrument, not to test for knowledge taught in any program, course or school, but to evaluate three areas: (1) The applicant s understanding of a Biblical Christian World View, (2) The applicant s understanding of beliefs influencing choices and decisions leading to mental health as well as mental illness, including substance abuse disorders and (3) The applicant s level of spiritual insight attained through their life experiences. The Entrance Inventory questionnaire will be mailed to all applicants once the application is received. The application and entrance inventory will be processed and the candidate will be notified once both documents are accepted. The entrance inventory is designed in keeping with the Mission of the ACADC to test and certify Christian men and women who desire to do professional drug, alcohol and addiction counseling from a biblical Christian world view. 6

7 3. CSAC II Experience & Training Requirement: Complete, 2,080 documented hours of paid or unpaid work experience providing counseling services in an AOD program prior to, after, or at the same time as completion of the required education and the required supervised AOD training. The work experience will include a minimum of 160 documented hours of supervised AOD training based on the curriculum contained in TAP 21 and supervised on-site by an AOD counselor who has been licensed or certified pursuant to the CA regulations. "Supervised" means that the individual supervising the training shall: a. Be physically present and available on site or at an immediately adjacent site, but not necessarily in the same room at all times, and b. Document in the registrant's record that the registrant has completed the supervised training and field experience required by this subsection. 4. Completion on CSAC I & II is required to receive CDAAC credential. 5. Successful completion of a minimum of 155 hours of course training related to AOD counseling must be completed before the awarding of the CDAAC Credential. 6. Examination: Obtain a passing score on the RAS examination. 7. Attestation Statement: Sign a statement documenting whether his/her prior certification as an AOD counselor has ever been revoked. 8. Code of Conduct: Sign an agreement to abide by ACADC s Code of Conduct. The education, training and experience requirements should be met before applying for the CDAAC (RAS) certification examination. The signed Attestation Statement (included on the application form) and the signed Code of Conduct must be submitted with the completed CDAAC application form. The Entrance Inventory will be mailed to the candidate by ACADC after the application and application fee have been received. Candidates for CDAAC certification receive a test admission letter so that they may schedule their examination after all of these steps have been successfully completed. Application Process Overview Once the eligibility requirements above are met the next step towards earning certification is to apply for the examination. Candidates should complete the Examination Application Form included in this booklet or on the ACADC Web site. The completed application will include documentation of all required experience, education and training. Once the application has been processed the candidate will receive the CSAC I Entrance Inventory as described below. After successful completion of the Entrance Inventory the candidate will receive a test admission letter authorizing them to schedule the examination. Verification of Education and Training All documentation of training, experience and/or education will be reviewed and verified. Information collected through the verification process will remain confidential unless release is required by law. Any registration forms or applications containing false information will be denied. 7

8 Incomplete Applications Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant for corrections. Fees Registration $395 The registration fee includes processing for the registration form and the examination application form. The CSAC I Entrance Inventory and the Certified Alcohol, Drugs, and Addictions Counselor s Toolkit Study Guide and Quiz is also included in the registration fee. Examination (payable to the Breining Institute) $150 Renewal/Recertification $75 Fees are due at the time of registration/application and may be paid by check, money order, or credit card. All fees are nonrefundable. CSAC I Entrance Inventory The CSAC I Entrance Inventory will be mailed to all applicants once the completed Application Form is received. The Entrance Inventory is intended to be a filtering instrument, not to test for knowledge taught in any program, course or school, but to evaluate the following: 1. The applicant s understanding of a Biblical Christian World View. 2. The applicant s understanding of beliefs influencing choices and decisions leading to mental health as well as mental illness, including substance abuse disorders. 3. The applicant s level of spiritual insight attained through their life experiences. The Entrance Inventory was developed by a group of twelve practicing Christian AOD counselors representing Pastors, Recovery Counselors, and Recovery Program Administrators with over 150 years of combined experience in Christian recovery and rehabilitation. Examination Process About the Examination The CDAAC Certification Board has elected to enter into an agreement with the Breining Institute (Breining) for use of Breining s Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS) examination. After careful consideration the Certification Board concluded that use of the RAS exam is compatible with the purpose and objectives of the CDAAC program. The Certification Board has acknowledged that the process used to develop, maintain and administer the RAS exam is of high quality. Specifically, the Certification Board recognizes that the research based process used to develop the RAS exam has resulted in an exam for which individuals have clear guidance for preparing for the exam. Because the exam is practice based and does not emphasize the many often conflicting theories in the counseling field it is in keeping with the values of ACADC and the CDAAC Certification Board. The Certification Board also acknowledges that the population of alcohol and other drug counselors in the state of California served by both organizations is sufficiently similar to justify using the same examination. When researching testing options, it was important for the ACADC to select an examination that allowed for alternate pathways to certification so that candidates without a formal four-year college education 8

