Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Registered Substance Abuse Expert / Registered Substance Abuse Supervisor

Why should I seek a RSAE / RSAS Certification?
The CACCF RSAE and RSAS certifications are for those who want to expand their knowledge and qualifications to provide professional assessments for organizations and companies in the corporate community. Both of these certifications were developed and copyrighted by Dr. J. P. Streukens only. The copyright is now jointly held by the CACCF and Dr. Streukens. The RSAE and RSAS are recognized nationally and are independent of any EAP program.

What is a RSAE or RSAS assessment?
A SAE assessment is a clinical evaluation related to an employee’s substance patterns across all substance areas. The evaluation includes standardized testing and reporting (ideal for safety sensitive organizations). The assessments provided are standardized to the degree that diagnostics drive the recommendations. This reduces the potential of any grievance based on an allegation of discrimination.

Typically, individuals that are having employment related difficulties, a positive substance test, or a violation of a company’s substance policy would be referred for to a RSAE or RSAS for an SAE assessment by the individuals employer, union, organization, company or other agency.

Are the RSAE/RSAS certifications "registered" with another regulatory board, government agency or other entity?
No. These certifications are exclusive to the CACCF only. As part of the CACCF's Business Plan we do have future initiatives to have these certifications recognized by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) and as with our other certifications, our goal of regulation across Canada at the provincial and federal legislative level.

I've been providing assessments for EAP providers using a SAP Assessment at a cost that is considerably less and am wondering as to how the rates recommended were determined?

I don’t receive near the suggested “recommended fee guide” rates for conducting an assessment by the EAP providers that I conduct this work for and they state it is not in their budget to pay this. What are the CACCF’s thoughts about this?

The Assessment costs are based upon the standard of practice in Western Canada at this point; these are standard fees being charged by the providers of this service; some charge more some a bit less. The rationale for the fee structure alteration exists within the variation of this program from a standardized SAP assessment. This is a more comprehensive assessment than the typical SAP assessment which is why the charges are higher. The National EFAP’s are aware of the new designations and one of them is looking to credential their personnel across Canada. Another EFAP already conducts assessments under a differing acronym and charges upwards of $1000.00 per assessment in Western Canada. Their fees to the clinicians conducting the assessments are significantly lower than the amount invoiced to the corporation.

Besides the regular CACCF Membership fees, what is the exact cost to the member for the course and certificate?
The CACCF is required to calculate each applicants TAX rate for the province they live in. The RSAE Certification will cost $1300.00 plus applicable taxes.

I have seen medical doctors, EFAP programs, US-DOT SAP providers, “Canadian SAP” providers, and now the RSAE/RSAS registration as options that conduct safety-sensitive workplace assessments. How do these differ?

Medical Assessment
Generally the highest cost assessment and not readily available to most parts of Canada; employees are often required to fly into major centres for these assessments which adds to the overall pricing.

EFAP/Provider Developed Assessment
These assessments offer no guarantee related to clinician credentials, training, or experience in the substance disorders field. Many of these clinicians are under-qualified and utilize either a C-SAP or C-SAE acronym which is from internally developed programs with no screening or oversight.

US-DOT-SAP
This credential is recognized and acknowledged as the required standard when conducting work involving the US-DOT Regulated industries. There is no statement of definition as to what an experienced substance disorders professional consists of and as such, individuals with limited experience can possess this designation.

SAP (unregulated)
This credential can be used by anyone; in Canada the term SAP is not protected and as such anyone can state they are an SAP without any training, experience, or professional oversight to their work. This is clearly the highest risk group to be employing for conducting safety-critical work. They are often the least expensive option to organizations however if/when an incident occurs, this is not the credential a company would want representing them in a court case.

RSAE/RSAS
These credentials set requirements based upon education and experience as pre-qualifiers for their respective training programs. Applicants’ credentials are checked and screened to ensure the applicant is well versed in the field of Substance Disorders. As a quality control measure and to offer further development, all RSAE’s are required to have an RSAS sign off on their assessments. Both designations have a National Organization overseeing the activities of their respective members to ensure that the highest quality of work is being performed. Conduct issues or complaints are handled by an independent objective committee in an effort to seek resolution or employ discipline to members not operating within the guidelines. This option provides organizations with the comfort of knowing they have employed ONLY qualified individuals with competent objective oversight. All assessments are standardized to ensure fairness and reduce the potentiality of discriminatory claims against an organization. This is the only option that we are aware of that currently has both CCSA and National Policy Expert support.

What is the benefit of being registered through an external program as opposed to an internal EAP program?
The RSAE and RSAS have the CACCF – a national organization that oversees the activities of their members. The CACCF has all members’ sign a “Canon of Ethical Principles” as part of their membership. In addition, the CACCF screens all applicants to ensure they meet the minimum requirements to proceed with registration. The registration process encompasses training and examination. The CACCF allows for an independent and objective committee to handle any conduct issues or complaints to seek resolution or employ discipline to members not operating within the guidelines. The CACCF is a credible certification body in Canada with representation across provinces and territories and is hailed by leading authorities throughout the world as a symbol of quality assurance.

I work in private practice - how will safety-sensitive industries be aware of my service ability if I do not work for a large EAP or establish a marketing campaign?
The CACCF is actively marketing all RSAE Services across multiple industries and all active members will be listed and accessible for the corporations to access.

Do I need to have a local supervisor?
All RSAE’s are required to have an RSAS consult and sign-off on their assessment reporting. This can be telephonically or through online meeting structures and does not necessarily have to occur face-to-face.

Who pays for the consultation with the RSAS or does this come out of the fee the assessment?
The fee for consultation with an RSAS comes from the RSAE. The “Recommended fee Guide” is simply a guideline that RSAE’s and RSAS’s can use to structure their costs of services.