COVID-19 CHANGES

 FROM THE DESK OF MABPCB BOARD PRESIDENT BRANDEE IZQUIERDO

We are aware that trainings are being canceled or postponed during this health emergency which may result in difficulties re-certifying credentials on or before expiration dates. In addition to this we understand that we will need to find innovative ways to continue your education and have set a few new standards in the wake of this pandemic.

Below you will find this information:

• For 90 days after the July 1st re-certification requirement, MABPCB will waive the extra lapsed fee for any certified professional who is late re-certifying their credential.  When you are able, you will simply re-certify as normal (You have up to one year beyond your expiration date to re-certify your credential so there is no need to request an extension or waiver).
• An online training system is being established to meet the needs of the Maryland Peer Network.  This system will allow full online learning opportunities to commence.  All online learning will require a post test and a certificate of completion.  Note:  We will continue to update you as we identify these online learning opportunities.  For example, we are working in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Certification Board to offer some of their trainings which have already been vetted by their educational committee.  You can access the trainings by logging onto the PCB website at https://www.pacertboard.org/education (use the navigation bar on the left to search by Region/Location, In Person Training and or Online/Home Study)..

• MABPCB and BHA are working together closely to bring trainings to you.  As many of you know, testing for Peer Certification is on hold.  However, as we continue collaboration, training toward peer certification will continue to be a top priority.  Please stay abreast of the latest updates from MABPCB and BHA and share with your networks.

• Organizational providers who wish to move their trainings to an online platform and have already had their trainings vetted by MABPCB must submit an “online transition” request to the board for approval.

• Finally, MABPCB will accept electronic submission of applications to eliminate delayed processing and to ensure our administrator has minimal contact in an effort to comply with current preventive measures set in place by the state.

Please stay safe and healthy.  It takes a village and we will all get through this trying time together!

Best Regards

Exams Halted for 30 Days!

Dear IC&RC Stakeholder,
Effective Immediately, and for a period of 30 days from today, ALL TESTING SERVICES ARE HALTED throughout the United States and Canada.
Within the past 24 hours, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have issued updated guidance on measures to be taken to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 disease. In particular, the CDC lowered the number of people that should be able to congregate in the same space from 50 to 10 in the United States.

Given this new guidance, Prometric has determined it is necessary and appropriate to close our test centers in the United States and Canada for a period of 30 days, starting today on March 17. This dramatic step is necessary in order to comply with this new federal guidance as well as to further protect the health and well-being of the individual test takers and the staff that provide services at each of our testing locations. We anticipate re-opening our test centers effective April 16, however, please note that the specific date will be dependent on circumstances that are changing daily.

Operations teams are actively reaching out to individuals with testing appointments today and throughout the closure period, in an effort to prevent them from unnecessarily appearing at the testing centers. We will be taking measures to reschedule those impacted appointments into a new date after the planned re-opening and will be communicating that information to the impacted individuals. We will work closely with the test takers to find new appointment dates and times that work for their schedules, and we will be waiving any rescheduling fees.

If you have any questions, or testing support requirements, kindly reply to this email and we will assist you as quickly as possible.

Stay Healthy,

IC&RC

CPRS RECIPROCITY

Please be advised that all CPRS Applicants must be certified with the Maryland Board (MABPCB) which is an IC&RC affiliated.  If you currently possess a certification through another organization, you must qualify for credentialing in Maryland. If the board which you are affiliated is IC&RC approved, you may qualify for reciprocity.  Please contact the credentialing board where you are presently certified to begin the process for reciprocity in Maryland.  Also, please be advised that if your credentialing board is not IC&RC affiliates, you must meet all Maryland Board guidelines and qualifications, or you will be required to apply for CPRS status and conduct the exam.

MABPCB Credentialing Board

CPRS Family Endorsement

CERTIFIED PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST- Family ENDORSEMENT (CPRS-F)

The Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-health Professionals Certification Board is pleased to announce the launch of the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Family Endorsement (CPRS-F). Effective July 1, 2019, CPRS’ and family members will be offered specialized training to become certified as a Family Peer Recovery Specialist. Required training will be a total of 21 hours specific to family peer work. For more information, please visit http://www.mapbcb.wordpress.com or email at admin@mapcb.com.

