Elevate Your Expertise. Advance Your Career.
Professional excellence is powered by lifelong learning.
Through the ACF Training Institute, we provide high-impact courses, workshops, and
webinars specifically curated for the demands of today’s evolving field.
The ACF Continuing Education (CEU) System
Our CEU framework is built to ensure every hour of learning translates directly into professional
development, growth and recertification.
• Self-Paced & Asynchronous: Designed for the busy professional, our courses are fully asynchronous,
allowing you to start, pause, and complete your training on your own schedule.
• Accessible Learning: Our online-first platform ensures that quality education is available
anytime, anywhere.
• Career Integration: Every credit earned is designed to meet rigorous standards for
career advancement.
Verification Note: To confirm that your specific organization or state board accepts
ACF continuing education units for recertification, please contact us at:
info@myacf.net
New Training Available
Behavior Health Threat Assessment (BHTA) America
Open enrollment
40 Hours
The Behavior Health Threat Assessment (BHTA) Course equips professionals with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to identify, assess, and respond to behavioral indicators associated with potential threats of violence or harm.
Grounded in evidence‑based frameworks, the course integrates mental‑health awareness, risk‑factor analysis, early‑intervention strategies, and multidisciplinary collaboration to support effective decision‑making in complex situations.
Designed for learners pursuing certification through the American Certification Federation, the program strengthens competency in recognizing concerning behaviors, conducting structured assessments, and implementing appropriate mitigation plans that enhance safety, prevention, and organizational readiness across diverse settings.
Department of Transportation (DOT SAPs)
Syllabus
Course Overview
This comprehensive, self-paced online program prepares professionals to serve as Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) under Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. Participants gain in-depth knowledge of the regulatory framework, practical evaluation procedures, documentation standards, ethical responsibilities, and essential skills for working with diverse and often challenging cases. Learners engage with detailed written materials and exercises that bring the materials to life.
Course Format
The course is delivered entirely online and self-paced, allowing learners to progress at their own schedule. It includes approximately 16 hours of content, featuring about 80,000 words of written instruction.
To reinforce learning, the course integrates interactive reflection questions, decision making scenarios, and application exercises. A rigorous final exam verifies readiness to function in the SAP role.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Describe the purpose and scope of DOT drug and alcohol testing programs.
- Identify covered agencies and individuals under 49 CFR Part 40.
- Explain the SAP’s role, ethical standards, and professional boundaries.
- Conduct thorough evaluations and write neutral, defensible reports.
- Navigate complex cases involving cultural factors, legal testimony, and resistant individuals.
- Advise employers and employees on return-to-duty processes, follow-up testing, and related legal responsibilities.
Intended Audience
This training is designed for licensed professionals seeking to qualify as SAPs under DOT regulation 49 CFR Part 40.
Prerequisites
To be permitted to act as a SAP in the DOT drug and alcohol testing program, you must meet each of the requirements of this section:
(a) Credentials. You must have one of the following credentials:
(1) You are a licensed physician (Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy);
(2) You are a licensed or certified social worker;
(3) You are a licensed or certified psychologist;
(4) You are a licensed or certified employee assistance professional;
(5) You are a state-licensed or certified marriage and family therapist; or
(6) You are a drug and alcohol counselor certified by an organization listed at https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/sap
(b) Basic knowledge. You must be knowledgeable in the following areas:
(1) You must be knowledgeable about and have clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and controlled substances-related disorders.
(2) You must be knowledgeable about the SAP function as it relates to employer interests in safety-sensitive duties.
(3) You must be knowledgeable about this part, the DOT agency regulations applicable to the employers for whom you evaluate employees, and the DOT SAP Guidelines. You must keep current on any changes to these materials. You must subscribe to the ODAPC list-serve at https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/sap email-updates. DOT agency regulations, DOT SAP Guidelines, and other materials are available from ODAPC (Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington DC, 20590 (202-366-3784), or on the ODAPC web site (http://www.transportation.gov/odapc).
(c) Qualification training. You must receive qualification training meeting the requirements of this paragraph (c).
(1) Qualification training must provide instruction on the following subjects:
(i) Background, rationale, and coverage of the Department’s drug and alcohol testing program;
(ii) 49 CFR Part 40 and DOT agency drug and alcohol testing rules;
(iii) Key DOT drug testing requirements, including collections, laboratory testing, MRO review, and problems in drug testing;
(iv) Key DOT alcohol testing requirements, including the testing process, the role of BATs and STTs, and problems in alcohol tests;
(v) SAP qualifications and prohibitions;
(vi) The role of the SAP in the return-to-duty process, including the initial employee
evaluation, referrals for education and/or treatment, the follow-up evaluation, continuing treatment recommendations, and the follow-up testing plan;
(vii) SAP consultation and communication with employers, MROs, and treatment providers;
(viii) Reporting and record keeping requirements;
(ix) Issues that SAPs confront in carrying out their duties under the program.
