Exams to be Provided in Spanish, with Accommodations Available for More than 70 Additional Languages

New Initiative Builds on Ongoing Efforts to Enhance and Support Addiction Workforce in New York State

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) today announced that the certification exams for Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) and Credentialed Prevention Professional or Specialist (CPP/CPS) are now available in Spanish, with the option to request a special accommodation for 77 additional languages. These certifications allow individuals to work in OASAS-certified programs and provide counseling and other services to New Yorkers impacted by addiction. This new language availability program is designed to build on efforts to increase accessibility to services, and address workforce shortages.

“This new initiative offers more individuals a way to enter a rewarding field and use their unique skills to help their fellow New Yorkers,” OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said. “Increasing equity and diversity in the field is one of our core goals at OASAS, and this will not only give more people an opportunity to aid individuals affected by addiction, but will also make it easier for those in need to find help.”

With the new language availability, test takers will be able to switch between English and Spanish during the examination. In addition, for candidates interested in taking the exam in a language other than English or Spanish, a special accommodation can be requested for 77 other languages and a translator and special room will be provided. There are no additional fees for taking the exam in another language. 

More information and links to the exam applications can be found on the CASAC page and CPP/CPS pages of the OASAS website.

CASACs provide direct clinical care services and substance use disorder counseling including assessments, interventions, referrals, and SUD counseling in both individual and group settings. More than 6,000 individuals currently hold a CASAC credential in New York State, with more than 4,200 applications in process. Many of those with applications in process are currently CASAC-Trainees, meaning after they complete the required education, they can work in the OASAS system of care while they are earning their work experience hours for their full credential.

“Under the state’s language access policy expanded by Governor Hochul in 2022, the Office of Language Access at the Office of General Services (OGS) is working with many state agencies to ensure New Yorkers with limited English proficiency have access to government programs and services,” OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy said. “We applaud the efforts by OASAS to increase the number of multilingual speakers on its staff who are helping those who have an addiction get the treatment and recovery services they need.”  

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports oversees one of the nation’s largest systems of addiction services with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment and recovery programs serving over 731,000 individuals per year. This includes the direct operation of 12 Addiction Treatment Centers where our doctors, nurses, and clinical staff provide inpatient and residential services to approximately 8,000 individuals per year.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.