Family recovery is a highly-individualized journey that provides a unique perspective regarding the recovery process. A CPRS-F understands the stigma associated with behavioral health disorders and its impact on the family. This recovery journey is a voluntarily maintained lifestyle that includes the pursuit of spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being that is often supported by others but is not contingent upon the recovery of our loved one(s).

Definition of Family: A Family is defined as a meaningful relationship of people connected by bonds.

The CPRS-F endorsement is for adults who have been directly impacted by another person’s behavioral health condition.

CPRS-F’s are trained to use their lived experience to assist individuals and families to access recovery support services for themselves, their family member or loved one. (including but not limited to information, education, advocacy and services) As a CPRSF, an individual accepts and agrees that his/her personal experience will be known by their colleagues, persons served, and others with whom he/she may share that they have achieved this endorsement. Additionally, a CPRS-F will follow, at a minimum the Code of Ethical Conduct established by the IC&RC guidelines.

Peer Recovery Lunch & Learn Series – RPS Process

New Registered Peer Supervisor Guidelines & Application

New Registered Peer Supervisor (RPS) Application

Effective July 1, 2017, all Peer Supervisors are required to meet the new MABPCB Guidelines to become a Registered Peer Supervisor.  Please review the new guidelines carefully before submitting your application RPS 2017 Revised Application

CPRS Study Guide

A free IC&RC study guide has been added to the CPRS page

Changes to Peer Supervisor Requirements

Attention Peer Supervisors,

 Beginning January 1, 2017, Approved Peer Supervisors will be required to become a “Registered” Peer Supervisor (RPS).  This entails submitting a Registered Peer Supervisor (RPS) application, a copy of your certificate of attendance for the peer supervisor training, and a $25 application fee.  Please visit the CPRS page to access the registered peer supervisor application.  

If registration is not received by June 30, 2017, your “approval” status to supervise peers will be deactivated.

Beginning July 1, 2017, the one-time registration fee will increase to $50.00, and all Peer Supervisors will be required to attend a 6-hour continuing education peer supervisor refresher course every 2-years.

Again, please note with your “approved” status, you are only required to pay a $25 application fee until June 30, 2017.  Beginning July 1, 2017, the application fee will increase to $50 and the refresher course will be required for “ALL” peer supervisors, including those who transitioned from the “Approved” status to the “Registered” status.

Should you have any questions, please contact the Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-health Professionals Certification Board at (866)537-5340 or admin@mapcb.com.

Sincerely,

LaToya Nkongolo, LCSW-C, LCADC, CCDP, RPS

Studying for the CAC Exam? Read This!

IC&RC   IC&RC, the world leader in addiction-related credentialing, is making changes to the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) examination. Since June of 2008, the ADC examination has included a written case presentation where candidates were provided with a case overview of a hypothetical client and asked 13 associated questions about the case. This long case study will be eliminated from the ADC examination effective February 1, 2017. The long case will be replaced with multiple smaller vignettes approximately 1-2 paragraphs in length with 3-5 associated examination question. Candidates currently scheduled for an examination on or after February 1, 2017 will be taking the examination with multiple small vignettes. The change from long to small case studies will not affect the scoring of examinations. As per usual, there will be 150 items on the ADC examination and the score range will be 200-800 with a 500 passing. An updated Candidate Guide is available reflecting this change here. More information on IC&RC’s ADC credential and examination can be found at this link: http://www.internationalcredentialing.org/creds/adc. Thank you. IC&RC

How a CAC-AD Becomes a CCDC

Some of you have expressed interest in obtaining the CCDC to add to your CAC-AD so you will have reciprocity outside of Maryland. Forms mentioned are on the Certification page. Here is the simple process:

Method for a CAC-AD obtaining the CCDC

• Fill out 2-page application form
• Sign CCDC code of ethical conduct
• Fill out and have notarized the Release form
• Send in a copy of current CAC-AD and resume
• Pay $150 certification fee