Requirements for All Certifications
Click + to review requirements for all certifications.
One year of full-time work experience equates to 2,000 hours.
- Must be obtained in the field of Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
- Must be in the IC&RC domains as demonstrated by agency job description.
- The submitted job description must be the official version issued by the employer or organization, not a copy from external job boards such as Indeed or similar platforms.
- May be as a paid or volunteer employee.
- Must have occurred within the last 10 years.
- Highest level of degree in an approved discipline.
- Degrees must be from a program accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
- Additional Education required toward the MCBAP credential (see below tab).
For applicants with an international degree, a credential evaluation from a recognized evaluation service is required. We require using a credential verification service accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For a list of approved evaluators, please visit NACES.org. If the transcript is in a language other than English, the transcript must be translated.
Official transcripts from school, college or university are required to be emailed electronically or mailed directly to MCBAP.
Copies of transcripts will not be accepted.
In addition to providing documentation of a diploma or degree as outlined in the previous section, additional education is required.
Some things to keep in mind:
- Education must have occurred within the previous 10 years of the date of application.
- Applicants are responsible for securing and submitting proof of attendance (such as a certificate).
- Proof of attendance must contain (at minimum):
- the participants name,
- the name of the organization sponsoring the event,
- the date(s) and time(s) of the event,
- the title of the event and
- the number of contact hours awarded.
- One hour of education is equal to 60 minutes of continuous instruction.
- Therapeutic education and attendance at self-help meetings are not applicable.
- Duplicate (repeat) courses can be counted only once for each 12 month period.
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MCBAP categorizes education as Specific or Related or Not Applicable. These terms are defined as:
- Specific: when the title, goals, objectives, course outline and/or course materials are specifically focused on alcohol, tobacco, and/or other substance use issues. Key words in course titles may include substance abuse, substance use disorder, drug addiction, chemical dependency, alcohol, tobacco, drug use, or co-occurring disorders.
- Related: when the title, goals, objectives, course outline and/or course materials content clearly indicate the course content addresses development of any of the domains, but the context may not directly address SUD issues (e.g., gambling, motivational interviewing, general counseling skills, EMDR, trauma-informed-care, clinical theory, therapeutic methods).
- Not Applicable (N/A): Trainings that may be required for the workplace but are not applicable to becoming a substance use disorder specialist (e.g. food safety, cybersecurity, how to use a ladder).
Appropriate sources of education, provided the activity meets the MCBAP definition of Specific or Related:
- MCBAP Approved Provider
- MCBAP Training Calendar
- College and university courses offered by an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. A copy of an official certificate of completion (or transcripts) must be submitted.
- One semester college credit is equivalent to 15 contact hours
- One quarter college credit is equivalent to 10 contact hours
- Professional associations (such as NASW, ACA, ASAM, etc.)
- Employer in-service education
- IC&RC Member Approved
- State of Michigan
- Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP)
- Community Mental Health Provider Networks
- Teaching – Applicants may earn up to 6 contact hours for an initial application or per one-year certification period spent teaching or training at educational events.
- Publishing in a professional journal – Applicants may earn up to 6 contact hours for an initial application or per one-year certification period by publishing more than 4,000 words in a professional publication.
- Presenting papers – Applicants may earn up to 6 contact hours for an initial application or per one-year certification period for presenting a paper at a state or national conference.
Any education other than those listed above must be MCBAP approved and may require submission of additional information (outline, syllabus, etc.) for review.
Supervision is defined as a formal, systematic process that focuses on skill development and integration of knowledge.
Some things to keep in mind:
- Supervision must occur as part of an eligible work experience.
- Supervision may be completed under more than one supervisor.
- Applicants are responsible for securing and submitting proof of supervision (such as a Supervision Log).
- Supervision must be obtained in the IC&RC domains for the relevant credential, which can be found in the IC&RC Candidate Guide at the below links:
Applicants (with the exception of the CCJP-M) are required to pass the IC&RC exam relevant to the credential sought.
- Applicants can learn more about the IC&RC exam by viewing their credential specific Candidate Guide and Reference list found by visiting Prep and Study Materials – IC& RC.
- IC&RC General Candidate Guide
- CADC: Candidate Guide & Reference List
- CAADC: Candidate Guide & Reference List
- CCS: Candidate Guide & Reference List
- CPS: Candidate Guide & Reference List
- CPRM: Candidate Guide & Reference List
Process:
- To register: complete the IC&RC Registration Application and pay the non-refundable fee.
- Exam applicant receives an email from SMT with instructions to register. If it is not received, the applicant should check their spam or junk folder.
- The form, receipt of payment, and accommodations (if being requested) can be submitted to info@mcbap.com.
- Applicants with disabilities and/or religious obligations that require modifications in test modifications are to submit the Special Accommodation Form.
