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Center for Credentialing and Accreditation

Our Credentials and Certifications

Prevention

A Certified Professional in Prevention has been trained in the science of substance use and abuse prevention. They have met the minimum standards for education/training, supervised experience, and passed the ICAP-Prevention exam.

The ICAP-Prevention exam is available in English, Spanish, and Sinhala.

Candidates can prepare for this exam by studying The Universal Prevention Curriculum (UPC) for Practitioners Course 10 (CORE).

Treatment

A Certified Professional in Treatment has been credentialed and has been trained in the science of Substance Use Disorder Treatment. They have met the minimum standards for education/training, supervised experience, and passed the appropriate ICAP-Treatment level exam.

The ICAP-Treatment I exam is available in English, Spanish, Mongolian, Vietnamese, Portuguese, French, Bengali, Thai, Indonesian, Dari, Pashtu, Urdu, Burmese, Russian and Sinhala, Korean, and Arabic.

Candidates can prepare for this exam by studying The Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) Basic Series.

The ICAP-Treatment II exam is available in English, Spanish, Mongolian, Vietnamese, Portuguese, French, Bengali, Thai, Indonesian, Dari, Pashtu, Urdu, Burmese, Russian and Sinhala, Korean, and Arabic.

The ICAP-Treatment III exam is available in English, Spanish, Mongolian, Vietnamese, Portuguese, French, Bengali, Thai, Indonesian, Dari, Pashtu, Urdu, Burmese, Russian and Sinhala, Korean, and Arabic.

The ICAP-Treatment IV exam is available in English, Spanish, Mongolian, Vietnamese, Portuguese, French, Bengali, Thai, Indonesian, Dari, Pashtu, Urdu, Burmese, Russian and Sinhala, Korean, and Arabic.

Candidates can prepare for this exam by studying the Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) Advanced Courses and other resources  such as those found in the SAMHSA’s Knowledge Application Program (KAP) and NIDA’s Good Clinical Practice Resources

Recovery Support

A Certified Professional in Recovery Support has been trained in the best practices of supporting those in recovery of addiction.

The ICAP-Recovery Support exam is available in English, Spanish, and Indonesian.

Candidates can prepare for this exam by studying The Universal Recovery Curriculum (URC)

Kryterion, our testing partner together with NAADAC also offers general  test-taking information:

Research Reveals These Smart, Surprising Tactics for Test-Taking Success

All ICAPS are valid for 3 years. Continuing education is required for Renewal.

To renew your ICAP credential every three years, you need to show that you're staying active and up to date in your field. Here’s what’s required:


1. Continuing Education (CEUs)

You need 40 hours of continuing education.

What counts:

  • Courses or training on current SUD practices, clinical updates, or other relevant topics

  • At least 20 hours must be related to your specific credential area (e.g., Prevention, Treatment, or Recovery)

📄 Use the ICAP Guidance Sheet on Continuing Education (CEU Activity) for practical guide to help you plan, track, and document your Continuing Education (CE) activities for ICAP renewal
📄 CEU Template to track your hours.


2. Work Practice Documentation

You need to show you're actively working in the field.

What to provide:

  • A list of where you've worked since your last certification

  • A job description signed by your supervisor showing what you do

  • A reference from a different supervisor confirming you're working at the expected level

  • A statement saying you're not under investigation or disciplinary action

📄 Use the Job Plan Template and Reference Templates to help with this.


3. Professional Development

You also need to stay involved in the profession.

Examples include:

  • Joining professional organizations

  • Taking on leadership roles

  • Doing research or presenting at events

  • Supervising or mentoring others

📄 Use the Professional Development Template to list your activities. 


Not Currently Practicing?

If you’re not working directly with clients but still want to stay on the ICAP Live Register, you can renew by:

  • Completing CEUs related to training or supervision

  • Showing you still use evidence-based practices

  • Providing proof of mentoring or supervising others

📩 If this applies to you, email cca_info@icuddr.org and we’ll help you through the process.

All credentialed and/or certified professionals must subscribe to the ethical standards in the practice of their profession.  Those failing to meet these ethical standards will be subject to disciplinary actions. Revocation and/ or other sanctions may be imposed for a variety of reasons, such as:

  • Falsification of application or any other part of the credentialing process;
  • Misrepresentation of credential status;
  • Abuse or misuse of psychoactive substances;
  • Inappropriate relationships with clients/patients.

If you wish to report an ethical violation, email us at: cca_info@icuddr.org. Please put “Confidential” in the subject line and explain your case. It will be reviewed based upon CCA's policies & procedures.

Inactive status may be granted for reasons such as education, illness, or temporary professional change. This designation will facilitate a smooth return to credentialing when active work is resumed by eliminating the need to re-test and re-document original qualifications. The Commission will issue a new credential and/or certification with the same number marked “Inactive” in place of an expiration date. When the individual decides to return to active work, they may reactivate their credentials and/or certification by following the procedures for renewal of credentials and/or certification. If you wish to reactivate your credentials, please email cca_info@icuddr.org for more information. Please put Inactive Status in the email's subject line and your name/credential number in the body of the email.
While there are currently ICAP professionals in 78 countries, we also want to work with countries that already have a credentialing or certifying body in the SUD field. As we work toward shared global standards, we want to ensure that our international certification is also portable to these countries. ICAP credentials are currently accepted within the following credentialing organizations: Kenya - Kenya Certified Addiction Counselor (KCAC) South Korea - Korean Association for Addiction Professionals (KAAP) United States - NAADAC: The Association for Addiction Professionals We are continuing conversations with other organizations. If you are interested in partnering with us to promote global standards for professionals, please email cca__info@icuddr.org. Please put Reciprocity in the subject line.

Retired professionals may retain their credentialed status. Those professionals no longer employed in the SUD field of prevention, treatment and/or recovery support and who abide by the Ethical Guidelines for CCA may apply for retirement status. The Commission will issue a new credential and/or certification with the same number marked “RETIRED” in place of an expiration date. If, in the two years succeeding the receipt of the retirement credential, the individual decides they are going to return to paid work, they may reactivate their credentials and/or certification by following the procedures as for renewal of credential and/or certification. If you wish to apply for Retirement status, please email cca_info@icuddr.org.  Please put Retirement Status in the subject line of the email and include in the body of the email your name and credential number.

Check the ISSUP website for training opportunities near you.
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