ACE Exam Development



The Breining Institute Addiction Counselor Exam (or “ACE Exam”) is an internationally-administered exam, with multiple versions, which was psychometrically validated, and developed, reviewed and validated by nationally-recognized subject matter and psychometric experts to test for the necessary skills and knowledge of an addiction counselor professional.

The content areas for the ACE Exam were evaluated by over 200 practitioners, administrators and educators from throughout the United States. The exam questions were evaluated and weighted by panel of nationally-recognized subject matter experts (SMEs).

The Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel members are recognized authorities as practitioners, administrators or educators in the field of addictions.

The SME Panel evaluation of the ACE Exam was supervised and directed by nationally-recognized exam development expert, Daniel A Biddle, PhD, who also led the team that psychometrically validated the exam.

Here is a brief video that explains the ACE Exam validation process:

SME Panel

The Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel members are recognized authorities as practitioners, administrators or educators in the field of addictions. The SME Panel evaluation of the ACE was supervised and directed by nationally-recognized exam development expert, Daniel A Biddle, PhD.

Examination Psychometric Expert

Daniel A. Biddle, PhD

CEO, Biddle Consulting Group, Inc.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel Members

Michael Belzman, PhD, MDAAC, M-RAS

CEO, Association of Christian Alcohol and Drug Counselors

Kimberly Bond, MA, MFT

President, Mental Health Systems, Inc.

Board Member, Therapeutic Communities of America

Board Member, California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives

Vannessa Brown-Lindsey, Dr.AD, M-RAS

President / CEO, Another Choice, Another Chance

Kathy L. Christopher, JD, M-RAS

Dean of Academic Affairs, Breining Institute

Jana Cook, PhD

Project Scientist, University of California, San Diego, Department of Psychiatry

Executive Committee, Forensic Addictions Corrections Treatment (FACT) Board of Directors

Warren Daniels, MA, CADC II, M-RAS

CEO / Executive Director, Community Recovery Resources (CoRR)

Chair, California Foundation for the Advancement of Addiction Professionals

Former President, California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC)

Wayne Kistner, JD

General Counsel, California Association for Alcohol / Drug Educators (CAADE)

Kathleen Klug, BA, RAS

Manager (Ret.), Driving-under-the-Influence Program, Breining Institute

Luky Maldonado, CAODC

Senior Vice President, Safety Center Incorporated

Chair, California Association of Drinking Driver Treatment Programs (CADDTP)

Shirley Rowland, Dr.AD, RAS

Senior Mental Health Counselor, CalWORKS Clinical Team, County of Sacramento

Theresa J. Russell, Dr.AD, MCA

Dean of Instruction, Breining Institute

Jim Sellars, MA, CADC II, SAP

Quality Management Coordinator, CRC Health Corporation

Chair, California Certification Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CCBADC)

Armond Urbano, RAS II, NCAC

Director, Training and Education, California Association of Addiction Recovery Resources (CAARR)

Sally Wynn, Dr.AD, MCA, CSC

Principal, AOD Continuing Education LLP


“Addiction Counselor Exam” and “ACE” are registered marks of Breining Institute: Service Mark Reg. Nos. 68184, 304796, Class Number 41