Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) Application Instructions and Forms

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) is committed to enhancing the quality of services in New York State through the professional development of the substance use disorder (SUD) services workforce. 

To ensure that counselors who provide direct care in SUD programs are competent and ethical in their work and skilled in meeting the needs of today’s society, OASAS issues:

• The Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) to individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements and pass an examination. 
• The CASAC Trainee and the CASAC Provisional Certificates serve as verification that the individual is working toward becoming a CASAC. 

No person shall use the title CASAC to engage in private practice unless otherwise authorized by law.

The CASAC-Trainee and CASAC-Provisional certificate is issued to notify an employer that you are a person who has completed a specified level of education and training towards a CASAC but whose scope of practice is limited by standards established by the Office. 

Please see the Scope of Practice Checklist on this page for further information. 

Please note: a person will only be issued ONE of these certificates based on eligibility requirements. If an applicant meets the requirements for both the CASAC-Trainee and CASAC-Provisional certificates it is the Credentialing Unit's policy to issue the CASAC-Trainee. The Scope of Practice is the same for both certificates, however; a CASAC-P can only work in an OASAS certified setting. Therefore, the CASAC-T will be issued because it broadens an applicant's opportunity to work in other types of treatment settings

credentialing portal

Credentialing Process

To become a CASAC in New York State, you must: 

1. meet specific competency and ethical conduct requirements; 
2. meet specific work experience requirements;
3. meet minimum education and training requirements; 
4. successfully complete a criminal background check review; and 
5. pass the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, Inc. (IC&RC) examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC). 

Application  

To submit your application please visit the Credentialing Portal and select "Apply for Credential" to start the application process. 

Credentialing Portal

Upon receipt by the OASAS Credentialing Unit, your application will be reviewed to ensure that the minimum eligibility requirements have been satisfied.

Based on the findings of this review, your application will be determined to be either incomplete or approved.

An application is active five years from the date the Credentialing Unit performs an initial review.

Incomplete Applications

If your application is determined to be incomplete, you will be sent a CASAC Application Review Summary identifying documentation still needed to complete your application. 

If you are unable to submit the identified documents by the end of the five-year period, your application will not be approved, and you will not be issued a CASAC credential. 

To be considered for a CASAC in the future, you will be required to submit a new application, associated documentation, and an additional Application Processing Fee. 

Extensions

Applicants who hold a CASAC-T or CASAC-P that are exam eligible prior to their five-year expiration date will be eligible for a one-time, three-year extension for a $100 fee.

Minimum Qualifications

To apply to become a CASAC you must:

• be at least 18 years of age
• have earned at least a: 
  1. High School Diploma (obtained from institutions recognized by the New York State Department of Education or its equivalent); or 
  2. High School Equivalency (HSE)
• at the time of credentialing, lived or worked in New York State at least 51 percent of the time during an active application.

Examination 

Exam

Eligibility for the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam may be met by satisfactorily completing the 350 educational hours and one-time requirements (see Education and Training Section below). 

The ADC exam is offered on a weekly basis. 

The exam is computer-based and offered in person at sites across the state. 

You will be provided an exam registration form upon becoming eligible to sit for the exam. Further instructions on selecting an exam date and location are emailed from the testing company approximately two weeks after an examination registration form and fee are received by the Credentialing Unit.

The Counselor Scope of Practice* establishes a framework for a career ladder with minimum qualifications defined in the scope of practice for the Counselor Assistant, CASAC-Trainee, CASAC-Provisional, CASAC, CASAC Level 2, CASAC Advanced Counselor and CASAC Master levels.

It is important to note that any CASAC can only perform the specific allowable functions outlined in the OASAS scope of practice. 

NOTE: The following will help you to determine what path is appropriate for you and guide you in completing your application.

CASAC Trainee (CASAC-T)

• Minimum education level is high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
• 350 Hours of education and one-time requirements (See Education and Training Section) OR
• 85 hours education from Section I and one-time requirements (See Education and Training Section), 15 hours of addiction specific ethics for counselors from Section IV AND 4000 hours of approved work experience (See Work Experience Section) 
• Background check

CASAC Provisional (CASAC-P) 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in an approved Human Services Field (MUST submit college transcript) 
• Completed Verification of Employment or Intent to Hire form available below. Form must be submitted with application. 
• Mandatory One-Time requirements as determined by the Office
• Background check

To become eligible to sit for the exam, CASAC-T and CASAC-P applicants must complete the 350 hours of education and one-time education requirements.

Please note

An application is active for five years from the date of your first review. If you do not meet the requirements to complete the CASAC process by your expiration date and you are exam eligible, you will be eligible for a one-time, three-year extension. If you do not become exam eligible by your expiration date you will need to submit a new application and application processing fee.

Important Notice to CASAC Provisional Applicants

If you do not include a Verification of Employment/Intent to Hire form with your application, you will be considered for a CASAC-Trainee certificate, not the CASAC Provisional. Download the form available on this page. 

CASAC 

• Minimum education level is high school diploma or GED/High School 
• Equivalency Two Evaluation of Ethical Competency and Ethical Conduct forms 
• 6000 hours of work experience 
• 350 education hours and one-time education requirements
• Background check

CASAC 2 

• Minimum education level is an Associate’s Degree in an approved Human Services Field 
• Two Evaluation of Ethical Competency and Ethical Conduct forms 
• 6000 hours of work experience 
• 350 education hours and one-time education requirements 
• Background check

CASAC Advanced Counselor 

• Acquisition of the CASAC
• Transcript verifying completion of a bachelor’s degree; and 
• Certificate(s) of completion for 30 hours of Clinical Supervision training*

CASAC Master 

• Transcript/diploma verifying completion of a master’s degree in an approved human services field; AND
• Certificate(s) of completion for 30 hours of approved Clinical Supervision training*; AND 
• Maintained CASAC credentialed status for past three years

*Clinical Supervision Foundations I is a 14-hour, self-paced online course available from HealtheKnowledge. Clinical Supervision Foundations II is a 16-hour classroom training. View upcoming training opportunities for Foundations II.

You must have two individuals complete an Evaluation of Competency and Ethical Conduct for you. Evaluations must be submitted on the Evaluation of Competency and Ethical Conduct form available below.  

All evaluators must have direct knowledge of your SUD-related work experience in an OASAS approved treatment setting observed for a minimum of six months, and may not be a family member, subordinate, instructor or professor. 

Evaluators must meet the following qualifications:

• One evaluator must be your current clinical supervisor who is an Advanced or Master CASAC or a NYSED licensed Qualified Health Professional (QHP) who meets the supervisory standards established by OASAS. If you were previously employed in the SUD field and are currently employed in a non-OASAS setting, an evaluation by your former clinical supervisor must be submitted. A copy of their license and/or credentials should be included with the form.
• If working in an OASAS certified program, one evaluator must be a current New York State CASAC in good standing, otherwise an evaluation from a current CASAC or a person holding a comparable credential, certificate or license from another recognized certifying body as determined by OASAS. This may be another Qualified Health Professional that meets the requirement determined by the Credentialing Unit.
• Hold a current reciprocal-level credential issued by another member board of the IC&RC.
• A QHP is an individual who has a minimum of one year of experience or satisfactory completion of a training program in the treatment of substance use disorders, and who is: 
  • a CASAC who has a current valid credential issued by OASAS, or a comparable credential, certificate or license from another recognized certifying body as determined by OASAS;
  • a professional licensed and currently registered as such by the New York State Education Department to include:
    • a physician, including doctor of medicine (M.D.) and doctor of osteopathy (D.O.);
    • a physician's assistant (PA);
    • a certified nurse practitioner;
    • a registered professional nurse (RN);
    • a psychologist;
    • a psychoanalyst, including Limited Permit;
    • an occupational therapist; 
    • a marriage and family therapist (LMFT), including Limited Permit;
    • a creative arts therapist (LCAT), including Limited Permit;
    • a mental health counselor (LMHC), including Limited Permit (LP-LMHC); and 
• a social worker (LMSW; LCSW), including an individual with a Limited Permit Licensed Master Social Worker (LP-LMSW) only if such person has a permit which designates the OASAS-certified program as the employer and is under the general supervision of a LMSW or a LCSW.
• a professional listed below who is in good standing with the appropriate licensing or certifying authority: 
  • a rehabilitation counselor certified by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification;
  • a therapeutic recreation therapist certified by the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation or the American Therapeutic Recreation Association; or a person who holds a baccalaureate degree in a field allied to therapeutic recreation and, either before or after receiving such degree, has five years of full-time, paid work experience in an activities program in a health care setting;
  • a counselor certified by and currently registered as such with the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Evaluations must be from an OASAS approved treatment setting. Evaluations are not acceptable from a work setting #3 (see Work Experience section on this page).

