Wv Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals

04/03/2026

📢 Important Application Clarification for ADC & AADC Credentials

The West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP) would like to clarify requirements for individuals applying for the Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC) and Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC) credentials.

To be eligible:
✔ SUD-specific continuing education hours must be counseling-focused
✔ Work experience and supervision must align with counseling domains and core functions

Please note:
➡️ Experience obtained in a Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) role does not count toward ADC or AADC counseling experience requirements
➡️ Eligibility is based on the functions performed—not the job title.
This means that even if your title includes behavioral health or recovery support, only counseling-related functions will be considered.
➡️ WVCBAPP evaluates whether duties reflect clinical counseling activities within established counseling domains and core functions

📌 Example for clarification:
Facilitating a clinical treatment group, completing assessments, and developing treatment plans = counseling functions ✔
Providing mentorship or lived-experience support = peer support functions (PRSS) ✖

📌 Additional clarification:
Personal recovery time and participation or leadership in self-help groups (e.g., AA/NA) are valuable, but they do not count toward counseling experience or work requirements for ADC, AADC, or PRSS.

All applications are formally reviewed upon submission. If deficiencies are identified, applicants will be provided guidance and allowed up to two years to complete requirements.

Thank you for your continued commitment to high-quality substance use disorder services in West Virginia.

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

Big news for West Virginia 👏

SB 897 is now law.

This is a major step forward for our state — creating a clear pathway for the licensure and certification of alcohol and drug counselors and strengthening our workforce when it comes to substance use disorder treatment.

📅 Effective June 12, 2026

This didn’t happen overnight. A lot of people have worked hard behind the scenes to move this forward, and it truly matters — especially for individuals, families, and communities who need access to the right level of care.

More to come as implementation rolls out, but today is a good day for West Virginia.

A special thanks to our sponsor Senator Helton and our co-sponsors Senator Morris and Rose 

04/01/2026

We’re excited to share that the Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist Supervisor (CPRSS-S) certification is in development!

The manual is now available on the WVCBAPP website, outlining the minimum requirements and eligibility for this credential.

At this time, this credential will begin under a provisional status, as the national exam component is still being finalized. Individuals approved during this period will be required to complete the exam once it becomes available in order to obtain full credentialing with national reciprocity.

🚨 Please note: The application is not yet open.
We will announce as soon as applications are available.

The fee schedule will follow the peer amounts. 

Stay tuned—more to come soon!

03/31/2026

We still have plenty of events planned for the rest of the Spring semester. Come out and join us on the Memorial Student Center Plaza for Bloom in Recovery, celebrating women in recovery on April 10th, and The Power of Us: Collegiate Recovery and Community, celebrating Collegiate Recovery Week on April 14th. We have plenty of free training sessions on the topics you see listed, as well as volunteer opportunities to serve food at Harmony House. Come out, join us, and be part of the movement.

03/31/2026

🌟 Now Open: Certified Family Peer Specialist (CFPS) – State Credentialing Available 🌟

WVVCBAPP is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Certified Family Peer Specialist (CFPS) credential in West Virginia!

This credential recognizes individuals with lived experience supporting a family member with behavioral health needs and formalizes that role within our state’s workforce. The lived experience does not have to be with substance use or recovery.

✅ Important Requirement:
To apply through WVCBAPP, applicants must first obtain the Certified Family Peer Specialist credential through the National Federation of Families (NFF).

Once you have completed the NFF certification, you may then apply to WVCBAPP to become state-recognized.

👉 Why apply through WVCBAPP if it’s a national credential?

While the CFPS originates at the national level, state approval is required to:
• Ensure alignment with West Virginia Medicaid requirements
• Support workforce tracking and reporting
• Uphold state-specific ethical standards and oversight
• Maintain consistency across behavioral health services in WV

This process allows family peer specialists to be fully recognized and integrated into West Virginia’s behavioral health system.

💻 The WVCBAPP application is now open!
If you already hold your NFF certification, we encourage you to apply today.

📌 More information and application details can be found on our website.

03/27/2026

📣 Fee Update Notice – Effective April 1, 2026

We want to give everyone a heads up that WVCBAPP’s updated fee structure will take effect April 1, 2026.

