Addiction Recovery Coach Certification (CARC) Information Updated

The Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification (MBSACC), in conjunction with the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS), is pleased to offer a new certification for Recovery Coaches: The CARC (Certified Addiction Recovery Coach).

The Exam Waiver period began on January 1, 2016 and will continue through June 30, 2018. During this time, qualified recovery coaches will be eligible to apply for certification without taking the IC&RC exam. Beginning on July 1, 2018, anyone seeking this certification will need to pass the exam.

Click here for general information about the certification and how to apply. 

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CERTIFIED ADDICTION RECOVERY COACH (CARC)

WORK EXPERIENCE: 500 Hours of Supervised work experience specific to the Domains (see below). Work experience must have been completed within the past ten (10) years and can be as paid or volunteer staff.

EDUCATION: 60 hours in the following areas: Advocacy (10 hours), Mentoring/Education (10 hours), Recovery/Wellness Support (10 hours), Ethical Responsibility (16 hours), Cultural Competency (3 hours), Addictions 101 (5 hours), Mental Health (3 hours), Motivational Interviewing (MI) (3 hours).

All training and education must have been completed within the past ten (10) years and must be properly documented. 

SUPERVISION: 35 hours specific to the Domains with a minimum of 5 hours in each Domain (see below). Supervision must be provided by an organization’s documented and qualified supervisory staff per job description. The supervisor must be a trained Recovery Coach and/or have completed the Recovery Coach Supervision training. The supervision may have been completed under more than one supervisor and/or agency.

CODE OF ETHICS: Applicant must sign a specific code of ethics statement or affirmation statement.

CARC DOMAINS 1) Advocacy 2) Mentoring/Education 3) Recovery/Wellness Support 4) Ethical Responsibility