Certification Process
Certification is a process by which an independent third-party assesses and acknowledges an individual’s level of knowledge and skills relative to a set of pre-determined standards. This is typically accomplished by means of collecting and presenting information related to educational background, work/life experience, and specific skill sets. Membership fees, ethics codes, and yearly reviews are also a common part of the certification process.
The Indigenous Certification Board of Canada represents a major historical turning point in establishing an official recognition of the special qualifications needed to provide professional healing, health and wellness services in Aboriginal communities. The corner stones of the Indigenous Certification Board of Canada certification process were laid by the Association of BC First Nations Treatment Programs over twenty years ago.
This process honours and incorporates indigenous peoples’ culture, traditions and healing philosophies. ICBOC professional certifications are not only comparable to those of other certification agencies in Canada and internationally, but exceed them in term of cultural competence standards and requirements.
Moreover, ICBOC professional certification are embedded in a unique, culturally appropriate model of capacity development of the indigenous workforce. This model reflects the realities, needs and aspirations of Indigenous workers, individuals, families and communities.
The ICBOC capacity development model, which inspires the standards and structure of our certification system, is based on our long experience listening to indigenous workers, experts and organisations in the fields of addictions, mental wellness and community developments across Canada.
Know Our 3 Certification Processes
Get more details of each process on the tabs below
Please click on the following documents for the recertification form in your preferred language:
Recertification Form – English (2023)
Recertification for Addiction and Wellness
Recertification Form for Community Support
Certification Renewals
If you opt to maintain your certification, it will have to be renewed every two (2) years.
The date when your initial certificate was issued (anniversary date) will be used to set the expiry date of subsequent certificates. To obtain your recertification, the following conditions apply:
- Your latest certification must still be valid when you submit your renewal application
- You must, as a certified worker, remain in good standing with ICBOC
Late Renewals
Certificates that are not renewed on their expiry date will be considered late renewals
- Lapsed certification files will be kept open for a period of six (6) months
- Six months after the expiry date of the latest certificate, the file will be archived
Training Requirements for the Renewal of a Certification
To obtain the renewal of your certification, you will need to:
- Complete the renewal form downloadable from the ICBOC website or available by request
- Provide evidence of 40 hours of new training/education, obtained since the issue date of your latest certificate
- Insure that these new training/education hours are on required topics, as indicated in the summaries of standards and requirements corresponding to your certification
- Training hours will only be accepted if supported by certificates, transcripts or a signed declaration provided by a qualified person (your employer, training manager or supervisor). This declaration must provide the list of training topics, the number of hours and date when the training took place. It must clearly indicate the name, professional title and contact information of the qualified person of the person signing the declaration.
Exemptions
In certain cases, you will be able to be exempted from a late renewal or reactivation fee, for a reasonable motive, for example if/when you take a break from your employment (maternity leave, illness, loss of employment, change of career etc…).
If you cannot renew and wish to keep your file open, you must inform the Registrar in writing, either by letter or email, explaining your circumstances. The information will be inserted in your file, which will be kept pending until you reactivate it. If these conditions are observed, no late or reactivation fee will be charged.
Other Forms of Training Accepted
As an indigenous, culture-based certifying body, we accept other forms of training, in addition to training for which certificates are issued (programs, courses, workshops, seminars, etc.). Here are the forms of training you can apply towards your initial application for professional certification or the renewal of your certification:
- Participation – in the context of your work with clients – in cultural, traditional activities, ceremonies. A maximum of 26 hours spent in such activities will be accepted.
- In-house training provided by your employer
- Cultural teachings or advice you received from an Elder at your place of employment, during the course of your work schedule
Verification of Credit Hours
In order to qualify as credit hours toward your professional certification, such activities must be accounted for by either of the following:
- The special Declaration form included in the certification application packages. This declaration is attached to the recertification form or will be forwarded by ICBOC upon request, OR
- A Letter of declaration from the employer, printed on letterhead
These verifying documents must include the following information:
- A detailed description of the activity and number of hours or days
- The printed name and contact information of a qualified person (Elder, employer, supervisor)
- Signature of the qualified person, and the date of the activity
- We also accept the training you have yourself delivered to your colleagues or to the public on the condition that you submit a copy of:
- The training agenda
- The description of the training, including the title, the learning objectives, and the content of the session
- The ICBOC “Declaration concerning Alternative Training Formats” completed as required by the qualified person (Elder, employer or supervisor).
