The Florida Certification Board

©2000-2008
Florida Certification Board.
1715 S. Gadsden St.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 222-6314
FAX: (850) 222-6247
The Florida Certification Board  Monday - October 06, 2008
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Providing protection by ensuring quality in the delivery of treatment, prevention, & intervention services to Florida's citizens.
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CERTIFICATION OPERATIONS

FAQ

General Certification Questions

1.  I am moving to Florida. What do I need to do to transfer my certification?

  • Applicants are automatically issued the CAC / CPS credential upon approval and notification by ICRC.
  • To upgrade to the professional level credential - CAP / CPP, counselors must show proof of a minimum of a BA degree and pass the Florida Specific exam.
  • An official transcript must be received directly from an accredited college/university before the exam can be scheduled.

2.  How do I become certified?

  • Order the application packet.
  • Complete application packet and mail to FCB.
  • Pass written exam(s).

3.  Where can I get my educational requirements?

  • Education can come from a variety of sources, including college courses, workshops, in-services, conferences and seminars.  For a list of FCB Providers, click here.

4.  How do I know which section of the application to list my education hours?

  • Certificates should state the type of education received, i.e. documentation, supervision.  If they do not please go by course title.  If you are still not sure where to place the education, please see our training matrix.

5.  Who is a qualified supervisor?

  • A qualified professional is a physician licensed under Chapter 458 or 459, Florida Statutes; a professional licensed under Chapter 490 or 491, F.S.; or a person who is certified through a Department-recognized certification process for substance abuse treatment services and who holds, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree (CAP/CAPP).

6.  Can all of my education come from home study?

  • For initial certification home study is appropriate and can be submitted at any percentage up to 100%, when and only when it meets the following conditions; Has been approved through: A nationally recognized independent accreditation body for education, a state certification organization that is recognized by the state authority in the area where they grant certification, a federal, state, county, city or government department or agency, a recognized state licensing organization.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify the home study approval process when requested by the FCB.  FCB also reserves the right to ask for additional information on the accrediting body and will approve all National Associations and National Certification Boards right to offer initial certification home study to FCB applicants on a case-by-case basis. If the content of any educational event is not clear from the title, submit a course description or syllabus.

7.  Can my supervision and work experience come from out of state?

  • Yes as long as your forms are signed by a qualified supervisor in the state that you earned your hours.  See ICRC Member Board Directory for credentials.

8.  How do I calculate my education hours?

  • 1 semester credit equals 15 hours. 
    1 quarter credit equals 10 hours.
    1 CEU or contact hour equals 1 hour.

9.  How do I find an approved provider?

10.  What is a qualified professional?

  • A physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459; a professional licensed under chapter 490 or chapter 491; or a person who is certified through a department-recognized certification process for substance abuse treatment services and who holds, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree. A person who is certified in substance abuse treatment services by a state-recognized certification process in another state at the time of employment with a licensed substance abuse provider in this state may perform the functions of a qualified professional as defined in this chapter but must meet certification requirements contained in this subsection no later than 1 year after his or her date of employment.

11.  How do I file a complaint against a certified professional or person seeking certification?

  • Persons wishing to file a complaint against a certified professional or against a person seeking certification may do so by obtaining and filling out a formal complaint form. Complaint forms may be obtained from the FCB office or obtained from the link below.
  • All complaint forms must contain the complainant's address and a phone number where the complainant can be contacted. The complainant must sign and date the complaint form. Anonymous complaints will NOT be accepted.
  • Download Complaint forms (PDF)(12 KB)

12.  What are your fees and what do they apply to?

13.  How do I let you know it is okay to share my Application Portfolio information with someone?

14.  Do I have to be certifiede to work in addictions?

  • No, according to Florida Statute 397 you can work in addictions without any certification as long as you are working in a facility licensed for substance abuse by the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

15.  Can I open my own practice if I have the CAP certification?

  • No, not with the credential alone, but you can obtain a facility license through DCF.

16.  What does it take to start an alcohol and substance abuse program?

  • All substance abuse service providers must be licensed by DCF.  Contact your local DCF office for information regarding program licensure.

17.  Does certification qualify me for third party payment by insurers?

  • The CAP certification is recognized by some third-party payers.  If you are working in a licensed facility you can bill insurance companies for services delivered.  The insurance company has the right to decide who it will reimburse.

18.  Do Medicaid and Medicare accept certification as qualification for payment?

  • Currently only licensed psychologists can bill Medicaid or Medicaid in private practice.  A LCSW can bill if they are working at a community mental health center.

19.  How do I fill out the Training Verification Form?

  • List EACH course/training you are seeking credit for on a separate line.  Fill out all required information.  Attach copies of each course/training certificate/transcript.  You must fill out the form for every course/training you are submitting.  Writing "see attached" only is not sufficient.  Click here for a sample of a completed form.

Criminal History Questions

1.  What is the FCB's policy regaring applicants with criminal backgrounds?

2.  I have been arrested in the past.  Does this mean that I am not eligible for certification?

  • It depends.  If you have been arrested and found guilty of a first degree misdemeanor or any felony charge, the FCB must review and approve your criminal history as part of the certification application process.  The FCB will review each applicant's background on an individual basis.

3.  What documentation does the FCB require in order to review my criminal background?

  • If you indicate that you have a first degree misdemeanor charge(s) or any felony charge(s), you must provide the FCB with an official copy of your criminal record, including the disposition of your case.  The record must be an original copy, sent from the agency responsible for documenting your successful completion of court ordered sanctions, to the FCB.  We cannot accept photocopies, web-page printouts, or any other documents from the applicant.

4.  I was arrested some time ago and am still under probation.  Is this a problem?

  • Applicants must have satisfied all court-ordered sanctions, including probation, parole, community supervision, or any other court-ordered oversight before they are eligible for certification.

5.  I was convicted of a crime a very long time ago.  I believe the record is so old that I will not be able to get documentation for it.  What do I do?

  • At a minimum, the court where your case was held will have records.  Unless the charges are over 100 years old, there should be no problem obtaining these records from the clerk of court.

6.  I have a sealed record.  What do I send in?

  • The FCB does not have access to sealed records.  These records usually only exist for those persons who were minors at the time of their crime.  Please inidicate on the application for certification that you have a sealed record; no documentation needs to accompany this.

Child Welfare Case Manager Questions

1.  Is SkillNet acceptable to show proof of training?

  • Yes, this is DCF's official website for training.

2.  Are supervisors allowed to be certified by the FCB?

  • Yes, if you meet the required standards you can be certified

Upgrade Questions

1.  How or what is the process to upgrade?

  • In order to upgrade from these levels (CAC, CAS, CCJAS, CCJAC, CPS) to the next level, you must submit a written request by U.S. mail stating that you would like to upgrade and which level you would like to upgrade to.  You must have an "active" status to upgrade.  Once the written request is received by our office your file will be reviewd and a letter will be mailed informing you of any additional information we may need to complete the upgrade process.

2.  Is there an upgrade fee?

  • The first year after certification the upgrade fee is waived.  The second year after certification the upgrade fee is $50.  The third year after certification the upgrade fee is $100.  The fourth and all following years the upgrade fee is $150.

Reciprocity Questions

1.  I am moving to another state. What do I need to do to transfer my certification?

  • Send your completed Application for Counselor Reciprocity, a copy of your current certificate, and your money order payable to ICRC for $100.00 (US Funds) to your current ICRC member board.  Once approved, the board to which you are applying will issue you a new certificate and information about any additional requirements in the new state.  For more information click here.

Reinstatement Questions

1.  How do I reinstate?

  • The certified must submit a written request, proof of 20 current CEUs, the current year’s renewal fee and a $200 reinstatement fee. NOTE: If you are currently certified at one of the professional levels (CAP, CCJAP, CPP) level and DO NOT hold a minimum of a Bachelor degree, you will be required to obtain one prior to reinstatement.

Renewal Questions

1.  How do I renew my certification?

  • Certification is renewed annually.  Renewal invoices will be mailed approximately 60 days in advance and are considered to be a courtesy reminder.  It is the responsibility of the counselor to make sure their payment and CEU’s are received by the deadline.  Fees received after the deadline will be assessed a $30.00 late fee.  The certified is required to complete CEUs annually whether they are being audited or not. 

2.  Why must I pay a renewal fee already when I am recently certified?

  • The renewal fee is a payment to remain certified and in good standing through the next year.

Dual Certification Questions

1.  How do I apply for dual certification?

  • Send a written request to obtain a dual-certification application and the $40.00 application fee.

Retired Status Questions

1.  I would like to retire from the field.  What options do I have?

  • Two options are available, Retired Emeritus Status and Limited Retirement Status.

SAP Questions

1.  What is a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and how do I become one?

  • The definition of a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is as follows: a SAP is “a licensed physician” (Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy); or a licensed or certified psychologist; or a licensed or certified social worker; or a state-licensed or certified marriage & family therapist; or a licensed or certified employee assistance professional; or an addiction counselor (certified either by the Florida Certification Board as a CAC having completed both the international and oral exams or a CAP having completed the oral exam or the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Certification Commission; or by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates/Master Addictions Counselor; or by the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse). To become a SAP, you must take a 12-hour home study course as well as a written exam.  For all information regarding the SAP credential, please click here.

2.  What is the TAP 21?

  • In an effort to standardize the process of certification in the State of Florida, while elevating the level of professionalism within the field, the Florida Certification Board (FCB) used national standards for substance abuse counseling set forth by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (CSAT/SAMHSA) in their Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21 Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice. CSAT/SAMHSA has defined the competencies essential to the effective practice of counseling for psychoactive substance use disorders, and delineated the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that make up each competency.  For a copy of the TAP 21 click here.

 

Still have questions?  Contact Us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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