Home OASAS Services Credentialing
Frequently Asked Questions
- General Questions
- Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC)
- Credentialed Problem Gambling Counselor (CPGC)
- Credentialed Prevention Professional / Credentialed Prevention Specialist (CPP/CPS)
- Renewal of Credentials
- FAQ's regarding the IC&RC Certificates
GENERAL QUESTIONS
How much does it cost to apply for a credential?
The application processing fee is $100.
Do I need to send $100 every time I submit additional documentation for review?
No. The $100 application fee covers administrative services provided during the five-year period that your application is active.
Where do I get the education and training to become credentialed?
Relevant course work/training will only be accepted from education and training providers certified by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) using a standardized Certificate of Completion. OASAS will consider education and training obtained through accredited colleges or universities; governmental agencies; or distance learning courses approved by the appropriate certifying bodies. A maximum of 30 clock hours may be accepted for documented participation in conferences by professional organizations. OASAS' Training Catalog includes OASAS training, as well as those providers and courses which have been reviewed and approved by OASAS as acceptable to satisfy initial and/or renewal credentialing requirements for the CASAC,CPGC, CPP and CPS.
Can I use work experience gained as a volunteer?
Yes. Work experience in one or more of the 12-Core Function areas of alcohol and/or substance abuse counseling gained through a formal volunteer agreement, non-paid, or internship capacity and supervised by a Qualified Health Professional (QHP) may be considered.
What is considered a formal volunteer agreement?
A formal volunteer agreement is a written document between an individual and an organization which outlines a specific timeframe during which a defined scope of work will be performed, under appropriate supervisory oversight, and specific educational instruction is offered.
How many hours may an applicant claim for work experience gained in a formal volunteer, non-paid, or internship capacity in an appropriate work setting?
Applicants may complete all 6,000 hours of work experience through a formal volunteer, non-paid, or internship capacity in an appropriate work setting; however, such work experience must be closely supervised by a QHP and receive the necessary didactic education from both internal and external sources as indicated in Part 822.7(k).
If I have been convicted of a crime, can I still become credentialed?
Conviction of a crime is not, in and of itself, a ban to becoming credentialed. However, the bearing, if any, the criminal offense or offenses for which you have been previously convicted will have on your fitness or ability to perform one or more duties or responsibilities related to the credential must be considered. As part of the application process, you will be required to provide information relative to any felony conviction and certain misdemeanors, such as sex crimes, crimes of violence, and crimes against children.
Will OASAS accept my personal check?
All fees must be made payable to NYS OASAS. Personal checks can only be accepted for renewal of a credential. All other fees must be made in the form of a certified check or money order.
Will completion of in-service training hours be considered toward meeting the education and training requirements?
In-service training hours can be approved only if the provider is an OASAS-approved education and training provider and the training has been reviewed and approved by the OASAS Training Unit for credentialing educational hours.
Can education and/or training that was completed more than 10 years from submission of an application be approved toward meeting the education and training requirement?
Yes. Coursework and/or training completed beyond 10 years from submission of the application will be considered toward meeting the education and training requirement.
If I have previously submitted an application and the education/training hours were denied because they were completed more than 10 years prior to submission of my application, will these hours now be accepted.
Yes. If you have an application that is still active and the educational hours were not approved because they were older than 10 years, these hours will now be accepted. However, you must contact the OASAS Credentialing Unit to request that these hours be re-reviewed.
If my previous application has expired, do I have to submit a new application?
Yes. An application is active for a period of 5 years from the date of postmark. If you wish to continue the credentialing process, you will need to submit a new application, accompanied by a $100 Application Processing Fee in the form of a certified check or money order. It is suggested that you contact the Credentialing Unit prior to submitting a new application as there may be paperwork that you do not have to re-submit.
Can I hold the CASAC, CPGC, and the CPP/CPS credentials simultaneously?
Yes, but only work experience hours devoted to alcoholism and substance abuse counseling (i.e., diagnostic assessment; evaluation; intervention; referral; and alcoholism and/or substance abuse counseling in both individual and group settings) will be considered toward satisfying the CASAC requirements. Only work experience hours devoted to the practice of problem gambling treatment counseling (i.e. diagnostic assessment; evaluation; intervention; referral; problem gambling counseling in both individual and group settings; crisis intervention; financial assessments, planning and/or referral) will be considered toward satisfying the CPGC requirements. Only work experience hours devoted to alcohol and substance abuse prevention services (i.e., planning and evaluation; education and skill development; community organization; public and organizational policy; and professional growth and responsibility) will be considered toward satisfying the CPP/CPS requirements.
However, having the CASAC allows you to apply for the Problem Gambling Specialty rather than going through the CPGC credentialing process.
