Over the past couple of years, the GACA Certification Board has discussed changes to the requirements for certification to “get with the times”.  With the advent of daily use of the internet to do business, order merchandise and services, and even complete college degrees, GACA is instituting several revisions to the certification and recertification process that, we believe, will be beneficial to our members and future members.  The economic downturn beginning in 2008 created work furloughs and loss of jobs throughout the state and forced downsizing or even closing of some long-term treatment providers.  We hope these changes will alleviate some of the financial and emotional burden of obtaining and/or maintaining addiction professional credentials through the Association.   These changes coordinate with the reduction in recertification training hours made by our national affiliate, NAADAC, in 2009.

RECERTIFICATION CAC and CCS REQUIREMENTS – On November 14, 2009, the Certification Board modified and finalized changes to recertification requirements every 2 years:

EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2010.  Clinical Supervision by a CCS is no longer required for CACII counselors. For all CACI and CACII applicants recertifying after this date, the following requirements apply:

§         CACI: 40 total continuing education hours within the 2 years prior to date of expiration to include:

o         20 hours with a GACA Provider Number, in classroom, face-to-face

o         20 hours other counseling-related subjects

o         Above hours must include 6 hours Ethics (NOTE:  No Cultural Diversity hours or HIV/AIDS related training is required)

o         24 hours of supervision by a GACA-certified CCS holding a valid certificate 

§         CACII:  40 total continuing education hours to include:

o         20 hours with a GACA Provider Number, in classroom

o         20 hours other counseling-related subjects

o         Above hours must include 6 hours Ethics (NOTE:  No Cultural Diversity hours or HIV/AIDS related training is required)

o         CACII level counselors are EXEMPT FROM clinical supervision

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF GACA PROVIDER EDUCATION NUMBERS

The GACA Training & Education Committee and the Certification Board have developed a standard to ensure that continuing education hours presented toward initial certification and certification renewal fall within the guidelines of the Eight Counselor Skill Groups for Addiction Counselors.  Education Providers who submit application for a GACA Provider Number are assured that approved courses will satisfy the  requirement designated "must have a GACA Provider Number".  NAADAC Providers headquartered in Georgia are encouraged to apply for a GACA Provider Number so that courses may qualify for the “GACA Provider Number Required” category.  See requirements page under “CAC Certification” and “Education Providers”.  NAADAC Providers headquartered outside Georgia and “Other” providers are not required to have a GACA Provider Number, but training will NOT be credited under the  “must have a GACA Provider Number”  requirement category. 

GACA Provider Number:  A number issued ONLY by the GACA Training & Education Committee   (NOT NAADAC) that signifies a course, training, or conference that has been reviewed by the Committee and is guaranteed to meet certification/recertification requirements for GACA credentials.   This number MUST appear on training certificates to be counted for credit.

NAADAC Provider Number:  A number issued ONLY by the NAADAC Provider Education Committee (NOT GACA) that signifies that approved providers have applied and been approved through the NAADAC process.  Does NOT satisfy GACA Provider Number category for certification/recertification

GACA Approved:  GACA will accept relevant counseling-related continuing education hours  under categories that do NOT require a GACA Provider Number.

Example:

Initial Certification:  CACI requires a minimum of 36 training hours with a GACA Provider Number; CACII requires a minimum of 54 training hours with a GACA Provider Number

Recertification:  CACI and CACII requires that 20 of the 40 training hours have a GACA Provider Number, be addiction specific, and be classroom face-to-face hours.  The remaining 20 hours may be from “other” providers or sources but must be related to counseling.