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Candidates who fail an exam and need to retake an IC&RC examination must wait 90 days between attempts to take the test again.
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To schedule a re-test, follow the same process as your original exam by sending in the registration form and fee.
- Applicants must successfully complete the exam within the previous 10 years of the date of application submission.
- For remote testing guidelines please visit https://mcbap.com/icrc-exams/ and review the section marked Testing Locations.
Applicants must live or work 51% of the time in the State of Michigan at the time of initial application.
Applicants must read, sign and adhere to the Code of Ethical Standards for the credential for which they are applying which can be found here:
Specific Certification Requirements
Click on titles below to review requirements specific to each certification.
These are in addition to the Requirements for All Certifications on the left.
Work Experience
High school/GED: 6,000 hours providing counseling to those with SUD.
Associates degree in an approved discipline: 5,000 hours providing counseling to those with SUD.
Bachelors degree or higher in an approved discipline: 4,000 hours providing counseling to those with SUD.
Master’s degree or higher in an approved discipline: 2,000 hours providing counseling to those with SUD.
Education Degree
High School/GED diploma: N/A
Associate or bachelor’s degree: Counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, art therapy, marriage and family therapy, family studies, sociology, human services, criminal justice, public health, nursing and social science
Master’s degree or higher: Counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, marriage and family therapy and criminal justice
Additional Education
300 total education hours required. Of those:
- 180 must be specific to SUD.
- 120 hours may be related and/or specific to SUD.
- 6 hours of ethics
Supervision
Total Number of Hours Required:
High school diploma or GED: 300 hours specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
Associate’s degree in an approved discipline: 250 hours specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 10 in each domain.
Bachelor’s degree in an approved discipline: 200 hours specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
Master’s degree or higher in an approved discipline: 100 hours specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
Required Supervisor Credentials:
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Certified Clinical Supervisor – Development Plan (CCS-DP)
- Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
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Certified Clinical Supervisor-Michigan (CCS-M)
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Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
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Licensed Psychologist (LP)
- Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP)
Applications
- CADC HS/GED Level Initial Application with a 2-year renewal cycle
- CADC HS/GED Level Initial Application with a 3-year renewal cycle
- CADC Associates Level Initial Application with a 2-year renewal cycle
- CADC Associates Level Initial Application with a 3-year renewal cycle
- CADC Bachelor Level Initial Application with a 2-year renewal cycle
- CADC Bachelor Level Initial Application with a 3-year renewal cycle
- CADC Master’s Level Initial Application with 2-year renewal cycle
- CADC Master’s Level Initial Application with 3-year renewal cycle
Work Experience
2,000 hours post-masters degree providing counseling to those with SUD.
Education Degree
Master’s degree or higher: Counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, art therapy, marriage and family therapy
Additional Education
186 total education hours required. Of those:
- 180 must be specific to SUD.
- 6 hours of ethics
Supervision
Total Number of Hours Required:
Master’s degree or higher in an approved discipline: 100 hours post-master’s degree specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
Required Supervisor Credentials:
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Certified Clinical Supervisor – Development Plan (CCS-DP)
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Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
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Certified Clinical Supervisor-Michigan (CCS-M)
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Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
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Licensed Psychologist (LP)
- Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP)
Applications
Work Experience
Masters degree or higher in an approved discipline: 6,000 hours included in these hours must be 4,000 hours clinical supervisor experience.
A current, active CADC or CAADC credential issued by MCBAP is required to apply.
Michigan only credentials are not eligible for a CCS. (Those with an -M after the credential name.)
Education Degree
Master’s degree or higher: Counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, art therapy, marriage and family therapy
Additional Education
30 total education hours in the IC&RC performance domains required. Of those:
- 5 hours must be in Counselor Development
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5 hours must be in Professional and Ethical Standards
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5 hours must be in Program and Quality Improvements
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5 hours must be in Performance Evaluation
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5 hours must be in Administration
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5 hours must be in Treatment Knowledge
Supervision
Total Number of Hours Required:
Master’s degree or higher in an approved discipline: 200 hours post-master’s degree specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 20 hours in each domain.
Required Supervisor Credentials:
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Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
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Certified Clinical Supervisor-Michigan (CCS-M)
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Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
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Licensed Psychologist (LP)
- Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP)
Applications
Work Experience
All: 2,000 hours providing SUD prevention services.
Education Degree
A minimum of a high school or GED diploma.
Additional Education
120 hours total education hours required. Of those:
- 24 must be specific to SUD.
- 96 hours may be related and/or specific to SUD.
- 6 hours of prevention ethics
Supervision
Total Number of Hours Required:
All: 120 hours specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
Required Supervisor Credentials:
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Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS)
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Certified Prevention Specialist – Michigan (CPS-M)
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Certified Prevention Consultant (CPC)
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Certified Prevention Consultant – Michigan (CPC-M)
Applications
Work Experience
All: 8,000 hours providing SUD prevention services.