I have a CASAC or CPP/CPS with a specialty designation for Gambling, should I now apply for the stand alone Gambling credential?
No, you do not need to apply for the stand alone Gambling credential. The Gambling specialty designation carries the same weight as the stand alone Gambling credential. If you do apply for the stand alone Gambling credential, you must submit an application documenting that you meet all of the requirements outlined in Part 853 for the CPGC. In addition, you would be responsible for maintaining two separate certifications which would be subject to all renewal fees and requirements.
Can I use work experience gained while participating as a patient in a treatment program?
No. Work experience may not include any experience gained as part of, or required under, participation as a patient in a formal problem gambling program or a formal alcoholism and/or substance abuse treatment/aftercare program and/or plan.
Are there any study resources available to help me on the credentialing examinations?
There are a number of CASAC and Prevention study resources available which can be found on our Resources page.
Do I have to take credentialing examinations via computer?
Yes. Credentialing examinations are only administered via computer.
How long will it be before I get the results from my examination and receive my credential?
Upon completion of the computer-based examination, you will receive a preliminary score at the testing site. Confirmed final results will be transmitted via U.S. mail approximately four weeks after your examination. Results will NOT be given over the telephone. It is important to note that you may not consider yourself credentialed until OASAS issues you a credential.
Can I take the CASAC or Prevention examination from my own computer?
No. The examination is administered by a professional testing company contracted through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). The testing company has various testing sites throughout New York State and neighboring states.
Where do I go to take the CASAC or Prevention examination?
Working directly via E-Mail with the testing company, examination eligible candidates will choose the testing site, date and time (based on geographic location) that is best suited to their schedule. More information will be provided to applicants upon reaching examination eligibility.
CREDENTIALED ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR (CASAC)
Is there a separate CASAC-Trainee application?
No. There is not a separate application for the CASAC Trainee. Any relevant education and/or work experience must be documented on the CASAC Application forms. Trainee certificates are issued when you have satisfied a specific portion of the requirements.
Does a CASAC Trainee certificate mean that I'm a Qualified Health Professional?
No. The CASAC Trainee certificate serves as documentation that you are working toward becoming a CASAC. However, CASAC Trainees may be counted toward the Qualified Health Professional staffing requirement in specific OASAS-certified chemical dependence treatment programs. The CASAC Trainee certification will not authorize you to be considered a Qualified Health Professional for any purpose.
How much does it cost to take the CASAC examination?
The examination fee is $245.
When can I take the credentialing examination?
An applicant is eligible to take the examination upon submission of an application and approval of the educational requirement associated with the credential.
If I take the examination after completing my 350 hours and pass, am I CASAC?
No. A CASAC certificate will not be issued until you have met all requirements, including the 6,000 work experience hours and submit the appropriate evaluations of competency and ethical conduct.
Can I request an extension of my CASAC-Trainee certificate?
Yes, if you are exam eligible, you may request a 3-year CASAC-T extension.
Does my CASAC-Trainee carry reciprocal privileges?
No. The CASAC-T is only recognized in New York State. It does not carry reciprocal privileges.
Does work experience have to be obtained within 10 years prior to submission of an application?
No. Any prior work experience is acceptable providing it was obtained in an appropriate work setting; however, at least 2,000 hours must have been gained during the five years prior to submission of the work experience documentation.
Will applicants have to document 18 months of consecutive work experience completed within the 5 years prior to submission of application?
No. However, 2000 hours of the work experience claimed must have been gained during the five years prior to the submission of the work experience documentation.
Can an Associate’s Degree in an OASAS-approved Human Service Field be substituted for work experience?
Yes. An associate’s degree may be substituted for 1,000 hours of the required 6, 000 hours of work experience.
Do I have to obtain my work experience hours in an OASAS program in order to have it approved?
At least 50 percent of the work experience must be obtained in an OASAS approved work setting. Up to 50 percent of work experience may be obtained from a program that involves the legal provision of alcoholism and substance abuse treatment and/or gambling treatment services that affords the opportunity to establish proficiency in one or more of the professional competencies and is supervised by a Qualified Health Professional (QHP).
If I am working in a private social work practice, can I count those hours towards meeting the work experience requirement?
In order to consider work experience hours from a private practice, all employees in the practice must hold the same license (i.e. LCSW; LMSW; LMHC, etc.) including yourself.
CREDENTIALED PROBLEM GAMBLING COUNSELOR (CPGC)
Can I apply for grandparenting to become a CPGC?
ONLY those individuals who were previously certified by the National Council on Problem Gambling or the New York Council on Problem Gambling are eligible for grandparenting during the 90 day grandparenting period. All others must apply through the application process.
Do I have to take a test to become a CPGC?
No. There is no examination associated with obtaining the NYS CPGC credential. However, you must document completion of a Bachelor’s degree.
