Application fee
$175
Education
HS diploma / GED
Experience
2 years or 4,000 hours
Training
75 hours, 6 in ethics
Exam
PCB CAAP exam
Renewal
Every 2 years, 25 hours

A certification for people who work directly with individuals affected by substance use or co-occurring disorders, in roles other than primary counseling. Think intake, case management, detox, residential management, behavioral health technicians and nurses. As a CAAP, you show your competence with substance use and co-occurring disorders. It is the first stop on the addiction counseling line.

Is this certification right for me?

It's a fit if you provide direct substance use disorder services as part of your job, such as intake, assessment, detox, art, activities or life skills, house or residential management, case management, behavioral health technician work or LPN/RN work, and at least 30% of your time goes to those services.

Consider a different certification if you provide primary alcohol and drug counseling (see Associate Addiction Counselor or Certified Associate Addiction Counselor), you work as a peer or recovery specialist (see Certified Recovery Specialist), or you work in prevention (see Certified Prevention Specialist).

Requirements

All requirements must be met and documented before you apply. Send all documents with your application, except your official college transcript, which your school sends to PCB directly before you apply.

  • High school diploma or GED
    Send a copy of your diploma, transcript or GED verification. Veterans may send discharge documentation instead. A college degree from an accredited school also counts (official transcript sent directly from the school).

  • Two years full-time or 4,000 hours part-time of qualifying work experience
    Providing direct substance use disorder auxiliary services for at least 30% of your time. All of it must be within the last seven years. Volunteer work and mutual support groups do not count. If hours come from a previous employer, send a letter from that employer with your title, duties and dates. A resume is not accepted.

  • Current employment in a qualifying role
    You must be working in a position that provides direct substance use disorder auxiliary services when you apply.

  • Signed current job description
    From your current employer, signed and dated by you and your immediate supervisor. It must show drug and alcohol services as a primary function. An official position description on agency letterhead can be used instead.

  • 100 hours of on-the-job supervision
    With at least 10 hours in each of the six CAAP domains. Your supervisor documents the hours on the supervision page of the application. More than one supervisor can sign.

  • 75 hours of substance use disorder education, including 6 hours in ethics
    Earned within the last five years. Document trainings with certificates showing your name, title, dates, hours and provider, and college courses with an official transcript. Online and out-of-state education count.

  • Live or work in Pennsylvania
    At the time you apply. The CAAP is a non-reciprocal credential recognized only in Pennsylvania.

  • Notarized acknowledgements and release
    Complete, sign and notarize the release page, and send it with your application.

  • Pass the CAAP examination
    Taken after your application is approved. See the exam section below.

Your journey

  1. Build your experience and training

    Work in a qualifying role while you complete 75 hours of education and 100 hours of supervision across the six CAAP domains.

  2. Gather your documents

    Proof of education, training certificates, your signed job description, the completed supervision page and the notarized release. Ask your college to send your official transcript about three weeks before you apply.

  3. Apply online or by PDF

    Apply through your online account and pay by credit card, or send the PDF application by mail, email or fax.

    Review: up to 10 business days

  4. Take the CAAP exam

    Your application is approved when PCB emails you to register for the exam. Choose an on-demand online exam or an in-person paper exam.

  5. You're certified

    You are certified once you pass. Your certificate is mailed within 10 business days, and your certification lasts two years from the exam date.

Fees

Item Fee
Application (includes first exam attempt) $175
Exam retake $75
Renewal $125
Renewal, each additional credential $50
Paper certificate (optional) $20

The application fee includes the exam. Half the fee is refunded if your application is denied or cancelled before the exam.

The exam

The CAAP exam has 50 multiple-choice questions and you have 1.5 hours. You can take it on demand online (desktop or laptop only) or on paper at an in-person location. To pass, you need to answer 75% of the questions correctly.

It covers six domains: behavioral health competence; case management; ethical responsibility and professionalism; safety and self-care; professional communication and interpersonal skills; and cultural competency. The candidate guide and content outline list what each domain covers.

If you don't pass, you can retest after 30 days, up to three retakes. After a fourth failed attempt you must submit a study plan to PCB and wait one year. Online exam information · Retest form

Need an accommodation for a disability or religious obligation? Request it in writing, with documentation, at least 60 days before your exam.

Keeping your certification current

The CAAP renews every two years. You need 25 hours of education relevant to addiction, including 3 hours in ethics, plus the renewal fee. Recertification requirements and fees

Common questions about the CAAP

Can I get the CAAP if I am a drug and alcohol counselor?

No. People who provide primary alcohol and drug counseling or clinical supervision are not eligible for the CAAP. Look at the AAC or CAAC instead.

Which jobs usually qualify for the CAAP?

Roles such as intake, assessment, detox, art, activities or life skills, house or residential management, case management, behavioral health technicians and LPN/RN, where you spend at least 30% of your time on direct substance use disorder services. Peer and recovery specialists, prevention specialists and interventionists are typically not approved.

How old can my CAAP education be?

Your 75 hours of education must have been earned within the last five years.

Do I have to live or work in Pennsylvania to be eligible for most of the credentials offered by PCB?

YES

Should I submit all documentation with full application and fee at the same time?

YES, if a test is required you will be notified of future dates, locations and times after approval of application.

Does employment have to be acquired within 7 years from the date of my application?

YES