The California Certified Gambling Counselor (CCGC) credential has been issued by the California Council on Problem Gambling (CalPG) since the year 2000. It demonstrates specialized training and supervised experience in screening for and treating gambling disorder.
CCGC is a counseling credential for eligible behavioral health professionals who complete specialized preparation in screening for and treating gambling disorder. CalPG issues the credential after the requirements below have been completed:
Earning your CCGC credential demonstrates to clients, employers, colleagues, and referral partners that you have completed specialized education and supervised experience in screening for and treating gambling disorder.
Additionally, each two-year certification or renewal includes 8 complimentary continuing education hours through CalPG.online, and all active CCGCs are included on the California Problem Gambling Helpline referral list.*
* Referral volume is generally limited and varies based on location and demand.
Before you begin the CCGC-I certification process, please review the minimum qualifications and requirements below.
You should only proceed if you meet all of the requirements for at least one of the following pathways.
You may qualify through this pathway if you have both of the following:
You may qualify through this pathway if you have all of the following:
The full CCGC-I certification process typically costs between $1,400 and $1,700. The final cost will vary based on fees set by the applicant’s BACC. The initial certification is valid for two years.
A nonrefundable application fee is required.
Cost: $175
Classes cost $15 per CE hour, with discount packages available when purchasing multiple credits (1 credit = 1 CE hour).
Cost: $383 – $450
The consultation is arranged and paid directly through a Board Approved Clinical Consultant (BACC). Each consultant sets their own fees, and CalPG does not receive any portion of them.
Cost: varies, but usually $600 - $850.
A one-time certification fee is due upon successful completion of the certification process.
Cost: $175
Below is a summary of the CCGC-I certification process. If you would like a more detailed, step-by-step breakdown, use the button below.
CCGC-I certification is valid for two years. To renew your certification, you must:
Classes used for renewal must be new to you and cannot repeat classes completed for your initial certification or a previous renewal. Qualifying classes may be completed through CalPG.online or CalGETS.online, but any problem-gambling-related class that provides continuing education credit recognized by a licensing or credentialing body applicable to your credential or license may be used.
After your renewal is approved, you will receive 8 complimentary continuing education hours from CalPG.online for use during the new two-year certification period. These complimentary hours are for your use and are not transferable.
CCGC certification and California Gambling Education and Treatment Services (CalGETS) Authorization are separate programs. Both involve preparation related to treating gambling disorder, but they serve different purposes and have separate requirements.
CCGC is a credential issued by CalPG. It demonstrates that a behavioral health provider has completed specialized training, supervised gambling-related counseling, and clinical consultation.
CCGC certification is available to eligible counselors, therapists, and other behavioral health professionals. It does not authorize a provider to bill CalGETS or expand their legal scope of practice.
CalGETS Authorization allows eligible licensed providers to participate in California’s state-funded gambling treatment program and bill for approved services. CalGETS is administered by the UCLA Gambling Studies Program (UGSP) with funding from the California Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling (OPG).
Eligible providers must complete the separate CalGETS training and authorization process, and receive the required approvals before they can bill the program.
Eligible providers may hold both CCGC certification and CalGETS Authorization; however, earning one does not automatically provide the other.