Iowa Alcohol and Drug Counselor Requirements

1. Satisfy the requirements under the Education Track or the Experience Track (see below).
2. Receive a passing score on the Supervisor’s Counselor Evaluation (Form 09).
3. Receive a passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam.

Iowa Alcohol and Drug Counselor Requirements

• High school diploma or general education diploma
• 24 semester hours (or 33 quarter hours) of college level credit in substance abuse or its related fields (related fields are Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Human Services, and Criminal Justice)
• A minimum grade of “C” must be earned or the course will be ineligible

Note: Documentation of the 24 semester hours will be according to instructions on Form 03, “Education Resume.” Only original transcripts sent directly from the college/university to the IBC office via U.S. Mail will be accepted and reviewed.

In addition, a minimum of 150 clock hours of relevant education is required. These 150 clock hours may be a combination of college courses, trainings, and workshops. Some special conditions apply; These include:

• Specifically, hours must be earned as:

• 45 clock hours in Counseling Theories & Techniques
• 45 clock hours in Alcohol and Drug Specific
• 6 clock hours in Special Populations
• 6 clock hours in Counseling Ethics
• 3 clock hours in Racial/Ethnic
• The remaining hours may be earned under any of the Knowledge and Skill Competencies (see Addendum II).

• Applicants may utilize up to 50% of the education hours from online/distance learning or IBC approved in-service training. An in-service training is the education and training which occurs within the counselor’s agency, only for agency staff and conducted only by agency staff.
• If using college classes, the formula for converting college credit to clock hours is: one semester hour equals 15 clock hours and one quarter hour equals 10 clock hours. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned or the course will be ineligible. Documentation of this will be according to instructions on Form 04, “Workshop Documentation.” and six months full-time (or 1,000 clock hours) of supervised experience in substance use counseling within the past three years. Documentation of this will be according to instructions on Form 05.

Experience Resume

Of the supervised experience, at least 500 clock hours must be documented in performing the 4 Domains of the Alcohol and Drug Counselor, with a minimum of 20 hours in each Domain, and 36 of the hours in direct supervision with a qualified supervisor.

Experience Track Requirements

• A high school diploma or general education diploma
• 150 clock hours of training in the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Knowledge and Skill Competencies

Note: These 150 clock hours may be a combination of college courses, trainings and workshops. Some special conditions apply; These include:

• Specifically, hours must be earned as:

• 45 clock hours in Counseling Theories & Techniques
• 45 clock hours in Alcohol and Drug Specific
• 6 clock hours in Special Populations
• 6 clock hours in Counseling Ethics
• 3 clock hours in Racial/Ethnic
• The remaining hours may be earned under any of the Knowledge and Skill Competencies.

• Applicants may utilize up to 50% of the education hours from online/distance learning or IBC approved in-service training. An in-service training is the education and training which occurs within the counselor’s agency, only for agency staff and conducted only by agency staff.
• If using college classes, the formula for converting college credit to clock hours is: one semester hour equals 15 clock hours and one quarter hour equals 10 clock hours. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned or the course will be ineligible. Documentation of college hours will be according to instructions on Form 03, “Education
  Resume,” and workshop hours will be according to instructions on Form 04, “Workshop Documentation.” and One and a half years full-time (or 3,000 clock hours) of supervised experience in performing the 4 Domains of the Alcohol and Drug Counselor within the past three years. Documentation of this will be according to instructions on Form 05.

Experience Resume

Of the supervised experience, at least 500 clock hours must be documented in performing the 4 Domains of the Alcohol and Drug Counselor, with a minimum of 20 hours in each Domain, and 36 of the hours in direct supervision with a qualified supervisor.

Note: Only 50% of initial counselor education can come from online; and only 20 hours of online education can count toward recertification in the state.
Note: When an individual applies for their credential/license with the Iowa Board of Certification, they must also apply for CEU Approval.

1. Satisfy the EDUCATION requirements under the Education Track or Experience Track for CADC(see below).
2. Receive a passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam.

Note: This credential is for students or those new to the field who have met all education requirements for CADC or IADC but have little to no formal experience or supervision in the field as a substance use counselor.

1. The applicant will complete the tCADC application (available on the IBC website) and submit it to the IBC office with certificates of completion for trainings completed, and will request transcripts be sent directly to IBC via U.S. Mail from any college/university attended, along with the applicable fees.
2. When the IBC office determines that the education requirement has been fully met, the applicant will be pre-registered for the exam.
3. Upon notification of a passing score on the exam by the applicant, the IBC office will issue a 2-year temporary certification to the applicant.
4. Once certified, the tCADC will have two (2) years to meet the experience and supervision requirement for CADC or IADC, and will need to upgrade to the CADC or IADC credential.

Note: There is no recertification for a tCADC.
Note: Only 50% of initial counselor education can come from online; and only 20 hours of online education can count toward recertification in the state. When an individual applies for their credential/license with the Iowa Board of Certification, they must also apply for CEU Approval.

1. High school diploma or general education diploma.
2. Completion of 300 clock hours in the Alcohol and Drug Knowledge and Skill Competencies.
3. These 300 clock hours may be a combination of college courses, trainings, and workshops.

Some special conditions apply; namely, at least 30 hours must have been earned within the 24 months preceding the application.

• Specifically, hours must be earned as:

• 90 clock hours in Counseling Theories & Techniques
• 90 clock hours in Alcohol and Drug Specific
• 6 clock hours in Counseling Ethics
• 3 clock hours in Racial/Ethnic
• The remaining hours may be earned under any of the Knowledge and Skill Competencies.

