Achieve Excellence in Youth Addiction Counseling
Become a Credentialed Youth and Adolescent Addiction Specialist (YAAS)
Stand out in your field with the first YAAS specialty endorsement credential in California, designed to recognize and elevate professionals dedicated to youth addiction recovery.
Be one of the first to receive our
FREE Endorsement with a Youth and Adolescent Addiction Specialist (YAAS) endorsement credential!
Today you can be one of the first in California and the nation to hold a specialty endorsement credential in youth addiction. With funding from the Youth Opioid Response (YOR) grant, the endorsement is free, making it more accessible than ever before. The work we have done over the past year has paved the way for professionals like you to receive specialized training and recognition in this crucial area. We are grateful for the collaboration with youth organizations and subject matter experts who informed the new standards for the endorsement today. Thanks to the support of YOR California and the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS), we have created the first-ever youth addiction specialty credential endorsement, providing professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to make a difference in the lives of young people facing addiction.
The Four Applications of the YAAS
Discover the unique benefits of our specialized endorsement credentials designed for youth addiction counseling.
Legacy YAAS-LP
Recognizes licensed practitioners with extensive experience in youth addiction in the healing arts, offering a pathway to validate their expertise.
Legacy YAAS-CC
Exemplifies certified counselors who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to youth addiction treatment, providing them with a distinguished credential.
YAAS-LP
Designed for licensed practitioners new to the field, this credential ensures they meet the rigorous standards required for effective youth addiction in their practice.
YAAS-CC
Promotes certified counselors entering the youth addiction specialty, equipping them with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in their career.
Download the New Handbook
Click here to access and download the brand-new handbook for the YAAS endorsement credential.
The Urgent Need for Specialized Training in Youth Addiction
Recent studies highlight the growing crisis of youth addiction, emphasizing the need for specialized training and credentials to effectively address this issue.
- 90% of addiction professionals believe specialized training is crucial for effectively treating youth addiction. 90%
- 80% of certified counselors report improved outcomes when working with youth after receiving specialized credentials. 80%
- 70% of youth addiction cases show significant improvement with intervention from specially trained professionals. 70%
Thank You to Our Funders
The youth specialty endorsement is a significant milestone, made possible by the generous support of YOR California and CIBHS. We are deeply appreciative of this collaboration, which provides professionals with a unique and valuable specialty.
YOR California is a partnership between the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions and Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. Since its inception, YOR California has provided $34,000,000 including this round, in funding to organizations throughout California, spanning the continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services for youth.
Legacy Applicants Get FREE Endorsements
Legacy credentialing is a process by which individuals are granted an endorsement without being required to meet a formal coursework requirement. Legacy applications allows applicants to meet the requirements for Legacy (previously termed “Grandfathered”) Certification by providing documentation based on their previous relevant experience, other certifications, and training and accomplishments in the field. Legacy-specific requirements will be highlighted in PURPLE in the below categories.
We are offering two endorsement types: the YAAS-LP (Licensed Practitioner) and the YAAS-CC (Certified Counselor)
Please select the endorsement you are interested in:
YAAS-LP
Initial Application Requirements
Standard Application
Complete all steps in our online e-application system, called Certemy.
CCAPP Code of Conduct and Statement of Understanding
Signed CCAPP Code of Conduct and Statement of Understanding.
Verifiable Experience Requirement
1 year (2,000 hours) qualified work experience. (Not required for legacy applicants).
Professional Letter of Support
(It is required to submit one typed, dated, and signed recommendation letter from a credentialed or Licensed
professional with the YAAS-LP and YAAS-CC. The letter must be from a colleague, a supervisor, or an instructor. It must attest to the applicant’s character and competency. Letters must be signed originals and dated within 60 days of submission.)
Supervised Education Requirement
(25 hours of supervision by an individual knowledgeable in adolescent and youth substance use disorder counseling by a YAAS-LP and YAAS-CC)
Education Requirements
(50 total hours of education must be taken from CCAPP-approved providers. 50 of these hours must be specific to the YAAS domains. Education can be obtained at colleges and universities, online, at workshops and trainings, and through CCAPP Academy. All education must be from a CCAPP approved provider/school. Copies of certificates of completion, transcripts, or other proof of attendance are required) Legacy applicants may use hours across all domains.
Current Licensure
Licensed | Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts: Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Registered Pharmacists, Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP),
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Verification Review
(This step is for CCAPP staff who will be verifying that your submitted information is accurate and valid)
Fees
$20 Member | $75 Non-Member
All fees waived for the Youth Opioid Response (YOR) applicants.
Before You Start
Before opening an application, please read the important information below, application processing times, and Certemy user tips.
YAAS-CC
Initial Application Requirements
Standard Application
Complete all steps in our online e-application system, called Certemy.
CCAPP Code of Conduct and Statement of Understanding
Signed CCAPP Code of Conduct and Statement of Understanding.
Verifiable Experience Requirement
1 year (2,000 hours) qualified work experience. (Not required for legacy applicants).
Professional Letter of Support
(It is required to submit one typed, dated, and signed recommendation letter from a credentialed or Licensed
professional with the YAAS-LP and YAAS-CC. The letter must be from a colleague, a supervisor, or an instructor. It must attest to the applicant’s character and competency. Letters must be signed originals and dated within 60 days of submission.)
Supervised Education Requirement
(25 hours of supervision by an individual knowledgeable in adolescent and youth substance use disorder counseling by a YAAS-LP and YAAS-CC)
Education Requirements
(50 total hours of education must be taken from CCAPP-approved providers. 50 of these hours must be specific to the YAAS domains. Education can be obtained at colleges and universities, online, at workshops and trainings, and through CCAPP Academy. All education must be from a CCAPP approved provider/school. Copies of certificates of completion, transcripts, or other proof of attendance are required). Legacy applicants may use hours across all domains.
Current Certification or License
Certified | Alcohol/Drug Certified Counselors, or Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselors in states where licensure is conferred
Verification Review
(This step is for CCAPP staff who will be verifying that your submitted information is accurate and valid
Fees
$20 Member | $75 Non-Member
All fees waived for the Youth Opioid Response (YOR) applicants.
Before You Start
Before opening an application, please read the important information below, application processing times, and Certemy user tips.
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 APPLICATION IN CERTEMY?
The link below opens a new application in Certemy. Log in or create an account after clicking the button.
DO NOT CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT IF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE!
ALREADY STARTED YOUR APPLICATION IN CERTEMY?
The link below opens the Certemy login page. Log in now to resume your application.
DO NOT CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT IF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE!
Take the First Step Towards Making a Difference
Join the pioneering group of professionals who are leading the charge in youth addiction treatment. Apply for the new YAAS youth endorsement credential today and be part of the change. With our grant funding, the endorsement is free, making it more accessible than ever before. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and impact the lives of young people.