CERTIFIED ADDICTION SPECIALIST (CAS) CERTIFICATION

The American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders offers the Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) certification to health care professionals in the field of addictive disorders with specializations in five areas: alcohol addiction, drug addiction, eating disorders, sex addiction and gambling addiction.

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Professionals with Masters or Doctorate degrees must have :

1. A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited health care training program;
2. Three years of post-graduate, supervised experience providing direct health care services to those identified with an addictive disorder. Internships at an approved site may be applied accounting for one year;
3. A portfolio of clinical training with a minimum of 120 hours of training in basic counseling skills including assessment, interviewing and diagnosis, and a minimum of 60 hours of clinical training in each area of specialization for which the applicant is seeking certification;
4. Three professional recommendations; at least one referent must be a supervisor who is personally familiar with the applicant's work and can document his or her health care experience; and
5. A completed application with the $95 application fee.

Professionals with other degrees or without a degree must have :

1. A high school diploma;
2. Five years of supervised experience providing direct health care services to those identified with an addictive disorder;
3. A portfolio of clinical training that includes a minimum of 120 hours of training in basic counseling skills including assessment, interviewing and diagnosis, and a minimum of 60 hours of clinical training in each area of specialization for which the applicant is seeking certification;
4. Three professional recommendations; at least one referent must be a supervisor who is personally familiar with the applicant's work and can document his or her health care experience; and
5. A completed application with an $95 application fee.