top of page

Substance Use Disorders Associate

SUDA

Table of Contents:

Part 1: Application Requirements and Process

Section I. Eligibility Criteria 

The Substance Use Disorder Associate certificate holder is considered a “trainee” in the State of Idaho. The SUDA certification was developed through a collaborative effort between IBADCC, the Department of Health and Welfare, and the IDEAS! Consortiums, as a way of ensuring that those individuals considered “trainees'' enter into the addictions treatment field with specific knowledge and skills to work with clients who have substance use disorders. The SUDA certificate also provides the trainee with some recognition while working towards their CADC or ACADC certification.
 

Note:

 

The SUDA certification is not recognized by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, and consequently does not have reciprocity in other IC&RC states.

​

College Coursework can be on-line or face to face, but must be from a College or University that has been accredited by a national or regional accreditation body and listed with the U.S. Department of Education.

Section II. Education Requirements 

College Class

Introduction to Drug & Society

Family & Chemical Dependency

Counseling Techniques 1

Pharmacology  

Screening & Assessment

Case Management

Ethics for Addiction Counselors

Blood Borne Pathogens

Credit / Hours

3 credits / 45 hours

3 credits / 45 hours

3 credits / 45 hours

3 credits / 45 hours

3 credits / 45 hours

3 credits / 45 hours

2 credits / 30 hours

1 credits / 15 hours

Official college or university transcripts from an accredited institution, showing a passing grade in the following courses:

TOTAL FOR SUDA

21 credits / 315 hours

IC&RC has initiated new domains for the CADC and ACADC. The following is a cross-walk that includes these domains and correlates with the required SUDA classes which were determined by a review of the TASKS in these domains. Tasks are listed under Section II- 3.

College Class

Domain

Credits / Hours

Introduction to Drug & Society  

Family & Chemical Dependency

Pharmacology 

Screening & Assessment

Case Management

Ethics for Addiction Counselors

Blood Borne Pathogens

​Recommended: Group Skills

Screening, Assessment & Engagement - Task 3

Counselling - Task 3, 5, 8

Counselling - Task 3, 5, 8

Screening, Assessment & Engagement - Task 3

Counselling - Task 3, 5, 8

Screening, Assessment - All Tasks

Treatment Planning, Collaboration & Referral - All Tasks

Professional & Ethical Responsibilities - All Task

Professional & Ethical Responsibilities - Task 3

Counselling - Task 3, 5, 8

3 credits / 45 hours

3 credits  / 45 hours

3 credits /  45 hours

3 credits / 45 hours

3 credits / 45 hours

2 credits / 30 hours

1 credit / 15 hours

3 credits 45 hours

Section III. Experience Requirements 

Completion of a 300 hour, supervised practicum, with a minimum of ten (10) hours in each of the 12 Core Functions (Section II). Candidates may meet this requirement either through a practicum course offered by an accredited educational institution, or by developing an Internship/Practicum Plan with the practicum supervisor (Section IV).

 

Supervision is defined as a formal, systematic process that focuses on skill development and integration of knowledge and generally occurs early in a career. Supervision must take place in a setting where AODA counseling is being provided. Supervision may be a part of the eligible work experience. Supervision may be completed under more than one supervisor or agency.

 

Please see Section II for additional information regarding supervision. A supervisor MUST meet one of the following requirements and MUST provide documentation of qualifications:

​

CADC who has been certified for 3 years and has completed 

​

1. 15 hours of training in supervision OR

​

2. an ACADC  OR

​

3. a CCS OR

​

4. a person with a Master’s degree and license in addictions counseling or

Master’s degree and certification in addictions counseling  OR

​

5. an approved Health & Welfare Clinical Supervisor (QP) under 

​

​

​

Section IV. Application Process 

All applications must be completed online,

​

All candidates for certification must submit an online application, with appropriate documentation, for review by the IBADCC Education Committee.

​

When it has been determined that the eligibility requirements have been met, the candidate will be notified.

​

​

​

Section V.  Letters of Reference  

Three letters of reference which are directly related to the applicant’s professional knowledge and skills are required. One letter MUST BE submitted by the applicant’s supervisor.

​

​

​

 

Referrers should email their references directly to ibadcc@ibadcc.org 

​

Section VI .  Enhanced Criminal History Background Check 

Applicants must submit a copy of a State of Idaho, Health and Welfare Background check (background check cannot be more than three years old. Applicants who currently do not have a Health and Welfare Enhanced Background check or need an employer ID number to use for the background check may contact the IBADCC office for instructions.

​

Section VII.  Employment Verification 

Employment Verification Forms: Applicants must submit employment verification forms to verify work experience.

 

Employment Verification forms can be downloaded here.

Section VIII.  Code of Ethics 

Applicants must read the Code of Ethics section of the online application and then electronically sign the agreement.

​

Click here for the latest file of Code of Ethics

Section IX.  Internship / Practicum Plan 

Applicants must complete a 300-hour supervised practicum, with a minimum of ten hours in each of the 12 Core Functions.

 

Click here for the latest file of Twelve Core Functions

Section X.  Disability-Related Needs

Applicants who have a disability that requires special testing accommodations will note this information in their application

Section XI.  Fees

Application for Certification

CBT Exam

​Two-year Renewal Fee

Replacement Certificate Fee

$65

$160

$135

$20

Section XII.  Examination

Applicants must pass a competency-based exam developed by the IC&RC through cooperation with and for use by all member boards.

A. Exam Instructions

Once an application has been approved and the testing fee has been received by IBADCC, a letter will be issued with instructions directing applicants to register for the test online. Applicants can select their testing date and the testing center that is most convenient for them.

 

You have one year from your approval date to test. If you have not tested within that year, your file will become inactive and a $50 reactivation fee will be charged between year one and year two of the approval date. Two years after the approval date, the application will become suspended, and the applicant must submit a current and complete application for certification.

 PLEASE NOTE:

​

All exams are computer-based and provide immediate scoring at the completion of your exam.

​

A candidate who fails the exam may retest again in 90 days by submitting a check for $80.00, a discount of 50% of the original test fee.

​

A candidate may re-test up to two times within a year of application approval.

 

A candidate who fails three certification tests must reapply and be accepted, prior to testing again.

 

If you have any special accommodations needed at the exam, you will have to fill out the Documentation of Disability-Related Needs form located in your online account.

 

A candidate guide for the examination manual is available for purchase at www.readytotest.com.

B. Reschedule / Cancellation Policy

The following policies apply for applicants needing to cancel or reschedule their exam:

​

  • If an applicant needs to cancel or reschedule their exam five or more calendar days prior to the date, they will have to pay a $25 rescheduling fee to IQT. They can be contacted at www.isoqualitytesting.com.

 

  • If an applicant needs to reschedule or cancel their test less than five calendar days prior to the date, they will forfeit the full testing fee.

​

  • If an applicant fails to show up for their exam at the scheduled time, do not have proper identification, or do not have their admission letter, they will not be allowed to sit for their exam and will forfeit the full testing fee.

C. Test Day

You MUST have proper identification and your admission letter when you arrive at the test center.

 

For a list of current Testing Centers nearest you go to: www.isoqualitytesting.com/locations.aspx

D. Bibliography for SUDA Exam

Alcohol Anonymous. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

 

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.  Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills & Attitudes of Professional Practice. Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) Series 21, 2006.

 

Corey, G., Corey M. and P. Callanan. Issues and Ethics in the the Helping Professions, 7th Ed. Brooks/Cole, 2006.

 

Corey, G., Corey M. Theory and Practice of Group Counseling, 7th Ed. Brooks/Cole, 2008.

 

Morrison, James. The First Interview. The Guilford Press, 1995.

 

Edwards, John T. PhD. Treating Chemically Dependent Families: A Practical Systems Approach for Professionals.

 

Graham, _____. Secret Life of the Alcoholic. Element Publisher, 19xx.

 

Ivey, Allen, E. Intentional Interviewing and Counseling. Brooks/Cole, 2007.

 

Julien, Robert M., PhD. A Primer of Drug Action. Henry Holt and Company, 2001.

 

Kuleqicz, Stanley F. The Twelve Core Functions of a Counselor.  Counselor Publications, 1996.

 

Perkinson, Robert R. Chemical Dependency Treatment Planner. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1998.

 

Ray, Oakley and Charles Ksir. Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior. McGraw-Hill, 2006.

 

Weigsheider-Cruse, Sharon. Another Chance: Hope and Health for the Alcoholic Family.