(2) Following your completion of qualification training under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, you must satisfactorily complete an examination administered by a nationally-recognized professional or training organization. The examination must comprehensively cover all the elements of qualification training listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(3) You must meet the requirements of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section before you begin to perform SAP functions.
(d) Continuing education. During each three-year period from the date on which you satisfactorily complete the examination under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, you must complete continuing education consisting of at least 12 professional development hours (e.g., CEUs) relevant to performing SAP functions.
(1) This continuing education must include material concerning new technologies, interpretations, recent guidance, rule changes, and other information about developments in SAP practice, pertaining to the DOT program, since the time you met the qualification training requirements of this section.
(2) Your continuing education activities must include documentable assessment tools to assist you in determining whether you have adequately learned the material.
(e) Documentation. You must maintain documentation showing that you currently meet all requirements of this section. You must provide this documentation on request to DOT agency representatives and to employers and C/TPAs who are using or contemplating using your services.
(f) Limitation. If you are an otherwise qualified SAP under this part, you must abide by the geographic limitations applicable to your credential when performing remote evaluations. You must not conduct an evaluation that exceeds your geographic limitations.
Course Completion
Learners who successfully complete all modules and the final exam will be issued a certificate of completion and may process through the DOT requirements.
Specialty Training Available
Addiction and the Brain
Open enrollment
2 CEU(s)
The Addiction and the Brain course explores how substance use and addictive behaviors alter neural pathways, disrupt reward circuitry, and reshape cognitive and emotional functioning.
It examines the interplay between genetics, environment, trauma, and neurobiology, highlighting how dopamine, stress systems, and impaired executive functioning contribute to the cycle of craving, tolerance, and dependence.
Through this lens, addiction is understood not as a moral failing but as a chronic, relapsing brain disorder influenced by complex biopsychosocial factors.
The course emphasizes the importance of evidence‑based interventions, neuroplasticity, and compassionate, person‑centred care, equipping learners with a deeper understanding of how the brain adapts—and how recovery is both possible and supported through informed practice.
Co-occuring Disorders
Open enrollment
2 CEU(s)
The Co‑Occurring Disorders course provides addiction professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between substance use disorders and concurrent mental health conditions.
Grounded in evidence‑informed practice, the course explores diagnostic considerations, integrated treatment models, risk assessment, and the impact of trauma, stigma, and systemic barriers on client outcomes.
Participants develop practical skills for collaborative care, ethical decision‑making, and culturally responsive support, equipping them to work confidently and compassionately with individuals navigating multiple, intersecting challenges.
Digital Addictions
Open enrollment
2 CEU(s)
The Digital Addictions course equips addiction‑focused professionals with a clear, evidence‑informed understanding of how excessive engagement with technology—such as gaming, social media, online gambling, and constant connectivity—can impact mental health, relationships, and overall functioning.
Grounded in current research and emerging best practices, the course explores the neurobiological, psychological, and behavioral mechanisms that drive compulsive digital use, while also examining risk factors, assessment considerations, and ethical implications for practice.
Participants gain practical strategies for prevention, early intervention, and client‑centred support, ensuring they are prepared to navigate this rapidly evolving area of addiction within diverse clinical and community settings.
DSM-5-TR Updates
Open enrollment
2 CEU(s)
The DSM‑5‑TR Updates course provides addiction and mental health professionals with a clear, practical overview of the latest diagnostic revisions introduced in the DSM‑5‑TR, emphasizing changes most relevant to substance use, co‑occurring disorders, and culturally informed practice.
Participants explore updated terminology, refined diagnostic criteria, and new clinical considerations that enhance assessment accuracy and support ethical, evidence‑based care.
Designed to strengthen professional competence, the course equips counsellors with up‑to‑date knowledge they can immediately apply in diverse treatment settings, ultimately improving client outcomes and supporting high‑quality, accountable practice.
Ethics
Open enrollment
6 CEU(s)
The Ethics course provides addiction‑focused professionals with a clear, practical framework for ethical decision‑making.
Through real‑world scenarios, reflective exercises, and guided discussion, participants explore core principles such as professional boundaries, confidentiality, informed consent, cultural humility, and responsible use of power.
The course emphasizes integrity, accountability, and client‑centred practice, equipping counsellors to navigate complex situations with confidence while upholding the highest standards of professionalism.
Ultimately, it strengthens ethical competence across the field and supports safe, respectful, and effective care for individuals and communities.
Family Systems in Recovery
Open enrollment
2 CEU(s)
Family Systems in Recovery explores how substance use disorders affect the entire family unit and how sustainable recovery emerges when the system—not just the individual—is supported.