9 could participate in the counseling field with an appropriate level of education and training. The RAS exam meets this need. The Certification Board is committed to continuing to establish and maintain eligibility requirements and application procedures that are suitable for and in keeping with the mission of the ACADC. Information regarding the development of the examination is found in the RAS Certification Handbook and follows below: Examination Development and Standard Setting Test items used on the national certification examination are developed by the Breining Institute RAS Examination Review Board, whose members are Registered Addiction Specialists practicing in a variety of settings around the country. Items are edited extensively and reviewed to confirm the accuracy of the item in the current literature. Following each examination administration, a statistical analysis of the results for each item is performed. Items that perform poorly or are answered incorrectly by a substantial portion of candidates are flagged for review by the Examination Review Board. The committee reviews all flagged items in addition to any items that were substantively critiqued by candidates. If the committee determines that an item is defective for example, ambiguous wording, more than one correct answer-the item may be deleted from final scoring, or more than one answer may be counted as correct. Scoring Each item on the examination is worth one point. Your score is based only on the total number of correct answers selected. Since there is no penalty for choosing an incorrect response, you should answer all test items. However, you should choose only one response per item. If more than one response is selected, that item will be scored as incorrect. Examinations may contain a minority of pretest items which do not count toward the official scoring. Pretest items are scattered throughout the examination. The intended use of pretest items is to accelerate the scoring process in order to provide earlier results to candidates. The pass/fail standard is determined on the entire test. Although there are several content areas within the test, these content areas are not independent measures. Therefore, a candidate who is retaking the RAS examination must retake a complete alternate form of the examination. Scheduling the Exam Candidates who have successfully completed the examination application process will receive a test admission letter verifying that they may take the CDAAC/RAS exam. Once you receive this letter you may contact the Breining Institute ( to schedule your exam. When your exam is scheduled your date, time and location will be confirmed. Once your exam is scheduled please take note of the time to report to the Assessment Center. Once you receive your test admission letter and complete an examination application with the Breining Institute you will be able to schedule your examination. The examination is administered by Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP). Testing is available in AMP test centers Monday-Friday at both 9:00 am and 1:30pm at over 130 sites in the US. Every state has at least one testing site. Once you are notified by Breining that your examination application has been processed you may contact AMP to 9

10 schedule an exam appointment. You must schedule your own exam. Online scheduling is available. More detailed scheduling information will be sent to you once you have been cleared to take the exam. If you need to reschedule the exam you may do so once at no charge by contacting AMP at least 4 business days in advance of your scheduled exam. The Inclement weather, power failure or emergency policy from the RAS Certification Handbook follows: In the event of inclement weather or unforeseen emergencies on the day of an examination, AMP will determine whether circumstances warrant the cancellation, and subsequent rescheduling, of an examination. The examination will usually not be rescheduled if the Assessment Center personnel are able to open the Assessment Center. If power to an Assessment Center is temporarily interrupted during an administration, your examination will restart where you left off and you may continue the examination. Candidates may contact AMP s Weather Hotline at 913/ (24 hours/day) prior to the examination to determine if AMP has been advised that any Assessment Centers are closed. Every attempt is made to administer the examination as scheduled; however, should an examination be canceled at an Assessment Center, all scheduled candidates will receive notification following the examination regarding rescheduling or reapplication procedures. Candidates are responsible for their own transportation, lodging, and other expenses associated with taking the examination. Examination Content The following information describing the exam is taken from the RAS Certification Handbook: The RAS Examination is a multiple-choice examination. There is no oral examination, and there are no open-ended questions on the written exam. The Examination was developed to objectively measure the knowledge and practical skills required of professionals working in the field of addictions. The examination questions are based upon counselor competency standards identified by national industry experts, including those established by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Development of Model Professional Standards for Counselor Credentialing (1984), Birch and Davis, Inc. known as the Birch & Davis study; by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse ( ICRC ) study and the 1991 publication of the Twelve Core Functions of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselors; and by the US Department of Health and Human Services, which published within its Technical Assistance Publication Series, No. 21 (1998) the Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes of Professional Practice (known as the TAP 21 competencies). More specifically, the Examination includes coverage of the following: The curriculum contained in the TAP 21counseling competencies study; Provision of services to special populations such as aging individuals, individuals with co-occurring disorders, individuals with post traumatic stress disorder; 10

