Addiction Counselor Requirements in Georgia
Addiction counselors in Georgia are the unsung heroes in a state that’s been ravaged by the prescription opioid and fentanyl crises. Using evidence-based treatments and plenty of compassion, these professionals are helping those affected by substance use disorder rebuild their lives and overcome the disease of addiction.
Th Georgia state government does not license or certify alcohol and drug counselors/addiction counselors. Instead, it defers to two nonprofit agencies to credential professionals who provide addiction counseling services:
- Alcohol & Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (IC&RC member)
- Georgia Addiction Counselors Association Certification Board (NAADAC member)
Both organizations have provisions for reviewing and certifying addiction counselors who have been granted certification by other agencies.
Under state code, addiction counselors can be certified with education as low as a high school diploma/GED but must have a minimum of 180 hours of training in addiction counseling, 4,000 hours of practice experience, and 220 hours of supervised practice. They can work as trainees for up to three years.
Certifications are issued at multiple levels. Both Georgia certifying agencies now have an advanced credential for professionals with master’s degrees.
Select a Georgia Substance Abuse Counselor Topic Below…
- Georgia Addiction Counselors Association Certification Requirements
- Georgia Addiction Counselors Association Application Process
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board Application Process
- Certification Options for Experienced Addiction Counselors in Georgia
- Additional Information
Requirements: Georgia Addiction Counselors Association Certification
The Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA) offers three addiction counselor certifications:
- Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (CACI)
- Certified Addiction Counselor, Level II (CACII)
- Certified Master Addiction Counselor (CMAC)
Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (CACI)
The CACI credential requires a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, along with:
- Two years (4,000 hours) of hours of active practice as a chemical dependency/abuse counselor in the last 5 years (volunteer counseling under a GACA-Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) may also be accepted)
- 180 hours of education and training in alcoholism and drug abuse or in related subjects; must include at least 6 hours of ethics training, 18 hours of cultural diversity training, and 3 hours of HIV/AIDS education – up to 90 hours may be from college courses
- 220 hours of clinical supervision by a GACA-Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) as a Counselor-in-Training, with at least 2 hours of individual supervision in each of the eight counselor skill groups
- Passing score on the NCC AP exam (NCAC I)
Certified Addiction Counselor, Level II (CACII)
The CACII credential requires a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college, along with:
- Three years (6,000 hours) of hours of active practice as a chemical dependency/abuse counselor in the last 8 years (volunteer counseling under a GACA-Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) may also be accepted)
- 270 hours of education and training in alcoholism and drug abuse or in related subjects; must include at least 6 hours of ethics training, 27 hours of cultural diversity training, and 3 hours of HIV/AIDS education – up to 135 hours may be from college courses
- 144 hours of clinical supervision by a GACA-Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) as a Counselor-in-Training, with at least 36 hours of one-on-one supervision and at least 2 hours of individual supervision in each of the eight counselor skill groups
- Passing score on the NCC AP exam (NCAC II)
Certified Master Addiction Counselor (CMAC)
The CMAC is reserved for professionals with a master’s degree or above in a counseling-related field. Applicants for this credential must also have at least 6,000 hours of experience and 500 hours of education in substance abuse/ addictions.
Georgia Addiction Counselors Association Application Process
All candidates must download the CAC Application.
New applications are reviewed monthly by the Certification Committee. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive instructions for registering for the exam. You must be pre-approved to be eligible to test.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board Requirements
The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia offers the following credentials:
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor I (CADC I)
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (CADC II)
- Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC)
The CADC I, CADC II, and CAADC credentials allow professionals in Georgia to represent themselves and practice as alcohol and drug counselors. The CADC II and CAADC credentials grant independent scopes of practice specific to addiction counseling. Those holding the CAADC are qualified to screen for, recognize, and coordinate care for co-occurring mental disorders.
CADC I Requirements
To become certified as a CADC I, you must have:
- High school diploma or GED
- At least 300 hours of A&D Education, including at least 6 hours each in the following areas:
- Professional ethics
- Trauma-informed care
- Telehealth/e-counseling
- HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis C
- At least 6,000 hours (3 years full-time) of direct work experience, including at least 20 hours of one-on-one job supervision
- 300 hours of clinical supervision (25% must be one-on-one supervision), including at least 15 hours each in the following performance domains
- Scientific Principles of Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders
- Evidence Based Screening and Assessment
- Evidence Based Treatment, Counseling, and Referral
- Professional, Ethical, and Legal Responsibilities
- A passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam
CADC II Requirements
To become certified as a CADC II, you must have:
- Bachelor’s degree in a human services field or graduate degree in any field
- At least 300 hours of A&D Education, including at least 6 hours each in the following areas:
- Professional ethics
- Trauma-informed care
- Telehealth/e-counseling
- HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis C
- At least 4,000 hours (2 years full-time) of direct work experience, including at least 20 hours of one-on-one job supervision
- 200 hours of clinical supervision (25% must be one-on-one supervision), including at least 15 hours each in the following performance domains
- Scientific Principles of Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders
- Evidence Based Screening and Assessment
- Evidence Based Treatment, Counseling, and Referral
- Professional, Ethical, and Legal Responsibilities
- A passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam
CAADAC Requirements
To become certified as a CAADAC, you must have:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in a behavioral health field; must include a clinical component and application (supervised internship, field placement clinical practicum)
- At least 180 hours of A&D Education, including at least 6 hours each in the following areas:
- Professional ethics
- Trauma-informed care
- Telehealth/e-counseling
- HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis C
- At least 4,000 hours (2 years full-time) of direct work experience, including at least 20 hours of one-on-one job supervision
- 200 hours of clinical supervision (25% must be one-on-one supervision), including at least 15 hours each in the following performance domains
- Screening, Assessment and Engagement
- Treatment Planning, Collaboration, and Referral
- Counseling an Education
- Ethical & Professional Responsibilities
- A passing score on the IC&RC AADC examination
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board Application Process
All candidates for certification must contact the ADACBGA at [email protected]
Once your application is approved, you will be notified with instructions for registering to take the appropriate IC&RC exam.
Certification Options for Experienced Addiction Counselors
The Georgia Addiction Counselors Association considers reciprocity for addiction counselors who do not hold NAADAC-affiliated certification if reciprocal standards were met.
Additional Information
Questions? Contact the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association at (770) 434-1000 or through their online form
OR
The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board (770) 825-0481 or at [email protected] .