Assures the public that certified alcohol and drug counselors have uniform professional standards and a minimum level of competence for quality service.

Gives professional recognition to alcohol and drug counselors through a process which examines and certifies their knowledge, skills and competence.

Assures an opportunity for alcohol and drug counselors to further their professional development and education in the field.

Works towards enabling certified alcohol and drug counselors to become eligible for reimbursement from health insurance organizations for the professional services that they provide.

Experience in alcoholism and/or drug addiction counseling;

Training and education in the knowledge/skills base;

Supervised practical training and experience in both the functions, and the knowledge/skills based of alcoholism and/or drug addiction counseling, and of related areas.

Training in the Twelve Core Functions and global criteria

Three or more years of experience working directly with drug and alcohol clients. This experience must be supervised and documented

A signed statement agreeing to adhere to a professional code of ethics

Successful completion of a written examination set internationally by the ICRC/AODA

Successful completion of an oral examination before trained evaluators using a case presentation method. The questions will pertain to the Twelve Core Functions. Scores on the CPM are based on the global criteria for each core function

Proof of ongoing professional development demonstrated by attending AIA approved continuing education programs in order to maintain their certification

The experience requirement is three years (6000 hours) of supervised work experience for a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AODA). Supervised work experience is defined as paid or voluntary experience as a counselor who provides direct counseling services to AODA clients. An AODA client is a person with a diagnosis of alcohol and/or other drug abuse or dependency. Supervises work experience must be in the IC&RC performance domains of assessment counseling, case management, education and professional responsibility. Unsupervised work experience may NOT be substituted for the experience requirement. All experience must be documented. Certification boards may allow an applicant to exchange one-year of the three-year experience requirement with a bachelor’s or advanced degree in Behavioral Science.

The education requirement is a total of 270 hours for AODA counselors. Six hours must be in professional ethics and responsibilities. Education is defined as formal classroom education (workshops, seminars, institutes, in-services, and college/university work). One clock hour of education is equal to 50 minutes of continuous instruction. Education must be specifically related to the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the tasks within each IC&RC performance domain. All education must be documented.

The training requirement is a total of 300 hours in a practicum for AODA counselors. Training is defined as a formal, systematic process that focuses on skill development and integration of knowledge. This training must take place in a setting where AODA counseling is being provided. Training must be specifically related to the knowledge and skills necessary to perform all of IC&RC’s twelve core functions. This training may occur as part of the eligible work experience and may be completed under the more than one supervisor or agency. All training hours must be documented.

The Case Presentation Method (CPM) is a standardized process by which an applicant’s competence in the twelve core functions is measured by peers through an oral examination.

 All certification boards must use IC&RC’s international written examination in their certification processes for new applicants.

The applicant must sign a code of ethics. The certification board must have a written enforcement and appeals mechanism to maintain ethical standards.

 Recertification standards must be published and 40 hours of continuing education must be earned in two years.