This course introduces core family systems theory, examines common relational patterns that develop around addiction, and highlights the roles, boundaries, and communication dynamics that shape both dysfunction and healing.
Participants learn practical, evidence‑informed strategies for engaging families, fostering resilience, and supporting healthier interactions throughout the recovery process.
Designed for counsellors and frontline professionals, the course equips learners to view recovery through a holistic, relational lens that strengthens outcomes for individuals and their families.
Law Enforcement Peer Support Specialist
Open enrollment
40 CEU(s)
Peer support in law enforcement is a structured program where officers who have received specialized training provide emotional and practical support to fellow officers experiencing stress, trauma, or crisis. This support occurs outside the formal chain of command and operates on the principle that officers are uniquely positioned to understand and help each other through the challenges inherent to police work.
The foundation of peer support rests on shared experience. When an officer responds to a traumatic call, faces an internal investigation, or struggles with the cumulative weight of years in law enforcement, they are often hesitant to seek help from mental health professionals, supervisors, or even family members. These traditional support systems, while valuable, may not fully grasp the nuances of police culture, the specific stressors of the job, or the unspoken rules that govern how officers are expected to behave and cope.
Peer supporters bridge this gap. They are officers who have walked the same paths, responded to similar calls, and understand the language, humor, and defense mechanisms that define police work. They know what it means to put on the uniform each day while carrying invisible wounds. They understand the pressure to appear strong, the fear of being labeled as weak, and the internal conflict between needing help and maintaining the image of invincibility that policing often demands.
Motivational Interviewing
Open enrollment
4 CEU(s)
The Motivational Interviewing course equips addiction‑focused professionals with the core spirit, principles, and evidence‑based strategies of Motivational Interviewing to enhance client engagement and support meaningful behavior change.
Participants learn to cultivate a collaborative, person‑centred counselling style that strengthens intrinsic motivation through skills such as reflective listening, evoking change talk, navigating ambivalence, and responding to resistance with compassion and skill.
Emphasizing practical application, the course provides opportunities to integrate Motivational Interviewing techniques into real‑world scenarios, empowering counsellors to foster stronger therapeutic alliances and promote client‑driven progress and effective practice.
Political Outrage Cycles and Social Media Addiction
Open enrollment
6 CEU(s)
The Political Outrage Cycles and Social Media Addiction course equips addiction‑focused professionals with a clear understanding of how modern digital platforms amplify emotional reactivity, polarization, and compulsive engagement.
Participants explore the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms that make outrage‑driven content so reinforcing, how algorithmic design fuels dependency loops, and the ways these patterns intersect with broader mental health and substance‑use vulnerabilities.
Through evidence‑informed analysis and practical case examples, the course empowers counsellors to recognize these emerging behavioral addictions, support clients in reducing harm, and foster healthier digital habits within an increasingly volatile online environment.
Psychedelics and Harm Reduction
Open enrollment
2 CEU(s)
The Psychedelics and Harm Reduction course provides addiction‑ and mental‑health professionals with a grounded, evidence‑informed understanding of emerging psychedelic therapies and their implications for client care.
Participants explore the history, pharmacology, and current research surrounding substances such as psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine, while critically examining both their therapeutic potential and associated risks.
Emphasizing a harm‑reduction lens, the course equips counsellors with practical strategies to support clients who may be using psychedelics in clinical, ceremonial, or unregulated settings, ensuring safety, informed decision‑making, and ethical practice.
Designed to strengthen professional competence in a rapidly evolving field, this training helps practitioners navigate complex conversations with clarity, compassion, and cultural humility.
Relapse Prevention Strategies
Open enrollment
3 CEU(s)
The Relapse Prevention Strategies Course equips addiction‑care professionals with a practical, evidence‑informed framework for helping clients anticipate, understand, and navigate the high‑risk situations that can lead to relapse.
Through an exploration of triggers, coping skills, cognitive‑behavioral tools, and personalized recovery planning, participants learn how to support clients in strengthening self‑awareness, building resilience, and sustaining long‑term change.
The course emphasizes collaborative, client‑centred approaches that honour lived experience while empowering individuals to maintain momentum in their recovery journey.
Trauma and Cultural Sensitivity
Open enrollment
2 CEU(s)
The Trauma and Cultural Sensitivity course equips addiction and mental health professionals with the knowledge and skills to provide compassionate, culturally informed, and trauma‑aware care.
Grounded in evidence‑based principles, the course explores the impacts of trauma on individuals and communities, highlights the importance of cultural humility, and examines how identity, lived experience, and systemic factors shape client needs.
Participants learn practical strategies for creating safe, inclusive therapeutic environments, strengthening rapport, and reducing the risk of re‑traumatization.
This training supports practitioners in delivering ethical, respectful, and responsive care that honors the diverse backgrounds and healing journeys of the people they serve.
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