Instructions

• Make copies of the Evaluation form for each evaluator.
• Complete the Applicant Consent to Release Information section of the Evaluation of Competency and Ethical Conduct form and provide the form to each evaluator. Be sure it is dated within one year of submission. Please do not complete any other part of the form yourself.
• Request that the evaluator complete the evaluation, discuss the evaluation with you, and return the completed form to you, with any other required documentation. Evaluations must be completed by the evaluator, signed and dated within one year prior to submission.
• Review forms for completeness before submitting.
• Evaluations cannot be accepted from a work setting #3. 

NOTE: The Credentialing Unit does not intervene with workplace issues if a supervisor/evaluator refuses to provide an evaluation.

If you suspect an individual has violated the CASAC Canon of Ethical Principles, Misconduct, or Other Prohibited Acts, please visit the OASAS Credentialing Portal and select "File a Complaint."

File a Complaint

Protect People with Special Needs. If You See or Suspect Abuse or Neglect, Report It. Call the Vulnerable Person Central Register Hotline Toll-Free: 1-855-373-2122. TTY: 1-855-373-2123. NYS Justice Center. Hotline receives calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Work experience claimed must:

• include the provision of documented supervision of direct services provided to service recipients;
• include practice specific to SUD counseling in the following professional tasks: SUD assessment, intervention, referral, and SUD counseling in both individual and group settings;
• include a minimum of monthly, on-site and documented clinical supervision by a QHP who is licensed by the New York State Department of Education or an Advanced or Master CASAC;
• be integrated with the SUD services delivery system for consultation and referrals;
• include practice in SUD counseling to establish and maintain recovery and prevent relapse;
• include a minimum of 300 hours of Supervised Practical Training (SPT). Each of the following 12 Core Functions must have been performed for a minimum of 10 hours, under the supervision of a QHP meeting the supervisory standards established by OASAS:
  • Screening
  • Intake
  • Counseling
  • Case Management
  • Orientation
  • Assessment and Intervention
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Reporting and Record Keeping
  • Referral
  • Treatment Planning
  • Service Recipient Education
  • Consultation with Other Professionals

To satisfy the 6,000 hour work experience requirement, a minimum of 2,000 hours must be gained during the five years prior to the submission of a Work Experience Verification Record.

OASAS strongly encourages that the majority of your work experience be devoted to the practice of SUD counseling. 

You must document a minimum of 6,000 hours (approximately three years full-time) of supervised experience in an approved work setting. 

An approved work setting means: 

1. It is operated by OASAS (i.e., Addiction Treatment Centers) and/or it holds a valid OASAS operating certificate to provide treatment services. Please note that work experience performed post 7/1/18 must be in compliance with the SUD Counselor Scope of Practice. 
2. It is a program that includes SUD treatment consistent with OASAS’ standards and is licensed and/or operated by another recognized State or Federal authority to include the Indian Health Service and Veterans Administration (e.g.,OMH). 
3. It is a non-certified setting which involves the legal provision of addiction services and which affords the opportunity to establish proficiency in one or more of the professional competencies associated with a credential administered by OASAS and on-site supervision by a QHP meeting the supervisory standards established by OASAS. Only 50 percent of the required work experience may be obtained in this work setting.

Instructions

Please read carefully. 

• Do not complete the form yourself. Forms completed by the applicant may be denied.
• If program is not OASAS certified, must include a copy of the operating certificate.
• A copy of your supervisor’s license and/or credentials should be included with the work experience form.
• Each form must also verify practice in one or more of the job-related job responsibilities.
• Submit two separate forms for work experience prior to 7/1/18 and post the Scope of Practice, if applicable.
• If non-paid or internship, QHP supervisor can complete the first page of form. Human Resources certification is not required.

Academic Degrees

Substitution of an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or master’s (or higher) degree in an approved human services field (see below list) for work experience must be supported by either an academic transcript or a copy of your diploma from an accredited college or institution which clearly states the approved human services field and graduation date. 

The following academic degree substitutions may be claimed towards satisfying the 6,000 hour work experience requirement.

Only one academic degree substitution may be applied:

• Associate’s Degree -- May be substituted for a maximum of 1,000 hours of work experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree -- May be substituted for a maximum of 2,000 hours of work experience.
• Master’s (or higher) Degree -- May be substituted for 4,000 hours of work experience.

Examples of approved Human Services Fields include:

• Anthropology
• Art/Dance Therapy
• Audiology
• Child Development/Family Relations
• Community Mental Health
• Chemical Dependence Administration
• Counseling/Guidance
• Criminal Justice
• Divinity/Religion/Theology
• Drama Therapy
• Education 
• Gerontology
• Public Health Administration
• Health Education
• Speech Pathology
• Human Services
• Music Therapy
• Nursing/Medicine
• Nutrition
• Occupational Therapy
• Pastoral Counseling
• Physical Therapy
• Psychology
• Recreational Therapy
• Rehabilitation Counseling
• Social Work
• Sociology
• Special Education
• Vocational Counseling

NOTE: Other degrees may be considered if at least 50 percent of the coursework is in the Human Services Field. Must submit your transcript for review.

