What is the exam based on?

• A. NAADAC code of ethics
• B. DC Administrative Code
• C. APA Ethical Standards
• D. DSM-5 Criteria

Answer: (A)

The exam is testing knowledge of professional ethics and responsibilities for addiction counselors. The framework used for this field is the NAADAC Code of Ethics, which lays out how counselors should conduct themselves with clients, maintain confidentiality, manage boundaries, obtain informed consent, maintain competence, and address cultural considerations. That ethical foundation is what the exam focuses on, since it governs day-to-day professional behavior.

The other options don’t fit this focus: the DC Administrative Code covers state licensing and regulatory rules rather than ethical guidelines; APA Ethical Standards pertain to psychologists, not addictions counselors; DSM-5 Criteria is about diagnosing mental disorders, not about how to act ethically in practice.