Outreach Institute Training FAQS

Thank you for your interest in Outreach Training Institute’s CASAC programs and trainings!

If you have questions beyond the FAQs, no problem! Please call OTI at 718-847-9233 if there are questions beyond the FAQ’s.

CASAC Program FAQs

What is a CASAC?

A CASAC is a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. It is a professional credential issued by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) that qualifies someone to provide counseling and support services to individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs).

What are the requirements to become a CASAC?

To become a CASAC in New York State, you must:

Complete 350 hours of OASAS-approved education/training.
Accumulate 6,000 hours (about 3 years) of supervised work experience in an approved setting (less if you have a relevant degree).
Pass the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam.
Adhere to ethical and professional standards set by OASAS.

What does a CASAC do?

CASACs can:

Provide individual and group counseling
Conduct assessments and develop treatment plans
Facilitate recovery support and education
Work in clinical, community-based, and correctional settings

Are there different levels of CASAC?

Levels of CASAC Credential

CASAC-T (Trainee):
The entry-level credential for individuals completing the required education and supervised experience hours. It allows you to work under supervision while gaining the necessary clinical experience.
CASAC (Full Credential):
Granted once all requirements are met — including education, supervised practical training, and passing the OASAS written exam.

Level 1 – GED or High School Equivalency
Level 2 – Associates Degree in a Human Service field
Advanced – Bachelor Degree and completion of 30 hours of Clinical Supervision Foundations I and II training. Must be already serving in a clinical supervisory role or on track to serve in such a role within one year.
Master – Master Degree in a Human Service field, 30 hours of Clinical Supervision Foundations I and II training, and a CASAC for at least three consecutive years prior to becoming a Master Counselor.

What will I learn in a CASAC training program?

The training gives participants:

Foundational knowledge of addiction counseling and recovery support
Practical skills for assessment, treatment planning, counseling, and referral
Understanding of ethical standards, cultural competence, and client advocacy

Curriculum Areas (OASAS-Defined Sections)

The 350 hours are divided into four major sections:

Knowledge of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (85 hours)
- Addiction theory and models
- Effects of alcohol and drugs on the body and mind
- Co-occurring disorders
Counseling (150 hours)
- Individual and group counseling techniques
- Motivational interviewing and relapse prevention
- Family and community systems
Community Education and Prevention (45 hours)
- Prevention strategies
- Community outreach and resource networking
Professional and Ethical Responsibilities (70 hours)
- Confidentiality and client rights
- Documentation and record keeping
- Ethical decision-making

How long is the CASAC training program?

The CASAC Training Program is a 350 hour training program. A typical schedule track spans over 12 months. As required by New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports, students must complete the full 350 hours to graduate from the program, which may extend student participation in order to allow for missed classes to be made up.

Can I make up my missed hours in any class?

No, students are required to make up the exact class that is missed. This can be done the next time that class is available; either in their current schedule track or in another schedule track at different location and time. A training administrator will work with you to coordinate your make-up.

What are the schedules for the CASAC training program?

The CASAC Training Program at Outreach Training Institute is a distance learning program offered via live video-conference (WebEx). Participants are expected to have all the necessary tools to participate in this training program (Computer or Laptop with a functioning camera, microphone & speakers / reliable internet service) as well as the basic knowledge of these devices to navigate their own technology. Classes in the 350- hour program are now scheduled as followed:

TWTh Track – Tues/Wed/Thurs from 6:30pm – 9:30pm
MTW Track – Mon/Tues/Wed from 6:30pm – 9:30pm
DAY Track – Tues/Wed/Thurs from 9:30am – 9:30pm

What is the tuition cost?

Our current tuition rates are as follows:

350Hr CASAC Program – $7,000.00
100Hr CASAC Program – $2,000.00

Monthly installment plans are available.

Am I required to pay in full, and are there payment plans?

Yes, payment is expected to be paid in full up front. However, we do offer payment plans for individuals who are unable to pay up front. Upon acceptance into the CASAC training program, students will receive a payment contract and will be required to submit the first two (2) installment payments up front, and the remaining 8 payments to be made on the 1st or 15th of each month thereafter; depending on the enrollment date of the student. This payment is non-refundable.

Are there scholarships or financial assistance available?

Yes, please visit our financial assistance and scholarships page for more information: https://opiny.org/financial-aid-and-scholarships/

Are there any outside funding sources/agencies commonly utilized by OTI?

Yes, for those with vocational rehabilitation needs stemming from substance use disorder, mental health disorders, physical health problems, and/or physical disabilities may quality for tuition funding via ACCES-VR.

To inquire about eligibility for ACCES-VR, please contact them directly: ACCES-VR link

Do you accept Pell, Tap, 529 funds, or any other federal funding provided that can be applied towards an Academic Institution of higher learning?

No, Outreach Training Institute is an approved Educational Training Provider by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports; which is not the same as an academic institution, such as a college or university approved by the Department of Education.

What if I am a Veteran?

Any veteran interested in applying for the CASAC training program must contact OTIoutreach@opiny.org for information regarding current available internal scholarships/financial assistance provided by Outreach Training Institute prior to applying to the program. Your inquiry will be answered in the order that it is received.

When can I start the CASAC training program?

Entry points to the CASAC training program are available approximately every 6 – 8 weeks. If accepted into the program, you will begin at the next available entry point. This will be discussed during the interview and required student orientation prior to start of class. Our primary entry points take place during our Fall Semester: Sept/Oct entry, Winter Semester: Jan/Feb entry, Spring & Summer Semester: April/May entry.

All interviews will be held remotely as well as the student orientation. The student orientation will be conducted online via Webex.

What is required to apply?

Every prospective student must complete an application to be considered for acceptance and enrollment into the CASAC training program. The online application will indicate what additional documents are required.

Interested individuals can apply for the CASAC program here: https://opiny.org/casac-training/

Once your application has been received, we will contact you for next steps.

What happens during the application process?

You will be required to submit a $35 application fee. Upon completion of your application you will receive notification to schedule an interview for consideration into the CASAC Training Program at Outreach Training Institute.

Thereafter, your application and interview responses will be reviewed by an admissions committee to determine acceptance.

I’ve completed some hours at another CASAC program. Do these count?

Yes, we ask that you first obtain a deficiency letter from OASAS in order to demonstrate the hours you will need to complete your training. A deficiency letter can be obtained by submitting an application for your credentials to OASAS. You will be required to show proof of the training hours you received at the previous training provider.

Here is the link to OASAS online portal: https://credentialing.oasas.ny.gov/

Does my masters degree count towards training hours?

Only if you have obtained one of the following licenses: Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Creative Arts Therapy, Psychotherapy/Psychoanalysis or Marriage/Family Therapy.

Note: Other masters and advanced degrees in counseling related disciplines must be evaluated by OASAS by submitting a transcript and application to OASAS directly (www.oasas.ny.gov )

How many hours do I need to complete the training if I have one of the approved licenses mentioned above?

Outreach Training Institute is approved by New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) to offer a 100-Hour CASAC Training Program to all applicants that have one of the five approved licenses mentioned above. These hours consist of 85 hours of Section 1, and 15 hours of Ethics from Section 4.

Is the CASAC trainings available online?

Yes, the CASAC Training Program at Outreach Training Institute is a distance learning program. Classes are only offered online via synchronous-live video conference. A Computer or laptop w/ functioning camera, microphone and speakers are required to participating in this training program.

How do I get started?

Please submit the follow application here: https://opiny.org/casac-training/

Once your application has been received, please allow 3-5 business for it to be processed. We will contact you for next steps.

Does the CASAC certificate have reciprocity in other states?

Outreach Training Institute is sometimes approached by individuals from outside of New York State and asked about whether our CASAC training program will meet the training requirements to be certified, credentialled or licensed as a substance abuse professional in another State.

Our training program is specifically designed to meet the training requirements set by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports to obtain its Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) designation. And – while the CASAC credential has reciprocity through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC) with 47 States, 6 Native American territories, all branches of the United States military and 25 countries – the training requirements to be certified in each of those jurisdictions can vary. In addition, reciprocity might occur only between those professionals who already possess an established credential and wish to transfer that credential to another location.

Because recognition and reciprocity is determined between the individual boards of each of these entities, we cannot guarantee that successful completion of our training program will be sufficient to meet the professional educational requirements of a non-New York State board for some form of substance abuse counselor certification, credential or license. We advise interested applicants who might be seeking our training to meet non-New York State training certification requirements to therefore contact the board of the jurisdiction that they might practicing before applying to our program offerings in order to determine if a New York State-approved CASAC training program might meet their training requirements.

A list of contacts for ICRC member boards can be found at: https://internationalcredentialing.org/memberboards