Appendix E to Part 40 - SAP Equivalency Requirements for Certification Organizations
49:1.0.1.1.30.20.43.1.32 : Appendix E
Appendix E to Part 40 - SAP Equivalency Requirements for
Certification Organizations
1. Experience: Minimum requirements are for three years
of full-time supervised experience or 6,000 hours of supervised
experience as an alcoholism and/or drug abuse counselor. The
supervision must be provided by a licensed or certified
practitioner. Supervised experience is important if the individual
is to be considered a professional in the field of alcohol and drug
abuse evaluation and counseling.
2. Education: There exists a requirement of 270 contact
hours of education and training in alcoholism and/or drug abuse or
related training. These hours can take the form of formal
education, in-service training, and professional development
courses. Part of any professional counselor's development is
participation in formal and non-formal education opportunities
within the field.
3. Continuing Education: The certified counselor must
receive at least 40-60 hours of continuing education units (CEU)
during each two year period. These CEUs are important to the
counselor's keeping abreast of changes and improvements in the
field.
4. Testing: A passing score on a national test is a
requirement. The test must accurately measure the application of
the knowledge, skills, and abilities possessed by the counselor.
The test establishes a national standard that must be met to
practice.
5. Testing Validity: The certification examination must
be reviewed by an independent authority for validity (examination
reliability and relationship to the knowledge, skills, and
abilities required by the counseling field). The reliability of the
exam is paramount if counselor attributes are to be accurately
measured. The examination passing score point must be placed at an
appropriate minimal level score as gauged by statistically reliable
methodology.
6. Measurable Knowledge Base: The certification process
must be based upon measurable knowledge possessed by the applicant
and verified through collateral data and testing. That level of
knowledge must be of sufficient quantity to ensure a high quality
of SAP evaluation and referral services.
7. Measurable Skills Base: The certification process must
be based upon measurable skills possessed by the applicant and
verified through collateral data and testing. That level of skills
must be of sufficient quality to ensure a high quality of SAP
evaluation and referral services.
8. Quality Assurance Plan: The certification agency must
ensure that a means exists to determine that applicant records are
verified as being true by the certification staff. This is an
important check to ensure that true information is being accepted
by the certifying agency.
9. Code of Ethics: Certified counselors must pledge to
adhere to an ethical standard for practice. It must be understood
that code violations could result in de-certification. These
standards are vital in maintaining the integrity of practitioners.
High ethical standards are required to ensure quality of client
care and confidentiality of client information as well as to guard
against inappropriate referral practices.
10. Re-certification Program: Certification is not just a
one-time event. It is a continuing privilege with continuing
requirements. Among these are continuing education, continuing
state certification, and concomitant adherence to the code of
ethics. Re-certification serves as a protector of client interests
by removing poor performers from the certified practice.
11. Fifty State Coverage: Certification must be available
to qualified counselors in all 50 states and, therefore, the test
must be available to qualified applicants in all 50 states. Because
many companies are multi-state operators, consistency in SAP
evaluation quality and opportunities is paramount. The test need
not be given in all 50 states but should be accessible to
candidates from all states.
12. National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)
Accreditation: Having NCCA accreditation is a means of
demonstrating to the Department of Transportation that your
certification has been reviewed by a panel of impartial experts
that have determined that your examination(s) has met stringent and
appropriate testing standards.