The examination to become a Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS) was developed to objectively measure the knowledge and practical skills required of professionals working in the field of addictions. 

The test questions are based upon counselor competency standards identified by national industry experts, including those established by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – Development of Model Professional Standards for Counselor Credentialing (1984), Birch and Davis, Inc. – known as the “Birch & Davis” study; by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium / Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (“ICRC”) study and the 1991 publication of the Twelve Core Functions of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselors; and by the US Department of Health and Human Services, which published – within its Technical Assistance Publication Series, No. 21 (1998) – the Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes of Professional Practice (known as the “TAP 21” competencies).

The RAS examination is a multiple-choice examination. There is no oral examination, and there are no open-ended questions on the written exam. 

The Examination includes coverage of the following:

• The curriculum contained in the TAP 21 counseling competencies study;

• Provision of services to special populations such as aging individuals, individuals with co-occurring disorders, individuals with post traumatic stress disorder; individuals with disabilities, diverse populations, individuals with cultural differences, individuals on probation/parole, etc.;

• Ethics;

• Communicable diseases including tuberculosis, HIV disease and Hepatitis C; and

• Prevention of sexual harassment.
  

The RAS Examination is based upon the standards identified above, which are fully addressed in a study guide provided to qualified candidates as part of the examination fee. Every question that may be asked on the RAS Examination can be answered with the information provided within the study guide.