The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and factor structure of the 32-item University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA) by performing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on 326 first-referral outpatients with alcohol dependence. Results suggest that the Brazilian version successfully measured the proposed factors while incorporating a correlational structure of the factors (precontemplation, contemplation, action, and maintenance). Internal consistency ranged from 0.77 to 0.79 according to Cronbach's alpha, indicating acceptable reliability for URICA, with the exception of the Maintenance scale (0.63). The results have been compared with previous work, and the reasons for discrepancies are discussed. Copyright © 2005 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.