Has the Board's name changed?

Yes, the Board's name changed from the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Certification Board (NCSAPCB) to the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB).

What is the process for Registration, who can be a Registrant and how long can that last?

Registration is a process for applicants for the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Consultant, Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Professional and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. It is the basic level of application, giving people a status with the Board. Registration requires a supervision contract with an applicant supervisor may last for a period of up to five years and is renewable.

If I am already a CCAS, how do I request my new LCAS certificate?

No application or request is necessary. New certificates will be processed and mailed automatically to every CCAS in about four to six weeks.


When can the CCAS change his/her designation on stationery, business cards, etc. to LCAS?

Immediately. The bill went into effect with the Governor's signature on September 22, 2005.


Will my certification/license number stay the same?

Most likely. While some modifications may have to be made, there will not be a huge renumbering of the CCASs to the LCAS. All other certificates still carry the same title (i.e. CSAC, CSAPC, etc.) and those numbers will not change.

Why wasn't prevention made a license?

The CCAS became a license based upon the national and international model for Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselors (i.e. master's degree or higher). At this time, no similar model exists for Prevention Specialists but there are plans at the national and international level to consider a similar model. The Board will gladly consider that model when it is developed.

If I do not have a supervisor on site that meets the Board's statutory requirements, must I arrange for supervision?

Yes, supervision must be arranged for all applicants for all credentials and ongoing supervision for CSACs and the new Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Professionals (CCJPs) after certification is now mandated by law.

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Are any CSACs exempt from the post-certification supervision requirement?

The only CSACs exempt from the post-certification supervision requirement are those who also hold a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) credential.

If I am not practicing as a CSAC, do I still need to be supervised?

A supervision contract must be completed between a CSAC and a Practice Supervisor (LCAS, CCS or Clinical Supervisor Intern). Face to face supervision is required at a ratio of 1:40. Supervision contracts for CSACs will be mailed soon to all CSACs.

If I am a CSAC who does not live in and practice in NC, am I still held to the same supervision requirements?

Yes, the statute makes no distinction between CSACs who live in NC and those who do not. All CSACs must be able to meet the supervision requirements in order to maintain his/her certification.

Are all CSACs and current applicants for CSAC before the new law passed required to have post-certification supervision or is that only for people who applied after the law changed?

All CSACs and CSAC applicants must meet the new requirements. No exemption is made for those certified or applying for certification prior to the passing of Senate Bill 705.

Must applicants for Criminal Justice Addiction Professional grandparenting take the written exam?

Grandparenting, which lasts until December 22, 2005 for the CCJP, does not require passing the CCJP written examination.

Must I already hold a credential with the Board in order to qualify for the Criminal Justice Addiction Professional credential?

No. The CCJP is a stand alone credential and is not based upon holding another certification or license.

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Have degree requirements for any of the credentials changed?

No degree requirements changed. The CSAC, CSARFD and CSAPC along with the new CCJP can still be obtained by persons who have a high school diploma or the equivalent. The LCAS and the CCS still require a master's degree in a human services field with a clinical application from a regionally accredited college or university.

How do I process the fingerprint card for the Criminal Background Check?

The fingerprint card is mailed directly to the Board with a $38.00 check to cover the cost of processing with the NC State Bureau of Investigation. The Board, not the applicant, arranges for the criminal background check.

Do the waiting periods for application due to a recent criminal conviction still apply?

Yes, the waiting periods are still in effect in the Board's Administrative Rules.

May an applicant for certification or licensure be supervised by an LCAS?

Applicants for any credential may not be supervised by an LCAS for application purposes. Only a CCS or a Clinical Supervisor Intern may supervise CSAC, LCAS Residential Facility Director (CSARFD) and CCJP applicants. In addition to the CCS and CSI, a CSAPC may also supervise an applicant for prevention certification. Only a CCS may supervise an applicant for the CCS credential.

May a person who is a federal employee (i.e. military, US Probation and Parole) practice in North Carolina outside their federal job?

Federal employees are exempt from the practice act as long as they only practice within the confines of their federal job. If that federal employee engages in the provision of clinical services outside her/his federal job, he/she must be registered, certified or licensed by the Board in order to practice.

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May a person use any national/international credentials issued by another organization after their name on stationery, business cards, etc. if not registered, certified or licensed by the NCSAPPB and not currently practicing in the field?

No, all titles and initials that would state or imply that someone holds a substance abuse credential must be those issued by our Board or they may not be used. For example, persons who are licensed by other statutorily based occupational licensing boards are exempt from the practice protection portion of the law. However, if that professional in another discipline holds a national credential (i.e. Master Addiction Counselor or MAC), those initials may not be used in connection with the name of the person who holds that credential.

I am a licensed psychologist (could apply to other licenses as well) and currently provide services to persons with substance use disorders. Will this new law limit my practice?

No. Persons licensed by other statutorily based occupational licensing boards where substance abuse services are provided in the normal course of their profession are exempt from the practice protection of this statute. However, that person may not claim any of our titles or initials as the title protection portion of the Board's statute applies to everyone.

As a licensed professional in another discipline, will I now have to get substance- abuse specific supervision (or, alternately) will I still be able to continue to supervise the CSAC clinicians who practice in my clinic?

Persons licensed by other professional disciplines would only need to obtain supervision according to our statute if that professional decides to seek registration, certification or licensure with this Board. The Board makes no comment about supervision for a work setting, only supervision required to obtain or maintain one of the Board's credentials. While the supervision can remain the same, it is best to note that this supervision may not meet the qualifications necessary to become registered, certified or licensed with the Board should that person seek such status with the Board.

Additionally, if a person licensed by another discipline has students or other non- licensed professionals working in their employ (either paid or volunteer), substance abuse professionals services may not be provided by those non-licensed professionals unless s/he obtains registration, certification or licensure with the NCSAPPB.

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