RAS Renewal Requirements

Renew your RAS Credential on-line or on paper.
Stay connected to RAS Professionals in 14 countries and 40 US States.

Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS) professionals are located in 14 countries and over 40 US States.

Accredited

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

	Renewal
	Every two years - Continuing Education (CE) requirements: RAS, RAS II and M-RAS 40 hours in specific subjects (see list to the right) - CSC Six (6) hours of CE in Clinical Supervision topics must be included in the 40 hours of CE - MCA Ten (10) hours of CE in Ethics topics must be included in the 40 hours of CE - RAS Interns (RASi) 40 hours in any related subjects, including courses taken toward qualifying for RAS exam - CWIS or CCDS In addition to the 40 hours required for the RAS, RAS II, CSC or M-RAS, must complete 10 hours of CE within the Specialty subject

	CE Subjects
	Understanding Addiction (at least 6 hours) - Treatment Knowledge (at least 6 hours) including 3 hours in Communicable Diseases - Application to Practice (at least 6 hours) including 3 hours in Special Populations - Professional Readiness (at least 6 hours) - Ethics (at least 3 hours) - Prevention of Sexual Harassment (at least 3 hours) - Any other related subject (which will bring your total to 40 hours) - A fuller description of the CE Subjects can also be found below:

	Fees
	On-time Renewal $75 for on-time renewal (on-time renewal is up to one year before your renewal date) - Late Renewal $150 for late renewal - Renewal fees are the same for RAS, RAS II, M-RAS, CSC, MCA and RAS Interns - There are no additional renewal fees for CWIS or CCDS, as they must retain their RAS, RAS II, CSC, MCA or M-RAS to retain the specialty credential

	Additional explanation of CE Categories
	Understanding Addiction (6 hours required) - includes understanding theories of addiction, recognizing social and cultural factors within which addiction exists, behavioral and physical effects of psychoactive substances, and recognition of potential for substance abuse disorders to co-exist with other medical and psychological disorders.
	Treatment Knowledge (6 hours required, including 3 hours in Communicable Diseases) - includes philosophies and practices of generally accepted models of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention and continuing care for addiction, the importance of family and community systems in the treatment and recovery process, recognizing the importance of ongoing study in clinical practice, and understanding of multidisciplinary, non-traditional or various approaches to addiction treatment. Communicable Diseases includes tuberculosis, HIV disease and Hepatitis C.
	Application to Practice (6 hours required, including 3 hours in Special Populations) - includes understanding diagnostic criteria for addiction treatment and placement, providing the appropriate treatment in consideration of a client's personal and cultural background situation, and familiarity with the acceptable range of medical and pharmacological resources available for treatment. Special Populations includes aging individuals; individuals with co-occurring disorders (e.g. alcoholism and mental illness); individuals with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); individuals with disabilities; diverse populations; individuals with cultural differences; individuals on probation / parole, etc.
	Professional Readiness (6 hours required) - includes personal and professional growth; understanding supervision in the delivery of client services; professional obligations to adhere to ethical standards; understanding of and participation in prevention as well as treatment programs; and understanding of procedures for handling crises or dangerous situations.