N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 14 § 853.7

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 25, June 18, 2024

Section 853.7 - Additional qualifications to become a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) or CASAC-Trainee

(a)Core competencies.

(1) A CASAC must have the knowledge, skills and attitudes in the competency areas identified by the Office. These competencies represent acquired knowledge, skills and attitudes demonstrated in supervised practical training in an approved work setting and can be found on the OASAS website and in the application.

(2) In a work setting a CASAC or CASAC-T may be limited in their scope of practice depending on the counselor's level of education and experience. Counselors may not knowingly work outside of their scope of practice as defined in standards issued by the Office and available on the agency website.

(b)Work experience.

(1) An applicant must complete and document a minimum of 6,000 hours of supervised work experience, including provision of direct services, in an approved work setting.

(i) At least 2,000 hours of such 6,000 hours of work experience claimed must have been gained during the five (5) years prior to the applicant's submission of work hours to the Office.

(ii) At least 50 percent of work experience must be obtained in any approved work setting defined in section 853.3(d) (1) or (2) of this Part; the other 50 percent may be obtained in an approved work setting as defined in section 853.3(d)(3) of this Part.

(iii) Work experience must include a minimum of 300 hours of supervised practical training in the core competencies as defined by the Office and available on the OASAS website and in the application.

(2) Applicants who hold higher educational degrees from an accredited college or institution in an approved human services field, as defined by the Office and posted on the website, may substitute the highest level degree for work experience requirements of paragraph (1) of this subdivision as follows:

(i) an associate's degree may substitute for a maximum of 1,000 hours of work experience;

(ii) a bachelor's degree may substitute for a maximum of 2,000 hours of work experience;

(iii) a master's degree or higher may substitute for a maximum of 4,000 hours of work experience.

(3) Work experience must include regular, on-site documented clinical supervision by a QHP.

(c)Education and Training. An applicant must have completed 350 clock hours of education and training as determined by the Office. Minimum hourly subject matter requirements may be established and approved by the Office.

(d)CASAC-Trainee.

(1) The Office shall issue a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T) certificate to an applicant who has met the minimum qualifications of section 853.5 of this Part and:

(i) has completed the 350 clock hours of education and training and mandatory one-time requirements as defined by the Office, or

(ii) has completed: a minimum of 4,000 of the required 6,000 hours of work experience as defined by the Office, a minimum of 85 clock hours of education and training and mandatory one-time requirements as defined by the Office.

(2) A CASAC-Trainee certificate shall be valid from the date of issuance until the end of the five-year active application period, unless the trainee certificate is suspended or revoked by the Office.

(3) CASAC-Trainees may apply for at one-time three-year extension of their CASAC-Trainee certificate and such issuance is at the discretion of the Office.

(4) A CASAC-Trainee ("CASAC-T") may not be considered a Qualified Health Professional ("QHP") as defined in Part 800 of this Title for any purpose other than satisfying a qualified health professional clinical staff ratio requirement.

(e)CASAC-Provisional.

(1) The Office shall issue a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Provisional ("CASAC-P") certificate to an applicant who has met the minimum qualifications of Section 853.5 of this Part, and:

(i) has obtained a Bachelor's or Master's degree from an accredited college or institution in an approved human services field, as defined by the Office;

(ii) submits a valid Verification of Employment or Intent to Hire letter from an OASAS certified treatment provider/program, in a position providing clinical services as defined by the SUD Counselor Scope of Practice;

(iii) has completed any mandatory one-time requirements as determined by the Office.

(2) CASAC-Provisional (or "CASAC-P") may not be considered a Qualified Health Professional ("QHP") as defined in Part 800 of this Title for any purpose other than satisfying a qualified health professional clinical staff ratio requirement.

(3) a CASAC-Provisional certificate shall be valid from the date of issuance until the end of the five-year active application period, unless the Provisional certificate is revoked or suspended by the Office.

(4) CASAC-Provisionals may apply for a one-time three-year extension of their CASAC-Provisional Certificate as defined by the Office.

(f)Examination.

(1) An applicant must pass an examination approved by the Office to receive a CASAC credential.

(2) The examination may be administered to an applicant who complies with section 853.5(a) and (b) of this Part and has completed the required minimum 350 hours of education and training and mandatory one-time requirements as defined by the Office.

(3) If the applicant receives a passing score, such person will be eligible to receive a CASAC credential upon Office determination that all additional eligibility requirements have been completed.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 14 § 853.7

Adopted New York State Register September 9, 2015/Volume XXXVII, Issue 36, eff. 9/9/2015

Amended New York State Register July 15, 2020/Volume XLII, Issue 28, eff. 4/1/2021

Amended New York State Register February 7, 2024/Volume XLVI, Issue 6, eff. 2/7/2024