International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium Information

The Florida Certification Board is a proud member of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). The IC&RC is a not-for-profit voluntary membership organization comprised of certifying agencies involved in credentialing or licensing alcohol and other drug abuse counselors, clinical supervisors, prevention specialists, co-occurring disorders professionals and criminal justice professionals.

IC&RC and its members are committed to public protection through the establishment of quality, competency-based certification programs for professionals engaged in the prevention and treatment of addictions and related problems.

The IC&RC also promotes the establishment and recognition of minimum standards to provide reciprocity for certified professionals. Individuals who hold IC&RC credentials are able to transfer their credentials to any of the IC&RC's 73 member organizations. View IC&RC member boards.

Which FCB credentials are recognized by the IC&RC?

The FCB offers two IC&RC credentials:

IC&RC Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (AODA) credential
IC&RC Prevention Specialist (CPS) credential

Do I have to earn IC&RC certification?

The FCB requires all Certified Addiction Professionals (CAP) to earn the IC&RC's Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (AODA) credential. IC&RC AODA requirements are built into the CAP requirements.

The FCB allows interested Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) candidates the opportunity to earn the IC&RC AODA credential by meeting all CAC standards, plus:

Document an additional 20 hours of addiction training in the transdisciplinary foundations: Understanding Addiction/Treatment Knowledge and Application to Practice/Professional Readiness
Earn a passing score on the IC&RC AODA Written Examination

The FCB offers the Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) credential to preventionists who would like to hold IC&RC reciprocity. The IC&RC CPS credential is not required to practice in Florida. Interested persons should review the specific requirements that must be met to earn the IC&RC CPS credential.

Do I have to be IC&RC credentialed to work in Florida?

Only CAPs are required to earn the IC&RC AODA credential. However, IC&RC certified individuals do not have to maintain the IC&RC AODA credential to maintain CAP status. As the IC&RC member board, the FCB includes IC&RC credential renewal information in annual renewal notices to IC&RC certified individuals. It is up to the certified individual to choose whether or not to renew the IC&RC credential annually.

I am moving out of state. How do I transfer my credentials?

If you hold an IC&RC eligible CAP, CAC, CPP or CPS credential, AND you are moving to an IC&RC member board you are eligible to transfer your credentials using the reciprocity process outlined below:

Request the reciprocity application
Complete the application
Submit the completed application and a check or money order for $100 (made out to the IC&RC) to the FCB
The FCB will verify your eligibility for reciprocity and submit the completed application and payment to the IC&RC for processing
The IC&RC will submit your transfer request to the new IC&RC member board
The new member board will notify you of receipt of the IC&RC reciprocity application and will also inform you of any additional requirements that you may need to meet.

I have transferred into Florida using the reciprocity process and have already received the CAC/CPS credential. What do I have to do to upgrade to qualified professional status?

All qualified professionals in Florida must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree. The IC&RC AODA and the IC&RC CPS credentials do not require a bachelor's degree. For this reason, individuals who transfer into Florida through reciprocity must meet additional requirements in order to upgrade to the Certified Addiction Professional (CAP) or Certified Prevention Professional (CPP) designations, as follows:

To upgrade to the CAP from the CAC, you must:

Submit proof of a minimum of a bachelor's degree from a Department of Education/Council on Higher Education Accreditation (DOE/CHEA) accredited college or university
Pass the Florida Specific written exam

To upgrade to the CPP from the CPS, you must:

Submit proof of a minimum of a bachelor's degree from a Department of Education/Council on Higher Education Accreditation (DOE/CHEA) accredited college or university
Submit proof of an additional 4,000 hours of related experience
Submit proof of an additional 60 hours of clinical supervision
Submit proof of an additional 50 hours of training: 16 hours must be specific to management, administration, or leadership training
Pass the Florida Prevention Professional written exam

What can you tell me about the Florida written exams for upgrade?

The FCB written exams are administered on a quarterly basis, as well as electronically. Specific information regarding exam content, administration dates and test registration information is located on our testing page.

What can you tell me about the IC&RC written exams?

The FCB administers two of the IC&RC's written exams, on a quarterly basis. Administration dates are determined by the IC&RC. All IC&RC test registration information is located on our testing page.

For specific information regarding exam content, please review the Candidate Information Guides:

For the purposes of reciprocity, the SAP is not eligible.