Management Branch Office of Licensing

Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) – Levels I, II and III Application Checklist Information about the application process and how you will be contacted An Application Specialist will review your application based on the information you supply. If your application is incomplete, you will be contacted via the email address you provided. To monitor the status of your application, visit Online Services: apps.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Default. Disclosure of Addresses: Consistent with Colorado law, all addresses and phone numbers on record with the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) are public record and must be provided to the public when requested. It is your responsibility to keep your address and contact information current in our system. Your email address is not open to public record, but must be provided at the time you register an account. If your email address is not current, it is possible you will not receive important information from DPO. You can change your address, email address and other information online by using Online Services: apps.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Default. Application Expiration: Your application will be kept on file for one year from date of receipt in the Division of Professions and Occupations. Your file and all supporting documentation will be purged if you do not submit required documents and complete your application process in one year. You will need to resubmit a new application packet and fee after that time. If you submitted an application within the last year and were notified that you did not meet the requirements and you are submitting an update, you do not need to complete a new application or submit additional fees. Registered Psychotherapists: (previously known as “Unlicensed Psychotherapists”). Individuals who currently provide psychotherapy services, and/or are completing their experience and supervision for certification or licensure, are required to be registered in the Registered Psychotherapist Board Database pursuant to section 12-43-702.5, C.R.S., unless they are registered as a certified addictions counselor, level I, II or III. It is the applicant’s responsibility to comply with one of these requirements. Submission of this application does authorize the applicant to begin accruing hours or practice psychotherapy. Mandatory Disclosure Statement: Section 12-43-214 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) requires the mandatory disclosure of information to clients. This disclosure of information is viewed as significantly important in protecting the public from the unauthorized, unqualified, and improper application of psychotherapy. It is one of the few prohibited activities, which is also an unlawful act (a class 3 misdemeanor offense). You must provide mandatory disclosure to each client upon your first meeting. You may access the Model Mandatory Disclosure Statement on the Applications and Forms webpage: www.colorado.gov/dora/Addiction_Counselor_Applications_Docs#CAC. License Expiration Grace Period for New Applicants: PLEASE BE ADVISED that if you are issued a license within 120 days of the upcoming renewal expiration date, you will be issued a license with the subsequent expiration date. For example, licenses issued between May 1, 2017 and August 31, 2017 will reflect an expiration date of August 31, 2019. Licenses issued prior to May 1, 2017 will reflect an expiration date of August 31, 2017 and must renew in the upcoming renewal period. 

st

All certifications expire on August 31 of odd-numbered years and must be renewed to continue practicing.

1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202 P 303.894.7800

F 303.894.7693 www.dora.colorado.gov/professions

To obtain a certification as a CAC I, II or III, you must: Pay the Required Fee: You must pay the $70 application processing fee with a credit card or electronic check to complete the application process. All fees are non-refundable and are subject to change. Verify successful completion of the Jurisprudence Exam: You must take and pass the Colorado Mental Health Profession’s Jurisprudence Examination, which is available online. For information and instructions on completing this examination, view the Jurisprudence Resources on your professions Applications and Forms webpage: www.colorado.gov/dora/NewApps. 

After completing the exam, follow the instructions on your Passing Results Report (you must affix your handwritten signature and date on this Results Report). You must upload a copy of your signed and dated Passing Results Report at the time of application. If you’re unable to provide this, you won’t be able to complete and submit your application online.



If you do not pass the Jurisprudence Exam, follow the instruction on your Failing Results Report. There is a 10 day wait period between the date of your last testing attempt and enrollment to re-test. You must remit a new test fee to the test vendor for each re-test attempt.

Complete the Affidavit of Eligibility: You will be asked to attest to and provide information that you are lawfully present in the United States or otherwise eligible to work here. Provide your Social Security Number or an Affidavit: As of January 1, 2009, a Social Security Number is required for all licensees. Exceptions are made for foreign nationals not physically present in the United States and for nonimmigrants in the United States on student visas who do not have a Social Security Number. These applicants must submit a signed Social Security Number Affidavit in lieu of a Social Security Number. The Social Security Number Affidavit is available on the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) website: www.colorado.gov/dora/DPO_Update_Contact. Provide Name Change Documentation (if applicable): If you already have another type of license in Colorado and your name has since changed, you are presenting documentation for licensure with a previous name, or if any required documentation has a different name on it, you will be required to upload proof of your name change. Answer the Screening Questions: You will be asked a series of screening questions related to your criminal history or complaints filed against you in other jurisdictions (if applicable). This may require you to upload court documents or other material. Please review DPO’s information regarding the disclosure of criminal history contained within these instructions. Complete a Healthcare Professions Profiling Program (HPPP): You will be asked a series of questions concerning your practice during your online application. This profile is required for healthcare professionals in Colorado. Your Healthcare Professions Profile is an ongoing responsibility; you must update your profile online within 30 days of changes and/or reportable events. As you complete your profile, please read the instructions carefully. For more information visit: www.colorado.gov/dora/HPPP or call 303-894-5942. To obtain a certification as a CAC I, II or III by ORIGINAL method, you must: Provide Form A or B: You must provide proof that you have completed coursework required for your level of certification using Form A or B located on the Applications and Forms webpage: www.colorado.gov/dora/Addiction_Counselor_Applications_Docs#CAC. Provide the Work Verification Form: You must provide proof that you have the required experience hours for your level of certification using the Work Verification Form on the Applications and Forms webpage: www.colorado.gov/dora/Addiction_Counselor_Applications_Docs#CAC. 

CAC I: You must have at least 1,000 hours of work experience under appropriate supervision.



CAC II: You must have at least 2,000 hours beyond CAC I level under appropriate supervision OR if you hold a Clinical Master’s degree in Behavioral Health Sciences, *you may qualify for certification. If hold an appropriate

1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202 P 303.894.7800

F 303.894.7693 www.dora.colorado.gov/professions

clinical Master's/Doctoral degree in Behavioral Health must also document the following additional work experience on the Work Verification Form: •



You must document completion of 2,000 hours total of work experience in the addiction treatment field with direct clinical supervision by a CAC III, LAC or other qualified supervisor at a minimum of two hours per month for full time work.

CAC III: You must have at least 2,000 hours beyond CAC II level under appropriate supervision OR if you hold a Clinical Master’s degree in Behavioral Health Sciences, *you may qualify for certification. If hold an appropriate clinical Master's/Doctoral degree in Behavioral Health must also document the following additional work experience on the Work Verification Form: •

You must document completion of 3,000 hours total of work experience in the addiction treatment field with direct clinical supervision by a CAC III, LAC or other qualified supervisor at a minimum of two hours per month for full time work.

*Refer to pages 18 and 19 of the Addictions Counselor Handbook for more specific information, which is available under the Forms & Education Resources expandable tab on the Applications & Forms webpage: www.colorado.gov/dora/Addiction_Counselor_Applications_Docs. If you wish to receive credit for any college courses (if you are applying for CAC III certification, you must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Health Sciences): You must provide official transcript(s) demonstrating your degree in Behavioral Health Sciences to the Office of Licensing – CAC Licensure ([email protected] OR 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202). If you wish to receive credit for any college course(s), the classes taken at your University must be under a Memo of Understanding (MOU) with the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH). You should contact your University to determine if it has an MOU with OBH and that it includes the courses on the applicant's transcript. ALL university transcript courses required for the level you are applying for must be covered under the MOU. If your University was not under a MOU with the OBH at the time of your graduation or if not all courses on your transcript were covered under the MOU, you must: 

Provide Certificate(s) of Completion demonstrating the course(s) were taught by an OBH approved trainer; OR-



Request an evaluation by the Center for Credentialing Education (CCE) and arrange for CCE to provide your Education Approval Letter to the Office of Licensing – CAC Licensure (1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202). For further information or to request an education review, visit: www.cce-global.org/.

