Georgia Addiction Counselors Association
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CAAC
Certified Adolescent Addiction Counselor
GRANDFATHERING ONLY APPLICATION – deadline for applications December 31, 2025
CAAC 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 (2nd) 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 or postal mail the status of
application;
• To understand ALL recertification applications are due 45 days prior to expiration to ensure
processing in a timely manner, failure to submit an application will result in delaying your
application.
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WAYS TO SUPPORT GACA
BENEFITS OF THE GACA CERTIFIED ADOLESCENT ADDICTION COUNSELOR (CAAC ) CREDENTIAL (GRANDFATHER):
• Supports career advancement and increased salary potential.
• Able to identify as a practitioner that specializes in addiction assessment and treatment.
• Demonstrate to clients, employers, and 3rd party payers your commitment to quality care by
verifying through certification the skills and competencies you have developed through years of work experience and coursework.
• The CAAC credential reflects a commitment of the highest ethical standards for Substance Use Disorders/ Addiction professionals.
• Allows you to support the U.S. Department of Labor increased demand for Substance Use Disorders/Addiction Counselors needed by 2024.
• Improve your opportunities for independent practice.
CAAC GRANDFATHERING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
✓ Bachelor’s / 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.
✓ Current credential 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.
✓ At Least five years full time or 10,000 hours of supervised experience working in Substance abuse disorders/Addiction and or related counseling subjects, Must include two and a half or 5,000 hours of experience working with adolescents.
✓ At least 270 contact hours of education and trainings in substance use disorders and /or related counseling subjects.
✓ Must include at least 70 contact hours of training related to adolescent treatment within the
last 6 years Must include at least 6 hours of ethics education and training in the last 6 years.
✓ Must include at least 6 hours of HIV/Pathogens education and training in the last 6 years.
✓ CAAC Grandfather clause will be Exempt from the NCC AP’s NCAAC exam until December 31, 2025 of Disorders/Addiction. Must include the following trainings (must be a GACA provider ONLY):
six (6) hours of pharmacology six (6) hours CFRv42✓ Grandfathering period ends December 31, 2025
GRANDFATHERING APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
□ Copy of official Bachelor’s /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.
□ 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.
□ 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 five years full-time or 10,000 hours. Work experience must be 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
□ Submit a copy of GCIC report to GACA
□ 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
□ Evidence of a current state issued ADDICTION credential/license.
□ Provide work history for the 2 years prior to renewal.
□ Submission of a signed statement that the candidate has read and subscribes to the NAADAC Code of ethics.
□ Renewal every odd calendar year i.e. 2025, 2027 etc.; ALL recertification applications will be due by expiration date on certificate of each renewal year CAAC
– Is required to maintain a valid Georgia licensure and or CACII
□ 40 hours of continuing education is required for both the CAAC and CACII recertification every 2 years
o 20 hours of continuing education in adolescent specific trainings completed with a GACA approved
provider*
o 20 hours other counseling-related subjects
□ First time CAAC renewals must include the following continuing education courses with a GACA approved education provider (*subtract these hours from the 20 GACA approved CE hours):
• Six (6) hours of Pharmacology;
• Six (6) hours Addiction / the Disease Concept