11 individuals with disabilities, diverse populations, individuals with cultural differences, individuals on probation/parole, etc.; Ethics; Communicable diseases including tuberculosis, HIV disease and Hepatitis C; and Prevention of sexual harassment. (These topics satisfy those required by the California counselor certification law, Cal. Code of Regs., Title 9, Sections 13000, et seq.) Examination Format The coverage of the topics indicated above is tested within a 100-question multiple choice examination. Examination items are presented in a random order and are not grouped according to content area. This structure resembles a clinical practice in which the addiction professional encounters a variety of client issues throughout the day. Each question contains either three or four options from which the candidate must choose the best response. The exam has a two hour time limit. The time begins when the candidate starts the actual exam, and ends two hours later, whether or not a restroom break is taken. Outline of the Examination The Registered Addiction Specialist 100-question multiple-choice examination will test on following areas - Understanding Addiction (20 items); Treatment Knowledge and Application to Practice (40 items); Professional Readiness (20 items); and Professional Practice Dimensions (20 items) as more fully described below: Understanding Addiction: Understanding a variety of models and theories of addiction and other problems related to substance use; recognizing the social, political, economic, and cultural context within which addiction and substance abuse exist, including risk and resiliency factors that characterize individuals and groups and their living environments; understanding the behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social effects of psychoactive substances on the user and significant others; and recognizing the potential for substance use disorders to mimic a variety of medical and psychological disorders and the potential for medical and psychological disorders to co-exist with addiction and substance abuse. Treatment Knowledge: Understanding the philosophies, practices, policies, and outcomes of the most generally accepted and scientifically supported models of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care for addiction and other substance related problems; recognizing the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment and recovery process; understanding the importance of research and outcome data and their application in clinical practice; and understanding the value of an interdisciplinary approach to addiction treatment. Application to Practice: Understanding the established diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and describe treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care; understanding a variety of helping strategies for reducing the negative effects of substance use, abuse, and dependence; tailoring helping strategies and treatment modalities to the client s stage of dependence, change, or recovery; providing treatment services appropriate to the personal and 11

