26 Credentialing

Preface

This chapter defines the role, purpose, functions and responsibilities of the certified alcohol and other drug counselor, and establishes a fair methodology for evaluation of competency. The credential defines minimum acceptable standards for the certified alcohol and other drug (AOD) counselor knowledge and skills to insure that the AOD counselor meets an acceptable standard of competency.

Competency Based – This professional, voluntary certification system is competency based, meaning that the minimum standards for AOD counselors are the knowledge and skill base identified for the profession. The competencies are specific to alcohol and other drug counseling, thus distinguishing this profession from other behavioral health/human services professions.

Experience Based – This certification system recognizes two ways to acquire the minimum AOD counselor competencies: paid work experience and/or supervised practicum/internship experience that is a part of a curriculum approved by the Illinois Certification Board (ICB).

Purpose

Mission – To protect the public by providing competency-based credentialing of Human Service Professionals.

• To establish standards and procedures for the voluntary, professional certification of AOD counselors
• To assure competent, professional counseling to persons suffering from substance use disorders and their family members
• To provide professional standards required for program licensing and accreditation and reimbursement
• To provide a respected credential of professional competency
• To provide a method for maintaining and updating professional standards

Rationale

ICB endorses the concept that the treatment of substance use disorders is a specialty field requiring performance by competent professionals. The standards for certification of these professionals are weighted on the side of proven experience and education.

ICB Philosophy Statement

Substance use disorders result in many negative consequences, including loss of productivity, deteriorating relationships, arrested emotional and physical development and in many cases death. Such consequences mandate that care be available to those suffering from substance use disorders. Treatment must be comprehensive in nature by treating the whole person and not just the symptoms.

Counselors seeking AOD counselor certification must be proficient in the performance domains and core functions in order to provide quality care. While these may be learned in a variety of settings, such knowledge and skills must be present regardless of how they were obtained.

ICB recognizes the disease model of substance use disorders as well as the bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach and other philosophies effective in promoting recovery. It supports ongoing research and technology and remains open to new techniques as they are proven to be effective. ICB is committed to the professional growth of counselors and to openness and enthusiasm about new information that allows AOD counselors to become more effective in their work. ICB recognizes the abstinence (from the use of mind-altering drugs unless under medical supervision) model in the treatment of persons who suffer from substance use disorders. ICB also recognizes the harm reduction model, specifically methadone maintenance, for those clients for whom this is appropriate.

Introduction

Alcohol and other drug (AOD) counselors fill a unique role among health and human service professionals. AOD counselors work in a variety of settings, use multidisciplinary treatment approaches and serve a client population that varies greatly in its needs. Recognizing the need to assure the provision of quality care to clients, AOD counselors created the Illinois Certification Board, Inc. (ICB), a voluntary credentialing system that evaluates counselor competency and grants recognition only to counselors who meet specific minimum standards.

AOD counselors in Illinois support such a credentialing process for other reasons besides quality client care. A growing professionalization of AOD counseling services is widely recognized largely in response to the need expressed by treatment facilities as well as third party payers. Such factors require insistence of specific standards for AOD counselors and can guide employers in hiring and promotion.

The credentialing system identifies the functions, responsibilities, knowledge and skill bases required by AOD counselors. The Illinois Model is the basic document that describes the rationale and competencies of the credentialing process. ICB recognizes that AOD counselors are educated in a wide range of disciplines, utilize many different therapeutic approaches and techniques and bring to the field diverse personal and professional experiences. The certification system is designed to accommodate and evaluate counselors regardless of treatment setting, academic preparation or professional training and orientation.

The AOD counselor is a professional who has the skills and knowledge to deal with the unique attitudes and behavior of individuals who suffer from alcohol and/or other drug problems. The AOD counselor also provides counseling services to the family members/significant others of persons with alcohol and other drug problems.

Definition and Setting

The role of the AOD counselor generally includes:

1. Assisting clients in recognizing the need for help with alcohol/drug problems
2. Motivating clients to enter the counseling process
3. Providing professional counseling services to clients that helps them develop and/or maintain a responsible and functional recovering lifestyle
4. Providing professional counseling services to family members/significant others of persons with alcohol/drug problems
5. Recognizing limits of knowledge, skills and experience and in such cases, referring the client to other appropriate professional services

The knowledge and skill base of the AOD counselor is generally acquired through a combination of specialized training and education and supervised work experience.

How to Apply

Certification will be granted contingent upon documentation of eligibility, submission of all required application material, successful completion of the appropriate examinations and payment of all fees. The following outlines the application, review and approval process.

1. Read the entire Illinois Model thoroughly.
2. A valid email address is required to apply. The address must be written or typed legibly on the first page of the application where indicated. All correspondence regarding the application will be sent to the provided email address. If you do not have an email address, contact the ICB office for assistance.
3. Complete all parts of the application. Print legibly or type application.
4. Attach all required documentation to support employment and education (i.e., current job description, official transcripts, copies of training certificates, letters of attendance/participation).
5. A current job description is required. Job descriptions must be on agency letterhead, dated and signed by the applicant and supervisor and must reflect the applicant’s actual counseling duties and responsibilities.
6. Sign, date and notarize the Counselor’s Code of Ethics. Please submit page 17 of the application only.
7. Verify the completeness of the application by using the “Application Checklist” included in the front of the application.
8. Completed application materials and the application fee must be mailed to, ICB, 401 East Sangamon Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702. Applications will not be accepted by email.
9. After the application is approved, the applicant has paid the exam fee and passed the exam, the applicant will be sent an invoice for the initial certification fee. Once the fee is paid and the applicant receives the certificate in the mail, he/she will be officially certified and will be required to renew the certification in two years.
10. Applicants have one year to complete the application process. The year time limit starts when ICB receives your application and fee.

Review of Materials

Upon receipt, the application and materials will be screened by ICB for completeness and correctness. The results may be one of the following:

Application Approved – The application meets all certification standards, and the applicant must pass the examination, if he or she has not already done so, in order to meet the requirements for certification.

Application Pending – Some materials need clarification, submission or resubmission of any part of the application. The applicant will be notified in writing by email of the problem(s). Within one year of the application date, corrected materials must be submitted to ICB or the applicant will need to restart the application process.

Fees (April 2023)

Application Fee ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. $ 85.00

Examination Fee ………………………………………………………………………………………………….$175.00

Biennial Certification Fee……………………………………………………………………………………. $160.00

Inactive Status (Biennial) ……………………………………………………………………………………. $ 20.00

Retired Emeritus Status (Biennial) ………………………………………………………………………. $ 10.00

Extension Fee (maximum 6 months) (per month) ……………………………………………….. $ 10.00

Late Fee (maximum 6 months) (per month) ………………………………………………………… $ 15.00

Returned Check Fee …………………………………………………………………………………………… $ 50.00

Payment Plan Service Charge ……………………………………………………………………………… $ 15.00

Certificate (replacement copy) ……………………………………………………………………………. $ 25.00

All fees are non-refundable. The fee schedule is subject to change without notice

Requirements for Certification

Applicants must meet all requirements to obtain certification, including an approved application, passing an examination and payment of the appropriate fees (application fee, exam fee, and initial certification fee). The following chart details the minimum requirements for certification based on work experience, supervised practical experience and training/education:

*Performance domains are defined as: 1. Clinical Evaluation 2. Treatment Planning 3. Counseling 4. Case Management and Referral 5.Documentation 6. Client, Family and Community Education 7. Professional and Ethical Responsibilities

Work Experience

ICB defines qualified work experience as paid, supervised work experience in a position where at least 51% of the applicant’s time is spent providing direct, primary alcohol and other drug counseling. Volunteer work and unpaid internships are not applicable. The applicant minimally must have primary responsibility for providing drug and alcohol counseling to an individual and/or group, preparing treatment plans, documenting client progress and is clinically supervised by an individual who is knowledgeable in AOD counseling.

Waiving Work Experience –

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher that is clinically focused from an accredited school of higher education with a course of study in behavioral sciences or relevant field (i.e., community counseling, mental health, social work, rehabilitation counseling, criminal justice, psychology, sociology), with at least twelve (12) semester, fifteen (15) trimester or eighteen (18) quarter credit hours of AOD specific topics, will substitute for one year (2,000 hours) of employment.
• An Associate’s degree that is clinically focused from an accredited school of higher education with a course of study in behavioral sciences or relevant field (i.e., community counseling, mental health, social work, rehabilitation counseling, criminal justice, psychology, sociology), with at least twelve (12) semester, fifteen (15) trimester or eighteen (18) quarter credit hours of AOD specific topics, will substitute for six (6) months (1,000 hours) of employment.

Applicants must supply an official transcript indicating completion of the course of study and a copy of the award of the degree. ICB reserves the right to disqualify any course of study that does not meet the requirement of a behavioral science or relevant field.

Counseling of the adjuvant nature (i.e., life skills, recreation, music, etc.) does not meet the employment standard for counselor certification. Also, internships are not acceptable.

Supervision

 Clinical supervision is the process of assuring the AOD counselor is provided monitoring and feedback to assure quality AOD services are being delivered. The applicant must submit documentation of on-the-job clinical supervision in the 12 core skill areas of counseling. No single core skill area is to be performed for fewer than ten (10) hours. Supervised hours are understood to be face-to-face supervision. Hours that the counselor spends providing AOD counseling services are NOT counted as supervision.

