What is certification?
Certification is a process by which an independent third-party assesses and acknowledges an individual's level of knowledge and skill relative to a set of pre-determined standards. Unlike accreditation, which acknowledges compliance with standards at the program or organization level, certification concerns standards at the individual level.
Certification is typically accomplished by collecting and presenting information related to educational background, work/life experience and specific skill sets. Membership fees, ethics codes, continuing education and periodic reviews are also a common part of the certification process.
Why get certified?
Practitioners from a variety of disciplines and sectors provide substance abuse-related services. Certification is one way to ensure they present and maintain the necessary skills to continue to provide the highest quality services to their clients. In addition, certification:
- Gives substance abuse and allied professionals regular access to the latest developments in the field and targeted training opportunities,
- Demonstrates expertise and serves to promote professionalism towards the public and peers
- May lead to increased compensation and expanded career opportunities.
How to get certified
Six Canadian organizations offer certification to substance abuse and allied professionals with the general aims of providing protection to their clientele and recognition for the practitioner.
Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation
Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation
The Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) is a voluntary non-profit organization affiliated with the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (IC&RC). CACCF provides the following certifications:
- International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor (ICADC)
- Canadian Contingent Alcohol and Drug Counsellor (CCADC)
- International Certified Clinical Supervisor (ICCS)
- Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
- International Certified Clinical Addictions Counsellor (ICCAC)
- International Certified Prevention Specialist (ICPS)
- International Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Professional (ICCDP)
- International Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Professional Diplomate (ICCDPD)
Certified counsellors meet standards that include a combination of education, work experience, clinical supervision, knowledge, and skills specific to the treatment of substance use problems.
Members are required to maintain their certification by acquiring 40 hours of continuing education every two years to re-certify at the appropriate level. Members are also required to verify that they are working in the field of addiction. In addition, members are required to sign a code of ethics upon annual renewal of their membership.
For more information:
Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF)
81 Bruce, Street Unit C
Kitchener, ON N2B 1Y7
Toll-free: 1-866-624-1911
Tel.: 519-772-0533
Fax: 519-772-0535
Email: info@caccf.ca
Website: www.caccf.ca
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The Canadian Council of Professional Certification (CCPC) currently grants certification to a variety of disciplines, including addiction counsellors, gambling counsellors, community service workers, and solution-focused specialists. Certification is granted and a professional designation awarded when individuals have met the Council's criteria. Prospective applicants can contact CCPC to obtain the application form and the standards manual applicable to their discipline. When all criteria have been met, application can be made.
For more information:
Canadian Council of Professional Certification
CCPC Global Head Office
1 Eden Mills Drive
Toronto, Ontario
M1E 4L1
Tel.: 416-724-5339, ext 2
Fax: 416-724-0884
Email: jm@ccpcglobal.com
Website: www.ccpcprofessionals.com
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The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) has a voluntary certification process for CCPA members who wish to apply for it and fulfill specific requirements. One such requirement is completion of a Master's degree in a counselling or related program with a compulsory practicum.
CCPA counsellor certification identifies to the public those counsellors who, through a process of credential evaluation, are judged qualified to provide counselling services. Besides setting standards of professional preparation, certification also mandates continuing education and adherence to a formal code of ethics, and it provides for advising and disciplining members on matters of professional conduct.
Only counsellors certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association are permitted to use the protected title Canadian Certified Counsellor and/or the abbreviation CCC. They also receive a certificate, which clients expect to see displayed at their place of work.
For more information:
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
114-223 Colonnade Rd S.
Ottawa, ON
K2E 7K3
Tel.: 613-237-1099
Toll-free: 1-877-765-5565
Fax: 613-237-9786
Email: info@ccpa-accp.ca
Website: www.ccpa-accp.ca
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The Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM) provides Certification in Addiction Medicine to eligible physicians. Requirements include graduation from a medical school approved by the Committee of Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools and the Liaison Committee of Medical Education of the United States; and/or hold a licence in good standing with a provincial or territorial licensing authority; and continuing involvement in the addiction field (at least 50% of practice time). Certificants must also satisfy either specified training or practice requirements to receive the certification.
For more information:
Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM)
47 Tuscany Ridge Terrace NW
Calgary AB
T3L 3A5
Contact: Marilyn Dorozio, CSAM Administration
Tel.: 403 944-2350
Fax: 403 944-2056
Email : admin@csam.org
Website: www.csam.org
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In 1986, the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) created the Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) credential to certify professionals delivering Employee Assistance Program services. CEAP is administered by the Employee Assistance Certification Commission, an autonomous credentialing body established by EAPA. The Commission is making certification more readily available to the international employee assistance professional community by updating its test, offering a computer-based option and simplifying the process.
For more information:
Employee Assistance Certification Commission
4350 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 410
Arlington, Virginia 22203
USA
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First Nations Wellness/Addictions Counsellor Certification Board
The First Nations Wellness/Addictions Counsellor Certification Board (FNWACCB) represents a major historical milestone in the recognition of the specific qualifications needed to work as a wellness/addictions practitioner in Aboriginal communities.
The foundation of the FNWACCB was laid by the Association of BC First Nations Treatment Programs. It resulted in a process for certifying aboriginal wellness and addictions workers that incorporates indigenous peoples' culture, traditions and healing philosophies, while meeting or exceeding certification standards in Canada and internationally.
FNWACCB certifies qualified Indigenous Certified Addictions Specialists (ICAS) in one of three levels of knowledge and competence as differentiated by education, training and/or experience. FNWACCB certification recognizes the credentials of other IC & RC Alcohol Drug Counsellors.
For more information:
First Nations Wellness/Addictions Counsellor Certification Board
(Interim Address)
104 - 1037 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
V6H 1E3
Tel.: (604) 874-7425
Toll free: 1(877)974-7425
Fax: (604)-874-7426
Email: admin@fnwaccb.ca
www.fnwaccb.ca
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