Substance Abuse/Alcohol and Drug/Addiction Counselor Requirements in California
California’s addiction counselors are making strides every day, providing care and resources for millions of people struggling to overcome substance use disorder. That means every single day, addiction counselors in the Golden State are opening the door to entirely new futures for countless people willing to do the hard work it takes to reclaim control of their lives.
California is unique in that it doesn’t have a state licensure process for substance abuse counselors. Instead, the California Department of Health Care Services, Substance Use Disorders Compliance Division (DHCS-SUDCD) defers to national certifying agencies.
Addiction counselors in California earn national certification through one or more of the following associations:
- California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE)
- California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADPT)
- California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)
Select a California Substance Abuse/Addiction Counselor Topic Below…
- General Education, Training and Examination Requirements
- Application Process
- Reciprocity
- Exemptions
- Additional Information
General Requirements for Education, Training, and Examination
All certification programs require candidates to meet minimum training requirements established in California Code. Regardless of which certifying agency you choose to become licensed through, you’ll need a blend of education and experience to qualify.
Your options for certification are as follows:
Option 1: California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE)
The California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) has multiple levels of registration and certification, although applicants in California must earn the Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC I) credential.
To qualify for the CATC I, you must complete a CAADE-accredited Alcohol and Other Drug Studies/Addiction Studies (AOD/ADS)program of at least 30 units.
Higher tiers of certification may also be achieved by earning a higher degree in addiction studies or a related behavioral health/behavioral science field and demonstrating equivalent coursework (whether part of the degree program or supplemental):
- CATC II: Associate’s degree
- CATC III: Bachelor’s degree
- CATC IV: Master’s degree
- CATC V: Doctoral degree
Candidates must also earn 2,240 hours of experience in a state-licensed or state-certified facility.
Option 2: California Association of Drinking Driver Treatment Programs (CADTP)
The CADTP offers the Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor (SUDCC) designation, which requires earning a minumum of 315 hours of education, 255 practicum hours, and 2,080 hours of work experience. Candidates must also take the pass the Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam through the IC&RC.
Addiction counselors may move up to SUDCC II status when they have five years (10,000 hours of work experience). SUDC III and SUD IV have the same experience requirement but higher requirements for academic education. SUDC III is bachelor’s level; SUDC IV, master’s level.
CADTP also offers a clinical supervisor credential and specialty credentials.
Option 3: California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)
The California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), a member board of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), offers credentials at multiple levels. Candidates may begin as registered technicians. At this level, training requirements are minimal; the individual must have nine hours of orientation.
The Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor I (CADC I) credential requires:
- Completing 315 hours of Board-approved, AOD-specific education (Find CCAPP-approved programs here)
- Completing 255 hours of supervised field practicum
- Completing 3,000 hours of work experience (or 2,080 for applicants with an associate’s degree in behavioral health science of AMHP)
- Passing the Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam through the IC&RC
Higher-tiers of certification may also be achieved through additional experience and/or education:
- CADC II: All requirements for CADC I + 6,000 hours of education
- CADC III: All requirements for CADC I + bachelor’s degree in behavioral science or AMHP and 4,000 hours of work experience
- Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor (LAADC): Master’s degree in SUD/AMHP plus 4,000 hours of work experience in SUD counseling + passing of the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor exam
Professionals can also pursue specialty certifications like the Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Professional.
The Application Process
Application materials are available on the sites of the individual certification boards. Candidates should be aware that if the board operates in states other than California, there may be separate California registration materials.
Individuals who have been registered or certified will appear in the database of the certifying agency.
Reciprocity
While California does not recognize certification boards other than those specifically approved, the individual boards have the power to grant reciprocal certification based on requirements that were met through other programs; standards must be the same or higher.
Exemptions
Licensed professionals, including psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, are exempt from the certification requirement. However, they must fulfill a continuing education requirement.
Additional Information
Questions about the certification process in California can be directed to the California Department of Health Care Services at [email protected].