CERTIFICATION OPERATIONS

FAQ

General Certifications questions

1. What certifications are available?

The FCB offers the following credentials:

• Addictions (Specialist, Counselor, Professional)
• Behavioral Health Technician
• Child Welfare Case Manager
• Criminal Justice (Specialist, Counselor, Professional)
• Gambling Addiction Counselor
• Mental Health Professional
• Prevention (Specialist, Professional
• Recovery Peer Specialist (Family, Adult
• Recovery Support Specialist

Click here to find out more about each credential.

2. How do I become certified?

Certification is a three-step process that consists of approval of application, passing of written exam, and credential maintenance. 

The first step to becoming certified is completing and submitting your application portfolio.  Instructions for obtaining an application are listed on each credential’s certification page.

After your application portfolio has been approved, you will be required to pass the written exam.  Click here for more information on the written tests.

After successful completion of the written exam you will be issued a certification number, card, and certificate, as well as instructions on maintaining your credential.

3. How much does it cost to become certified?

There are several fees associated with becoming certified.  Some credentials require the purchase of the application packet, while others are available for free download.  All credentials require payment of a one-time NON-REFUNDABLE certification fee.  There is a fee associated with taking written examinations, and all credentials require payment of an annual renewal fee.  For specific credential cost, please see the fee schedule.

4. How do I let the FCB know it is okay to share my Application Portfolio information with another person?

Complete and return the Release of Information form.

Training/Education

5. How do I fill out the Training Verification form?

List EACH course/training you are seeking credit for on a separate line.  Fill out all required information.  Attach copies of each training certificate/transcript.  You must fill out the form for every course/training you are submitting.  Writing “See Attached” only is not sufficient.  See a sample of a completed Training Verification Form.

6. How do I know which training requirement my course meets?

Any course that builds knowledge and skill necessary to perform a job task in a given domain is eligible for training credit.  Please refer to the training matrix listed on each credential’s certification page for examples of eligible course content.

7. Can I apply previously earned education to my new credential application?

Your education does not have a “time limit,” meaning that you can apply education/training from a variety of resources at any time.  For example, if you attended an accredited college, simply provide the FCB with an official transcript and credit can be earned as long as the course(s) was successfully completed.  If you attended in-services trainings at your workplace, provide the FCB with a card, transcript or certificate of completion that includes your name, date of training, number of credit hours and the trainer’s signature.  If the content of any educational event is not clear from the title, please submit a course description or syllabus.

Be sure to note all courses you are seeking credit for on the Training Verification Form.

8. How do I calculate my education hours?
• 1 semester credit = 15 clock hours
• 1 quarter credit = 10 clock hours
• 1 CEU/contact hour = 1 clock hour

9. Can workshops taken at conferences be used to achieve the required education hours?

If you have attended any conferences or seminars and have retained your certificate(s), these workshops can be used to meet your required hours as long as the certificate includes your name, the date of the workshop, name of the course, and the number of credit hours earned

If you want to use seminar/conference hours for Renewal purposes, the seminar must be hosted by either an FCB Approved Provider or a state licensing board, such as the Florida Board of Nursing.

10. If I have not taken any specific education before, where can I earn training hours?

The FCB has approved several schools, companies and individuals across the state to provide education and training to anyone interested in certification.  You can search the FCB Approved Providers by either geographical location or agency name.

11. Can all of my education come from a home study?

Home Study is acceptable and can be submitted as long as it meets the following conditions:

• It has been approved through either a nationally recognized independent accreditation body for education, a state certification organization that is recognized by the state authority in the area where certification is granted, a federal/state/county/city/government department or agency, a recognized state licensing organization

It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify the home study approval process when requested by the FCB.  The FCB also reserves the right to ask for additional information on the accrediting body and will approve all National Associations and National Certification Boards’ right to offer initial certification home study to FCB applicants on a case-by-case basis.  If the content of any educational event is not clear from the title, please submit a course description of syllabus

Supervision

12. Who can approve my supervised work hours?

That depends on which credential you are seeking. 

