香港專業戒癮輔導學會
HKAPSAC

Certified Substance Abuse Counsellor (CSAC) demonstrates achieving basic competency as a substance abuse counsellor. CSAC is matched with Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ICADC) from IC&RC.
To be certified as a Certified Substance Abuse Counsellor, you need to pass the CSAC examinations.

Pre-requisites for application of CSAC examination

1. Three (3) years of supervised work experience (6,000 hours) specific to the AODA domains. An associate’s degree in behavioural science may substitute for 1000 hours; a bachelor’s degree in behavioural science may substitute for 2000 hours; a master’s degree in behavioural science may substitute for 4000 hours.
2. Two hundred seventy (270) hours of substance abuse specific education as verified by official transcript or certificates of completion/attendance. Six hours must be in professional ethics and responsibilities.
3. Three hundred (300) hours of supervised practical experience in a substance abuse program. At least ten (10) hours will be spent in each of the following areas: Screening, Intake, Orientation, Assessment, Treatment Planning, Counselling, Case Management, Crisis Intervention, Client Education, Referral, Reports and Record Keeping and Consultation with other Professionals in regard to Client Treatment / Services. These 300 hours may be included in the 3 years of experience, if they were performed under supervision. The supervisor through completion of the Supervisor’s Evaluation Form shall verify these hours.

Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) demonstrates achieving competency as a clinical supervisor. CCS is matched with Internationally Certified Clinical Supervisor (ICCS) from IC&RC.
To be certified as a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS), you need to pass the CCS examinations.

Pre-requisites for application of CCS examination

1. Five (5) years (10,000 hours) of verified counseling experience as a substance abuse counsellor.
2. Two (2) years (4,000 hours) of verified clinical supervisory experience in the substance abuse counseling field. These hours may be included in the above 10,000 hours and must include the provision of 200 contact hours of face-to-face clinical supervision.
3. Thirty (30) hours of verified didactic training in clinical supervision. This must include six (6) hours of training in each of the following areas/domains:
   i) Assessment/ Evaluation
   ii) Counsellor Development
   iii) Management/ Administration
   iv) Professional Responsibilities
4. Applicant must hold a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), Certified Master Addiction Counsellor (CMAC), Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Professional (CCDP) or Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Professional Diplomate (CCDPD) credential at a reciprocal level or a specialty substance abuse credential in another professional discipline in human services at a master’s level or higher.

Take your knowledge and skills to the next level! Certified Master Addiction Counsellor (CMAC) demonstrates achieving advanced competency as a substance abuse counsellor. CMAC is matched with Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ICAADC) from IC&RC.

To be certified as a Certified Master Addiction Counsellor (CMAC), you need to pass the CMAC examinations.

Pre-requisites for application of CMAC examination

1. 2000 hours of supervised work experience as a Certified Substance Abuse (CSAC). Supervised work experience is defined as paid or voluntary experience as a counsellor who provides direct counselling services to AODA clients. An AODA client is a person with a diagnosis of alcohol and/or other drug abuse or dependency. Supervised work experience must be in the IC&RC performance domains of assessment counselling, case management, education and professional responsibility. Unsupervised work experience may NOT be substituted for the experience requirement. All experience must be documented. This documentation must include a 300-hour practicum in the Twelve Core Functions (with one hour of supervision for every ten (10) hours of practice).
2. A Master's degree in Human Services Behavioural Sciences field with a clinical application (i.e. practicum).
3. A total of 180 hours AODA specific course work, which includes at least six (6) hours on professional ethics and six (6) hours on HIV/AIDS education. Training is defined as a formal, systematic process that focuses on skill development and integration of knowledge. This training must take place in a setting where AODA counselling is being provided.

Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) is HKAPSAC’s latest certification. Started in 2022, CPSS aims to develop the competency of local Peer support specialists with relevant addiction-related skills and knowledge.
CPSS is matched with internationally certified Peer Recovery Examination (ICPR) from IC&RC.

To be certified as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS), you need to pass the CPSS examinations.

Pre-requisites for application of CPSS examination

1. 500 hours of volunteer or paid experience specific to the domains (500 hours of a 2000 hour full time work year is approximately three months full time work experience).
2. 25 hours of supervision specific to the domains, with a minimum of six hours in each of the four domains: Advocacy, Recovery/Wellness Support, Mentoring & Education, and Ethical Responsibility.
3. HKDSE or an equivalent post-secondary diploma.
4. 60 training hours specific to the following IC&RC domains, with a minimum number of hours required in each domain: Advocacy (10 hours), Recovery/Wellness Support (10 hours), Mentoring & Education (10 hours), and Ethical Responsibility (16 hours).

Certified Gambling Addiction Counsellor (CGAC) demonstrates achieving basic competency as a gambling counsellor. CGAC is certified by HKAPSAC.
To be certified as a Certified Gambling Addiction Counsellor (CGAC), you need to pass the CGAC examinations.

Pre-requisites for application of CGAC examination:

1. Three (3) years (6000 hours) of work experience as an addictions counsellor. An associate’s degree in behavioural science may substitute for 1000 hours; a bachelor’s degree in behavioural science may substitute for 2000 hours; a master’s degree in behavioural science may substitute for 4000 hours.
2. 270 hours of education specific to the addictions counselling field, including at least thirty (30) hours of gambling specific training based on the five performance domains for the gambling addiction counsellor and six (6) hours in professional ethics.
3. Three hundred (300) hours of supervised practical experience in a substance abuse program. At least ten (10) hours will be spent in each of the following areas: Screening, Intake, Orientation, Assessment, Treatment Planning, Counselling, Case Management, Crisis Intervention, Client Education, Referral, Reports and Record Keeping and Consultation with other Professionals in regard to Client Treatment / Services. In addition, applicants must demonstrate that they have 100 hours of supervised experience in providing treatment / counselling to problem gamblers and their family members. These 300 hours may be included in the 3 years of experience, if they were performed under supervision. The supervisor through completion of the Supervisor’s Evaluation Form shall verify these hours.

The Hong Kong Association of Professionals Specializing in Addiction Counseling Limited (referred to herein as "the Board" or "HKAPSAC") provides voluntary certification for addiction and other behavioral health professionals in China as a way of assuring competence to clients, to the public, and to employers.

HKAPSAC is dedicated to the principle that individuals in the field of addiction treatment and behavioral health services must ensure their behavior meets the highest standards of ethical practice. To that end, the HKAPSAC has adopted this Code of Ethical Conduct, to be applied to all professionals certified by or seeking certification by the Board.

All Individuals are subject to this Code and the HKAPSAC Code of Ethical Conduct – Disciplinary Procedures from the date of application for any HKAPSAC credential. The Code of Ethical Conduct exists, in part, for the protection of consumers and to maintain the integrity and professionalism of the field.

This document becomes effective from August 1, 2011. All HKAPSAC certified professionals are required to observe HKAPSAC Code of Ethical Conduct and are subject to the procedures outlined in this document.

Confidentiality of Proceedings

Except as is otherwise provided herein, all information received and all reports, decisions, files, transcripts, or any other documents of any kind generated or received during the course of a disciplinary proceeding, shall be kept confidential by the HKAPSAC and the respondent except as may be required by law.

We are happy to share our latest activities with local, mainland and overseas members and viewers.