Certification is a form of credentialing, a voluntary regulation of a profession. It is the process by which a non-government organization grants recognition to persons who have met certain standards. Certification is designed to promote and maintain integrity and quality.

The NMCBBHP certification was developed by alcohol and other drug abuse professionals for alcohol and other drug abuse professionals. The competency - based, peer review process measures and tests the knowledge and skills of an individual prior to awarding the credential.

STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

The statement of philosophy is intended to provide direction and purpose to the NMCBBHP credentialing process. The philosophy includes the general belief regarding the need for Counselor Intern, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor, Clinical Supervisor and Prevention Specialist qualification and the desired standards of counselor and prevention specialist competencies, knowledge and skills for the public good. Current data shows that alcoholism/drug abuse is a treatable condition and illness with specific symptomlogy. It is increasingly evident that no one-treatment modality can be successful with all persons who exhibit substance abuse problems. Since individual needs and resources vary greatly, a variety of treatment and prevention strategies must be made available. It is critical that chemical dependency counselors and prevention specialists be responsible in upgrading their skills by remaining current on new counseling and prevention theories and practices. The major focus of any philosophy concerning addiction counseling must be centered on the clients' needs. The client should have reasonable assurance that he or she is provided the best possible assistance regardless of financial consideration.

Most counselors in the chemical dependency field accept that addiction is a life-threatening disease accompanied by family, health, emotional, employment, financial, legal, and spiritual and other problems. Effective treatment will include intervention, prevention, recovery and rehabilitation assistance. In keeping with this philosophy, the counselor should take a "holistic view" in the counseling process. With this emphasis, that will more readily accept the need for maintaining proficiency and skills in dealing with the many varied problems and social consequences of alcoholism and drug abuse.

PHILOSOPHICAL GOALS

The eight major goals of the NMCBBHP are as follows:
1. Provide professional assistance to clients.
2. Enhance incentives for counselor and prevention specialist professional growth.
3. Clarify and define counselor and prevention specialist duties and responsibilities.
4. Develop professional identity.
5. Develop credibility, confidence and trust.
6. Reduce alcoholism/drug abuse stigma.
7. Increase reimbursement potential.
8. Increase potential of certification reciprocity.


PRINCIPLES

Certain important principles have emerged:
1. Credentialing is based largely on competence and knowledge about alcoholism and drug abuse rather than solely on academic achievement.
2. Authority for this credential comes from professionals working in substance abuse who share a common concern for standards of competence.
3. Employees having counselor and prevention skills and utilizing them in position other than those called "Counselor" and "Prevention Specialist" may be certified. The basic requirements are the knowledge and skills in the ICRC domains specific for the credential. (CCI, CADAC, CCS, CPS)

AUTHORITY

The authority of the NMCBBHP is derived from those persons who are dedicated to service as Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, Clinical Supervisors, and Prevention Specialists and who are most affected by certification and embodied in the individual providers Recognition of certification is voluntary. The credibility of this certification results from the standards which are maintained, the performance level established by the NMCBBHP and, most important the professional competence and integrity of Certified Counselor-Intern, Certified Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor, Certified Prevention Specialist, and Certified Clinical Supervisor.

CERTIFICATION BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Review applications and notify applicants of decisions.
2. Administer written and oral examination; determine the ability of the applicant to satisfactorily demonstrate knowledge and skills of the certification level.
3. Assess the applicant's competence and ethics to meet the Standards of Professional Alcoholism and/or Drug Abuse Counselors, Prevention Specialist.
4. Issue certificates.
5. Approve or deny re-certification applications according to requirements.
6. Review reports and documentation of professional standards violation of unethical conduct by certified and take appropriate actions.
7. Approve and issue certificates for reciprocity under IC&RC/AODA guidelines from member states.
The process of application and the deliberation of the New Mexico Credentialing Board for Behavioral Health Professionals (NMCBBHP) are designed to determine whether or not the applicant meets the "Standards for an AODA Counselor" and domains of "Prevention Specialist". That determination is the province and responsibility of the Certification Board, and in making application; the applicant agrees to submit to the Board's procedures and to accept its determination. Upon completion of the testing, a committee of Certification Board members' will consult with each other and decide to recommend approval or denial. The application will be notified of the Board's decision within approximately 30 days following completion of testing.