INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION & RECIPROCITY CONSORTIUM
IC&RC Credentials
Prevention, Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Credentialing
IC&RC believes that credentialing advances and provides standardization to the rapidly growing and ever evolving Prevention, Substance Use Disorder, and Recovery professional’s workforce. Professionals interested in earning a credential should contact the Member Board in the state/jurisdiction where they live or work.
IC&RC provides a framework for Member Boards to offer the following credentials:
Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC)
Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC)
Clinical Supervisor (CS)
Prevention Specialist (PS)
Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP)
Peer Recovery-Associate (PR-A) Exam is forthcoming
Peer Recovery (PR)
Each credential is administered by jurisdictionally specific Member Boards using minimum competencies and examinations developed by IC&RC. Each Member Board sets their own standards (above IC&RC’s minimum credentialing standards), application process, timelines, and fees for credentialing.
To earn a credential, individuals must work with the local Member Board in their state or jurisdiction.
To Locate a Member Board That Offers IC&RC Credentials
Credentialing is a valuable process that benefits professionals, employers, clients, and the public. Credentialing is a valuable process that benefits professionals, employers, clients, and the public.
- For professionals, credentialing can lead to enhanced career opportunities, professional development, higher salaries, and greater respect from peers.
- For employers, credentialing provides a means to identify qualified employees who demonstrate a commitment to providing quality care.
- For clients, credentialing helps identify qualified professionals and provides assurance they are receiving the best possible care.
- For the public, credentialing helps ensure prevention, substance use disorder, and recovery services are provided by qualified professionals. It also helps the likelihood that public funds are used appropriately.
CREDENTIALING
Credentialing is the process of assessing and verifying the competence of individuals to provide services in a particular field. It is important for public safety, accountability, and practitioner benefits. Renewal of certification or licensure is required. The continuing education required for renewal ensures practitioners maintain knowledge, skills and abilities, while staying abreast of new and emerging trends in the field. Continued skill development often leads to enhanced career standing and potential for greater advancement.
LICENSURE
Typically, a license is a state’s grant of legal authority to practice a profession within a designated scope of practice. It is required in order to practice or to call oneself a licensed professional. Licensure requirements can and do vary from state to state, but IC&RC ensures Member Boards adhere to minimum standards of competency.
CERTIFICATION
Typically, a certification provides authority for a professional to practice a profession within a designated scope of practice. Certification is often issued by a private organization for the purpose of providing public protection by ensuring certified individuals have successfully met all requirements for the credential and demonstrated their ability to perform their profession competently. Certification requirements can and do vary from state to state, but IC&RC ensures Member Boards adhere to minimum standards of competency.
Regulators and community agencies have long required substance use disorder professionals to hold a professional certification. With the advancement of managed healthcare, many governments have adopted standards that parallel certification requirements for prevention, substance use disorder, and recovery professionals.
Licensure and certification are both ways to demonstrate competence in a particular field. Typically, both require passing an examination and completing on-going continuing education. Generally, professionals who are licensed and/or certified have better job prospects and higher salaries.