Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP)

FCB’s newest addiction credential: Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) The MCAP designation is a professional substance abuse credential for those persons who hold a Master's Degree or higher in a related field. Related fields are: Counseling, to include Addiction Studies/Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Pastoral Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Recreational Therapy/Counseling Psychology, to include Art Therapy, Music Therapy, and Expressive Arts Therapy Social Work Advanced nurse practitioner with psychiatric specialty. The Florida Certification Board (FCB) is proud to announce our newest addiction credential: the Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP). The MCAP designation is a professional substance abuse credential for those persons who hold a Master's Degree or higher in a related field. Related fields are: Counseling, to include Addiction Studies/Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Pastoral Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Recreational Therapy/Counseling Psychology, to include Art Therapy, Music Therapy, and Expressive Arts Therapy Social Work Advanced nurse practitioner with psychiatric specialty.

Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) OVERVIEW: Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) The development of the new MCAP credential is an update of the Certified Addiction Professional (CAP) credential that took place in 2014. Changes: The domain of “Supervision,” with its associated knowledge and tasks, is removed as a requirement for the CAP but transferred to the MCAP. New requirement for a Bachelor’s degree in a related human service field that went into effect on July 1, 2015. The most recent Florida Medicaid Community Behavioral Health Services Coverage and Limitations Handbook (March 2014) which now recognizes “master’s level CAP” as a “treating practitioner” for the authorization of substance use treatment. The development of the new MCAP credential is an outgrowth of the update of the Certified Addiction Professional (CAP) credential that took place in 2014. Using a scientific and field-based process, the domains of knowledge and the job tasks for the CAP were revisited for current-day practice needs. Revised certification standards for the CAP were published in June 2014. One of the primary differences in the standards is that the domain of “Supervision,” with its associated knowledge and tasks, is removed as a requirement for the CAP but transferred to the MCAP. Another significant change is the new requirement for a Bachelor’s degree in a related human service field that went into effect on July 1, 2015. The final change that led to the MCAP is the most recent Florida Medicaid Community Behavioral Health Services Coverage and Limitations Handbook (March 2014) which now recognizes “master’s level CAP” as a “treating practitioner” for the authorization of substance use treatment.

Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) How Do I Apply? Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) There are five(5) possible routes for individuals to apply for and earn the MCAP. Your current certification and/or licensure status will dictate the application process you should follow. How Do I Apply for the MCAP? There are multiple pathways for individuals to apply for and earn the MCAP. Your current certification and/or licensure status will dictate the application process you should follow. Let’s take a look at each of them and you can decide which application route best fits your current certification status.

APPLICATION ROUTE PROCESS #1: Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) MCAP Upgrade Application Formal Education Master’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university. Requires official transcript documenting Master’s degree. Please notify FCB if you believe you may already have an official transcript of your Master’s degree on file. Certification Status Certified CAP in good standing with application date prior to July 1, 2014 Training None Supervision Exam Fee $35 This is Application Route #1: The MCAP Upgrade Application Process Route This route is for people who currently hold a CAP in good standing with an application date prior to July 1, 2014 Must have a Master’s degree in a related field and there is a fee of $35.00

APPLICATION ROUTE PROCESS #2: Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) Licensed MCAP Upgrade Application Formal Education Licensure requires a master’s degree or higher in a related field. Licensed MCAP upgrade applicants do not need to submit degree documentation. Certification Status Certified CAP in good standing that was earned through the CAP for Licensed Professionals process. Training 16 hours of supervision-specific training Fee $35 This is Application Route #2: The Licensed MCAP Upgrade Application Process Route This route is for people who currently hold a CAP in good standing that was earned through the CAP for Licensed Professionals process. Must have a Master’s degree in a related field. You need 16 hours of supervision-specific training and a fee of $35.00

APPLICATION ROUTE PROCESS #3: Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) MCAP Upgrade Plus Application Formal Education Master’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university. Requires official transcript documenting Master’s degree. Please notify FCB if you believe you may already have an official transcript of your Master’s degree on file. Certification Status Certified CAP in good standing with application date after July 1, 2014 Training 16 hours of supervision-specific training Supervision 20 hours of clinical supervision performing tasks identified in the MCAP supervision domain Exam MCAP Upgrade Exam (50 multiple choice items) Fees MCAP Plus Application Fee: $65 MCAP Upgrade Exam Fee: $65 This is Application Route #3: The MCAP Upgrade Plus Application Process Route This route is for people who currently hold a CAP in good standing with an application date prior to July 1, 2014. Must have a Master’s degree in a related field. You need 16 hours of supervision-specific training You need 20 hours of clinical supervision performing tasks identified in the MCAP supervision domain You will need to take the MCAP Upgrade Exam The Application fee is $65.00 The Exam fee is $65.00

APPLICATION ROUTE PROCESS #4: Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) MCAP Application Formal Education Master’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university Work Experience 4,000 hours of direct experience performing addiction-related services Training 350 hours of content-specific training Supervision 200 hours of clinical supervision Recommendations 3 professional letters of recommendation for certification Exam MCAP Exam (125 multiple choice items) Renewal July 30 of calendar year CEUs 20 CEUs per year Fees MCAP Application Fee: $150 MCAP Exam Fee: $150 Renewal Fee: $125 This is Application Route #4: The MCAP Application Process Route This route is for people who DO NOT hold a CAP in good standing. Must have a Master’s degree in a related field. You need 4,000 hours of direct experience You need 350 hours of content-specific training You need 200 hours of clinical supervision You will need to submit 3 letters of recommendation You will need to take the MCAP Exam Complete 20 CEUs per year The Application fee is $150 The Exam fee is $150 The Renewal fee is $125

APPLICATION ROUTE PROCESS 5: Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) MCAP for Licensed Professionals Application Licensure Licensed CAP applicants must provide proof of active Qualified Professional status in good standing in the state of Florida. Qualified Professionals are: • A physician or physician’s assistant licensed under Chapters 458 or 459, F.S. • A professional licensed under Chapters 490 or 491, F.S. • A Psychiatric Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) licensed under Part 1 of Chapter 464, F.S. and meeting the Board of Nursing requirements for a Psychiatric ARNP designation. Licenses must be active, issued by the State of Florida, and in good standing. Registered intern status is not eligible for the CAP for Licensed Professionals program Training 145 hours of addiction-specific training related to the transdisciplinary foundations of Understanding Addiction, Treatment Knowledge, Application to Practice, and Professional Readiness. 16 hours of supervision-specific training Recommendations 2 professional letters of recommendation for certification Exam MCAP Exam (125 multiple choice items) Renewal July 30 of calendar year CEUs 20 CEUs per year Fees MCAP Application Fee: $150 MCAP Exam Fee: $150 Renewal Fee: $125 This is Application Route #5: The MCAP for Licensed Professionals Application This route is for people who DO NOT hold a CAP in good standing. Must be a licensed CAP applicant. Your licenses must be active, issued by the State of Florida, and in good standing. You need 145 hours of addiction-specific training You need 16 hours of supervision-specific training You will need to submit 2 letters of recommendation You will need to take the MCAP Exam Complete 20 CEUs per year The Application fee is $150 The Exam fee is $150 The Renewal fee is $125

Frequently Asked Questions: Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) Does the MCAP credential make the CAP credential less valuable?   No. Both CAP and the MCAP are qualified professionals per Chapter 397, Florida Statutes. The only additional privilege that an MCAP holds is specific to the Florida Medicaid Community Behavioral Health Services Coverage and Limitations Handbook (March 2014). Although the handbook does not identify the MCAP credential it does recognize “a bachelor’s level CAP” and a “master’s level CAP”. The bachelor’s level credential will still be the CAP. The master’s level CAP credential will now be the MCAP and any reference to “master’s level CAP” will mean an individual possess a MCAP. What do I do if I am currently in the process of certification for a CAP and qualify for the MCAP? The FCB will “switch” your application from the CAP to the MCAP if you are “in process” and meet eligibility requirements. Can people apply for the MCAP if they don’t have a related Master’s degree or higher but have been working as an addiction counselor (CAP) for many years? No. The MCAP designation is only for individuals who holds a related Master’s degree or higher. Work experience cannot be submitted in lieu of the formal degree requirement. What can I do if my Master’s degree is not on your published list but I believe it is closely related? The FCB understands that there are many degree titles that include coursework that truly makes the degree a “related degree.” Applicants may request a CAP/MCAP Related Degree Equivalency Review.

Additional Clarification: Master’s Level Addiction Professional (MCAP) Medicaid pays for certain services only if a CAP has a related master’s degree.  They call this a “Master’s level Practitioner.”  People do not need to hold the MCAP in order for their agencies to bill for Medicaid services – they can have a CAP in good standing and hold a master’s degree in a related field.  Their agency is required to assure and provide proof to Medicaid (if audited) that the person providing that level of service meets Medicaid’s requirements.  The MCAP provides a ready designation that the person does, in fact, meet FCB’s and Medicaid’s standards for the Master’s level Practitioner.   The MCAP does not allow individuals to bill Medicaid as a stand-alone provider.  Medicaid has a process for approving organizations as authorized Medicaid providers – only these organizations can bill Medicaid. Additional Clarification for MCAP questions   I want to clarify a couple of common questions that people have about the MCAP and especially its relationship to Medicaid-funded services.  Medicaid pays for certain services only if a CAP has a related master’s degree.  They call this a “Master’s level Practitioner.”  People do not need to hold the MCAP in order for their agencies to bill for Medicaid services – they can have a CAP in good standing and hold a master’s degree in a related field.  Their agency is required to assure and provide proof to Medicaid (if audited) that the person providing that level of service meets Medicaid’s requirements.  The MCAP provides a ready designation that the person does, in fact, meet FCB’s and Medicaid’s standards for the Master’s level Practitioner. The MCAP does not allow individuals to bill Medicaid as a stand-alone provider.  Medicaid has a process for approving organizations as authorized Medicaid providers – only these organizations can bill Medicaid.

Additional questions related to the MCAP, please refer to the FCB website or contact FCB. Thank you!