We know fee increases are never anyone’s favorite thing — and we didn’t make this decision lightly. Our fees have remained the same since 2015, and these adjustments are necessary to keep up with operational costs, improve processing, improve technology, and prepare for increased demand as our workforce continues to grow.

We appreciate all of you and the work you’re doing across the state.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out.

03/19/2026

📣 Training Opportunity to Share with Our WV Workforce! 📣

WVCBAPP is excited to share an upcoming 2026 Adolescent ASAM Webinar Series being offered by ASAM.

While this is not a WVCBAPP-hosted training, it directly aligns with a priority we care deeply about—growing and strengthening West Virginia’s workforce in adolescent substance use treatment.

Across our state, we continue to see a need for more professionals who are trained and confident in working with youth experiencing substance use disorders. Opportunities like this help move that work forward.

👉 We strongly encourage providers across West Virginia to take advantage of this series.
Whether you’re a counselor, social worker, peer support specialist, nurse, or part of a youth-serving team, this training can help build your skills in applying ASAM Criteria to adolescents.

💻 We’ll drop the registration link below—please feel free to share with your teams and networks!

By increasing the number of professionals trained in adolescent SUD treatment, we are strengthening care for youth and families across West Virginia. 💙

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 12:00 PM Central Standard Time.

03/17/2026

📣 WVCBAPP Update on SB 897

The West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP) would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all who have expressed support, interest, and engagement regarding SB 897. The level of enthusiasm from providers, peers, and stakeholders across the state reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the substance use disorder workforce in West Virginia.

At this time, we would like to provide a brief clarification on the current status:

▪️ SB 897 has not yet become law.
▪️ Final steps in the legislative and executive process are still pending. (4/1/26) Governor Morrisey MUST sign or not veto it.
▪️ Implementation details, including any potential contracting opportunities with the state for WVCBAPP, have not yet been determined.
▪️ No operational changes can occur prior to 7/1/2027.

As we await further direction, WVCBAPP encourages individuals interested in future licensure pathways to take proactive steps now.

✔️ We strongly recommend pursuing certification as an AADC or ADC-CS.

We strongly recommend renewal of currently held certifications to ensure proper transfer.
Any certifications expiring on 9/30/26 may begin seeking renewal now if qualifications are met.

We also strongly advise being in good ethical standing at all times.

Obtaining these credentials prior to the anticipated 2027 transition will position individuals to take full advantage of the grandfathering provisions related to licensure.

WVCBAPP remains committed to providing timely, accurate updates as more information becomes available. We appreciate your continued patience, professionalism, and dedication to the individuals and communities we serve.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

03/16/2026

Call for Proposals for the WVAAPP Professional Development Summit 2026!

Link Below or use QR Code:
https://west-virginia-association-of-addiction-and-prevention-professio.ce-go.com/call-for-presentation/form/YToxOntzOjIwOiJwcmVzZW50YXRpb25fZm9ybV9pZCI7aTozMzA7fQ==

03/14/2026

🎉 Legislative Update from WVCBAPP 🎉

Today marks a historic moment for the substance use disorder workforce in West Virginia.

The West Virginia Senate has concurred with House amendments and passed Senate Bill 897, relating to the licensure and certification of alcohol and drug counselors.

This legislation represents a major step forward in strengthening the professional SUD workforce, expanding access to qualified providers, and improving the quality of care for individuals and families across our state.

For more than four decades, addiction professionals in West Virginia have worked tirelessly to build a strong system of certification and professional standards. SB 897 recognizes and strengthens that work by establishing a clear licensure pathway for alcohol and drug counselors while continuing to support the vital role of certification.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the many partners who helped make this possible, including members of the West Virginia Legislature, committee leaders in both chambers, advocates, providers, peers, and the countless professionals who shared their voices throughout this process.

Your dedication to the field and to the people we serve made this progress possible.

WVCBAPP remains committed to supporting the addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery workforce and will continue working with state partners as implementation moves forward.

Today is a milestone for our profession and for recovery in West Virginia. 💙

Next stop, the Governor’s desk!