- Case 1. Accumulation of more than the 40 required hours a each renewal date, and 2 renewals since the initial certification was issued, which means the addition of 4 years of work experience
- Case 2. Submission of the required 40 hours and third renewal since the initial certification was issued, which means the addition of 6 years of work experience
- Case 3. Completion of a college or university program, with education/training topics and hours corresponding to the standards and requirements of the higher certification
- Case 4. All the standards and requirements of the higher certification level are satisfied
Please click the following tabs for more information:
Please click on the following documents for the recertification form in your preferred language:
What is a Certification Switch
Some ICBOC certified members may change their job or be promoted to another position, and wish to acquire a certification that better fits their new employment. The ICBOC professional certification system facilitates switches to other certifications by transferring the applicant’s existing experience, knowledge and skills and apply them against the standards and requirements of the new certification.
How to Apply to a Certification Switch
The Indigenous Certification Board of Canada offers a process that allows ICBOC-certified members to switch from one certification to another.
If you already have a certification from ICBOC and you wish to obtain another certification at an equivalent level (i.e. your certification is as a Certified Indigenous Addictions Specialist at level I, and you are now employed in the same field but in prevention, you can apply for certification as a Certified Indigenous Addictions Prevention Specialist at level 1.) You can obtain this other certification as long as you fulfill its standards and requirements.
You will need to complete and submit this form AS WELL AS the Application Package relating to the certification you wish to switch to.
However, you will not have to start from scratch: the relevant work experience and education/training you have already documented in your initial certification will be honoured, and transferred to this new certification. You will need to send us the proofs for the trainings that your have completed in the 2 years since the issue of your last certificate. Once the certification switch has veen granted, the same process applies for renewal and upgrade.
2023_Certification Switch Application_Eng
ICBOC’s Certification Equivalence Process
The Indigenous Certification Board of Canada certifies workers who are employed in Indigenous settings, but supports employment choices for all ICBOC first certification applicants and existing ICBOC certified members. Applicants who are interested in obtaining professional certification that enhances their opportunities for employment in other work settings can also apply for ICBOC certification via its Certification Equivalence process.
Applicants who obtain their certification with ICBOC have satisfied a higher, different set of standards and requirements reflecting the uniqueness of Indigenous perspectives on life, healing principles and practice. These standards respond to the specific realities and needs of Indigenous clients, their families and communities, as well as those of employers and of workers themselves.
Applying for Certification through the Equivalence Process
The certification obtained through ICBOC’s Certification Equivalence Process is based on equivalence between ICBOC’s Standards and Requirements and those of other boards, not on the title and level of the certification granted by other boards.
Applicants applying to ICBOC certification via its equivalence process will not automatically obtain the same certification level.
Before you apply for the recognition of the certification granted by another certification board, and to learn about the ICBOC equivalencies, please contact the Registrar’s office.
To apply for this option, candidates will need to complete and submit the Application for Certification Equivalence form and demonstrate, by including his/her certificate from the other board, that he/she is still in good standing with that board. An expired certificate will not be accepted.
Please note that the following documents are also required: Current job description, Wellness Plan, Code of Ethics. Both the wellness plan and the Code of Ethics are included in the application.
Application for Certification Equivalence Form
Renewal of an Equivalent Certification
A certified member who has obtained his/her ICBOC certification through ICBOC’s Certification Equivalence process must renew this certification every two (2) years, by completing the application package entitled APPLICATION FOR THE FIRST RECERTIFICATION OF APPLICANTS WHO OBTAINED INITIAL CERTIFICATION THROUGH ICBOC CERTIFICATION EQUIVALENCE PROCESS. The link to this application package is included on this page.
This recertification by equivalence application requires the submission of the following:
- Personal Information
- Educational Qualifications Form
- Certificate of program completion/graduation
- Transcripts
- Employer’s Declaration regarding Applicant’s Criminal Record Check
- Letter of Professional Reference
- Supervisor’s Evaluation corresponding to your current ICBOC certification and level. (Please contact ICBOC for a copy of the right Supervisor’s evaluation)
- Proof of 40 hours of new training (certificates, employer’s declaration, transcripts etc…)
- $250.00 Recertification Fee – payment to be made to ICBOC
Application Package for the Recertification of Equivalence Applicants
Upgrade of an Equivalent Certification
A certified member who has obtained his/her ICBOC certification through a certification transfer application and who wishes to obtain a certification upgrade must submit a complete application for the level of certification requested.