It is very important to note the following:

Certificates of Advanced Study and Teaching Certificates are not considered or comparable to attainment of a degree.

Work experience may not include any experience gained as part of, or required under, participation as a service recipient in a formal problem gambling program or a formal SUD treatment/aftercare program and/or plan.

Did you know that all CASACs, CASAC Trainees, CASAC Provisionals and Applicants are Mandated Reporters? 

It is a Mandated Reporter’s legal duty under the New York State Protection of People with Special Needs Act (the Act) to report Abuse, Neglect and Significant Incidents involving vulnerable persons to the Vulnerable Persons’ Central Register (VPCR).

The Justice Center operates a centralized, statewide toll-free hotline and incident reporting system, known as the Vulnerable Persons Central Register (VPCR), which receives and tracks allegations of abuse and neglect 24 hours a day, 7-days a week. 

The Justice Center Hotline number is 1-855-373-2122. TTY 1-855-373-2123. 

Standardized Curriculum

Together with certified Education and Training Providers, OASAS has developed a 350-Hour certificate program to serve as the basis for a standardized, comprehensive CASAC curriculum.

This program was developed to assure that all CASAC applicants have adequate exposure to the full range of SUD counselor competencies consisting of knowledge, skills and/or attitudes in physical and pharmacological effects, diversity in different treatment approaches (including medication-supported recovery), and an emphasis on professional and ethical responsibilities.

In addition to the 350 hours, OASAS requires mandatory one-time requirements to ensure applicants are further educated on current drug trends and agency initiatives (See one-time requirements below). 

Academic Transcript

An academic transcript through an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be submitted to be reviewed for applicable coursework which may meet education and training requirements. You will receive a review summary that will notify you how much of your coursework was approvable.

One college credit (graduate or undergraduate) is equivalent to 15 education clock hours.

NOTE: You must submit documentation to support all education and training being claimed in the form of an academic transcript or OASAS standardized certificate of completion. All documents must include your name; the name of the educational institution or training provider; title of the course or training; date of completion; and number of clock hours associated with completion of the course or training.

Minimum Requirements - Summary

Section I 

Knowledge of Substance Use Disorders 

85 clock hours

Must include the following course content:

• Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) training
• Basic Knowledge: Physical, Psychological, and Pharmacological Effects
• Overview of the Addictions Field
• Diversity of Intervention and Treatment Approaches
• Introduction to Diagnostic Criteria
• Knowledge of 12 Step and Mutual Aid Groups
• Toxicology Testing/Screening

Section II 

Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling 

150 clock hours

Must include the following course content:

• A minimum of 15 hours in this section MUST be related to cultural humility
• Foundational Counseling Skills of Individual and Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Group Counseling
• Counseling Special Populations/Cultural Humility
• Theories of Human Development and the Relationship to Substance Use
• Counseling and Communicating with Families and Significant Others
• Integrated Care
• Crisis Management
• Recurrence of Symptoms/Relapse Prevention

Section III 

Assessment; Clinical Evaluation; Treatment Planning; Case Management; and Service Recipient, Family and Community Education 

70 clock hours

Must include the following course content:

• Screening, Assessment and Evaluation
• Treatment Planning, Client Record Keeping and Discharge Planning
• Case Management, Referral and Service Coordination
• Service recipient, Family and Community Education and Prevention

Section IV 

Professional and Ethical Responsibilities 

45 clock hours

Must include the following course content:

• A minimum of 15 hours in this section MUST be specific to Ethics for Addiction Professionals
• A minimum of 2 hours in this section MUST include New York State Education Approved Training in Child Abuse and Maltreatment: Mandated Reporter (offered free of charge). The certificate must be dated 11/1/22 or after to be accepted.
• Counselor-Client Relationships
• Ethical Decision Making and Conduct
• Confidentiality/Legal Issues
• Professional Development
• Counselor Wellness

Please note the following:

• OASAS reserves the right to verify all information and documents submitted with the application and/or request any additional information and documents.
• The application and all information and documents submitted with the application become the property of OASAS and will not be returned. Keep a copy for your records, as it is your responsibility to maintain a copy of the application and all associated documentation.

One-time requirements for CASAC Applicants