Certified Admissions and Marketing Specialist (CAMS)
The news is filled with stories of companies being fined and even losing their credentials because they were doing things that were not compliant. Being ethical in the marketing of your addiction treatment organization or services is more important than ever.
NBHAP knows this is a growing concern for those of us in the industry, and developed the Certificate in Addiction Treatment Marketing (C-ATM) in response.
What is the C-ATM?
A comprehensive program of six courses, the C-ATM is a first-of-its-kind certificate program that teaches you best practices and practical tips from renowned legal and industry experts.
Each course takes approximately six hours to complete. You can take the courses online or you also have the option of attending one of our live courses. The courses can be taken in any order and at any time, and a mixture of online learning and live workshops is acceptable.
See our Frequently Asked Questions about the C-ATM.
“Today’s marketers need to be up to date on legislation and compliance issues rapidly changing the business of providing addiction treatment. I earned the Certificate in Addiction Treatment Marketing to better understand these complex dynamics transforming our field. The education provided in the C-ATM courses aligns with the mission of HMP’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Learning Network—to empower professionals, whether in business or clinical roles, to provide patient-centric, high-quality, ethically delivered care. Earning the C-ATM is an ideal experience for treatment center marketers and executives dedicated to these goals.”
What is the CAMS?
The Certified Admissions and Marketing Specialist (CAMS) is a nationally-recognized credential issued by the CCAPP.
The CAMS credential is the Certificate in Addiction Treatment Marketing (C-ATM) with national credential recognition. Anyone who successfully completes the C-ATM and submits the CAMS application for certification is considered for the national credential.
The CAMS series includes all six of the C-ATM courses, which can be taken either live or online. The six courses can be taken in any order and at any time, and a mixture of online learning and live workshops are acceptable. The remaining requirements are listed in the CAMS Manual/Application.
The CAMS also includes CCAPP’s CAMS credential application fees, which the participant is eligible for once completing the six courses and other CCAPP requirements. You can take the C-ATM and then pay just for the credential application fee should you want the credential after. The credentialing fee is a separate $500 for non-members, and $300 for NBHAP members, and must be purchased from CCAPP.
CAMS Course 1: Corporate Ethics and Compliance
- Date Recorded: June 8, 2018
- Presenters: Harry Nelson
- CE: this couurse is not eligible for CEs
- Price: $120.00 (Members receive discount)
What are corporate ethics and compliance? Why are they so important?
With legal expert Harry Nelson as your guide, you will explore key ethical and compliance issues through the lenses of federal, state, and local laws. You will also consider the elements of successful compliance programs that thoughtfully manage risk, while at the same time maintaining transparency, accountability, and integrity.
CAMS Course 2: Consumer Privacy And Data Security
- Date Recorded: June 8, 2018
- Presenters: Harry Nelson and Kathryn Edgerton
- CE: this couurse is not eligible for CEs
- Price: $120.00 (Members receive discount)
What are consumer privacy and data security? Why are they so important?
With legal experts Harry Nelson and Kathryn Edgerton as your guides, you explore key consumer privacy and data security issues — such as patient authorization and consent, compliant communications, and how to address security breaches — through the lens of federal and state health privacy and security laws. You also consider the legal and ethical ramifications of collecting and using patient information for marketing purposes, including the unique challenges presented by today’s social media landscape.
CAMS Course 3: Ethical Communications In Marketing
- Date Recorded: June 8, 2018
- Presenters: Harry Nelson, Rob Fuller, and Ben Cort
- CE: this couurse is not eligible for CEs
- Price: $120.00 (Members receive discount)
What are consumer privacy and data security? Why are they so important?
In this course, you consider key issues related to ethical marketing and advertising communications. Taking federal and state regulations into account, you review best practices to promote transparent, truthful, and substantiated communications on the Internet and in comparison and testimonial advertisements. You also examine data brokering, outside referral sources, and the challenges and benefits of communicating via social media platforms.
CAMS Course 4: Addiction Treatment Marketing Part I
- Date Recorded: June 8, 2018
- Presenters: Ben Cort
- CE: this course is not eligible for CEs
- Price: $120.00 (Members receive discount)
What is addiction treatment marketing? How is representing a program different than selling one?
With addiction treatment marketing expert Ben Cort as your guide, you explore key advertising and marketing issues, including the marketer’s role and responsibilities, mission and brand, and professionalism and etiquette. You also consider best practices when interacting with diverse populations of prospective and current patients and families, the admissions team, and the clinical team.
CAMS Course 5: Addiction Treatment Marketing Part II
- Date Recorded: June 8, 2018
- Presenters: Harry Nelson
- CE: this course is not eligible for CEs
- Price: $120.00 (Members receive discount)
How do you market my program effectively, ethically, and in compliance with the law?
With legal expert Harry Nelson as your guide, you explore issues related to addiction treatment marketing compliance and enforcement, including the key stakeholders and applicable federal and state laws. You also consider patient financial responsibility and potentially abusive practices associated with fees, reimbursement, and services.
CAMS Course 6: Ethical Compensation Practices
- Date Recorded: June 8, 2018
- Presenters: Harry Nelson
- CE: this course is not eligible for CEs
- Price: $120.00 (Members receive discount)
What are ethical compensation practices? Why are they so important for healthcare marketers?