• For the addiction (CAS, CAC, CAP) and criminal justice (CCJAS, CCJAC, CCJAP) credentials, only a qualified professional can provide verification of the supervised work experience. 
• For the Certified Mental Health Professional, only a Qualified Supervisor may provide verification of the supervised work experience. 
• For all other credentials, any direct supervisor may provide verification of the supervised work experience.

13. What is a qualified professional?

A Qualified Professional is a physician licensed under chapters 458 or 459, Florida Statute; a professional licensed under chapters 490 or 491, Florida Statute; or a person who is certified through a department-recognized certification process for substance abuse treatment services and who holds, at a minimum, a Bachelor’s Degree.

A person who is certified in substance abuse treatment services by a state-recognized certification process in another state at the time of employment with a licensed substance abuse provider in this state may perform the functions of a qualified professional as defined in statute, but must meet certification requirements contained in statute no later than 1 year after his/her date of employment

14. What is a qualified supervisor?

For the purpose of the CMHP credential, a Qualified Supervisor holds any of the following credentials:

• Licensed Mental Health Professional
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Licensed Psychologist
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Certified Mental Health Professional with a Master’s Degree

15. Can my supervision and/or work experience come from out of state?

Yes, as long as your application forms are signed by a qualified professional in the state where you earned the hours

Ethics

16. How do I file a complaint against a certified professional or a person seeking certification?

Anyone wishing to file a complaint against a certified professional or against a person seeking certification may do so by obtaining and filling out a formal complaint form.  You can download the Complaint Form or contact the FCB office to have one mailed to you.

All complaint forms must contain the complainant’s address and a phone number where the complainant can be contacted; the complainant must sign and date the complaint form; anonymous complaints will NOT be accepted

Criminal History questions

17. What is FCB’s policy regarding applicants with criminal backgrounds?

Please refer to the FCB Policy Statement on Applicants with Criminal History

18. I have been arrested in the past. Does this mean that I am not eligible for certification?

It depends; if you have been arrested and found guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor or any felony charge, the FCB must review and approve your criminal history as part of the certification application process.  The FCB will review each applicant’s background on an individual basis.

19. What documentation does FCB require in order to review my criminal background?

If you indicated that you have a first-degree misdemeanor charge(s) or any felony charge(s), you must provide the FCB with an official copy of your criminal record, including the disposition of your case.  The record must be an original copy sent directly from the agency responsible for documenting your successful completion of court-ordered sanctions to the FCB.  The FCB cannot accept photocopies, webpage printouts or any other documents from the applicant.

20. I was arrested some time ago and I am still under probation. Is this a problem?

You must have satisfied all court-ordered sanctions, including probation, parole, community supervision, or any other court orders before you are eligible for certification.

21. I was convicted of a crime a very long time ago. I believe the record is so old that I will not be able to get documentation for it. How do I proceed?

At a minimum, the court where your case was held will have records.  Unless your charges are over 100 years old, there should be no problem obtaining these records from the Clerk of Court.

22. I have a sealed record. What do I submit to FCB?

The FCB does not have access to sealed records; these records usually only exist for those persons who were minors at the time of their crime(s).  Please indicate on the application for certification that you have a sealed record; no documentation needs to accompany this

Reciprocity

23. I am moving to Florida. What do I need to do to transfer my ICRC addictions or prevention certification?

You will automatically be issued the CAC/CPS credential upon approval and notification by ICRC. 

• To upgrade to the professional level addiction credential (CAP), you must show proof of at least a Bachelor’s Degree and pass the Florida Specific exam.  An official transcript must be received directly from the accredited college/university before the exam can be scheduled.
• To upgrade to the professional level prevention credential (CPP), you must document additional experience and training requirements and pass the Florida Specific Exam.