The eight major goals of the certification system formulated by the Certification Board are as follows:
- Establish credibility, confidence and trust
- Clarify and define counselor duties and responsibilities
- Develop professional identity
- Enhance incentive for counselor professional growth
- Reduce alcohol/drug stigma
- Provide professional assistance to clients
- Increase potential of certification reciprocity
- Increase reimbursement potential
Principles of Certification:
- Certification is based on competence and knowledge about alcohol and drug problems rather than on academic achievement alone.
- Authority for this certification comes from IC&RC/AODA, a consortium of 60 member boards internationally representing professionals working in chemical dependency who share a common concern for standards of competence.
- The basic requirement for certification is the demonstration of competence in alcohol and drug counseling skills.
- Application for certification is entirely voluntary.
- Certification is offered to both members and non-members of the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors.
