Renew an Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Credential (CASAC)

In order to ensure continued competence and maintenance of skills, the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) requires that your CASAC certificate be renewed every three years.

Approximately 120 days prior to the expiration date of your credential, you will receive a notice of expiration and a Renewal Application. Renewal applications are not available online. It is imperative that you keep your address up to date and notify any changes via email to [email protected]. The Credentialing Unit may communicate important information with you via email, therefore; it is also important that you have a current email address on record.

Part 853 Credentialing of Addictions Professionals requires the submission of the completed Renewal Application at least 75 days prior to the expiration date of your credential. If it is not submitted within that time frame, you will risk having your credential go into late renewal and be charged an additional fee.  Your credential can be renewed up to one year after expiration. While in late renewal you will not be able to provide the scope of practice functions of your credential or use the credential acronyms after your name which may impact your employment status. 

Continuing Professional Education

You must complete continuing professional education consisting of a minimum of 60 clock hours related to addiction, behavioral health counseling, and/or prevention, including the one-time requirements below. One-time requirements only need to be completed one time, not every time you renew.

• Person Centered Care (1 hour)
• Cannabis Use Disorder Diagnostic Criteria and Assessment (1 hour)
• Harm Reduction Informed Substance Use Treatment  (1.5 hour)
• Opioid Overdose Prevention Basics (1 hour)
• Guidance for Screening, Assessment, Intervention and Monitoring of Suicide Risk in OASAS Programs  (1 hour)

A continuing requirement for six hours of OASAS approved ethics training will be required upon every renewal. Please note that the Professional Boundaries and Reporting Requirements training must be completed upon every renewal.

A maximum of 10 hours of professional development training hours and a maximum of 20 clock hours of professional activities may be claimed towards the 60 clock hours required.  Please note that professional development and professional activities are optional. For more information, please refer to the professional activities form for acceptable submissions included in your renewal application.

Training certificates will not be submitted with your Renewal Application. Instead, you will sign an Attestation of Education and Training verifying that you have completed the continuing education requirements. You are required to retain records of all education/training you attest to having completed for six years, or two renewal periods and may be subject to an Audit.

For more information on approved trainings please review the Acceptable Training Guidance flyer or visit the Training webpage.

Gambling Specialty Designation

If you hold a Gambling Specialty Designation, an additional 10 hours of gambling-related education and/or training must be completed and submitted.

As part of the renewal process, you will complete and sign an Attestation of Ethical Conduct, affirming your compliance to ethical standards in your professional behavior during your current Credentialed period. In the Attestation, if you indicate any unethical conduct, you will be given the opportunity to provide additional information in the "Additional Remarks" section.

It's important to note that indicating unethical conduct to any question on the Attestation of Ethical Conduct will not automatically prevent you from renewing your Credential. The purpose of the Attestation is to ensure transparency and allow for further clarification if needed.

Your application will be reviewed within 60 days of receipt by the Credentialing Unit. If your application is determined to be incomplete, you will receive a CASAC Renewal Application Review Summary. Outstanding requirements must be satisfactorily addressed prior to the expiration date of your credential, or you will be subject to a $50 late fee.

Once your application is approved and your criminal background check has been cleared, you will be issued a new CASAC certificate that will expire on the last day of the three-year period. 

 verify a credential

If your credential has been expired for longer than one year, you have the option to reinstate your credential by completing a Reinstatement Application. You can do this at any time after your late renewal period has expired.

Please be aware that Reinstatement Applications include mandatory hours of specific trainings. You can find the Reinstatement Applications and lists of required trainings for each credential below.

Resources

CASAC Reinstatement Application | Mandatory Training

CPP/CPS Reinstatement Application | Mandatory Training

CPGC Reinstatement Application | Mandatory Training

All fees for renewal must be in the form of a check or money order and made payable to “NYS OASAS”. All fees are non-refundable.

To upgrade your credential please refer to the Credential Upgrade Application packet.
 

Renewal fee: $150

Renewal late fee: $50

Upgrade fee outside scheduled renewal period: $50

Reinstatement: $400/$500 for dual credential