Certification

In our efforts to assist compulsive gamblers and their families, we have developed a certification program for health care professionals who will be counseling these individuals. Our model of certification is based on accepted training and treatment procedures adopted by other states and the National Council on Problem Gambling.

If you are interested in certification please contact Angi Wilson at the Council at (601) 853-8351.

System for Certification of Compulsive Gambling Counselors (CCGC)

The certification process for compulsive gambling counselors for the state of Mississippi is designed to certify individuals based on levels of competence and need. The goal of a certification process is to establish minimum standards of competence, and in so doing, ensure that the public receives the appropriate level of care. The Mississippi Council on Compulsive Gambling recognizes that the compulsive gambler and family members of these individuals need professional intervention during the process of this illness. In so recognizing the plight of the compulsive gambler, the Mississippi Council has established a two-tiered certification system to ensure that service providers are adequately trained throughout the state.

Statutory Limitations

Certification as a Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor I (CCGC I) or as a Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor II (CCGC II) shall not be construed as authorization to charge or collect fees for services rendered if to do so conflicts with any statutory limitations. Where statute requires that a CCGC I or CCGC II be supervised by a licensed provider, the CCGC shall be so supervised.

Principles

Certain important principles have emerged in regard to this credential:

  • Principle 1. The certification process is based on the acquisition of knowledge, competence and experience in areas related to counseling individuals suffering from pathological gambling.

  • Principle 2. Authority for this certification comes from the Mississippi Council on Compulsive Gambling as well as from individuals working in the field of addiction and compulsive gambling who share a common concern for standards of competency.

  • Principle 3. Application for certification is entirely voluntary.

  • Principle 4. Certification is offered to both members and non-members of the Mississippi Council on Compulsive Gambling.

Authority

The authority of the Certification Board is derived from those persons who are dedicated to service as counselors and who are most affected by certification. The authority is embodied in current standards of certification from national and state certification organizations currently offering certification to compulsive gambling counselors. The credibility of this certification results from the standards that are maintained, the performance level established by the Certification Board, and the professional competency and integrity of the Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselors. Appointed by the Executive Committee of the Mississippi Council on Compulsive Gambling, the Certification Board is governed in accordance with the bylaws of the aforementioned council. Members serve without remuneration.

Requirements For Certification

CCGC I Certification

The requirements for the first level of certification to be known as Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor I (CCGC I) are as follows:

  • A minimum of 30 clock hours of gambling-specific training. Training must include focus in the following areas:

    • Communication — 1 hour

    • Basic Knowledge — 3 hours

    • Assessment/Evaluation — 4 hours

    • Information/Referral — 1 hour

    • Counseling/Treatment — 4 hours

    • Treatment Planning — 2 hours

    • Family Aspects — 3 hours

    • Adolescent Aspects — 1.5 hours

    • Financial Aspects — 1.5 hours

    • Cultural Aspects — 3 hours

    • Ethical Concerns — 3 hours

    • Treatment Techniques — 3 hours

  • All applicants must submit a written case history of one of their clients suffering from problem gambling. (Please remember to respect the confidentiality of the client in all correspondence with our office.)

  • Two letters of recommendation from former supervisors or colleagues.

  • Signed agreement of adherence to ethical standards set forth by the certifying body.

  • 2,000 hours of supervised work in providing counseling or related services. A minimum of 250 documented hours must be with compulsive gamblers or their families and a minimum of 250 documented hours must be involvement with other addictions.

  • Applicants must be a certified addictions counselor or a licensed professional working in the mental health related field or have a master’s degree in a counseling or related field and be working in a clinical setting.

CCGC II Certification

The second level of certification offered by the Certification Board will be known as the Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor II (CCGC II).

  • A minimum of 60 clock hours of gambling specific training. Training must include focus in the following areas:

  • The aforementioned areas of focus for CCGC I certification.

  • 15 hours of training must be from national or regional conferences in which current research and/or treatment modalities are reviewed.

  • The remaining 15 hours should be non-repetitive gambling specific hours which focus on current trends in the field.

  • Hold a valid certification or license in a recognized mental health profession, such as physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed professional counselor, social worker, psychiatric nurse or certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor, certified marriage and family therapist, and have a bachelor’s degree in a counseling or related field.

  • Two letters of recommendation from former supervisors or colleagues.

  • Signed agreement of adherence to ethical standards set forth by the certifying body.

  • 2,000 hours of documented work with compulsive gamblers and their families. For those seeking National Council on Problem Gambling certification, the National Council requires that applicants have 2,000 hours of supervised experience by one of their approved supervisors. For more information contact National at (202) 547-9204.

  • Completion of a written examination with a minimum score of 70. Applicants will be required to take the same written examination as those seeking CCGC I certification if not taken already.

  • Applicants may be required to submit to an interview at the discretion of the certification committee.

2,000 Hours Clarification

Experience in these client interaction-focused areas will be considered appropriate for the 2,000 hours of experience required for certification at both levels:

Client Interaction

  1. Face-to-face clock hours with gambling clients
  2. Face-to-face hours with family members of compulsive gamblers
  3. All hours of documentation for gambling clients or family members, including:
    • Patient charts
    • E.A.P./Employer
    • Counselor supervisor
    • Referral agents/other mental health workers
    • Court/parole/probation officers
  4. Any lengthy telephone interventions (30 minutes, or more, documented)
  5. Assessments of clients for a gambling problem
  6. Preparation of discharge summaries, evaluations, and/or aftercare plans for other agencies or care providers
  7. Review of cases to medical and/or clinical director
  8. Case management services to managed care providers or utilization review of gambling cases
  9. Lectures/educational sessions for gamblers or their families
  10. Treatment planning sessions with treatment team

Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselors must be re-certified every three years. Within those three years each counselor must have completed 60 hours of continuing education with 30 hours being gambling specific.

Requirements For
Re-Certification

Virtual CE Workshop: Sports Betting 2026 and Beyond

Receive one contact hour for attending this online workshop that deals with the increased prevalence of sports betting and how to identify risk factors.

March 19, 2026 11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Sign Up here