Advance your career path

Position yourself with greater confidence and competitive advantage while establishing professional credibility when you apply to become a Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS). 

Advance your career path

Position yourself with greater confidence and competitive advantage while establishing professional credibility when you apply to become a Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS).

We’ve certified specialists with many backgrounds

Psychiatrists

Social Workers

Counselors

Psychologists

Medical Doctors

Clergy

Nurses & Nurse Practitioners

Corrections

And other mental healthcare professionals.

As the first and most comprehensive credential in the field of addiction treatment, the American Academy has set the highest standard for competency in the provision of health care, a standard that is recognized by clients, regulatory bodies and third parties alike.

Why Get Certified With the American Academy?

Knowledgeable

Established by professors at the Harvard Medical School Division on Addiction.

Variety

Specializations in the addictions in five categories of treatment activity.

Customer Service

We listen and respond promptly to all of your questions.

Straight-forward

Streamlined application process and optional study guide to help you prepare for the exam.

Experienced

Founded in 1989 with 30+ years of experience.

Download & submit your application to the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders to advance your career path today.

Certification expiring? Renew today through Certmeny, a trusted cloud-based software program that manages and tracks your certification process.

The American Academy

We are a multi-disciplinary organization and are comprised of social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors, nurses, clergy, military personnel, mental health counselors and forensic counselors, unified in our knowledge of and experience in treating the addictions. 

Exam Topics

The examination includes all five of the Academy’s specialty areas; alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, disordered gambling, and sex addiction

  • Marriage and family therapy
  • Screening instruments and techniques
  • Treating special populations
  • Treatment techniques
  • Detoxification
  • Intervention skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Marriage and family therapy
  • Screening instruments and techniques
  • Treating special populations
  • Treatment techniques
  • Detoxification
  • Intervention skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Assessment and diagnostic skills
  • Developing a diagnostic and treatment formulation
  • Relationship between addictions and other problems
  • Referral skills
  • Legal and ethical issues
  • Training activities that lead to credentials
  • Documentation
    • Administrative skills
    • Treatment process skill
  • Dual diagnosis
  • Theoretical models of addiction
  • Addiction concepts
  • Signs and symptoms of addiction and withdrawal
  • Therapy organization and movement skills

 

Specializations

Specialization in the addictions resides within five categories of treatment activity listed below.  Professionals only need to apply for one specialization or more, if they meet the education and experience criteria. 

Alcohol Addiction

Drug Addiction

Disordered Gambling

Sex Addiction

Eating Disorders

Application, Exam, & Study Guides

Application Fee

$195

Exam Fee

$349

Study Guide
(Digital Copy)

$50

Study Guide
(Printed Copy)

$129

Thank you for your interest in providing high-quality, credentialed services in the addictions field. We look forward to working with you as you work towards earning the Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) credential.

The American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders

Contact us today to learn how to become a Certified Addiction Specialist with the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders.