Explore Your Path in the Substance Use Disorder Field
Registered Trained Support Staff (RTSS)
RTSS Credential
Registered Trained Support Staff (RTSS) Credential
The Registered Trained Support Staff (RTSS) credential is intended for non-professional support staff working in substance use disorder (SUD) and behavioral health service settings. RTSS personnel are vital to the effective delivery of care, providing operational, administrative, and non-clinical client support under the supervision of certified professionals. This credential ensures that staff are appropriately trained, supervised, and mentored to maintain compliance and service quality.
Credential Requirements
RTSS
Orientation Course
Complete a 10-hour Orientation Course with the topics covered on ethics, professional boundaries, sexual harassment, electronic health records (EHR), and confidentiality.
- This is a prerequisite and must be completed through CCAPP.
Withdrawal Management Course
Complete a 6-hour Withdrawal Management Course with the topics covered on overview of withdrawal symptoms and protocols, monitoring techniques and safety practices, crisis intervention and referral procedures, and documentation and communication standards.
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CCAPP Code of Conduct
Sign the CCAPP Code of Conduct for Registered Trained Support Staff. This is part of the application process in Certemy.
State Code of Conduct
Signed DHCS Code of Conduct for Credentialed Alcohol and Drug Professionals. This is part of the application process in Certemy.
Initial Application
Complete all steps in our online electronic application system, called Certemy.
Official ID
Upload a copy of your official government ID, like a driver’s license, passport, or state ID. This is part of the application process in Certemy.
Scope of Practice
Agree to and sign the scope of practice. Read it carefully! This is part of the application process in Certemy.
Application Fees
The RTSS initial application fee is $50
All fees are non-refundable
Credential Duration
- Validity: 1 year
- Renewal: Unlimited annual renewals permitted.
Application Processing Times
Application processing can take up to 30 days. You must complete and submit all steps in the application correctly. An application is complete when every step has a green bubble. A green bubble with a white checkmark means that CCAPP staff have checked and approved that step.
If a step is rejected, it will show a red bubble, and you need to fix it. The processing time will be delayed and will not continue until you correct the rejected step and resubmit all the steps that were rejected.
Certemy User Tips
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- Use one email account. If you need to change your email, see the information below.
- Don't use your work email. If you change jobs, it can be hard to access your Certemy account, especially if you forget your password. Changing your email is not easy and takes time. To avoid delays, use a personal email address.
- When starting a new application, don't use a different email if you already have a Certemy account. Use the same name, email, and password you used for your original application.
- To change your email or other profile details, you need to submit a request through the [Contact Us] section or tell CCAPP staff directly by phone or email.
- To reset your password, go to the Certemy login page and click the [Forgot password?] button.
- To change your name, go to your Certemy account and select the [profile details] link from the profile icon in the top right.
- Be careful with your spelling. Your documents will be printed based on the information you provide.
- If you need help, use our information request form.
READY TO BEGIN YOUR NEW RTSS APPLICATION IN CERTEMY?
The link below opens in Certemy. If this is your first time using Certemy, create a new account, otherwise, login to your existing account. Your application will be there waiting for you.
DO NOT CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT IF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE!
ALREADY STARTED IN CERTEMY AND TRYING TO FIND YOUR WAY BACK?
The link below will take you back to Certemy without creating a new application. Please login to your existing account to resume your application or
check on its status.
DO NOT CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT IF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE!
Yearly Renewal Requirements
To renew your RTSS credential each year, you must complete the following continuing education:
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- 6 hours of ethics-related training, which must include:
- Ethics
- Professional Boundaries
- Confidentiality
- 3 hours on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Culture (DEIC)
- 1 hour of instruction on how to conduct educational groups Intake or Orientation or Case management processes
- 8 hours of training in Withdrawal Management Education
- 6 hours of ethics-related training, which must include:
Scope of Practice
RTSS credential holders are authorized to perform duties across four core areas:
1. Operational Support
- Clerical tasks, scheduling, and documentation
- Billing and insurance processing
- Maintaining compliance with facility procedures and safety protocols
2. Client Support
- Provide non-clinical support during:
- Intake
- Orientation
- Case management processes
- Offer referrals as directed by supervisors
- Assist in linking clients to services
- Facilitate didactic education and psycho-educational groups
3. Monitoring and Mentorship
- Supervise and mentor residents and clients
- Monitor client activities and behaviors
- Log observations and incidents accurately
- Respond flexibly to changing program and client needs
- Perform:
- Detox monitoring and vital sign checks
- Assist with self-administered medications
- Transport clients and conduct urinalysis testing
- Provide emergency support (e.g., CPR, First Aid, NARCAN administration)
4. Compliance and Ethics
- Uphold all confidentiality and privacy standards, including 42 CFR Part 2
- Report any suspected or observed violations of client rights or ethical guidelines