 

Comprehensive Case Management for Substance Abuse Treatment (TIP 27) RADAR (BSU)

 

Alphabet Soup - State Department of Health, STD/HIV Program

 

RADAR (BSU)

E. SUDA Examination Review Topics

Counseling Skills

  • Attending Behavior

  • Paraphrasing

  • Open/Closed Questions

  • Styles of Listening

  • Content versus Process

Screening and Assessment

  • Define a comprehensive assessment

  • Elements of a comprehensive assessment

  • Criteria for substance abuse diagnosis

  • Screening instruments

  • Readiness for treatment

  • Core Functions

  • Levels of treatment

  • Confidentiality

  • ​ASAM criteria/DSM IV and continuum

Family and Chemical Dependency

  • Roles in Family

  • Shame, blame

  • Intervention

  • Elements of family intervention

  • Continuum of care

Pharmacology

  • Sign & symptoms of substance abuse

  • Withdrawal

  • Overdose

  • Neurotransmitters

  • FAS: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

​

Drugs and Society

  • Psychological and physical dependency

  • AA: 12-Step Groups

  • Risk Factors

  •  Levels of use and abuse

  • Prevention strategies

  • Continuum of care

  • Theories of addiction

  • Treatment modalities

  • Relapse

Ethics

  • Principals of ethical decision making

  • Sponsorship versus counseling

  • Professional Roles

  • Confidentiality

  • Informed consent

  • Dual Roles

  • Ethical behavior

Case Management

  • Case management systems

  • Different functions of case management

  • Monitoring

  •  Information and data gathering

  • Active Listening

  • Termination

  • Therapeutic interaction

ASAM Criteria

  • Case notes, monitoring, recording keeping

  • Continuum of care

Section XIII.  Certification

Once you have passed the examination, you will receive your certificate in the mail. Please make sure your correct address is on file with Certemy. All certificates are the property of IBADCC and are subject to revocation.

 

Expiration: Certifications are valid for two years.

Section XIV.  Renewal Procedures

A.        Requirements

​

 

1.      Provide annual documentation of 800 hours of direct work experience with AODA clients within the 12 Core Functions, unless enrolled full time in an academic program leading to a degree in the behavioral sciences (i.e. sociology, social work, psychology, social science, counseling, and addiction studies programs). Work experience is defined as supervised work experience, paid or voluntary, full-time or part-time.

​

  • Practicum can be used as a part of the work experience.

​

  • Attendance at A.A., N.A., etc. is not applicable toward work experience.

​

 

2.    Documentation of Clinical Supervision within the 12 core functions for a total of 120 hours per year. The 120 hours being part of the required 800 hours of work experience. Supervision of the hours requires that the supervisor meet ONE of the following requirements and MUST provide documentation of qualifications:

​

  • A CADC who has been certified for 3 years and has completed 15 hours of training in supervision

​

  • An ACADC

​

  • A CCS

​

  • A person with a master’s degree and license in addictions counseling or master’s degree and certification in addictions counseling

​

  • An approved Health and Welfare Clinical Supervisor (QP) under IDAPA 16.07.20.02

​

 

3.   Documentation of 60 hours of continuing education is required with four of those 60 hours being in Ethics training. As of January 1st, 2017 ethics must be face-to-face and cannot be an in house in-service training. Face-to-face education is defined as in-person with an instructor or through an electronic medium that allows for real-time interactivity with the instructor(s) as the educational content is presented. (The in-person requirement is currently waived due to COVID-19)

​

  • Education must be related to the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the tasks within the Performance Domains (see Section II for additional information). No more than 50% of all CEUs can be attained online, 50% must be face-to-face, defined as in person with instructor or through an electronic medium that allows for real-time interactivity with the instructor(s) as the educational content is presented. (The in-person requirement is currently waived due to COVID-19)

​

  • All education must be approved by the IBADCC or an accredited college/university at the time the education is conducted. Documentation needs to include a copy of certificates of completion or an official college/university transcript.

​

  • Documentation must include a certificate of completion.

​

  • Education presented by the candidate does not count toward continuing education hours.

 

Please note: There are no carry over hours from one renewal period to another.

B.        Reminders

​

A courtesy reminder email will be sent to you approximately 90 days before your certification expires. The renewal application must be completed online by your certification expiration date.

