Prerequisite:

• Current Credentialing Requirement:
  • The applicant must hold a credential such as AODA Counselor at the reciprocal level (ADC, AADC, CCJP), or have a specialty substance abuse credential in another professional discipline in human services at a Master’s level or higher.

Educational Requirements:

1. Training Hours:
   • 30 hours of education specific to clinical supervision are required.
   • The training must cover the following areas:
     • Assessment/Evaluation
     • Counselor Development
     • Management/Administration
     • Professional Responsibilities

Work Experience Requirements:

1. Counseling Experience:

   • Five (5) years (or 10,000 hours) of experience as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor.
   • Experience can be reduced depending on educational background:
     • Associate’s Degree: Can substitute for 1,000 hours.
     • Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) in a Behavioral Science: Can substitute for 2,000 hours.
     • Master’s Degree in a Behavioral Science: Can substitute for 4,000 hours.

2. Clinical Supervisory Experience:

   • Two (2) years (or 4,000 hours) of clinical supervisory experience in the alcohol and drug abuse field.
   • These supervisory hours can be part of the 10,000 hours of total counseling experience required.
   • This must also include 200 contact hours of face-to-face clinical supervision; 100 hours of these can be performed electronically in real time.

Letters of Recommendation:

• Three (3) letters of recommendation are required from individuals familiar with the applicant’s work as a clinical supervisor.
• One of these letters must be from an individual who supervised the applicant.

Examination Requirement:

• The applicant must pass the IC&RC Clinical Supervisor examination.

Ethics Requirement:

• The applicant must sign the Code of Ethics/Affirmation Statement, verifying that they have read, understood, and will adhere to ABCAC’s Code of Ethics as a Clinical Supervisor.
• There is a written enforcement and appeals process if a professional violates the board’s Code of Ethics.

Residency Requirement:

• The applicant must live or work 51% of the time in Arizona. This applies only at the time of the initial application for the credential.

Recertification Requirements:

• Every two years, the applicant must complete:
  • 6 hours of continuing education in Clinical Supervision.
  • 3 hours in Ethics.
  • 3 hours in Cultural Diversity.
  • These hours can be part of the 40 hours needed for the prerequisite credential renewal.

Fees and Application Checklist:

• Application Fee: $375.00, which covers the application manual, exam fee, processing fees, and two years of certification.
• Required Documentation:
  1. Application Form for Certified Clinical Supervisor.
  2. Qualifying Work Experience Form.
  3. Educational Record Form and Documentation.
  4. Signed Code of Ethics for Certified Clinical Supervisors.
  5. Signed Statement of Understanding.
  6. Letters of Recommendation (three total).
  7. Payment of Fee ($375.00).

Where to Submit Application:

• Completed applications and related documents must be sent by mail or email to:
  • ABCAC
  • P.O. Box 83165 Phoenix, AZ 85071
  • Email: [email protected]

The Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) credential is designed to ensure that individuals who are supervising other addiction counselors have the proper training, experience, and ethical commitment to support their professional development effectively​.