Education Degree
A minimum of a high school or GED diploma.
Additional Education
240 total education hours required. Of those:
- 48 must be specific to SUD.
- 192 hours may be related and/or specific to SUD.
- 6 hours of prevention ethics
Supervision
Total Number of Hours Required:
All: 240 hours specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
Required Supervisor Credentials:
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Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS)
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Certified Prevention Specialist – Michigan (CPS-M)
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Certified Prevention Consultant (CPC)
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Certified Prevention Consultant – Michigan (CPC-M)
Applications
Work Experience
All: 500 hours providing SUD peer recovery support services to those with SUD.
Education Degree
A minimum of a high school or GED diploma.
Additional Education
46 total education hours required. Of those:
- 10 hours must be in Advocacy
- 10 hours must be in Ethical Responsibility
- 10 hours must be in Mentoring and Education
- 10 hours must be in Recovery/Wellness Support
- 6 hours must be in MCBAP- approved recovery clinical ethical behavior and decision making (may be included within the hours of Ethical Responsibility)
Supervision
Total Number of Hours Required:
All: 25 hours specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 5 hours in each domain.
Required Supervisor Credentials:
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Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
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Certified Clinical Supervisor – Development Plan (CCS-DP)
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Certified Clinical Supervisor-Michigan (CCS-M)
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Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
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Licensed Psychologist (LP)
- Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP)
Applications
Work Experience
High school/GED: 6,000 hours providing counseling to those with SUD.
Associates degree in an approved discipline: 5,000 hours providing counseling to those with SUD.
Bachelors degree or higher in an approved discipline: 4,000 hours providing counseling to those with SUD.
Master’s degree or higher in an approved discipline: 2,000 hours providing counseling to those with SUD.
Education Degree
High School/GED diploma: N/A
Associate or bachelor’s degree: Counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, art therapy, marriage and family therapy, family studies, sociology, human services, criminal justice, public health, nursing and social science.
Master’s degree or higher: Counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, marriage and family therapy & criminal justice.
Additional Education
200 total hours of education required, broken down as follows:
- 30 hours in Dynamics of Addiction and Behavior
- 30 hours in The Criminal Justice System, Processes and Criminal Behavior
- 30 hours in Screening and Assessment
- 30 hours in Case Management
- 65 hours Specific to Substance Use Disorders
- 15 hours in Legal, Ethical and Professional Responsibility
Supervision
Total Number of Hours Required:
High school diploma or GED: 300 hours specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
Associate’s degree in an approved discipline: 250 hours specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 10 in each domain.
Bachelor’s degree in an approved discipline: 200 hours specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
Master’s degree or higher in an approved discipline: 100 hours specific to IC&RC Domains with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
Required Supervisor Credentials:
- Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP)
- Certified Criminal Justice Professional – Michigan (CCJP-M)
- Certified Clinical Supervisor Development Plan (CCS-DP)
- Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
- Certified Clinical Supervisor-Michigan (CCS-M)
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Psychologist (LP)
- Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP)
Applications
- CCJP-M HS/GED Level Initial Application with 2-year renewal
- CCJP-M HS/GED Level Initial Application with 3-year renewal
- CCJP-M Associate’s Level Initial Application with 2-year renewal
- CCJP-M Associate’s Level Initial Application with 3-year renewal
- CCJP-M Bachelor’s Level Initial Application with a 2-year renewal cycle
- CCJP-M Bachelor’s Level Initial Application with a 3-year renewal cycle
- CCJP-M Master’s Level Initial Application with 2-year renewal cycle
- CCJP-M Master’s Level Initial Application with 3-year renewal cycle
How to List Your MCBAP Credentials
MCBAP credential holders are encouraged to proudly list their credentials after their names. Your credentials show your training, experience, supervision, ethics, testing, and commitment to professional standards.
1. Start With This Order
Name
License or Highest Relevant Degree
Highest-Level/Supervisory MCBAP Credential
2. Examples
Situation
Example
3. Helpful Guidance
Licenses usually come before credentials.
Many professionals list their license rather than their degree because the license authorizes practice and is often more meaningful to the public.
If you do not have a license, you may list your highest relevant degree. Example: Jane Smith, BS, CPS
Supervisory credentials should generally be listed before the credentials they supervise.
Because CCS allows a professional to supervise others, including CAADCs, it should typically be listed before CAADC. Example: Jane Smith, LPC, CCS, CAADC
Credentials with equal scope may be listed in the order you prefer. For example, CPS and CPRM may be listed in either order based on your role, professional identity, or audience.
4. Important Note About Development Plans
- Correct: Jane Smith, CAADC-DP
- Incorrect: Jane Smith, CAADC
- The -DP must remain attached until the full credential has been awarded.
Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP)