How do I get registered as a drug and alcohol counselor in California?

INITIAL RADT APPLICATIONS

All individuals applying for RADT registration must complete an application with all supporting documents listed below. All applications will be processed in a consistent manner according to procedure requirements and without preference or bias. 

1. Complete RADT Application
2. Fee of $40.00 (Fee is waived for the first year if nine-hour course was taken through CCAPP)
3. Signed and dated RADT Uniform Code of Conduct
4. Signed and dated RADT Scope of Practice
5. Copy of valid, government-issued identification (driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued ID)
6. Proof of completion of a nine-hour orientation course consisting of three hours each of ethics, professional boundaries, and confidentiality from a CCAPP approved education provider

Beginning January 2018, applicants for RADT will be required to submit proof of completion of 45 hours of AOD education towards certification each year. 

Individuals registered as a RADT have five years from the date of the initial registry to become certified per counselor Certification Title IX Regulations. 

All registrants for certification are required to receive supervision by a qualified supervisor. 

Supervisor Qualifications

It is the responsibility of registration and certification applicants to ensure that all supervised internship hours (closely supervised) performed in a practicum or for credit toward work experience requirements for certification is verified by a professional who is qualified by meeting one of the definitions below. Internship/practicum hours are closely supervised which means a qualified supervisor must be in the same room when an intern is practicing counseling skills or performing any function described in the four domains or 12 core functions. Work experience hours (2080+ hours) are not closely supervised and there for the individual only needs to have a qualified supervisor at the facility where the work is being performed to evaluate the quality of work and perform clinical supervision.

Supervisor for CADC I Applicants:

A supervisor for CADC I practicum or work experience verification is defined as: 

• Any CADC I, CADC II, CCAPP CCS, IC&RC ICCS, LAADC, LAADC-S, or
• any person who has documented education, training, and experience that is comparable to, or exceeds the above certifications; indicate how this supervisor meets this qualification below•

Supervisor for CADC II Applicants:

A supervisor for CADC II practicum or work experience verification is defined as: 

• Any CADC II, CCAPP CCS, IC&RC ICCS, LAADC, LAADC-S, or
• any person who has documented education, training, and experience that is comparable to, or exceeds the above certifications; indicate how this supervisor meets this qualification below*

Supervisor for CADC Ill Applicants:

A supervisor for CADC Ill practicum or work experience verification is defined as: 

• Any CADC Ill, CCAPP CCS. IC&RC ICCS, LAADC, LAADC-S, or
• any person who has documented education, training, and experience that is comparable to, or exceeds the above certifications; indicate how this supervisor meets this qualification below*

*Definition of “comparable to” (Registrants must submit supervisors’ resume or letter documenting how requirements are satisfied).

• A CADC-CAS must have at least 9 years’ experience and submit a resume.
• Any person with a master’s degree in a behavioral health discipline and three years of supervised experience in delivering counseling services consistent with the 12 core functions.
• Any person with a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health discipline and five years of supervised experience in delivering counseling services consistent with the 12 core functions.
• Any person with an associate’s degree in a behavioral health discipline and seven years of supervised experience in delivering counseling services consistent with the 12 core functions.

Click here to get registered.