If you wish to file for an extension, please visit our Forms under the "Forms & Info" Section of our website. A person can apply for a free 30 day extension, and a $50 120 day extension for each credential. A persons expiration date cannot be extended beyond 120 days. If a person is currently on a 30 day extension, and they request a 120 day extension, their new expiration date will be extended by 90 days.

How do I become a CADC Candidate?

Registration with MHACBO will place a CADC Candidate on the MHACBO Registry and bind them to the MHACBO Code of Ethics

Registration requires the following 5 steps
1. Complete the Application Registration
2. Sign the MHACBO Ethics Agreement
3. Submit a photo copy of your ID
4. Pay $50 registration fee
5. Submit all above items to MHACBO via mail or email

CADC Candidate Status is valid for 2 years and cannot be extended, unless the following conditions apply. MHACBO requires a letter from the Candidates current supervisor when a CADC Candidate requests an extension

Extenuating Cirumstances
Candidate registered but never performed billable addiction treatment services
Candidate left the field before 2 years were up, and is now returning to the field
Candidate is in substantial compliance but is awaiting testing date or MHACBO receipt of testing scores

MHACBO Registration is required within 6 months of beginning employment performing addiction treatment services, and full certification is required within 2 years of registration, unless the individual holds a health or allied provider license or registration issued by one of the following state bodies, and the individual possess documentation of a least 60 contact hours of academic or continuing professional education in substance use disorders treatment:

Oregon Medical Board
Board of Psychologsist Examiners
Board of Licensed Social Workers
Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists
Oregon State Board of Nursing

For more information on the 2 year requirement, please see OAR 309-019-0125

What is Candidate Status?

Candidate Status is limited to 2 years and begins once a candidate submits their registration materials to be placed on the MHACBO Registry. Under OAR 309-019-0125, a person has 2 years to complete MHACBO certification, or hold a health or allied provider license issued by an approved state body (ex. Board of Social Workers) and possess documentation of at least 60 contact hours of academic or continuing professional educaiton in substance use disorders treatment.

How do I extend my Candidate Status?

Candidate Status cannot be extended unless one of the following conditions is met:

Candidate registered with MHACBO but we not performing addiction treatment services during this time.
Candidate registered with MHACBO, began performing addiction treatment services, left the field, and is now re-entering the field.
Candidate had extenuating circumstances that prevented them from completing their certification with-in 2 years time.

If any of these conditions are met, MHACBO will require a letter from the candidates supervisor, supporting documentation (ex. Extenuating circumstances based on medical variance), or both.

How do I file for Sabbatical?

If you wish to file for sabbatical status, please visit "Forms" under the 'Forms & Info" section of our website. The cost for sabbatical is $25 annually, with Sabbatical status limited to 5 consecutive years. If a person on sabbatical status wishes to reactivate their certification, they simply need to complete that credentials renewal packet.

What happens if I fail the exam?

If a person fails the CADC Exam, and wishes to reattempt the exam, they will need to go to the “Exam Retake” form under the “Forms and Info” section of the ACCBO Website. Generally, it takes 1-2 months to reschedule the exam, similar to the same timeline as initial exam registration. Alternatively, a person may request to become certified via the Portfolio Review Process. The Portfolio Review Process is a process where we allow candidates to submit documentation of requirements that go above and beyond the standard requirements for testing. The candidate must have attempted and failed the exam, and submit documentation supporting their request for requesting a Portfolio Review. Please send an email to mhacbo@mhacbo.org to request information about the Portfolio Review.

How does Reciprocity work?

