CMAC GRANDFATHERING APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITIES : 

It is the responsibility of the applicant at the time of application submission:

• To submit a COMPLETE application with ALL supporting documents;
• To maintain a copy of records and certification(s) submitted;
• To understand all fees are non-refundable;
• No application will not be processed until ALL fees and required documents have been submitted;
• Certification Committee has the right to verify any information submitted for certification; has the right to refuse and/or deny an application;
• All certification applications are reviewed on the second (2) Saturday of the month; Certification Committee has the right to reschedule, if needed. Please DO NOT call GACA office staff immediately after monthly scheduled certification to verify the status of your submitted application, GACA office staff will notify each applicant via email

CMAC Grandfathering Eligibility REQUIREMENTS :

• Master’s Degree or higher in Substance Use Disorders/Addiction and/or related counseling subjects (social work, marriage,and family, mental health counseling, psychology) from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning with
• Evidence of current GACA CAC credential or become a GACA CAC through reciprocity, or license as a Substance Use Disorders/Addiction counselor or Professional Counselor (social worker, mental health, marriage & family, psychologist, psychiatrist, addictionologist) issued by a state or credentialing authority.
• For those holding another state of Georgia addiction counselor certification, the only state addiction counselor credential eligible for the GACA CMAC is the GACA CAC.  All others would have to complete the process of reciprocity with GACA to be eligible for the GACA CMAC credential.

• • Written verification of competency in all skills groups by a supervisor or other health care professionals who have personally observed the candidate’s Substance Use Disorders/Addiction work for a total of three years full-time or 6,000 hours.
• Evidence of current credential or license as a Substance Use Disorders/Addiction Counselor or Professional Counselor (social worker, mental health, marriage & family, psychologist, psychiatrist, medical doctor) issued by a state or credentialing authority.
  • Evidence of 500 contact hours of education and training in Substance Use Disorders/Addiction. Must include the following trainings (must be a GACA provider ONLY):
    • six (6) hours of ethics training;
    • six (6) hours tele-mental health
    • Exempt from NCC-AP’s MAC examination

• Grandfathering/Testing Exemption period ends December 31, 2023

GRANDFATHERING APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Copy of official Master’s Degree (in human service or related field) transcript from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning in the field of human service or related field with
• Evidence of current GACA CAC credential or become a GACA CAC through reciprocity, or license as a Substance Use Disorders/Addiction Counselor or Professional Counselor (social worker, mental health, marriage & family, psychologist, psychiatrist, medical doctor) issued by a state or credentialing authority.
• Written verification of competency in all skills groups by a supervisor or other health care professionals who have personally observed the candidate’s Substance Use Disorders/Addiction work for a total of three years full-time or 6,000 hours. Work experience must in the field of addiction or in a professional setting where addiction clients are served.
• Submit a copy of professional resume
• Submit a copy of valid GA licensure
• Submission of a signed statement that the candidate has read and adheres to the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics.
• Payment of NON-REFUNDABLE credential application fee.

RENEWAL GUIDELINES

• ALL application fees are non-refundable
• Renewal every odd calendar year i.e. 2023, 2025 etc.; ALL recertification applications will be due by the date indicated on certifcate
• CMAC is a GACA Georgia State issued certification
• Is required to maintain a valid Georgia licensure
• 40 hours of continuing education is required for the CMAC
  • 20 hours of continuing education hours must be from a GACA provider
  • 20 hours other counseling-related subjects

Must include the following continuing education courses: From a GACA provider only

• • • • Six (6) hours of Pharmacology;
      • Six (6) hours Addiction / the Disease Concept