12 cultural identity and language of the client; adapting practice to the range of treatment settings and modalities; familiarity with medical and pharmacological resources in the treatment of substance use disorders; understanding the variety of insurance and health maintenance options available and the importance of helping clients access those benefits; recognizing that crisis may indicate an underlying substance use disorder and may be a window of opportunity for change; and understanding the need for and the use of methods for measuring treatment outcome. Professional Readiness: Understanding diverse cultures and incorporate the relevant needs of culturally diverse groups, as well as people with disabilities, into clinical practice; understanding the importance of self awareness in one s personal, professional, and cultural life; understanding the addiction professional s obligations to adhere to ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the helping relationship; understanding the importance of ongoing supervision and continuing education in the delivery of client services; understanding the obligation of the addiction professional to participate in prevention as well as treatment; and understanding and applying setting-specific policies and procedures for handling crisis or dangerous situations, including safety measures for clients and staff. Professional Practice Dimensions: Clinical evaluation; Treatment planning; Referral; Service coordination; Counseling; Client, family and community education; Documentation; and Professional and ethical responsibilities. Preparing for the Examination Once you apply to take the examination you will receive a comprehensive study guide The Addiction Professional: Manual for Counselor Competency and a DVD Tutorial. The cost of these materials is included in the examination fee. The following information is quoted from the RAS Certification Handbook: Every question on the examination is derived from the information contained in the Manual and the references cited therein. If you know the information presented in the Manual, which is more specifically identified and highlighted within the DVD Tutorial, you should do well on the examination. Examination scores are based on the number of questions correctly answered. A candidate should carefully consider the possible answers to each question and select the best response. It is better to answer every item than to leave any blank. Sample Exam Questions The following are samples of items that appear in the RAS Examination. 1. In the 1970s there was developed the Association of Labor and Management Administrators and Consultants on Alcoholism, or ALMACA, as it came to be called. The members of this organization worked, mostly part-time, in what they referred to as OAPs. The National Council on Alcoholism created an advisory board of Labor and Management leaders to encourage the creation of OAPs throughout the country, and with NCA s dynamic leadership of the time, they were able to enlist the support of the very top executives in the nation. OAP is the acronym for which of the following? A. Organized Alcohol Program. 12

13 B. Occupational Alcoholism Program. C. Outside Assistance Program. D. None of the above. (Sample Question Reference: The Addiction Professional, Chapter 9, Employee Assistance Programs, page 102.) 2. People with alcohol use disorders are more or less likely than the general population to contract HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)? A. More likely. B. Less likely. C. About the same. D. None of the above. (Sample Question Reference: The Addiction Professional, Chapter 15, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Hepatitis, AIDS and HIV Issues, pages ) 3. The benefits of smoking identified in The Smoker s Book of Health do not include which of the following: A. Improved concentration. B. Better able to deal with stress. C. Improved energy levels. D. Improved eyesight. (Sample Question Reference: The Addiction Professional, Chapter 16, Smoking and Nicotine Addictions, page 201.) 4. Which of the following diagnostic criteria for co-dependent personality disorder is not included in the definition offered by Dr. Timmen Cermak? A. Continued investment of self-esteem in the ability to control both oneself and others in the face of serious adverse consequences. B. Assumption of responsibility for meeting others needs to the exclusion of acknowledging one s own. C. Anxiety and boundary distortions caused by financial pressures. D. Enmeshment in relationships with personality disordered, chemically dependent, other co-dependent, and/or impulse disordered individuals. (Sample Question Reference: The Addiction Professional, Chapter 20, Codependency, pages ) 13

14 Taking the Examination Candidates taking the exam should review the following information from the RAS Certification Handbook: Taking the Examination Your examination will be given by computer at an AMP Assessment Center. You do not need any computer experience or typing skills to take your examination. On the day of your examination appointment, report to the Assessment Center no later than your scheduled testing time. Look for the signs indicating AMP Assessment Center Check in. A CANDIDATE WHO ARRIVES MORE THAN 15 MINUTES AFTER THE SCHEDULED TESTING TIME WILL NOT BE ADMITTED. Identification To gain admission to the Assessment Center, you must present two forms of identification, one with a current photograph. Both forms of identification must be current and include the candidate s current name and signature. The candidate will be required to sign a roster for verification of identity. Acceptable forms of photo identification include a current driver s license with photograph, a current state identification card with photograph, a current passport, or a current military identification card with photograph. Employment ID cards, student ID cards and any type of temporary identification are NOT acceptable as the primary form of identification. You must have proper identification to gain admission to the Assessment Center. Failure to provide appropriate identification at the time of the examination is considered a missed appointment. There will be no refund of your examination fee. Practice Examination After your identification has been confirmed, you will be directed to a testing carrel. You will be instructed on-screen to enter your Social Security number. You will take your photograph which will remain on screen throughout your examination session. This photograph will also print on your score report. Prior to attempting the examination, you will be given the opportunity to practice taking an examination on the computer. The time you use for this practice examination is NOT counted as part of your examination time or score. When you are comfortable with the computer testing process, you may quit the practice session and begin the timed examination. Timed Multiple-choice Examination Following the practice examination, you will begin the timed examination. Before beginning, instructions for taking the examination are provided on-screen. The computer monitors the time you spend on the examination. The examination will terminate if you exceed the time allowed. You may click on the Time box in the lower right-hand corner of the screen or select the Time key to monitor your time. A digital clock indicates the time remaining for you to complete the examination. The Time feature may be turned off during the examination. Only one examination question is presented at a time. The question number appears in the lower right hand corner of the screen. Choices of answers to the examination question are identified as A, B, C, or D. You must indicate your choice by either 14

15 typing in the letter in the response box in the lower left hand of the computer screen or clicking in the option using the mouse. To change your answer, enter a different option by pressing the A, B, C, or D key or by clicking on the option using the mouse. You may change your answer as many times as you wish during the examination time limit. To move to the next question, click on the forward arrow (>) in the lower right portion of the screen or select the NEXT key. This action will move you forward through the examination question by question. If you wish to review any question or questions, click the backward arrow (<) or use the left arrow key to move backward through the examination. An examination question may be left unanswered for return later in the examination session. Questions may also be bookmarked for later review by clicking in the blank square to the right of the Time button. Click on the hand icon or select the NEXT key to advance to the next unanswered or bookmarked question on the examination. To identify all unanswered and bookmarked questions, repeatedly click on the hand icon or press the NEXT key. When the examination is completed, the number of examination questions answered is reported. If not all questions have been answered and there is time remaining, return to the examination and answer those questions. Be sure to provide an answer for each examination question before ending the examination. There is no penalty for guessing. Candidate Comments During the examination, online comments may be provided for any question by clicking on the button displaying an exclamation point (!) to the left of the Time button. This opens a dialogue box where comments may be entered. Comments will be reviewed, but individual responses will not be provided. Security CDAAC Candidates will follow the security procedures as outlined in the RAS Certification Handbook: Breining Institute and AMP maintain examination administration and security standards that are designed to assure that all candidates are provided the same opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. The Assessment Center is continuously monitored by audio and video surveillance equipment for security purposes. The following security procedures apply during the examination: Examinations are proprietary. No cameras, notes, tape recorders, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), pagers or cellular phones are allowed in the testing room. No calculators are permitted. No guests, visitors or family members are allowed in the testing room or reception areas. No personal items, valuables, or weapons should be brought to the Assessment Center. Only keys and wallets may be taken into the testing room and AMP is not responsible for items left in the reception area. 15

16 Examination Restrictions No personal belongings will be allowed in the Assessment Center. Pencils will be provided during check-in. You will be provided with scratch paper to use during the examination. You must return the scratch paper to the supervisor at the completion of testing, or you will not receive a score report. No documents or notes of any kind may be removed from the examination room. No questions concerning the content of the examination may be asked during the examination. Eating, drinking or smoking will not be permitted in the Assessment Center. You may take a break whenever you wish, but you will not be allowed additional time to make up for time lost during breaks. Misconduct Individuals who engage in any of the following conduct may be dismissed from the examination, their scores will not be reported and examination fees will not be refunded. Examples of misconduct are when a candidate: creates a disturbance, is abusive, or otherwise uncooperative; displays and/or uses electronic communications equipment such as pagers, cellular phones, PDAs; gives or receives help or is suspected of doing so; attempts to record examination questions or make notes; attempts to take the examination for someone else; or is observed with notes, books or other aids. Copyrighted Examination Questions All examination questions are the copyrighted property of Breining Institute. It is forbidden under federal copyright law to copy, reproduce, record, distribute or display these examination questions by any means, in whole or in part. Doing so may subject you to severe civil and criminal penalties. Examination Results A provisional score report will be generated immediately after the completion of the exam. The provisional score report may be used for immediate documentation that you have taken the exam. The official score report will be mailed to you and to ACADC headquarters. You will receive your CDAAC Certificate by mail 2-4 weeks after the score reports are issued. The following information is from the RAS Certification Handbook: Following the Examination After completing the examination, candidates are asked to complete a short evaluation of their examination experience. Then, candidates are instructed to report to the examination proctor to receive their score report. Scores are reported in written form only, in person or by U.S. mail. Scores are not reported over the telephone, by electronic mail or by facsimile. 16

