Start Your Career

Step-by-step Pathway: RADT to CADC

Begin a meaningful career helping individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. Follow this step-by-step pathway to become a certified counselor in California.

Two Ways to Begin

There are two ways to start your career in substance use disorder counseling, and both pathways begin with college education.

Quick Overview:

Path A - Education First:
Enroll in a CCAPP-approved school and complete the AOD education hours before registering as an RADT Trainee I. You can follow Path B once you are ready to begin earning work experience.

Path B - Register and Work:
Enroll in a CCAPP-approved school, complete the 10-hour orientation, register as an RADT Trainee I, begin supervised work, and complete required education while on the job.

Path A: Education First

This path is for individuals who wish to begin their education and have not yet started working in the field.

• Begin a CCAPP-approved alcohol and drug education program
• Continue completing your college education toward the required 315 hours
• When ready to enter the field and begin earning work experience, follow the Path B instructions

Path B: Work and Go to School (Apply for RADT Trainee I)

RADT Trainee I registration

• • Complete the required 10-hour orientation
  • Submit a RADT Trainee I application
  • Finish 80 hours of core competency education within 6 months
  • Trainee I may be renewed once

RADT Trainee II

Apply after your second year as RADT Trainee I

• Advance to RADT Trainee II after the Trainee I period
• Continue working under supervision
• Complete a minimum of 50 hours of AOD education annually
• Continue progressing toward the 315 total AOD education hours and experience hours

RADT Intern

• Accumulate 315 AOD education hours total
• Upgrade to RADT Intern once education threshold and criteria are met
• Continue working and gaining supervised experience

CADC Certification

• Meet education and supervised experience requirements
• Apply for CADC using Certemy
• Schedule and pass the required exam

Education and Supervised Experience Summary

• 315 hours of AOD-specific education is required before applying for CADC
• Supervised work experience (fieldwork) requirements:
  • 2,080 hours → for a CADC-1 A, with a qualifying Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science field
  • 3,000 hours → for a CADC-1 B, with a non-related Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree
  • 6,000 hours → for a CADC-II, with a high school diploma or equivalent (no degree)
  • 4,000 hours → for a CADC-III, with a Bachelor’s degree in behavioral science or allied mental health plus 315 hours of AOD-specific education