What are the requirements to become a certified addiction counselor in California?
CRITERIA FOR THE ALCOHOL DRUG COUNSELOR CREDENTIALS
Qualifications for Certification
CADC I (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level I- with Associate’s Degree)
- Completion of an Associate’s Degree in Behavioral Science or Allied Mental Health Profession must include 315 hours of required SUD education in AA/AS degree
- 2,080 hours of verified work experience
- Must complete CADC I A application on Certemy
- Pass IC&RC ADC exam
CADC I (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level I – without Associate’s Degree)
- 315 hours of required SUD education (See Section: Required Education for Credentialing)
- And 3,000 hours of verified work experience
- Must complete CADC I B application on Certemy
- Pass IC&RC ADC exam
CADC II (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level II)
- 315 hours of required SUD education (See Section: Required Education for Credentialing)
- And 6,000 hours of verified work experience
- Must complete CADC II application on Certemy
- Pass IC&RC ADC exam
CADC III (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level IIl)
- Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science or Allied Mental Health Profession must include 315 hours of required SUD education in BA/BS degree
- 4,000 hours of verified work experience
- Pass IC&RC ADC exam
CADC I/II/III Certification Conditions
- Certification will be granted for two (2) years and must submit renewal 30 days prior to expiration.
- Certification is renewable upon completion of all board requirements for continuing education and submission of fees.
- The CCAPP office may refuse to act on the application if there is evidence the individual violated the professional Code of Conduct; there is evidence of falsification of records; or a current suspension/revocation, as evidenced by the review process as required by state regulations is discovered.
- Any certification denied, suspended or revoked by CCAPP Credentialing provides the applicant with the ability to request an appeal. Appeal requests must be submitted in writing to the CCAPP office within 30 days. See Disciplinary and Appeals Procedures section for further explanation of this process.
- Applicants applying for certification must live and/or work in the state of CA for at least 51% of the time to become certified at the reciprocal level. This is an IC&RC requirement.
- Any person who is certified by CCAPP and fails to apply for renewal of certification has a period of one cycle (two years) to renew. Failure to do so will result in a lapsed certification.
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CERTIFICATION FEE STRUCTURE
Certification Non-Member Rate Member Rate*
| Portfolio Processing | $290.00 | $145.00 | Paid when portfolio submitted |
| Written Exam | $438.00 | $175.00 | Paid when portfolio submitted |
| TOTAL: | $718.00 | $520.00 | |
| Advancement | $645.00 | $200.00 | Due when advancing without exam |
| CCAPP Membership | $100.00 | Due Annually |
***$35.00 CHARGE ON RETURNED CHECKS AND $10.00 CHARGE ON ALL DECLINED CREDIT CARDS***
NOTE: All fees are non-refundable. Applicants for renewal of certification, in order to benefit and qualify for the discount offered in fees, must show membership in CCAPP for the previous two (2) consecutive years. This does not restrict applicants from applying or renewing.
***Registry status does not qualify for member rates. Registrants must also pay membership fees to receive member discount***
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