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Credentialing Overview

New Hours for the OASAS Credentialing Unit Toll-Free Information Line - The OASAS Credentialing Unit receives approximately 4,500 applications and nearly 40,000 phone calls a year. Due to the high volume of incoming applications and the agency's commitment to processing them in a timely manner, OASAS now has new hours for the toll-free information line. To reach a credentialing specialist, call 1-800-482-9564 between 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday - Friday.

OASAS is committed to enhancing the quality of services in New York State through the professional development of the alcoholism and substance abuse services workforce. To ensure that counselors and prevention practitioners who provide direct care and services in alcoholism and substance abuse programs are competent and ethical in their work and skilled in meeting the needs of today's society, OASAS issues professional credentials — the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP) and Credentialed Prevention Specialist (CPS) — to individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements and pass appropriate examinations.

Which Credential Is For you?

The CASAC is intended for individuals who provide alcoholism and substance abuse COUNSELING services in approved work settings.  You should consider pursuing the CASAC if your work experience includes the following tasks:  Diagnostic Assessment; Evaluation; Intervention; Referral; Alcoholism and/or Substance Abuse Counseling in both Individual and Group Settings.

The CPP and CPS are intended for individuals who provide alcohol and substance abuse PREVENTION services in approved work settings.  You should consider pursuing the CPP or CPS if your work experience is based on a comprehensive, multi-dimensional prevention services approach which includes the following five performance domains:  Planning and Evaluation; Education and Skill Development; Community Organization; Public and Organizational Policy; Professional Growth and Responsibility.

The title CASAC, CPP or CPS may not be used to engage in private practice unless otherwise authorized by law.