Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation

What Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation does

The Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) is a non-profit professional certification body established circa 1984 (originally as the Addiction Intervention Association) and headquartered in Brockville, Ontario. It certifies addiction counsellors across Canada through a portfolio of 17+ credential programs, including the foundational Certified Addiction Counsellor (CCAC) and International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor (ICADC), plus specialized credentials covering problem gambling (CPGC), gaming disorder (CGDS), sex addiction (CSAS), nicotine cessation (CNTP), peer support (CCPSS), recovery coaching (RCP), clinical supervision (CCTACP), and military and first-responder contexts (CAPAS, CCMAC). Certified professionals must complete 20 CACCF-approved CEU hours annually for recertification.

CACCF operates a digital-first infrastructure: credential lifecycle management is handled through Certemy's credentialing platform, course payments are processed via Square checkout, and the Training Institute delivers self-paced online courses (CSAS, CGDS, CPGC, CAPAS, CCPSS) earning CEU credits. Approved CEU providers include 40+ organizations such as CAMH, CCSA, EHN Canada, Wilfrid Laurier University, and the Responsible Gambling Council. CACCF monetizes across six revenue streams: certification and recertification fees ($199–$698 per credential), CEU course approval ($100 per course for two-year approval), Training Institute course sales, job postings ($250 CDN), admail advertising ($250), and university/college curriculum review ($1,500–$2,000). It maintains international reciprocity with the IC&RC across 13 countries and is recognized by Canadian employers, treatment centres, and provincial regulators.

The organization serves three primary segments: addiction and mental health professionals seeking credentials and continuing education, employers and healthcare organizations needing workforce verification (via the public registry and job board), and individuals and families seeking trusted support (via the public registry and a recently launched free virtual addiction counselling service). Leadership is structured around a 7-person executive team led by Executive Director Doug Brewer, with supporting professional services from BMS Group (insurance) and Aird & Berlis (legal). CACCF has submitted drafted legislation to the Ontario government to mandate counsellor certification and received public recognition from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario CEO at RGC Discovery 2026.

Name

Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation

Legal name

Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation

Website

https://caccf.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) is a Canadian non-profit certifying addiction counsellors through 17+ credential programs, managing CEU recertification via Certemy, and operating a Training Institute, public registry, and free virtual counselling services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Credentialing Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF), Professional Certification & Training Content Publishing (Exam Prep, CE/CPD) (MPAJACAL)

Keywords

• Professional certification services
• Addiction counsellor credentials
• Continuing education programs
• Workforce credentialing body
• Professional regulatory services

Headquarters

HQ city

Brockville

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification and Recertification Fees: CACCF charges application and annual renewal fees for each certification type (CCAC, ICADC, CCS-AC, ICCS, CIAC, CCMAC, CPGC, CNTP, CCRC, GIS, CCIP, CCPSS, CAPAS, CCTACP, RCP, CCSAS, CGDS). Each certification has distinct fees ranging from $199 to $698, with some grandfathered rates available through 2026. Annual recertification requires proof of 20 CACCF-approved continuing education hours.
2. CEU Approval for Course Providers: Third-party training organizations and course providers pay $100 per course submission for CACCF review and approval. Approval is valid for two years as long as course content remains unchanged. Course providers can opt to have approved courses listed on the CACCF website.
3. Training Institute Course Sales: CACCF sells its own certified courses (CSAS 40 CEUs, CGDS, CPGC, CAPAS, CCPSS) directly through the Training Institute via Square checkout. Individual CEU courses (ranging from 1 to 40 CEUs) are also sold directly to professionals.
4. Job Posting Marketplace: Organizations seeking qualified addiction professionals pay $250 CDN per job posting on the CACCF website, reaching thousands of certified members across Canada. Postings may be removed at CACCF's discretion due to volume.
5. Admail Advertising: CACCF sells email advertising campaigns (Admails) for $250, enabling organizations to reach thousands of certified addiction professionals via the CACCF email platform. Admail must be addiction-related; CACCF reserves the right to refuse or modify campaigns.
6. University/College Curriculum Review: Post-secondary institutions pay curriculum review fees ($1,500-$2,000) to have addiction counselling programs reviewed and approved by CACCF. Fees are based on program length and detail. Reviews are required every 5 years.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CACCF is Canada's national certification body for addiction counsellors, offering 17+ professional credentials spanning foundational addiction counselling, clinical supervision, specialized tracks (gambling, gaming, sex addiction, nicotine/tobacco), peer support, recovery coaching, telemedicine, and intervention. The organization operates a digital Training Institute delivering self-paced CEU courses, a public registry for credential verification, a Professional Conduct Review system for public accountability, and free virtual addiction counselling services for the Canadian public.