17 Your score report will indicate a pass or fail. Your pass/fail status is determined by your raw score. Additional detail is provided in the form of raw scores by major content category. A raw score is the number of questions you answered correctly. Pass/Fail Score Determination The methodology used to set the minimum passing score is the Angoff method, applied during the performance of a Passing Point Study by a panel of experts in the field. The experts evaluated each question on the examination to determine how many correct answers are necessary to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to pass this examination portion. Your ability to pass the examination depends on the knowledge and skill you display, not on the performance of other candidates. Passing scores may vary slightly for each version of the examination. To ensure fairness to all candidates, a process of statistical equating is used. This involves selecting an appropriate mix of individual questions for each version of the examination that meet the content distribution requirements of the examination content blueprint. Because each question has been pretested, a difficulty level can be assigned. The process then considers the difficulty level of each question selected for each version of the examination, attempting to match the difficulty level of each version as closely as possible. To assure fairness, slight variations in difficulty level are addressed by adjusting the passing score up or down, depending on the overall difficulty level statistics for the group of scored questions that appear on a particular version of the examination. Scores Cancelled Breining Institute and AMP are responsible for the validity and integrity of the scores they report. On occasion, occurrences, such as computer malfunction or misconduct by a candidate, may cause a score to be suspect. Breining Institute and AMP reserve the right to void or withhold examination results if, upon investigation, violation of its regulations is discovered. If you Pass the Examination Candidates who pass the examination will be issued an RAS Credential Certificate within four weeks, mailed to the address on the RAS Application (unless a different mailing address is provided, in writing, by the candidate). Retests Candidates may take the examination once every thirty days. If you wish to re-take the exam you must notify ACADC and reapply through the Breining Institute. Use of the Certification Mark Once you meet all eligibility requirements and successfully complete the examination you may display the CDAAC credential after your name, display your certificate and you may identify yourself as a CDAAC. Certificants with a revoked or expired certification may no longer use the CDAAC credential or display the CDAAC certificate. Change of Address The address on your registration form will be your address on file. It is your responsibility to directly notify ACADC in writing with any address change. 17

18 Renewal/Recertification Purpose The Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ACADC) requires Certified Drug, Alcohol and Addiction Counselors (CDAAC) to renew their certification every 2 years. Renewal is defined as documentation of continued professional development (continuing education) in the area of drug and alcohol counseling. The renewal requirements are designed to enhance the continued competence of individuals with the CDAAC credential. The renewal program is designed to recognize the ongoing commitment of CDAAC counselors, strengthen the knowledge of CDAAC counselors, and enhance the professional development of CDAAC counselors by continued learning and study. Requirements 40 hours of continuing education, as outlined below, is required every 2 years in order to renew certification. The education requirements are intended to meet the ongoing education and professional development needs of CDAAC certificants. The ACADC believes that the two year renewal period established and required by the State of California is appropriate to keep certificants up to date with changes in the alcohol and drug counseling field. The ACADC renewal policy was adopted on April 1, 2005 and is effective October 1, Certificates issued on or after October 1, 2005 will expire 2 years after the date of issue. Individuals who received the CDAAC credential prior to April 1, 2005 are also subject to the renewal requirement. Certification for those individuals will expire on October 1, These individuals have been notified of the renewal requirement by or letter. The following requirements for recertification are consistent with Title 9 Section of the California Code: 1. In order to renew certification, each CDAAC counselor must complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education (CE), approved by ACADC, during each 2-year period of certification. 2. The 40 hours of continuing education shall include any combination of the following: a. The curriculum contained TAP 21, as defined in Section of the California Code; b. Provision of services to special populations including at least aging individuals; individuals with co-occurring disorders (e.g., alcoholism and mental illness); individuals with post traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]); individuals with disabilities; diverse populations; individuals with cultural differences, individuals on probation/parole, etc.; c. Ethics; d. Communicable diseases including tuberculosis, HIV disease and Hepatitis C; e. Prevention of sexual harassment; and f. ACADC, at its discretion, will also offer advanced continuing education classes and seminars in any of the courses required for initial CDAAC counselor certification, Lay Minister Certification, and Recovery Pastor Ordination. 3. ACADC shall accept as continuing education hours training in the areas specified above, provided by any State, county, city, or other governmental agency or by any agency which provides services through a contractual arrangement with a State and/or county agency. 18

