The Breining Institute Addiction Counselor Exam (or “ACE Exam”) is an internationally-administered exam, with multiple versions, which was psychometrically validated, and developed, reviewed and validated by nationally-recognized subject matter and psychometric experts to test for the necessary skills and knowledge of an addiction counselor professional.
The content areas for the ACE Exam were evaluated by over 200 practitioners, administrators and educators from throughout the United States. The exam questions were evaluated and weighted by panel of nationally-recognized subject matter experts (SMEs).
The Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel members are recognized authorities as practitioners, administrators or educators in the field of addictions.
The SME Panel evaluation of the ACE Exam was supervised and directed by nationally-recognized exam development expert, Daniel A Biddle, PhD, who also led the team that psychometrically validated the exam.
Here is a brief video that explains the ACE Exam validation process:
SME Panel
The Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel members are recognized authorities as practitioners, administrators or educators in the field of addictions. The SME Panel evaluation of the ACE was supervised and directed by nationally-recognized exam development expert, Daniel A Biddle, PhD.
Examination Psychometric Expert
Daniel A. Biddle, PhD
CEO, Biddle Consulting Group, Inc.
Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel Members
Michael Belzman, PhD, MDAAC, M-RAS
CEO, Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors
Kimberly Bond, MA, MFT
President, Mental Health Systems, Inc.
Board Member, Therapeutic Communities of America
Board Member, California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives
Vannessa Brown-Lindsey, Dr.AD, M-RAS
President / CEO, Another Choice, Another Chance
Kathy L. Christopher, JD, M-RAS
Dean of Academic Affairs, Breining Institute
Jana Cook, PhD
Project Scientist, University of California, San Diego, Department of Psychiatry
Executive Committee, Forensic Addictions Corrections Treatment (FACT) Board of Directors
Warren Daniels, MA, CADC II, M-RAS
CEO / Executive Director, Community Recovery Resources (CoRR)
Chair, California Foundation for the Advancement of Addiction Professionals
Former President, California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC)
Wayne Kistner, JD
General Counsel, California Association for Alcohol / Drug Educators (CAADE)
Kathleen Klug, BA, RAS
Manager (Ret.), Driving-under-the-Influence Program, Breining Institute
Luky Maldonado, CAODC
Senior Vice President, Safety Center Incorporated
Chair, California Association of Drinking Driver Treatment Programs (CADDTP)
Shirley Rowland, Dr.AD, RAS
Senior Mental Health Counselor, CalWORKS Clinical Team, County of Sacramento
Theresa J. Russell, Dr.AD, MCA
Dean of Instruction, Breining Institute
Jim Sellars, MA, CADC II, SAP
Quality Management Coordinator, CRC Health Corporation
Chair, California Certification Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CCBADC)
Armond Urbano, RAS II, NCAC
Director, Training and Education, California Association of Addiction Recovery Resources (CAARR)
Sally Wynn, Dr.AD, MCA, CSC
Principal, AOD Continuing Education LLP