Masters Level - RAS Credential

Advanced Credential for the Addiction Professional

Masters Level -
Registered Addiction Specialist (M-RAS)

Accredited

Eligibility Options

Exam

Fees

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The RAS Credential and Breining Institute are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)

Breining Institute was the
first certification agency accredited and approved
by the State of California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs

The Masters Level RAS (M-RAS) Credential is awarded to RAS professionals who have earned advanced standing with advanced formal education and extensive clinical experience

OPTION 1
Masters or Doctorate degree in the healing arts or related field, AND 450 hours formal education in alcohol and other drug abuse (AOD) studies, AND 6.000 hours (about 3 years full time) clinical experience (which includes 160 hours supervised training) in AOD counseling
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OPTION 2
Associate or Bachelors degree in the healing arts or related field, AND 450 hours formal education in alcohol and other drug abuse (AOD) studies, AND 10.000 hours (about 5 years full time) clinical experience (which includes 160 hours supervised training) in AOD counseling
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Clinical Experience Substitute
Experience teaching courses in the addictions field may substitute or supplement the clinical experience requirement - 10 hours of clinical experience credited for each 1 hour of teaching
(must have at least 2,080 hours of actual clinical experience)

Must receive a passing score on the multiple-choice RAS exam
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The RAS exam is available five-days-a-week at over 140 test centers located throughout the United States
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Included in the exam fee is a comprehensive study guide that contains all of the information that may be asked on the exam
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A free on-line tutorial, prepared by Breining Institute, that follows the study guide, chapter-by-chapter, is also available to help you prepare for the exam
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You will receive your test results immediately upon finishing the exam


	Already an RAS?
	No exam. No fees.
	There are no additional fees, and you do not take the RAS exam again if you are already an RAS. Document your qualifications with the M-RAS Application, and we will upgrade your credential to the M-RAS.

	M-RAS Application

The Fees for the M-RAS Credential are the same as for the accredited RAS Credential, . . . the difference is in the documentation that must be provided for the advanced
M-RAS designation
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There are no additional fees to add the Masters Level designation to the RAS Credential
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APPLICATION FEE
$49 to apply on-line or
$150 for paper application
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EXAM FEE
$150 (includes comprehensive study guide)
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RENEWAL FEE
$75 every two years
No additional renewal fees:
this one fee is applicable to all RASi, RAS, RAS II, S-RAS and
M-RAS professionals upon renewal every two years

	Step 1. APPLY If you are not currently an RAS or RASi, register on-line. (RAS and RASi go directly to Step 2)

	On-line Registration
	- Step 2. DOCUMENT Once you have registered, then document your qualifications and send to us with the M-RAS Application

	M-RAS Application
	- We will send you the study materials. Whenever you are ready, schedule and take the multiple-choice RAS exam at the closest test center. - Immediate test results.


		FAQs (frequently asked questions)
		Q: If I have a degree in addiction studies, do I need an ADDITIONAL 450 hours of AOD courses? A: No. Your transcripts should show that you have completed the required formal education courses, which may already be included in your degree program.
		Q: Where can I get the 450 hours of AOD courses? A: Most colleges with full, two-year AOD certificate programs will include more than the 450 hours, and will include courses in the "TAP 21" counselor competencies and/or the "Twelve Core Functions" of an addiction counselor. One semester unit is equivalent to 15 hours, and one quarter unit is equivalent to 10 hours. In California, community colleges affiliated with and approved by the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE) provide 600 hours of applicable coursework within their AOD certificate programs. A list of the CAADE-approved schools can be found at http://caade.org/colleges.htm
		Q: Do "continuing education" courses qualify for the 450 hour formal education requirement? A: Generally speaking, no. The qualifying coursework must be obtained from State-approved or regionally-accredited institutions of higher learning, documented by formal transcripts and/or similar certificates of completion issued by the institution, and are generally included within a formal AOD certificate program. While these institutions may also offer courses that satisfy Continuing Education (CE) requirements, CE courses are generally less formal trainings without official transcripts.