With legal expert Harry Nelson as your guide, you examine legal and ethical best practices for contracting and compensating marketers, call centers, and laboratories. You also consider how best to avoid compensation misconduct, including inducements and kickbacks, fraud and abuse, and patient brokering.
Renewal of C-ATM/CAMS
Have your C-ATM and/or CAMS and need to look into renewing?
To be kept current, the C-ATM / CAMS needs to include a minimum of 6 hours every two years. These 6 hours must be approved by NBHAP as a C-ATM/CAMS renewal course. Members get a discount (some up to 100%) on these courses. The courses are listed below. There is no additional price for the C-ATM renewal: just contact us to find out how to renew your C-ATM certificate.
For your CAMS, you must include CAMS Recertification Application. This application lists the other requirements and fees for renewing your CAMS.
Webinar: Getting What You Pay For: Legal Pitfalls in Paying for Referrals
- Date Recorded: January 21, 2026
- Presenter: John A. Mills and Tara Davidoff
- CE: eligible for 1 CE
- Price: $50.00 (members receive webinar for free)
Marketing in the healthcare industry is fraught with risk, and many have gone to prison for undertaking illegal and unethical marketing practices. In this webinar we will go over what constitutes legal and illegal marketing practices in healthcare, with an emphasis on federal and state laws targeting the addiction recovery industry. We’ll also provide best practices to avoid liability for kickbacks and false advertising.
Webinar: Workplace Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Training – What You and Your Team Need to Know
- Date Recorded: October 15, 2025
- Presenter: Zachary Rothenberg and Lindsay Ryan
- CE: eligible for 1 CE
- Price: $50.00 (members receive webinar for free)
This webinar will provide an overview of state and federal laws intended to prevent harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Participants will come to understand key definitions and legal concepts such as “harassment,” “discrimination,” “protected classes,” “hostile work environment,” and “retaliation,” and will identify concrete tools and techniques for staying on the right side of the law. The webinar will also address best practices for handling instances of harassment or discrimination when they do occur, in order to minimize company exposure and mitigate risk.
Webinar: Lead the Change, Keep the Trust: Change Management Strategies for Navigating Transitions in Behavioral Health Organizations
- Date Recorded: September 17, 2025
- Presenter: Martha Rackets
- CE: not eligible for CEs, but eligible for 1 hour C-ATM renewal
- Price: free (website registration required to view)
ehavioral health organizations are navigating transitions shaped by external pressures—such as regulatory changes, payor shifts, and competitive demands—while also pursuing internal goals to improve systems, introduce new technologies, and adapt services to meet community needs. Grounded in change management methods, tools, and real-world scenarios, the session explores how leaders can drive strategic change while maintaining trust and engagement.
Webinar: Reinvent Your Revenue Model: Strategies to Increase EBITDA Without Requiring More Admissions
- Date Recorded: August 27, 2025
- Presenter: Chris Wolfington
- CE: not eligible for CEs, but eligible for 1 hour C-ATM renewal
- Price: $50.00 (Members receive webinar for free)
As marketing costs continue to rise and reimbursement rates continue to decline, how can you boost your EBITDA without increasing patient admissions? This presentation reveals three simple and easy to execute strategies that can have an immediate positive impact on EBITDA and your enterprise value without requiring census growth. Unlock the hidden EBITDA potential in your existing patient base and implement actionable steps to maximize financial performance.
Webinar: Building a Model of Collaboration and Engagement: The TPAS Model
- Date Recorded: May 7, 2025
- Presenter: Gina Thorne
- CE: not eligible for CEs, but eligible for 1 hour C-ATM renewal
- Price: free (C-ATM access only for those with C-ATM badge)
This webinar will highlight strategies for fostering meaningful conversations and partnerships to address shared challenges. Ideal for recovery programs, alumni networks, peer coaching, and organizations, this webinar will equip you with practical tools to boost engagement and work collectively toward innovative solutions.
Webinar: Building & Retaining Your Behavioral Healthcare Staff
- Date Recorded: March 19, 2025
- Presenter: Jordan Young and Joe Landry
- CE: not eligible for CEs, but eligible for 1 hour C-ATM renewal
- Price: free (C-ATM access is $25 for non-members)
This webinar examines the factors that drive challenges many treatment centers face in hiring and retaining key staff.
Webinar: Questions of Legality and Ethics in Behavioral Health Marketing
- Date Recorded: April 30, 2025
- Presenter: Nick Jaworski
- CE: not eligible for CEs, but eligible for 1 hour C-ATM renewal
- Price: free (C-ATM access is $25 for non-members)
Behavioral health entities continue to be in the news for legal and ethical violations related to their marketing and compensation practices. In this webinar, we’ll discuss retargeting and HIPAA compliance, FTC rulings on legal Google Ads campaigns, the use of call centers, and compliantly compensating outreach or admissions teams.
C-ATM Course 16: The Future of Healthcare Privacy: Projecting What’s Ahead and Planning Next Steps
- Date Recorded: August 15, 2023
- Presenters: Harry Nelson and Adella Katz
- CE: not eligible for CEs, but eligible for 1 hour C-ATM renewal
- Price: free
With the constant evolution of technology and rapidly growing collection of health information, we will endeavor in this webinar to project what the future of healthcare privacy will look like in the next few years.
A national membership association that provides education and advocacy for those in the behavioral health and addiction treatment industries.
We are the leading and unifying voice of addiction-focused treatment programs.
