Renewal Process

Individuals who hold a credential with the Board are required to renew their credential every two years. Please read all renewal instructions and documents before completing the application. It is each individual's responsibility to maintain a current address with the Board office and to contact the office if they do not receive their renewal letter.

Individuals are able to submit their renewal applications for review up to three months before their lapse date and are required to submit the completed renewal application to the Board office at least thirty (30) days prior to their lapse date. If an individual's credential lapses before their application is approved, they are not permitted to use their credential until the approval is granted. Extensions are not granted for late or incomplete renewals.


Renewal Requirements

For Chemical Dependency Counselors

A total of forty (40) hours of field related continuing education is required for each two year renewal period. Of this education, six (6) hours must be chemical dependency specific. Individuals who hold the LICDC credentials must also show six (6) hours of education in clinical supervision topics. Educational hours must have been completed no more than two years and one month from your renewal date. For example: if your renewal date is 5/16/05, you may use education that was completed on or after 4/16/03. Coursework completed prior to 4/16/03 would be too old. Certificates of completion do not need to be submitted with the renewal application but should be maintained for audit purposes.

Download Renewal Application Here

For Prevention Professionals

A total of forty (40) hours of field related continuing education is required for each two year renewal period. Of this education, ten (10) hours must be from Foundation II: Foundation in Prevention of Alcohol & Other Drug Use/Abuse/Dependency. Educational hours must have been completed no more than two years and one month from your renewal date. For example: if your renewal date is 5/16/05, you may use education that was completed on or after 4/16/03. Coursework completed prior to 4/16/03 would be too old. Certificates of completion do not need to be submitted with the renewal application but should be maintained for audit purposes.

Download Renewal Application Here

Inactive Status Policy

Individuals who are not prepared to renew their credential may request short term or long term inactive status at the time of their renewal. Individuals may not use their credential while on inactive status. For complete information on inactive status policies please access the following link.

Inactive Status Policy

Renewal Fees

Renewal fees are non-refundable. Please make your check or money order payable to: Treasurer, State of Ohio.

Standard Renewal fee	$150.00
Renewal fee for dual status (both CD and Prevention)	$100 per credential
Senior citizen renewal fee (60 years of age, 20 hours or less)	$55.00
Short Term or Long Term Inactive Status	$15.00

Continuing Education

Education may include workshops, seminars, homestudy courses, college courses, etc. There is no limit to the number of homestudy hours that can be completed. The Board guarantees the acceptance of coursework that has been approved for RCHs and that meets the above mentioned criteria. The Board also accepts coursework that has not been pre-approved when appropriate.

Please review the following links for detailed information on appropriate field related education and suggested homestudy resources.

RCH Definitions
Homestudy Resources

Renewal Audit Process

The Board randomly audits ten percent of all renewal applications received. Audit notices are typically sent three months following a renewal period. Individuals selected as part of this random audit process are required to compile and submit verification of the educational hours used for their renewal. Verification may include copies of certificates of attendance, transcripts and/or letters of completion. Once this material is reviewed and approved by the Board, individuals will be issued a correspondence indicating that the audit was successfully completed. Since the audit process is random, individuals may be selected for audit multiple times.

Renewal of Lapsed Credentials

Individuals who allow their credential to lapse are granted a two year grace period from their lapse date in which they can renew their status. During this grace period, an individual may not use their credential. If an individual fails to renew during this two year period, their file is closed and the individual is required to start the application and testing process anew.