Examples include the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium’s (IC&RC) Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examination drug addiction treatment and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examination. You may need to pass an exam through the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCCAP). There are many different master’s degrees and counseling programs to fit your goals. CACREP is the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs.
Your First Steps To Becoming a Substance Use Disorder Professional Starts With an Education at One of These Schools
Furthermore, a master’s degree can enable one to expand beyond addiction counseling into new clinical areas or even a higher administrative position. Once you’ve completed the necessary work experience, apply for your credential or certification through your state’s board. This process involves submitting an application with proof of your education, exam scores, and supervised work experiences.
Virginia Board of Counseling CSAC-A 120-hour Required Content Training_lp
- The Model for Certification at the American Institute of Health Care Professionals is one based on a core curriculum of focused Continuing Education (CE) Courses.
- Some states will offer CADC certification, while others might call this AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) certification or a different term.
- Aya is also an avid traveler, and loves to explore new cultures and cuisines with her family.
- It fulfills the 360 specialized educational hours required for becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) or Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) in Wisconsin.
It’s also an ideal fit for behavioral health professionals looking to specialize in substance abuse treatment or better serve their clients. This licensure level can be attained with a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university or greater. Successful applicants typically have a degree in social work, psychology, or some other related field. However, state boards are interested in the coursework they find on an official transcript.
Program recognition and professional licensure and certification
As part of the larger Health and Nursing programs offered at PHSC, you’ll find that your studies here are conducted alongside other future health care professionals that offer important perspectives in addiction treatment. Picking the right online addiction counseling course for your needs can be a challenge. It’s not a field where universally recognized national standards exist for licensing. Every state has different levels of licensure, different educational requirements, and often different experiential and supervised practice requirements. If you are learning about the substance abuse counseling field, we suggest starting with the basics. Again, requirements to become a drug counselor will vary depending on the location of the practice.
A total of 50 hours of continuing education is required every two years for most CCAPP credentials. These hours must include a minimum of 40 continuing education hours, of which six must be in ethics. Continuing education hours must be earned through a CCAPP-approved provider with a current provider number. For more information regarding the North Carolina substance abuse certification continuing education requirements, please contact our office. Of the 240 hours of didactic training in substance abuse counseling, a minimum of 120 hours substance abuse counseling definition shall be completed prior to registration of supervision.
- The course material for both hybrid and online formats are accessed via Moodle, an online learning platform that provides a personalized learning environment for our students.
- Again, requirements to become a drug counselor will vary depending on the location of the practice.
- Addiction and substance abuse counseling offers diverse opportunities across various settings.
- CCAPP Credentialing is the trusted authority for individuals pursuing SUD counselor certification in California.
Bristol Community College
Before turning to freelance writing, he spent nearly a decade in the arts as a booker and event manager. Counseling is an important aspect of the justice system which is often overlooked. Many jail and prison populations are dealing with addiction, and counselors work with incarcerated people in closed facilities across the country.
Job Outlook and Salary for CADC Certified Professionals
As a health care professional, you need to be able to provide the best possible care for your patients. Staying current also allows you to keep up with the latest guidelines and standards of care. It attests to an achievement in professional practice that is beyond that achieved for licensure.
Nearly every state requires counselors to have a graduate degree from a CACREP-accredited institution. Embarking on a journey to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) is a commendable decision that reflects a commitment to improving lives and addressing the challenges of substance abuse. As you have seen throughout this guide, the path to becoming a CADC is structured and requires dedication, from obtaining the necessary education to passing the certification exam and continuing professional development. The time it takes to obtain CADC certification can vary based on several factors, including your starting level of education and the specific requirements of your state. Generally, acquiring the necessary education and experience can take anywhere from two to five years. This course provides a conceptual and experiential introduction to group dynamics, approaches to group counseling, techniques and styles of group leadership, and the facilitation of group processes in counseling situations.