Note: Applicants may utilize up to 50% of the education hours from online/distance learning or IBC approved in-service training. An in-service training is education and training which occurs within the counselor’s agency, only for agency staff and conducted only by agency staff.

Note: If using college classes, the formula for converting credit to clock hours is: one semester hour equals 15 clock hours and one quarter hour equals 10 clock hours. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned or the course will be ineligible. Only original transcripts sent directly from the college/university to the IBC office via U.S. Mail will be accepted and reviewed. Documentation of college hours will be according to instructions on Form 03, “Education Resume,” and workshop hours will be according to instructions on Form 04, “Workshop Documentation.”

• Those with a Master’s Degree or higher in a related field must document 2000 hours experience
• Those with a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field must document 4000 hours
  experience
• Those with an Associate’s Degree in a related field must document 5000 hours experience
• Those without a college degree in a related field must document 6000 hours of experience.

Note: Documentation of this will be according to instructions on Form 05, “Experience Resume.”

• 300 hours of on-the-job supervision in the 4 domains of counseling are required for applicants with a H.S. Diploma
• 250 hours for applicants with an Associate’s degree in a related field
• 200 hours for applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• 100 hours for applicants with a Master’s degree or higher in a related field;
• a minimum of 10 hours is required in each domain.

Domains

The domains are:

• Domain I: Screening, Assessment and Engagement
• Domain II: Treatment Planning, Collaboration and Referral
• Domain III: Counseling
• Domain IV: Professional and Ethical Responsibilities

• Passing score on the Supervisor’s Counselor Evaluation (Form 09).
• Passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam.

Note: Only 50% of initial counselor education can come from online; and only 20 hours of online education can count toward recertification in the state. When an individual applies for their credential/license with the Iowa Board of Certification, they must also apply for CEU Approval.

1. A Master’s Degree in a behavioral science (i.e. Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Human Services, and Criminal Justice) plus completion of at least 180 clock hours of AODA specific education.
2. An additional six (6) clock hours must be obtained in counselor ethics as well as three (3) clock hours specific to Racial/Ethnic (see Glossary of Terms for definition).

Note: Applicants may utilize up to 50% of the education hours from online/distance learning or IBC approved in-service training. An in-service training is education and training which occurs within the counselor’s agency, only for agency staff and conducted only by agency staff.

Note: If using college classes, the formula for converting credit to clock hours is: one semester hour equals 15 clock hours and one quarter hour equals 10 clock hours. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned or the course will be ineligible. Only original transcripts sent directly from the college/university to the IBC office via U.S. Mail will be accepted and reviewed. Documentation will be according to instructions on Form 04 of the application, “Workshop Documentation.” See Glossary of Terms for definitions.

• 2,000 clock hours of supervised experience in performing all 4 Domains of the IAADC within the past six years.

Domains

The domains are:

• Domain I: Screening, Assessment and Engagement
• Domain II: Treatment Planning, Collaboration and Referral
• Domain III: Counseling and Education
• Domain IV: Ethical and Professional Responsibilities

• 300 hours of on-the-job supervision in the 4 domains are required, with a minimum of 25 hours in each domain.

Documentation of this will be according to instructions on Form 06, “Documentation of Domain Experience.”

• Passing score on the Supervisor’s Counselor Evaluation (Form 09 of the application).
• Passing score on the IC&RC AADC exam

For the purpose of counselor certification, IBC defines supervision as:

• A specific and definitive clinical process of a counselor’s professional development in the didactic, experiential, and application of the Domains.
• Supervision takes place in the context of one to one and/or small groups.
• Methods for supervision may include – but are limited to – case review, direct supervision, video and/or audio review, and observation of the counselor’s professional interaction with clients and staff.

Note: The main goals of clinical supervision are to provide the opportunity to develop competency in the Domains, provide a context for professional growth and development, and ensure a continuance of quality patient/client care.

IBC certified counselors in good standing are eligible to conduct supervision (either on site or through contracted services) for the purpose of certification.
• Certification applicants must be supervised by a counselor certified at a level equal to or higher than the level for which the applicant is applying. Accordingly,

• A CADC may supervise a practicum student or CADC applicant.
• An IAADC/IADC may supervise a practicum student, CADC, or IADC applicant.
• An IAADC may supervise a practicum student, CADC, IADC or IAADC applicant.

• Supervisors outside of Iowa will need to provide a copy of their substance abuse credential.

Supervisor Designate (for IADC and IAADC applicants only)

If an IADC applicant does not have a supervisor who is an IAADC/IADC, or an IAADC does not have a supervisor who is certified as an IAADC, that applicant may use his/her supervisor so long as the supervisor meets both of the following criteria:

• The supervisor must have at least 6000 hours (3 years full time) experience in the substance abuse setting, and would need to provide to the IBC office a letter from his/her agency that he/she is a supervisor in good standing;
• The supervisor would need to submit to the IBC office a copy of his/her applicable certification or license (IADC, IAADC, CCDP,CCS, LISW, LMSW, LBSW, LMFA, LMHC, MD, DO, Psychologist or other certification/license as approved by IBC).

Note: Only 50% of initial counselor education can come from online; and only 20 hours of online education can count toward recertification in the state. When an individual applies for their credential/license with the Iowa Board of Certification, they must also apply for CEU Approval.