Submit original copy of the application paperwork and one copy of CEU certificates. Copies of the original application submitted can be made in the WVCBAPP office for a fee of $25.00. All application fees can be paid online by clicking the 'purchase' button in the sidebar next to each certification type. Personal email address is required. Do not use a work issued email. Allow 30 days for processing.
ADA Special Accommodations for testing can be made if requested 30 days before testing using the following link: ADA Special Accommodations Request.
Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC)
Requirements for the Alcohol & Drug Counselor Certification are as follows:
6 years of qualifying experience (accredited degree = 3 of the 6). 3 years of the 6 years must be addiction specific supervised work experience.
300 hours of training/instruction 70 of which must be addiction specific, 6 hours of the 70 addiction specific training/instruction must be addiction specific ethics
100-300 hours of ADC supervision, (or less, depending on the level of education documented) 10 hours minimum in the twelve core functions
Must live or work 51% of the time in West Virginia
Must pass the IC&RC International ADC Examination
Must have valid government issued photo ID to test
Must adhere to counselor specific code of ethics (NAADAC)
Must re-certify every two years with 40 hours of continuing education, including 6 hours of addiction specific ethics.
ADC Certification Application Form
ADC Re-Certification Application Form
ADC Manual
Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC)
The Advance Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC) Demonstrates the highest competence in the addictions counseling field. Requirements for this certification are as follows:
Minimum of a Masters Degree in a behavioral science field with a clinical application
Also includes completion of 300 clock hours of education with 180 hours being addiction specific education with 6 hours of 180 addiction specific ethics
6 years direct experience of which 1 year must be post masters
100-300 hours of AADC Supervision by a qualified individual with 10 hours minimum in each of the 8 practice domains
Must live or work 51% of the time in West Virginia
Must pass the IC&RC International AADC Examination
Must have current valid government issued photo ID to test
Must adhere to a counselor specific code of ethics (NAADAC)
Must re-certify every two years with 40 hours of continuing education, including 6 hours of addiction specific ethic
AADC Certification Application Form
AADC Re-Certification Application Form
AADC Manual
Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP)
The certification process for criminal justice professionals was developed for treatment professionals working with the criminal justice population. The 1997 Role Delineation Study identified six performance domains which describe the skills and knowledge necessary for the criminal justice professional. They include: Dynamics of Addiction; Legal, Ethical and Professional Responsibilities; Criminal Justice System; Screening Intake and Assessment; Case Management; and, Counseling.
The requirements for the CCJP are as follows:
Candidates looking to take the CCJP examination must first take and pass the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) or the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor(AADC) examination.
For Professionals who already hold the ADC
Experience: 2,000 hours of criminal justice work experience defined as providing direct service to individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
Education: 100 hours of education relevant to the CCJP Job Analysis
Supervision: 100 hours of supervision specific to CCJP Job Analysis with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
Examination: Pass the IC&RC CCJP Examination
Must have Current valid government issued photo ID to test
For Professionals who already hold the AADC
Experience: 2,000 hours of criminal justice work experience defined as providing direct service to individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
Education: 100 hours of education relevant to the CCJP Job Analysis
Supervision: 100 hours of supervision specific to CCJP Job Analysis with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
Examination: Pass the IC&RC CCJP Examination
Other qualifications:
Must live or work 51% of the time in West Virginia
Must adhere to counselor specific code of ethics (IC & RC)
Must re-certify every two years with 40 hours of continuing education, including 6 hours of addiction specific ethics
CCJP Certification Application Form
CCJP Re-Certification Application Form
CCJP Manual
Prevention Specialist (PS)
IC&RC Defines Prevention as: A proactive process which empowers individuals and systems to meet the challenges of life events and transitions, by creating and reinforcing healthy behavior and lifestyles and by reducing risk factors contributing to alcohol, tobacco and other drug usage and other related issues.
The requirements for the Prevention Specialist Certification are as follows:
Level I Prevention Specialist
2 years qualifying work experience (one year in direct services to the consumer)
Minimum of 2 year college degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university (in community health, education or related field preferred) approved by WVCBAPP 12 credit hours must be in the content areas of the domains, which are listed in the Prevention Specialist Manual.
300 hours education/training (180 hours must be prevention specific)
Must live or work 51% of the time in West Virginia
Must pass the IC&RC International Prevention Specialist Examination (valid ID required)
Must adhere to a prevention code of ethics
Must re-certify every two years with 40 hours of continuing education, including 6 hours of addiction or prevention ethics
Level II Prevention Specialist
4 years qualifying work experience
Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university of which 24 credit hours must be in the content areas of the domains, which are listed in the Prevention Specialist Manual.
