Georgia Addiction Counselors Association
About Us
- Find a Certified Clinical Supervisor to help guide you through the process of certification. See our directory of GACA Certified Clinical Supervisors.
- Complete the training and education requirements for your desired credential.
- Complete the counseling work experience and all other requirements for your desired credential.
- Complete and submit the application and supporting documents to the GACA Office.
- Earn a passing score on the applicable national examination. (No exam required for CCIT.)
- Counselor-In-Training Certification (CCIT) – a temporary, transitional certification for trainees which must be completed within a 3-year period.
- Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (CACI) – a certification for addiction counselors who meet the minimum requirements in Georgia.
- Certified Addiction Counselor, Level II (CACII) – a certification for addiction counselors who hold a Bachelors degree or higher and meet the level two requirements.
- Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) – a credential for clinicians who supervise addiction counselors and meet the requirements of GACA.
- Certified Master Addiction Counselor (CMAC) – a new certification for addiction counselors who hold a Masters Degree or Higher. For grandfathering eligibility testing exemption requirements, visit www.gaca.org and complete the CMAC application. Grandfathering eligibility ends March 31, 2022.
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WAYS TO SUPPORT GACA
Out-of-state certified or licensed addiction counselors who hold a current certification/licensure may seek Reciprocity through GACA by a separate application.
A competent counselor must possess a wide array of knowledge and skills. Therefore, it is imperative that applicants demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in each of the eight (8) counselor skill groups. Applications must accurately reflect the candidate’s work experience, clinical supervision, and training/education as defined by the Certification Committee criteria. Applications that do not meet all requirements including documentation and a passing score on the NCE written examination will be ineligible for certification until such time as these requirements are met.
Certification is awarded by the GACA Certification Committee under the auspices of the GACA Board of Directors after the applicant has successfully completed the certification procedure.
RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
- EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2019
- Six (6) hours of education in Tele Counseling or other equivalent training such as Telemental Health, E-Counseling, or E-Therapy must be documented.
RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS for CAC I and CACII
CACI: 40 total continuing education hours within the 2 years prior to date of expiration to include :
- 20 hours with a GACA Provider Number, in classroom
- 20 hours other counseling-related subjects
- Above hours must include 6 hours Ethics (NOTE: No Cultural Diversity hours or HIV/AIDS related training is required)
- Above hours must include 6 hours of Telemental Health
- 24 hours of supervision by a GACA-certified CCS holding a valid certificate
- Copy of the last-issued CAC certificate and the Recertification Fee of $100.00/member – $200.00/nonmember (All application fees are NON-REFUNDABLE)
- If post-expiration date, $50.00/member and $75.00 non-member; 30 days post-expiration, email gaca@gaca.org to request a Reinstatment Application
CACII: 40 total continuing education hours to include :
- 20 hours with a GACA Provider Number, in classroom
- 20 hours other counseling-related subjects
- Above hours must include 6 hours Ethics (NOTE: No Cultural Diversity hours or HIV/AIDS related training is required)
- Above hours must include 6 hours of Telemental Health
- CACII level counselors are EXEMPT FROM clinical supervision
- Copy of the last CAC-issued certification and the Recertification Fee of $100.00/member – $200.00/nonmember (All application fees are NON-REFUNDABLE)
- If post-expiration date, $50.00/member and $75.00 non-member; 30 days post-expiration, email gaca@gaca.org to request a Reinstatement Application
Payment: Debit cards, Credit cards, or Checks. GACA will NOT accept money orders.
Do not send “signature required” parcels. You may send certified mail to track your application though.
We appreciate the time, effort, and perseverance expended to become a certified addiction counselor. Thank you for choosing GACA as your credentialing agency.
Contacting Us:
If there are any questions regarding the certification process, you may contact us using the information below.
Georgia Addiction Counselors Association
4015 South Cobb Drive
Suite 160
Smyrna, GA 30080
Email: gaca@gaca.org Phone: 770.434.1000