RAS Specialty Credentials

Specialty Credentials for the

RAS Professional

Accredited

Eligibility

Renewal

Fees

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The RAS Credential and Breining Institute are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)

Breining Institute was the
first certification agency accredited and approved
by the State of California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs

The Specialty Credentials are awarded to currently certified RAS professionals who have earned Specialty standing with advanced formal education and extensive clinical experience within selected specialties

FORMAL EDUCATION
Thirty (30) hours of specified formal education related to the knowledge and skills necessary to competently carry out the responsibilities of the respective specialty
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CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Provided services - or supervision of services - within the Specialty to 100 clients;
AND
Been engaged in Specialty for at least one of the following:
4,000 hours (2 years) if hold a Masters or Doctorate degree in the healing arts; OR
6,000 hours (3 years) if hold an Associate or Bachelors degree in the healing arts; OR
10,000 hours (5 years) if do not hold a related degree
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Clinical Experience Substitute
Experience teaching courses in the addictions field may substitute or supplement the clinical experience requirement - 10 hours of clinical experience credited for each 1 hour of teaching

The Specialty Credential is renewed at the same time as your RAS Credential, which is every two years
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There are no additional fees to renew the Specialty Credential, . . . the renewal fee for the Specialty Credential is included in the regular RAS renewal fee of $75
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In addition to the 40 hours of CE required to maintain your RAS Credential, you must complete ten (10) hours of Continuing Education (CE) within the Specialty subject upon renewal every two years
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You must maintain your RAS Credential in good standing to retain the Specialty Credential

A one-time Specialty Certification Application Fee of $150
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There are no additional fees to maintain the Specialty Certification, as long as you maintain your RAS Credential and complete your ten hours of Continuing Education (CE) within your Specialty upon renewal of your RAS

	Document your qualifications and send to us with the applicable Specialty Certification Application - Make sure that your Application is complete and that you have provided all applicable documentation, in order to prevent delay in processing your Application


	Specialty Credentials

	Certified Women's Issues Specialist (CWIS)

	CWIS Application

	Certified Co-occurring Disorders Specialist (CCDS)

	CCDS Application


		FAQs (frequently asked questions)
		Q: If I have a degree in the specialty, do I need an ADDITIONAL 30 hours of specialty-related courses? A: No. Your transcripts should show that you have completed the required formal education courses, which may already be included in your degree program.
		Q: Where can I get the 30 hours of specialty-related courses? A: There are a number of colleges, professional associations and independent training agencies that offer trainings and coursework in the specialty areas. For college courses, one semester unit is equivalent to 15 hours, and one quarter unit is equivalent to 10 hours. The coursework must be documented by the educational institution or training agency that conducted the training. The courses will be acceptable if they are from legitimate trainings, and Breining Institute reserves the right to make a final determination as to the legitimacy and/or acceptability of the trainings.
		Q: Do "continuing education" courses qualify for the 30 hour formal education requirement? A: Generally speaking, yes. The qualifying coursework must be obtained from State-approved or regionally-accredited institutions of higher learning, or from legitimate trainings offered by professional associations or independent training agencies, which are documented by formal transcripts and/or similar certificates of completion issued by the institution or agency.