Careers in Addictions - CASAC

To become a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) with the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS):

1. Review the web page for NYS OASAS CASAC requirements
2. For the  CASAC education and training requirement, you must have a minimum of 350 initial training hours that address the knowledge, skills and professional techniques related to addictions counseling. MSW students can acquire this through specific MSW course work. See sections below.
3. You must also pass the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors. This is not done through the UB School of Social Work as it is part of the NYS OASAS CASAC process.
4. 6000 hours of applicable  addictions work experience are required. Your MSW degree will credit you with 4000 of these hours.

1. As you plan your MSW coursework, use the course chart links in the next section to determine which courses apply toward the 350-hour CASAC initial training requirement.
   Please note that you are required to submit your coursework and receive a certificate for the 350 hours prior to submitting your CASAC application. If you have taken courses at another institution please contact sw-ce@buffalo.edu or Todd Sage in advance for guidance. 
2. If you need assistance with questions that your faculty advisor cannot answer, contact faculty member Todd Sage.
3. You will also want to consider an MSW field placement in an addictions services setting to enhance your experience and skills.
4. Additionally, there is a requirement for 6,000 hours of applicable work experience when applying for CASAC certification. Your MSW may be substituted for 4,000 hours of work experience, provided that 2,000 hours of paid work experience occurred within five years prior to submitting the CASAC application.

1. Course planning chart for MSW students starting the degree program after 1/1/19  (pdf)
2. Course planning chart for MSW students starting the degree program after 8/1/13 (pdf)
3. Course planning chart for MSW students starting the degree program after 1/1/11 (pdf)

Note: NYS OASAS counts a 3-credit MSW course as 45 training hours. This is how the hours for each MSW course listed is divided among the four CASAC content sections for a total of 45 hours for each credit course.

1. Sign in or use the "sign up" button on this page to create an account in our Learning Management System (LMS). 
   • Please note, you can also create an account by completing step 3 and paying the processing fee first, and then return to step two to complete the request form. 
     
2. Complete the form included in the "Handouts" tab of the certificate description website.
   
   • Follow the instructions on the form and be sure to include all required documents including:
     
     • Copy of your transcript
       
     • The appropriate MSW Checklist highlighted with the courses you took.
       
     • A copy of your MAT certificate, if applicable. Please note that as of fall 2018, the MAT requirement is included in SW 560. If you took SW 560 prior to fall 2018 you will need to complete this free online MAT training. 
       
     • As of September, 26, 2023, there are additional requirements, not currently included in the MSW program and are listed on each checklist. You will be asked to upload copies of these certificates in order to receive the CASAC 350-hour certificate. 
3. Pay the $25 non-refundable processing fee by adding this item to your cart and completing the checkout process. If you have not already set up an account, you will be prompted to do so. You will receive an email with your 350-hour CASAC certificate and be able to access it in the "Evaluation and Certificate" button located in your account. Allow one to two weeks from the date of submission of the form, required documents and payment to receive your certificate. 
   
   • You will need this certificate to begin the NYS OASAS CASAC application process. 
     
   • Please note that the completion of the 350 hours of initial CASAC education and training does not provide you with CASAC Trainee status.
     
   • Refer to the NYS OASAS CASAC website for more information on becoming a CASAC or CASAC Trainee.
     
4. If you have questions about the MSW coursework that applies to initial CASAC training hours, contact faculty member Todd Sage or the Office of Continuing Education, which issues the certificates of CASAS initial training. 
   
5. If you have questions that are not answered by the CASAC application links in the section below, you can contact the NYS OASAS CASAC Credentialing Unit staff at 800-482-9564.

CASAC/CASAC-Trainee application - see the application section of this OASAS web page to obtain the application PDS-11- Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) and CASAC Trainee Application Packet. 

CASAC Exam Study Resources - In the examination section you will find resources to assist you with additional study prior to taking the CASAC exam.

Professional and Workforce Development information may be useful as you explore your career in addictions. Information includes scope of practice and how to determine where on the addiction career ladder you want to be. 

MSW students may apply for these merit-based fellowships from NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals.

The NAADAC Minority Fellowship Program for Addictions Counselors (NMFP-AC) is a federally funded program administered by NAADAC in conjunction with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). The fellowship offers a large stipend to students applying through a merit-based application process.

Tips on applying:

• Prepare a well-written application that answers all questions and provides the requested information. This is a competitive, merit-based application process. 
• Ensure that your application includes a list of applicable coursework and a copy of your transcript that will show completed coursework as well as coursework enrolled in the current semester.
• As you do need a supervised clinical internship (field placement) that focuses on the required area for the fellowship, provide the information needed on your current and advanced year field placement. If you have not yet been assigned your advanced year placement, explain the process and  applicable agencies so that NAADAC understands how you will meet this requirement. Include the number of field hours.
• Our MSW degree offers a wide range of coursework, including specific courses in addictions and behavioral health topics. A selection of coursework is approved by the NYS Office of Alcohol and Addiction Services (OASAS) to fulfill the initial 350 hours of training required for the credential as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). NAADAC recognizes and values the work done by NYS OASAS in preparing addictions professionals. For details on our CASAC coursework, see above.
• As you are preparing your application, if you have questions, there is contact information listed at the bottom of each of the fellowship application pages.
• Prior to submitting your application, review it from the perspective of an unfamiliar reader to be sure it answers questions clearly and thoroughly.
• The school's Office of Continuing Education and NAADAC have discussed marketing this fellowship to students. For questions about explaining your MSW coursework on the fellowship application, email us.