Welcome to the Certification Board’s Website

Questions and Answers – LCADC/CADC ONLY

Certification Board questions are below

1. Q - How do I become a LCADC/CADC counselor?
   A - The simple answer is “You must contact the DCA – ADCC Committee” – located at http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical/alcdrug.htm. See our Initial applications and see which one is most appropriate to your needs, found at http://www.certbd.com/applications/index.htm.

2. Q - When can I send in my transcripts to obtain the Certification Boards certificate for 270 hours of A & D training?
   A - You can send them, at any time, to the Certification Board, 1200 Tices Lane, Suite 206, East Brunswick, NJ 08816, along with the CADC transcript review form and $50, review fee. You will receive a letter usually within 30 days of the Certification Board receiving your transcripts, form and fee. This letter will advise you of what additional courses, if any, are needed,

3. Q - How are my transcripts reviewed, and when will I hear from the Certification Board?
   A - Transcripts are reviewed according to licensure/certification regulations. It is important that your send “official” (i.e.: unopened with seal) transcript form colleges and universities. Common causes for delays in transcript reviews include:

• Missing documentation
• Lack of coursework descriptions for courses with non-specific titles (i.e.: Social Work I)
• The review form is not attached
• The review fee is not included
• Official sealed transcript is not received – Do Not send opened or copies of transcripts

4. Q - How will the new requirements that went into effect July 1, 2007, affect the classes that I’ve taken, or those that I still need?
   A - Clarification of Coursework

As a follow up to questions about new coursework for the LCADC/CADC, please be advised that the “new courses” are workshop electives that will meet the Certification Board’s requirements for a certificate validating completion for 270 hours of alcohol and drug education in the eight domains.
These new courses are designed to increase the LCADC/CADC’s ability to recognize, educate and refer clients to appropriated human services agencies. These courses will also increase the counselor’s knowledge base about the particular services offered in these areas and hopefully lead to a more integrated treatment system for our clients.
Rather than have students take non-specific electives, the Board, identified twelve specific 6-hour courses to meet the 270 hours requirement for the Board’s certificate of completion.
See list of courses below:
C-106-Perinatal Alcohol Exposure & Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
C-108-Co-Occurring Disorder Assessment
C-109-Assessment Tools
C-207-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
C-208-Motivational Interviewing / MET
C-305-New Jersey Mental Health Services
C-306-New Jersey Child and Family Services
C-307-Criminal Justice System
C-308-New Jersey Disability Services
C-309-New Jersey Employment Services
C-408-Opiate and Stimulant Education
C-409-Alcohol, Sedative and Hallucinogens
These courses were designed as core content needed by LCADC/CADC’s to provide quality counseling to our consumers.

The Certification Board

5. Q - How do I find out about the status of my paperwork?
   A - Due to the amount and the different types of reviews (educational, transcript, etc.) your paperwork will be handled within the time frames established:
   
   Initial application = 90 days and must be completed by quarterly Board Meeting
   Renewal = 90 days and must be presented at quarterly Board Meeting
   Educational review = 60 days
   Transcript approval = up to 60 days
   If you need to know if the Certification Board has received your paperwork, we suggest that you include a “return receipt” (the ‘green’ card supplied by the Post Office) with your submission, or your canceled check is proof that your paperwork is being processed. Remember too, if you want any certificates or other special paperwork returned, you must include a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE).
   If you need to contact the Certification Board, it is easier and quick to send an email, and you will receive written or an email correspondence in reply. The cost for transcript reviews will be $75 as of 5/1/2009

6. Q - What do I do to become re-certified?
   A - Recertification (also called renewal) is required every two years. Every certificate handled by the Certification Board has an application for Recertification. Download the appropriate application and submit it with the appropriate fees and requirements. All certification educational requirements must be completed within this two year time frame.

Q - What do I need to know about reciprocity?
A -New Jersey and IC&RC Reciprocity

The Certification Board will provide full reciprocity for IC&RC credentialed CCS, CPS, AAODA, CCJP and CCDP.
The Certification Board will process the educational coursework between NJ and other boards who have a reciprocal AODA credential with the IC&RC. The Certification Board cannot provide formal reciprocity, nor can the State licensing Board, but we can help speed up the licensure and certification applications for out of state counselors who want to obtain the LCADC/CADC.

The Certification Board no longer administers the reciprocal AODA credential. The licensing regulations went into effect in March 2004 and the CADC/LCADC is under the authority of the Division of Consumer Affairs.

All requests should continue to be sent to the Certification Board. For those coming into the State, our office will provide a transcript to the NJ State Licensing Board verifying all requirements have been met for LCADC/ CADC (upon receipt of this completed form). Our office will process this information within 90 days; however, the State has many applications in process and might take longer to process their part of the application. You will receive notification when our office sends verification to the State. All new transfers will then have to complete the State’s application and pay their additional fees.

8. Q - How do I become certified?
   A - The requirements, educational and work related, can be found in the applications, and they can be found at - http://www.certbd.com/applications/index.htm. The Certification Board currently handles 14 credentials.
   
   
9. Q - What are the requirements for certification?
   A - Each application has the requirements listed, since they are different for each certificate that is handled by the Certification Board, and they can be downloaded, free of charge at the above web addresses.
   
   
10. Q - Why do I need to send in my original transcripts or certificates?
    A - Original documentation is required by our Quality Standards, and false documentation is a violation of the law.
    
    
11. Q - What can you tell me about on-line courses or distance learning?
    A - The Certification Board does not allow distance learning for ‘initial’ credentialing coursework for the Board’s transcript verification certificate unless the training is part of a pre-approved matriculated degree from an accredited college or university.
    The Certification Board allows for up to 50% of a credential’s recertification requirements to be in distance learning. Pre-Approval is not required unless you want to advertise Board approval. The Board requires referenced based instruction material.
    
    
12. Q - Can I fax my materials, such as education certificates, signatures, etc.?
    A - No, the Board must review original documentation.
    
    
13. Q- What courses are required for a particular credential?
    A - The Certification Board (APCB, Inc.) has 16 credentials under its authority.
    
    

    CCS (Certified Clinical Supervisor) CPS (Certified Prevention Specialist) CCDP-Diplomate (Co-Occurring Disorder Professional Diplomate) CTTS (Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist) CJC (Criminal Justice Counselor CDA Including RMA (Chemical Dependency Associate) CCDP (Co-Occurring Disorder Professional) CMHA (Community Mental Health Associate) DRCC (Disaster Response Crisis Counselor) ADS (Addiction Disability Specialist) WTS (Woman's Treatment Specialist) CCJP (Certified Criminal Justice Professional) CCJP – Upgrade (Certified Criminal Justice Professional Grandfathering Application) Peer Specialist

    
    
14. Q – Can I get an extension of my due date for my certification?
    A – There is an automatic 30 day grace period provided for each re-certification date.  Extensions are by individual waivers which are by the Board.
    
    
15. Q – Can I get an extension of my due date for my certification?
    A – There is an automatic 30 day grace period provided for each re-certification date. Extensions are by individual waivers which are by the Board.
    
    
16. Q – When will I receive my testing results?
    A – You will receive your test scores in the mail within 8 weeks. Do not call the board for results, as we do not provide scores over the phone.
    
    
17. Q – My credential is about to expire, what do I do?
    A – Go to “Applications & Forms” and refer to “Recertification Applications”.
    

In an effort to resolve disputes, misunderstandings and correct any misinformation or miscommunication, the Institute is offering this complaint form to help resolve problems. This form can be found here.

Directions to the Certification Board

We trust that you will find most, if not all, of the information you need for addictions and other behavioral health care certification in the state of New Jersey.