360 hours education/training (240 must be prevention specific)
Must live or work 51% of the time in West Virginia
Must pass the IC&RC International Prevention Specialist Examination (valid ID required)
Must adhere to a prevention code of ethics
Must re-certify every two years with 40 hours of continuing education, including 6 hours of addiction or prevention ethics
PS Certification Application Form
PS Re-Certification Application Form
PS Manual
Clinical Supervisor (CS)
The Clinical Supervisor certification has the following requirements:
Candidate must hold a current and valid Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC), Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor(AADC) or Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP) credential at the reciprocal level.
Verification of five (5) years (10,000) hours of counseling experience as an alcohol and other drug abuse counselor.
Verification of two (2) years (4,000) hours of clinical supervisory experience in the alcohol and other drug abuse field. These two (2) years may be included in the five (5) years of counseling experience and must include the provision of 200 contact hours of face-to face clinical supervision.
Verification of thirty (30) hours of didactic education/training in clinical supervision. This must include education/training in each of the following five domains: Counselor Development, Professional and Ethical Standards, Program Development and Quality Assurance, Assessing counselor Competencies and Performance, and Treatment Knowledge. There must be a minimum of six (6) hours supervision in each of the five domains.
Must live or work 51% of the time in West Virginia
Must pass the IC&RC International CS Examination Valid ID required
Must adhere to counselor specific code of ethics (IC & RC)
Must re-certify every two years with 40 hours of continuing education. Six (6) of the 40 CEUs must be supervision specific
CS Certification Application Form
CS Re-Certification Application Form
CS Manual
SUD Peer Recovery (PRSS-SUD)
A Substance Use Disorder Peer Recovery Certification carries the following requirements:
Statement of Personal Recovery with SUD
Employment
500 hours of volunteer or paid experience specific to the domains
Volunteer and part time experience is acceptable if it is provided under direct supervision
Supervised work experience must be in the four PR domains
Hours CAN NOT be earned during treatment or in support meetings.
Supervision
25 hours of supervision specific to the domains with a minimum of 6 hours in each of the four domains. Ongoing and initial supervision must be provided at least four times a month by an organization’s documented and qualified supervisory staff.
Education
High school diploma/GED
46 clock hours of education specific to domains. A nationally recognized Peer Support Specialist Certification training will meet the majority of these qualifications.
3 college credits are equivalent to 45 clock hours
Education, as defined in the manual, which the applicant provides to others may be used providing it is verified in writing by sponsoring school or agency.
Must re-certify every two years with 20 hours of continuing education, including 6 hours of PRSS specific ethics
Examination
Must pass the IC & RC Peer Recovery Support Specialist exam
Valid government issued photo ID required for testing.
Recertification
Must re-certify every two years with 20 hours of continuing education, including 6 hours of PRSS specific ethics.
SUD PRSS Certification Application Form
SUD PRSS Re-Certification Application Form
SUD PRSS Manual
Voluntary Inactive Status Policy
Voluntary Inactive Status Initial & Reinstatement Applications
Mental Health Peer Recovery (PRSS-MH)-
A Mental Health Peer Recovery Certification carries the following requirements:
Statement of Personal Recovery with MH
Employment
500 hours of volunteer or paid experience specific to the domains
Volunteer and part time experience is acceptable if it is provided under direct supervision
Supervised work experience must be in the four PRSS domains
Hours CAN NOT be earned during treatment or in support meetings.
Supervision
25 hours of supervision specific to the domains with a minimum of 6 hours in each of the four domains. Ongoing and initial supervision must be provided at least four times a month by an organization’s documented and qualified supervisory staff.
Education
High school diploma/GED
46 clock hours of education specific to domains. A nationally recognized Peer Support Specialist Certification training will meet the majority of these qualifications.
6 Hours of Adult Mental Health First Aid
3 college credits are equivalent to 45 clock hours
Education, as defined in the manual, which the applicant provides to others may be used providing it is verified in writing by sponsoring school or agency.
Must re-certify every two years with 20 hours of continuing education, including 6 hours of PRSS specific ethics
Examination
Must pass the IC & RC Peer Recovery Support Specialist exam
Valid government issued photo ID required for testing.
Adding MH to an active and good standing SUD-PRSS Certification
Upgrade fee of $75.00
Application
Current Adult Mental Health First Aid Certification
No testing required for SUD-PRSS in good standing (current, valid certification)
Recertification
Must re-certify every two years with 20 hours of continuing education, including 6 hours of PRSS specific ethics and continued certification in Mental Health First Aid.
Coming in 2025- Please wait for application/manual links to appear.
Emeritus Status
Please see the links on the right if you are retired and wish to retain your current credentialing status.