19 4. ACADC shall document completion of all continuing education hours and the subject matter studied in each CDAAC certified counselor's record maintained pursuant to Section Prior to renewing certification, the ACADC shall review the CDAAC counselor's record to determine if his/her certification has been revoked during the previous certification period. 6. If previous certification was revoked, the ACADC shall document in the registrant's file its reasons for granting or denying renewal of certification. Within 48 hours of renewing certification, the certifying organization shall send written notification to the Department that it has renewed certification of an AOD counselor whose previous certification was revoked. 7. If the ACADC denies renewal, it shall send the CDAAC counselor a written notice of denial. The notice shall specify the counselor's right to appeal the denial in accordance with the provisions of Section If the ACADC decides to renew certification, upon completion of all continuing education requirements and payment of all fees charged by the certifying organization, the certifying organization shall issue a written certificate to the registrant, stating that his/her certification as CDAAC counselor has been renewed. 9. If the CDAAC counselor's previous certification was revoked, the certifying organization shall deny renewal of certification and shall send the CDAAC counselor a written notice of denial of renewal. The notice shall specify the counselor's right to appeal the denial in accordance with the procedure established in Section If certification as an AOD counselor has not been revoked, the certifying organization shall renew the CDAAC counselor's certification upon documentation of completion of a minimum of forty 40 hours of continuing education and payment of a renewal fee as specified by the certifying organization. Renewal Process An expiration date will be included with your certification. You will receive information about the renewal requirements when you receive your initial certification. You will receive a reminder letter 6 months before their expiration date. The reminder letter will include a list of all renewal and CE requirements and a copy of the renewal forms. Prior to renewing any certification, ACADC will review your file to determine if your certification has been revoked during the previous two years. Documented evidence of the required CE hours must be submitted for renewal. A recertification application and attached documentation must be received by ACADC at least 2 weeks before the certification expiration date. A recertification fee of $75 is also due at the time the documentation is submitted. For each CE course the following documentation must be submitted: a. Date(s) b. CE Provider (must be approved by ACADC) c. Hours of attendance d. Location e. Brief summary of course objectives/topics f. Signature and date of instructor/representative or other official document fulfilling this purpose. To renew certification you must complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education as described in item 2 (a-f) above. 19

20 Only continuing education from an approved provider will be accepted. ACADC will accept education that is in compliance with state regulations for accreditation and continuing education units for recertification including but not limited to the following providers: a. Any California, county, city, or other governmental agency or by any agency which provides services through a contractual arrangement with a State and/or county agency. b. Programs provided by an accredited college or university. c. Programs provided by the following professional alcohol and other drug abuse organizations: Breining Institute d. The following list of schools is a non exhaustive list of schools recognized by ACADC. ACADC will accept transfer courses from these schools and grant CEU credit for courses taken at these schools pertaining to Drug, Alcohol and/or Addiction counseling, education or studies: Azusa Pacific University Bethany College Breining Institute California Baptist University Kingsway College La Sierra University Legacy Christian Bible College Life Pacific College Recovery Pastor School of Applied Biblical Studies Rosemead School of Psychology Southwestern University Trinity Faith Based University Westmont College Once all requirements are met and verified ACADC will issue a renewal letter and CDAAC certificate with the new expiration date. ACADC will review educational materials submitted to insure they cover both TAP21 requirements and the Biblical world view represented by the ACADC certification. Verification of CEUs ACADC will verify all renewal applications and CE documentation. Information collected through the verification process will remain confidential unless release is required by law. Any renewal applications containing false information will be denied. Incomplete applications will be returned to the renewal applicant for corrections. 20