Credentialing

Date: July 1, 2025

To: ICB Stakeholders and the General Public
From: Dr. Joseph Troiani, PhD, CADC, President, Illinois Certification Board

Subject: Updates to the CADC Credential Effective July 1, 2025

The Illinois Certification Board (ICB) remains committed to aligning its credentialing standards with best practices while expanding access to the behavioral health workforce. In support of this goal, the following updates to the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential will take effect on July 1, 2025:

1. Reduction in Paid Qualified Work Experience Requirement:
   The required qualified paid work experience for new CADC applicants will be reduced from 4,000 hours to 2,000 hours (effectively, from two years to one year of full-time employment). This change is intended to enhance accessibility while maintaining the credential’s professional integrity.
2. Elimination of Work Experience Waiver Option:
   The provision allowing certain applicants with college degrees to waive the work experience requirement will be fully eliminated. All applicants must meet the standard 2,000-hour paid qualified work experience requirement without exception.
3. Revised Continuing Education (CEU) Requirements:
   The current Category I and Category II CEU structure under the "Maintaining Your Credential" section will be discontinued and instead a more simplified requirement for continuing education units will be outlined. A CEU framework will be introduced in August 2025, with accompanying updates to CEU policy and documentation procedures as well as CEU Applications by providers of trainings.
4. Transition to New Test:
   Beginning July 1, all new CADC applicants will be required to take a new test administered by a nationally recognized credentialing body, replacing the previous exam.

* Applicants with currently approved testing applications will have until October 1, 2025, to choose which exam they prefer to take.
* A third-party study guide is available for the new test; ICB will not be publishing or endorsing a proprietary study guide.

These changes reflect ICB’s dedication to a more modern, equitable, and responsive credentialing system—one that supports workforce growth while preserving public trust and professional accountability. We thank you for your continued support and partnership as we implement these important updates.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joseph Troiani, PhD, CADC
President
Illinois Certification Board

Illinois Certification Board Announces Major Updates to CRSS Credentialing Process

Springfield, IL — The Illinois Certification Board (ICB) has announced significant updates to the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credentialing process, designed to modernize testing, reduce redundancy, and simplify continuing education requirements for recovery support professionals across the state.

Effective July 1, 2025, all new CRSS applicants will be required to take a new exam developed to better reflect the core competencies and knowledge areas essential for success in the recovery support field. This new test replaces the current CRSS exam and is part of ICB’s ongoing commitment to credentialing standards that are current, relevant, and workforce-informed.

In connection with the release of the new exam, the cost of the CRSS exam will also increase, with updated fee schedules available on the ICB website by July 1.

To ensure a smooth transition, individuals with pending CRSS applications submitted prior to July 1 will be given a 90-day window to choose between taking the current exam or the new exam. After the 90-day period, all applicants will be required to take the new exam.

Additionally, applicants pursuing the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credential will not be required to take a second exam if they have already completed the new CRSS exam, eliminating unnecessary duplication and easing the pathway for dual credentialing.

ICB is also preparing to roll out changes to the continuing education requirements for maintaining the CRSS credential. These changes will begin implementation in July, with full adoption expected in August. The current CEU system—which divides hours into categories—will be phased out in favor of a simplified, more accessible structure that reduces administrative burden and enhances clarity for credentialed professionals.

While final details of the new CEU model are still being finalized, ICB is committed to making the process easier and more intuitive. More information and guidance will be released in the coming weeks.

“Recovery support professionals play a vital role in Illinois’ behavioral health workforce,” said Christopher Boyster, Executive Director of the Illinois Certification Board. “These changes ensure that our credentialing process keeps pace with the evolving needs of the field, reduces barriers to advancement, and continues to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.”

For more information, contact the Illinois Certification Board at info@iaodapca.org.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The credential models currently posted are subject to revision and are in the process of being updated. Revised versions will be made available by July 15th. The Illinois Certification Board (ICB) does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the current models and shall not be held liable for any reliance placed on them. Please check back for the updated versions as they become available.