Credential Renewal Processes

Certemy Login URL (please bookmark)https://adacbga.certemy.com/entry/login

For existing credential holders who need directions on accessing their online Certemy accounts, please CLICK HERE.

***As of 10/01/2020, paper credentialing application materials are no longer accepted. All application materials (initial and renewals) must be submitted via the online Certemy credential management system.***

Please allow up to 30 days to complete your renewal application review from the date you submit the final outstanding step. Once your recertification is reviewed and approved, a digital copy of your certificate will be available in your digital wallet immediately. You will also immediately be able to see your new expiry date via “Verify Credentials” on the ADACBGA website. 

Updated Wall Certificates are printed and mailed, as a courtesy, during the month following the issue date of an initial or renewal credential. Wall Certificates are not required to practice as an addiction counselor.

Credentialed professionals should ensure renewal application processes are fully complete at least 30 days prior to the credential’s expiration date. Any core credentials that are not fully submitted for review by the expiration date will be charged a $100 non-negotiable late fee. Any transitional certificates or specialty endorsements (CADC-T, E-CADC, MATS) that are not fully submitted for review by the expiration date will be charged a $50 non-negotiable late fee. Late fees are not waived for any reason; Please ensure your renewal application processes are fully complete at least 30 days prior to the credential’s expiration date.

Credentials that have been expired for 12 months or longer may not be reinstated without the submission of an updated credential application, including the possibility of re-testing.

Please note that you must keep your certification current at all times to practice legally as an alcohol & drug counselor. You may not legally or ethically practice during a lapsed period.

Important Reminders:

  1. Renewal application processes, including payment, are recommended to be submitted in Certemy 30 – 60 days in advance of expiration date.
  2. All credentials expire on the 1st of each month. Renewal application processes must be fully submitted through your Certemy account before your credential’s expiration date. Renewal application processes submitted after your credential’s expiration date are late and a $100 late fee will be assessed.
  3. Renewal application processes more than 365 days late must re-apply before their credential will be reinstated, including paying the current examination fee if applicable

Credential Renewal Requirements

Current application requirements – for initial as well as renewal application processes – are listed, step by step, in the online Certemy credentialing management system. 

Please always defer to your Certemy account for the most up-to-date requirements for your ADACBGA credential(s).

Continuing Education (CE)

Education for credentialed professionals is defined as formal classroom style education (workshops, seminars, online courses, institutes, in-services, and college/university work).

One clock hour of education is equal to not less than fifty (50) minutes of continuous instruction. 

For the purpose of ADACBGA credentials, clock hours of education must be related to the knowledge and skill base associated with the 12 Core Functions of the Alcohol & Drug (A&D) Counselor or the Performance Domains of the credential being renewed.

Education must be awarded by a regionally accredited college or university listed on the U.S. Department of Education’s DAPIP at https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/ or indicate a CE approval number from an established and approved entity on the Certificate of Completion (ADACBGA, BHAP, GSCSW, NASW-GA, GAMFT, NBCC, ASWB, etc.).

Only certificates indicating provider numbers issued by the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (ADACBGA) will be accepted across the board and without potential subjection to further scrutiny by an ADACBGA reviewer.

Not less than ten (10) of the required renewal continuing education (CE) hours MUST be from CE certificates indicating provider numbers issued by the ADACBGA.

Official transcripts must be sent directly to the board from the college/university to count course hours for credentialing purposes. College/University Courses must be in subjects that have specific relevance to the behavioral health field and the 12 Core Functions of the A&D Counselor or the Performance Domains of the credential being renewed. Core courses such as English, Science and Math cannot be counted for credentialing purposes.

  • One (1) college/university semester hour equals fifteen (15) clock hours.
  • One (1) college/university quarter hour equals ten (10) clock hours.
  • One (1) college/university trimester hour equals five (5) clock hours.

Continuing education (CE) hours for renewal application processes must have been completed during the two (2) year renewal period (i.e., If a credential was issued on 09/01/2018 and expires on 10/01/2020, all continuing education hours for credential renewal must have been completed between 09/01/2018 and 10/01/2020 to be accepted).

International Certificates from IC&RC

Since 1981, IC&RC has protected the public by establishing standards and facilitating reciprocity for the credentialing of addiction-related professionals. Today, IC&RC represents 76 member boards and over 45,000 professionals from 25 countries, 45 U.S. states, and two U.S. territories. IC&RC’s eight credentials include counselors, clinical supervisors, prevention specialists, criminal justice, co-occurring disorders professionals, and the newly developed peer credential.

IC&RC member boards use IC&RC standards and exams to credential prevention, treatment, and recovery professionals on a reciprocal level. While certification or license names may vary from one state or country to another, IC&RC’s international credentials include:

  • Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC)
  • Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICAADC)
  • Internationally Certified Clinical Supervisor (ICCS)
  • Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist (ICPS)
  • Internationally Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (ICCJP)
  • Internationally Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Professional (ICCDP)
  • Internationally Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Professional Diplomate (ICCDPD)
  • Internationally Certified Peer Recovery (ICPR)

Earning a reciprocal level certification or license through an IC&RC member board entitles professionals to purchase an International Certificate to signify their international, reciprocal status. To purchase an International Certificate, professionals must first hold a valid and current reciprocal level credential or license through an IC&RC member board before completing the International Certificate Order Form.

An International Certificate is directly tied to a professional’s certification or license with an IC&RC member board. They are not free-standing certificates and International Certificates will be issued to professionals using the same expiration date used by his or her member board for the corresponding credential or license. Professionals should contact their IC&RC member board to determine the equivalency of their credential or license.

Certificates are $30.00 USD each, and processing orders requires three to four weeks. When requesting an International Certificate, please be sure to include a copy of your board specific reciprocal level certification or license.

Inactive/Retirement Status

For credentialed professionals who wish to place a credential in inactive status, please submit the Inactive Status Application to the ADACBGA offices at info@adacbga.org not less than sixty (60) days before the expiration date

Placing a credential in inactive status requires a fee of $150.00 as well as Approval by the President of the Board of Directors.

A separate fee of $150.00, plus all normal renewal application processes, must be paid to re-activate a credential in the future from an inactive status.

Please download the form, complete the form, and send the completed form to info@adacbga.org not less than sixty (60) days before the expiration date. 

The Board Offices will generate an invoice via ADACBGA’s Stripe Account to your email address for the $150, which may be paid with any major credit or debit card.

Please do not mail Inactive Status Applications or checks to the Board’s address without first speaking with the Board Offices!