If you are applying for CAC II or III certification, you must pass an appropriate examination: Pass an appropriate examination: You must have taken and passed an appropriate examination administered by the National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). For further information or to request official verification of your scores be sent to the Office of Licensing – CAC Licensure (1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202), visit the Colorado Association for Addiction Professionals (CAAP), which is the designated affiliate of NAADAC: www.caap.us/examination-details. List and verify other Licenses (if applicable): You will be asked to list ALL licenses you hold or have held to practice addiction counseling or a related profession. It is preferred that you provide scanned copy verification from the other state or jurisdiction website at the time of application. Otherwise, arrange for verification to be sent to the Office of Licensing – LAC Licensure (1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202). The verification must indicate whether or not you have ever had disciplinary action taken against that license/registration.

1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202 P 303.894.7800

F 303.894.7693 www.dora.colorado.gov/professions

To obtain a certification as a CAC I, II or III by ENDORSEMENT, you must: Hold a Current License: You must hold a current and unrestricted license, in good standing, to practice addiction counseling in another state, territory or foreign country. List other Licenses: You will be asked to list ALL certifications, registrations or licenses you hold or have held to practice addiction counseling or a related profession. Submit completed endorsement evaluation: You must request an endorsement evaluation from the Center for Credentialing Education (CCE) to determine the level of certification/licensure you are eligible for in Colorado. If you have not yet done so, visit CCE’s website to request your endorsement evaluation. Your application will not be processed until CCE sends your endorsement evaluation to the Office of Licensing - CAC Licensure (1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202): www.cce-global.org/.

1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202 P 303.894.7800

F 303.894.7693 www.dora.colorado.gov/professions

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO:

All Applicants

FROM:

Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations

SUBJECT:

Licensure and Criminal History

Thank you for your interest in becoming a licensed* professional within the Division of Professions and Occupations. Before you submit your application, please be aware of a few facts regarding criminal conduct, convictions, and disciplinary actions in other states. The mission of the Division of Professions and Occupations is “public protection through effective licensure and enforcement.” One way the Division safeguards consumers is by issuing licenses to fully qualified, competent, and ethical applicants. During the licensing process – and depending on the specific application – the Division may ask whether you have ever been disciplined in any state, arrested, charged, convicted, or pled guilty to a crime. An arrest, subsequent criminal conviction, or disciplinary action is not an automatic disqualification from licensure. Rather, the appropriate board or program will look at the facts surrounding the criminal conduct and disciplinary action in addressing your license application. You should know that licensure is a privilege, not a right. One thing you must do to obtain the privilege is to be complete and accurate in disclosing information on your application. Be sure to list all relevant complaints, disciplinary actions, arrests, charges, or convictions in response to the appropriate licensure questions. Failure to fully and accurately disclose requested criminal history information, alone, could constitute grounds for denial of your application or revocation of your license. When requested, you must include information regarding prior conduct. This remains the case when the conduct is seemingly unrelated to the activities of a profession, and when the conduct involves deferred sentences or judgments. Remember, even following licensure, you are still required to notify your professional licensing board or program about subsequent convictions and disciplinary actions in other states. Please be aware that the Division conducts audits of its licensing database against several criminal and national disciplinary databases. This allows the Division to verify the truthfulness of your application and track subsequent criminal and disciplinary conduct after initial licensure. Keep in mind, your license will not necessarily be revoked, or your application denied, if you have been disciplined, arrested, charged or convicted. But, you will most likely be denied or revoked if you fail to disclose requested information. *The word "license" is used as a general term. While most of the professions and occupations are licensed, others may be registered, certified, or listed. For precise terminology and requirements related to a profession or occupation, please consult the website of the appropriate board or program.

1560 Broadway, Suite 1350, Denver, CO 80202 P 303.894.7800

F 303.894.7693 www.dora.colorado.gov/professions