Realizing that supervision may take place in a variety of settings and have many faces, ICB determined not to place limiting criteria on qualifications of a supervisor. Rather, it was determined that supervision should be as broadly defined as in the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Technical Assistance Publication Number 21. TAP 21 defines supervision/clinical supervision as: the administrative, clinical and evaluative process of monitoring, assessing and enhancing counselor performance.

Education

• High School or GED
• Documentation that applicant has obtained a diploma, or a degree or certificate of completion from an institution accredited by the US Department of Education’s Office of Post Secondary Education
• All required education may be alcohol and other drug specific as long as they include the specified number of hours of education pertaining to specialized alcohol and drug treatment services for women and adolescents
• Performance domains are defined as: Clinical Evaluation, Treatment Planning, Counseling, Case Management and Referral, Documentation, Client, Family and Community Education, and Professional and Ethical Responsibilities.
• Race and equity topic areas include, but are not limited to, a) self-knowledge, self-awareness, and reflective practice, b) culturally-specific strengths and resources that aid in recovery (including a discussion of recovery capital; awareness of and caution to not reinforce any stereotyping bias), c) culturally-specific barriers and risks – awareness and how to address (systemic/structural inequities; intersectionality; implicit bias and microaggressions; historical, intergenerational, collective, and migration trauma, including “war on drugs” failures), d) evidence-based culturally responsive care (evidence-based approaches tested with racially diverse populations; adapting evidence-based approaches to be responsive to individual, family, and community culture and context; model programs), and e) cultivating and sustaining diverse organizations (hiring, supporting, retaining, and promoting diverse teams).
• Sources of education are college courses, seminars, conferences, in-services and home study courses. Education does not have to be ICB approved for initial applications.

1 college semester hour = 15 clock hours, 1 college trimester hour = 12 clock hours, 1 college quarter hour = 10 clock hours. A 3 semester hour college course equals 45 clock hours/CEUs.

A thorough understanding of the 12-step fellowship philosophy and process is an essential tool for AOD counselors. ICB strongly encourages familiarity with the 12-step fellowship process to promote personal and professional growth.

When applicants question the results of the application review, question examination results or are subject to an action by ICB that they deem unjustified, they have the right to inquire and appeal. If, after having been provided an explanation or clarification of the action of ICB, the applicant (complainants) still thinks an action taken is unjustified, he or she may request an appeal. The complainant may appeal the decision within 30 days of receipt of the notice of denial or any other action deemed unjustified, by sending a certified letter to the Executive Director of ICB, 401 East Sangamon Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702.

Appeal Process

If applicants wish to appeal their examination scores, they must submit a written request to ICB within 30 days of the postmark of the examination score report. Applicants will be required to pay a fee to re- score the examination. Applicants should be aware that examination security and item banking procedures do not permit access to examination questions, answer keys or other secure materials by applicants.

The examination is computer based and scheduled by appointment only. Testing candidates will need to have a current email account in order to set the exam appointment. Walk-in examinations are not allowed.

Certification Examination

CADC applicants may take the examination prior to approval of their application. However, applicants must have appropriate pieces of the application and a letter requesting to test in our office 60 days prior to the examination you wish to take.

The minimum application requirements to take the exam prior to approval include: 

• the first two pages of the application that include general information about the applicant
• a signed and dated Assurance and Release form
• a signed, dated and notarized ICB Code of Ethics
• payment of the application fee
• a letter from the applicant requesting to take the examination prior to application approval as telephone requests are not accepted

ICB is not responsible for delays in your exam process if the proper forms are not submitted.

This information must be received prior to being eligible to test. Once the application has been processed, the applicant will receive an examination letter and pre-registration test code sheet via email. To be scheduled for the examination, the applicant must return a completed pre-registration test code sheet with payment of the non-refundable examination fee.

The Illinois Certification Board (ICB) utilizes a separate testing company to administer this exam. Upon ICB’s receipt of this pre-registration form, and appropriate exam fee, your eligibility information will be forwarded to our testing administrators. You will then receive an email directly from our testing administrators allowing you to set your exam appointment. The email will contain complete instructions on how to choose your exam date, time and location.

Individuals with disabilities and/or religious obligations that require modifications in examination administration must submit a written request for specific procedural changes to ICB no less than thirty days prior to the examination date. Official documentation of the disability or religious issue must be provided with the written request. With supportive documentation and proper notice for request, ICB will offer appropriate modifications.

Certification Time Period

Once the application receives approval and the applicant has passed the examination, he or she will be invoiced for the biennial certification fee. Once payment is received certification will be issued. Only after receiving the official certificate in the mail can one be deemed certified.

ICB certification encompasses two calendar years starting on the date of successful completion of the certification process. Two dates (date of issue and expiration date) will appear on the counselor’s certificate along with a certification number.

Certified counselors must display their certificates at their primary work site. Certified counselors are responsible for renewal of their certification.