Do I need a Bachelor's Degree in an approved Human Services field to apply for the CPGC?
No. An applicant must have obtained at least a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline to apply.
Can my Bachelor's Degree be used as a substitution for work experience hours?
No. Only a Master's Degree in an approved Human Services field may be used as a substitution for 2,000 hours of the required 4,000 hours of work experience.
Does work experience have to be obtained within 10 years prior to submission of an application?
No. There is no time limit on prior work experience providing it was obtained in an appropriate work setting; however, you must go back to your former supervisor or clinical director so that they may complete the Work Experience Verification Form. Work experience cannot be considered without the appropriate documentation. Keep in mind that at least 1,000 hours of the work experience claimed must have been gained during the five years prior to submission of the work experience documentation.
Must I have obtained my work experience hours in an OASAS program?
No. Currently there is not a requirement indicating that the problem gambling work experience must be from an OASAS program. However, at least 1,000 hours of the work experience claimed must have been gained during the 5 years prior to submission of the work experience documentation.
Does the CPGC carry reciprocal privileges?
No. The CPGC is recognized in New York State only and does not carry reciprocal privileges.
CREDENTIALED PREVENTION PROFESSIONAL/CREDENTIALED PREVENTION SPECIALIST (CPP/CPS)
Can a CPP or CPS applicant take the test before completing all the requirements for the credential?
Yes. An applicant is eligible to sit for the prevention exam upon submission of an application and approval of the educational requirements associated with the CPS credential. It is important to note that you are not credentialed until you have satisfied all of the requirements.
Must I have obtained my work experience hours in an OASAS program?
Up to 50 percent of the work experience may be obtained from a program that involves the legal provision of alcoholism and substance abuse treatment and/or gambling treatment services that affords the opportunity to establish proficiency in one or more of the professional competencies associated with credential and documents that on-site supervision is provided by a qualified prevention supervisor.
Are there differences between a Qualified Health Professional (QHP), Qualified Prevention Specialist (QPS) and a Qualified Problem Gambling Professional (QPGP)?
Yes. Each credential (CASAC, Prevention and Problem Gambling) have a list of licensed/certified professional disciplines. In addition to the license/certification, a specific amount of experience and training related to that particular discipline is required in order to be considered by OASAS as a Qualified Professional.
How much does it cost to take the Prevention examination?
The examination fee is $170.
RENEWAL OF CREDENTIALS
When do I renew my credential?
Approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date of your credential, the OASAS Credentialing Unit will mail a notice of expiration to your address currently on file.
A completed renewal application must be submitted to OASAS at least 45 days prior to the expiration date.
How many continuing educational hours must be submitted renew my credential?
You must submit documentation of 60 clock hours of continuing education and training completed within the current renewal period. A one-time requirement of a minimum of 4 clock hours related to Tobacco Use and Nicotine Dependence and a minimum of 2 clock hours of Child Abuse and Maltreatment: Mandated Reporter Training (as part of the 60 clock hours) must be completed by December 31, 2011 or upon your next renewal.
When will my credential expire?
Your credential will be valid for a period of three years and will expire on the last day of the three year period.
What is the Renewal Fee?
There is a $150 Application Processing Fee.
If your credential has elapsed for less than one year past the expiration date, there is a $25 Late Renewal Fee for each six month period or portion thereof, not to exceed $50.
If more than one year has elapsed since the expiration date, the renewal is subject to a reinstatement fee of $100 for each one year period or any part of, beyond the expiration date up to a maximum of $200.
If I renew late, will my credential still expire on my birthday?
No. Regardless of when you renew, you will always get a full three-year renewal period. The expiration will be on the last day of the three-year period. Therefore, if you renew late, your expiration date will no longer be on your birthday.
What happens if my credential expires?
If less than one year has elapsed since the expiration date of a credential, application may be made through the late renewal process which will result in the assessment of late fees ($25 for each six month period up to a maximum of $50) plus the application fee; and,
If your credential has expired for more than one year since your expiration date, you may apply to reinstate your credential. Such reinstatement will be subject to a reinstatement fee of $100 for each one year period, or part thereof, beyond the expiration date, up to a maximum of $200 plus the application fee.
Review CASAC and CPP/CPS renewal information for additional details.
Is there a reduced Renewal Fee if I hold more than one credential?
Yes, a reduced Renewal Processing Fee of $100 (for each credential) is offered to individuals who hold 2 or more current credentials issued by OASAS (i.e., CASAC, CPGC, and/or prevention) . This reduced fee does not apply to licenses which are issued by another state agency.
Can a CASAC engage in private practice?
No. Private practice is prohibited. No person shall use the title Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, or CASAC, to engage in private practice unless otherwise authorized by law.