C.        Grace Period

​

Grace Period is defined as the day after a certification expires to the 30th day after. During that time, if a counselor has submitted their renewal and it was received and processed by the IBADCC office, the counselor is not considered to be expired

D.        Late Fee

​

If your paperwork is submitted within 30 days after your expiration date you will be charged a $25.00 grace period fee, otherwise your certification will be considered lapsed

E.         Lapsed Certificate Policy

​

Certifications at any level that have been expired between days 31-180 days (6 months) may be renewed if:

​

  • The counselor seeking recertification is in good standing with IBADCC; and

​

  • They have abided by the IBADCC Code of Ethics; and

​

  • They complete the following procedure: Submit the completed renewal application for re-certification and submit payment online for $235 ($135 two-year renewal fee and $100 lapsed certificate processing fee)

​

  • They submit documentation of 30 hours of CEUs, two of which must be ethics training

 

 

Please note: Counselors whose certifications have been expired between 31 to 180 days (6 months) may not engage in scope of practice activities for hire during this period.

 

 

Receipt of renewal documentation is based on the date the full re-certification application was submitted online. This date is honored for items pending review by the Education Committee. Additionally, certifications at any level that have been expired more than six months MUST go through the process of reapplying and retesting for their certification, unless inactive status was approved.

F.         Inactive Status

​

Certifications at any level may be made “inactive” for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years with IBADCC approval. The intention of the “inactive status” is to provide an avenue for certified members to place their certification “on hold” in the event of major life challenges, such as illnesses, deaths in the family, etc. Certified members must submit a letter of request to the IBADCC.

 

During the period of inactivity, the counselor cannot receive payment for services performed in the substance abuse field and must submit twenty hours of continuing education units annually, which includes the required two hours of Ethics training, and to abide by the IBADCC Code of Ethics. No certification fee will be charged during the period of inactivity and no certificate will be issued. To return to active status, the counselor must pay the current renewal fee.

 

Please note: An “inactive status” cannot be requested for a certification which is lapsed or under a current ethics investigation.

Section IV.  Name Change

Requesting a Change of Name:  IBADCC maintains records under your full legal name.
This pertains to changing your name on your records after you have legally changed your name.

 

For name change, please login to your Certemy account:

 

​How to change your name:

​

  1. Log into your Certemy account

  2. On the top right of your screen, hover your mouse over your name and click profile details

  3. Click Change Name and you will need to upload evidence of the name change (marriage certificate, judgement of divorce, or judgement of name change)

​

​

Please note: 

  • Along with your request, copies of the following supporting documentation are required to change your name:

  • Copy of documentation showing your name as it currently appears (Photo ID preferred, birth certificate, social security card, or your current IBADCC certificate; AND

  • A copy of your marriage license/certificate; or

  • A copy of name change by court order; or

  • Valid state issued driver license with new name

Part 2: Scope of Practice and Skill Sets

Section I. Instructions for Documentation and Supervision 

A.        Documentation

​

The Supervisor MUST document supervision and sign the Supervision Verification form (link to form) of 120 hours per year in each of the 12 Core Functions, with a minimum of 10 hours in each core function. If supervision has occurred at more than one agency, documentation must be completed for each agency where supervision occurred.

 

B.        Supervisor Requirements

​

A supervisor shall be interpreted to mean a person who is knowledgeable of chemical dependency treatment and rehabilitation methods and has the ability to judge the capability and competence of an addictions counselor.

 

The supervisor must be

 

1) willing to accept the responsibility of monitoring and evaluating the performance of the addictions counselor “trainee,”

 

2) provide documentation of training, and, 3) hold one of the following certifications:

​

  • A CADC who has been certified for three years and has completed 15 hours of training in supervision

​

  • An ACADC

​

  • A CCS

​

  • A person with a master’s degree and license in addictions counseling or a master’s degree and a certification in addictions counseling

​

  • An approved Health & Welfare Clinical Supervisor (QP) under IDAPA 16.07.20.02

​

 

C.        Modes of Supervision

 

Supervision can be delivered in a variety of modes and mediums. Methods of supervision include, but are not limited to:

 

Individual Supervision
​

  • Face-to-Face: Involves a one-to-one supervisor/supervisee relationship; implies regularly scheduled meetings to be conducted for the purpose of supervision.