Product overview

The Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) is a national certification body that offers a comprehensive portfolio of professional certifications and training services for addiction professionals in Canada. The core offerings include foundational certifications (CCAC, ICADC, ICCS, CCS-AC), specialized certifications for specific addiction types (CPGC, CGDS, CSAS, CNTP), peer support certifications (CCPSS, CAPAS, CCRC), and advanced credentials (CCMAC, CCIP). These are supported by the CACCF Training Institute providing online CEU courses, CEU approval services for external providers, curriculum review for educational institutions, and member-facing tools including a Professionals' Portal and Public Registry. The organization also provides free virtual counselling services for the public and collaborates with government partners on policy and legislation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor (CCAC)

Quantifiable outcome

• 41 years of national leadership in addiction workforce regulation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026CACCF actively participates in the Responsible Gambling Council's Discovery Conference, the premier event in responsible gambling. CACCF was publicly recognized by the AGCO CEO at RGC Discovery 2026 for its work ensuring certified addiction professionals in the gaming space. CACCF is developing an innovative project in the gambling sector to be announced. The partnership positions CACCF as a key player in the responsible gambling ecosystem.
• BMS GroupcoreOthersBMS Group serves as the insurance broker for CACCF's member insurance program. Through this partnership, CACCF certified professionals gain access to Professional Liability Insurance (PLI), Commercial General Liability, Clinic Professional Liability, Business Package Insurance, Cyber Security & Privacy Liability, and Legal Services Package at competitive rates. BMS is a specialist broker serving Canadian addiction professionals. Contact: 1-855-318-6558 or [email protected].
• Aird & BerlisminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAird & Berlis is a leading Canadian law firm based in Toronto with 200+ lawyers and patent agents. They provide strategic legal advice to medical professionals, clinics, charities, and not-for-profits. CACCF members receive access to a no-fee consultation with Fiona Brown at Aird & Berlis. The firm serves as a 'one-stop shop' for legal services including corporate, employment, privacy, and regulatory matters.
• CertemycoreTechnology or IntegrationCertemy is the credential management platform used by CACCF for certification applications, exam scheduling (with proctor), annual recertification tracking, and digital certificate downloads. Certified professionals access their accounts at caccf.certemy.com. The platform enables CACCF to manage thousands of certified professionals' credentials nationally.
• EHN Canada (Edgewood Health Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEHN Canada is a major provider of mental health and addiction treatment. CACCF VP Monika Frejlich appeared on EHN Canada's '5 FAQs' podcast to discuss IPV recognition training for addiction professionals. EHN Canada provides educational webinars approved for CACCF CEUs, including topics on mental health, addiction, trauma, and burnout prevention.
• SquarecoreTechnology or IntegrationSquare (block.xyz) is the payment processing platform used for CACCF Training Institute course purchases, certification study guides, and paper certificate orders. All CACCF flagship certifications (CSAS, CGDS, CPGC, CAPAS, CCPSS) and individual CEU courses are sold via Square checkout links.
• Approved CEU Providers Network (40+ organizations)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCACCF approves third-party training providers to offer CEU courses that count toward CACCF recertification. Major approved providers include: CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), CCSA (Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction), EHN Canada, Last Door Recovery Society, Wilfrid Laurier University, CAMH TEACH Project, Mount Royal University, BC Centre on Substance Use, Responsible Gambling Council, Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute, Recovery Coach Academy Canada, and 30+ others. Providers pay $100/course for CEU approval.
• International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIC&RC is the international body governing addiction counselling certification standards. CACCF follows IC&RC best practices for credential issuance, clinically researched and confirmed. ICADC and ICCS certifications issued by CACCF are reciprocal with IC&RC member boards in 13 countries. Roly Gatin was instrumental in bringing IC&RC standards to CACCF.
• Provincial/Territorial GovernmentscoreOthersCACCF works with government bodies at provincial and federal levels to strengthen public health strategies and promote the role of Certified Professionals. CACCF submitted drafted legislation to the Ontario government to mandate addiction counsellor certification. Some provinces have signaled interest in regulating the addiction counselling space. CACCF advocates for enhanced professionalism and public protection.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals: The US national membership and certification body for addiction counsellors. Directly comparable to CACCF in mandate (certifying addiction professionals, providing CEUs, advocating for the field) and is itself an IC&RC member board — CACCF's certifications reciprocate with NAADAC's.
• International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC): The international governing body whose standards CACCF follows. IC&RC administers the reciprocal credentialing framework across 13 countries; CACCF's ICADC and ICCS are issued under IC&RC alignment, making this both a partner and the closest structural peer.

Regional players

• College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO): Ontario's regulatory college governing the psychotherapy profession. Comparable as a Canadian provincial credentialing/regulatory body for mental health practitioners, including those working in addiction — though its scope is broader (psychotherapy vs addiction counselling specifically).
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP): UK-based professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists with a registration/accreditation framework. Comparable as a national membership and credentialing organisation in an English-speaking jurisdiction — useful international analogue to CACCF's certification model.
• Australian Counselling Association (ACA): Australia's largest professional association for counsellors, providing member registration, CEUs, and practitioner standards. Comparable in structure to CACCF as an English-speaking federation issuing practitioner credentials and continuing education oversight.
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, providing clinical training, CEU-approved courses, and addiction education. Comparable as a Canadian addiction training authority, with overlap in practitioner education but not direct credentialing competition.

Broad incumbents

• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): The largest US counselor certification body, issuing the NCC and CCGS credentials. Comparable as a national-level professional certification body for counsellors, though its scope is broader than addiction specifically.

Emerging players

• Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA): Canadian national body providing substance use research, policy, and educational resources. Listed as an approved CEU provider for CACCF. Comparable as a credentialing-adjacent authority shaping professional standards in addiction in Canada.
• Addiction Professionals of Ontario (formerly AAFC): Ontario-based professional association serving addiction and mental health workers. Comparable as a Canadian addiction-counsellor membership body; smaller in scope and mandate than CACCF but operates in overlapping practitioner territory.

Others

• Responsible Gambling Council (RGC): Canadian non-profit focused on preventing gambling harm through education and awareness. While not a credentialing body, RGC is a strategic CACCF partner (Discovery Conference) and addresses one of the specialisation areas (problem gambling, CPGC certification) where CACCF credentials practitioners.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CACCF

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation