Certification Standards

An addictions  specialist may be certified for three levels of knowledge and competence. Indigenous Certified Addictions Specialist : ICAS I, ICAS II, and ICAS III.

The basic difference between ICAS I, ICAS II, and ICAS III, lies in the length of supervised training and/or work experience, and differences in the amount of Certified Addictions Specialists education acquired.

It is not mandatory that an applicant attain certification as a ICAS I before being certified as a ICAS II, or ICAS III. The important distinction to consider when making an application for either category is the qualifications for each level.

In developing a system for certification, the Certification Board must of necessity, be vested with broad powers to assess the applicant, his/her work experience, competencies, and training. The Certification Board may require additional information or evidence in some cases to make an adequate determination of the applicant’s qualifications. If additional information is sought by the Certification Board, the applicant will be assessed a reasonable charge for obtaining the information. The applicant will be informed as to the charge and must remit in advance the amount necessary to conduct further investigation. Rather then proceeding, the applicant may withdraw his or her application for certification or recertification.

Applicants must agree to waive the right to inspect the results of inquiries made of employers, co-workers, references, or educational institutions which were sought and acquired in the process of making a determination on certification. Certification Board members are required to respect the confidentiality of all material whether oral or written.

Certification will be awarded for a two-year period. recertification will be required every two years on the anniversary of the original certification.

There shall be no waiver or substitute for the one-year full time supervised work experience ICAS I, three-year full time supervised work experience ICAS II, or five year full time work experience ICAS III, that involves providing direct counselling services to persons with primary problems of addiction in a First Nations approved addictions program, outpatient, recovery home or inpatient facility.

Standards for Certified Addictions Specialists were implemented in 2007.

To find out about the Knowledge and Competence Requirements follow this link.