​

  • Appraisal (with intermittent Performance reviewed): This method involves the formal agency process of annual evaluation. It is the overall summation, the total overview of a counselor’s performance.

​

  • Assigned Reading: This implies the developmental and educational aspect of supervision. Reading materials may be a supportive and constructive component of the supervision process.

​

  • Audio Tape/Video Tape: This may involve peer use of training tapes, as well as the use of taped (audio or video) sessions, for the purpose of review and evaluation of actual sessions. In using tapes for the latter purposes of evaluating counselor skills, counselor feedback should be involved. A sample consent form can be found here to ensure that clients understand and agree to being taped for supervision purposes.

​

  • Behavior Rehearsal: This mode of supervision is like role playing, yet behavior rehearsal will usually focus on more specific behaviors and skills. Behavior rehearsals offer “before the fact”.

​

  • Consultation: This process of supervision is counselor-initiated. Unlike face-to- face supervision, this method is normally more spontaneous. It involves the review of generic skills.

​

  • Demonstration: In this process, the supervisor acts as the demonstrator. This process also involves the feedback process. It is the responsibility of the supervisor to involve and solicit counselor feedback to assure that the demonstration has been understood. This is different from Behavior/Rehearsal where the counselor is the demonstrator.

 

  • Direct Observation: Entails first-hand observation of on-the-job performance.

​

  • Evaluative: This review of counselor performance is an ongoing process. This process is supervisor-initiated and involves the day-to-day performance review. For example, this process includes the review of charts, notes, etc.

​

  • Explanation/Directive: This entails one-way communication from the supervisor to the supervisee. Essentially, the supervisor is dictating counselor actions and behavior.

​

  • One-Way Screen: A form of direct observation which removes the actual presence of the supervisor from the situation, i.e., view from one-way mirror.

​

  • Outside Consultation: Using this method of supervision delivery, an expert is brought in the program for the purposes of review, evaluation of training.

​

  • Role playing: In this method of supervision, the emphasis is on the evaluation of generic counseling skills. This process normally involves the creation of contrived situations, or may involve the re-creation of counselor/client situation “after the fact.”

​

  • Sanctions: The imposition of constructive discipline.

​

  • Verbatim Record and Written Report: This involves the review, by the supervisor, or the client records, progress notes, verbatim transcriptions of counselor/client interviews, etc.

​

  • Work Review: This process involves the review of counselor case loads.

​

​

 

Group Supervision

​

When using assigned reading, audio tape, verbatim record and video tape methods of supervision in group situations, the definitions would be altered slightly to reflect the change in counselor and supervisor numbers. These methods, when used in group situations, are usually training devices.

​

  • Case Conference/Treatment Review: This form of supervision entails the presentation by a counselor, of a case. This does not imply the one-way communication of reporting a case, but involves review and feedback.

​

  • Group: Supervision by more than one supervisor.

​

  • Peer Consultation: This includes the exchange of ideas in both formal and informal situations. This may include meetings of professional associations, groups and guilds. This process must involve evaluation and feedback, or the process becomes an educational function, not a supervisory function.

​

  • Support Group: This pertains to a group of staff sessions aimed at dealing with interpersonal and intrapersonal problems, i.e., working to prevent staff burn-out.

​

  • Team Development (treatment enhancement): The evaluation of how counselors act as a team in the delivery of service: an evaluation of group cohesiveness and team effectiveness. The enhancement of treatment is the consequence of the supervisory process.

​

​

​

Minimally Adequate Supervision

 

Minimally adequate supervision involves face-to-face interpersonal relationship between the supervisor and the supervisee. Therefore, mere written evaluation forms and written reports would constitute as inadequate supervision.

 

Minimally adequate supervision, at its best, involves the use of methods from both individual and group supervision. Any one method, in and of itself, would constitute inadequate supervision. While it is preferred and recommended that no more than two-thirds of a counselor’s supervision should involve group supervision; it is preferred and recommended that the focus of a counselor’s supervision be on individual counselor’s methods, and it is recognized that supervision should be modeled to meet the unique needs of the individual counselor.

 

Please note: For the purpose of certification, supervised training must be attained in a work setting in the addictions counseling field; classroom experience is not acceptable.

Section II.  Twelve Core Functions

bottom of page