Moving to Oregon
- If a person is moving to Oregon from another state, they will need to complete the “Reciprocity” form under the “Forms and Info” section of our website. MHACBO primarilies accepts NAADAC and IC&RC National Psychometric Exams, but may accept addiction specific state psychometric exams if the exam meets our similar critera. Below are a list of the exams used for each credential.
  - CADC I = NCAC I Exam (NAADAC)
  - CADC II = NCAC II Exam (NAADAC)
  - CADC III = MAC Exam (NAADAC)
  - CPS = PS Exam (IC&RC) - Please request your current state to initiate the IC&RC reciprocial process to Oregon (if current state uses IC&RC reciprocal process)
  - PRC = PR Exam (IC&RC) - Please request your current state to initiate the IC&RC reciprocial process to Oregon (if current state uses IC&RC reciprocal process)
Moving from Oregon
- If a person is leaving Oregon, and moving to another state, they will need to contact the new state to request information about their reciprocity process. Often times, the state will request information on the exam you took to obtain your credential. MHACBO does NOT use the IC&RC reciprocal process for the CADC I, CADC II or CADC III. Below are a list of the exams used for each credential.
  - CADC I = NCAC I Exam (NAADAC)
  - CADC II = NCAC II Exam (NAADAC)
  - CADC III = MAC Exam (NAADAC)
  - CPS = PS Exam (IC&RC) - Please contact MHACBO to initiate the IC&RC reciprocial process to your new state (if state uses IC&RC reciprocal process)
  - PRC = PR Exam (IC&RC) - Please contact MHACBO to initiate the IC&RC reciprocial process to your new state (if state uses IC&RC reciprocal process)

Applications

Recertifications

Miscellanious

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QMHA Grandparenting

Grandparenting Period: October 15, 2018 – December 31, 2019 — PDF Overview

Fee: $100 for 2 years of certification - QMHA/P Provider Registration and Certification Timeline

QMHA Certification: Grandparenting with a Bachelor’s Degree

Previously qualified QMHAs with a baccalaureate degree and 1,000 clinical experience hours (6 months of full-time work in a state approved program) can grandparent into QMHA Basic Certification (QMHA-I). If you are certified as a peer or a CADC and you are designated as a QMHA, performing QMHA duties, you will need to be certified as a QMHA through MHACBO.

QMHA Certification: Grandparenting without a Bachelor’s Degree

Previously qualified QMHAs without a baccalaureate degree in behavioral health sciences, and 4,000 clinical experience hours (2 full time years of work in a state approved program) can grandparent into QMHA Basic Certification.

Documents you will need:

Letter from OHA, County Authority, or designee agency verifying prior QMHA qualification
Copy of State ID
Copy of transcripts primary source verified by your employer
Copies of educational certificates (trainings, workshops, seminars, conferences, etc.)

QMHA-I Recertification

Recertification occurs every two years. Certified QMHAs must submit 40 hours of continuing education every two years, which must include 6 hours of Ethics Training and update their certification file with any changes (address, phone, email, etc.).

Grandparenting Period: October 15, 2018 – December 31, 2019 — PDF Overview

Fee: $100 for 2 years of certification - QMHA/P Provider Registration and Certification Timeline

QMHP Certification (for professionals who are not registered or licensed through a licensing board)

Previously qualified QMHPs (who are not licensed or registered with a licensing board) with 4,000 clinical experience hours (2 years of full-time work) can grandparent into QMHP Certification. If you are registered with a licensing board (RN, LPC, LCSW, OT, Psychologist Board.) you do not need to be certified through MHACBO. If you are in the process of becoming registered with a licensing board you do not need to apply for QMHP certification through MHACBO.

Documents you will need

Letter from OHA, County Authority, or designee agency verifying prior QMHP Qualification (not awarded through a variance)
Copy of State ID
Copy of transcript primary source verified by your employer
Copies of educational certificates (trainings, workshops, conferences, etc.)

QMHP-C Recertification

Recertification occurs every two years. Certified QMHPs must submit 40 hours of continuing education every two years, which must include 6 hours of Ethics Training and update their certification file with any changes (address, phone, email, etc.).

New QMHP certification applicants may apply in October 2019 — PDF Overview

California Counselors by Region

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Heather Jefferis, M.A.

Representing all of Oregon

In her role as Director of OPERA, Heather represents all of Oregon. Heather was previously the Treatment Court Coordinator for Clackamas County.

Board, member-at-large

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