(1) Eligible counselors must complete the 1000 hours supervised work experience before attempting any examination. The written and oral examinations may be attempted in any order. The written examination must be ordered two months prior to the examination date and applicants may apply to take the written examination after three months supervised experience is completed. (The 1000 hours supervised work must be completed by the date of the examination.)

(2) The Montana certification program has authorized use of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) written examination. Applicants must receive a passing score as prescribed by the NAADAC commission to successfully meet the written exam requirement. Written examinations are administered in Helena on dates as determined by the chemical dependency program or its contracted examination service.

(a) The content outline of the National Certification Examination for Addiction Counselors (NCAC) is as follows:

(i) pharmacology of psychoactive substances;

(ii) counseling practice;

(iii) theoretical base of counseling;

(iv) ethical and professional issues;

(b) Applicants must document eligibility (date the work experience will be completed) with the certification program 60 days in advance of the examination;

(c) Test results are sent to the applicant and to the certification program. Applicants receive an "overall" score for the examination as well as a separate score for each of the four content areas;

(d) The written examination may be waived for individuals who have successfully completed the NAADAC examination while in another state or who have completed the NCAC test for national certification (NAADAC) within five years of the Montana application. Applicants must furnish the official notice of test results with the application for chemical dependency counselor certification;

(e) Applicants may attempt the written examination three times and may apply to retake a failed examination. Individuals failing an examination will be required to pay the nonrefundable examination fee and submit the application to retake the written examination form (provided to applicants failing the examination) ;

(f) Applicants failing an examination for the third time must wait out two years before reapplying for certification. Applicants reapplying for certification must meet the certification requirements effective at the time of reapplication and complete all required examinations.