If you are interested in becoming an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) counselor, one of the steps you need to take for AOD certification is earning a passing score on the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam. Let’s dive in and discuss this exam as well as some helpful facts regarding certification.
What Is AOD Certification?
AOD counselor is a somewhat dated term for a common type of substance use disorder (SUD) counselor. A SUD counselor also might be known as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, or CADC, or perhaps as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor, ADC, or perhaps even another term.
Regardless of the term used, many states require potential substance abuse counselors to take similar steps to earn certification. So, whether they call it AOD certification, CADC certification or something else, most candidates will have to take the IC&RC ADC exam to earn certification or a credential.
What Is IC&RC?
IC&RC stands for International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium. It’s a global organization that develops and maintains professional standards for addiction and mental health counselors, prevention specialists, and clinical supervisors.
One of the main focuses at IC&RC is testing, and they offer standardized exams for the following certifications:
- Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC)
- Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC)
- Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP)
- Clinical Supervisor (CS)
- Peer Recovery-Associate (PR-A)
- Peer Recovery (PR)
- Prevention Specialist (PS)
For this article, we will focus on the ADC exam, which is a requirement for anyone who wishes to become a CADC or an equivalent type of certified addiction treatment counselor. At Sober College, our educational program is designed for those seeking CADC certification, and the curriculum will help prepare you for the IC&RC ADC exam.
While our quality curriculum provides substantial information pertinent to the exam, we know that most substance abuse counselor candidates spend a good amount of time preparing for this test, so here are some tips and facts to help you gain a better understanding of the exam.
The Exam Structure
The exam includes 150 multiple-choice questions; however, the first 25 are pretest questions that will not count against your score. These questions are ones that IC&RC has developed recently and may or may not be added to future tests depending on the data results.
The test covers four domains, including:
- Screening, Assessment, and Engagement
- Treatment Planning, Collaboration, and Referral
- Counseling
- Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
All of these questions are based on the 12 Core Functions of Addiction Counseling, so you must be familiar with these functions. Check out our article about the 12 Core Functions here.
IC&RC Offers A Free Study Guide
If you head to the IC&RC website, the page https://internationalcredentialing.org/prep-and-study-materials/ offers guides for all the organization’s exams, and we highly recommend that you download the ADC Candidate Guide as well as the ADC Reference List to help you prepare for the exam.
Some state certification boards also provide test prep options. For instance, if you join the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), this certifying organization offers a free IC&RC Exam Prep Workshop. For non-members, the workshop is $50.
However, the workshop was created in 2023, so while it can be a valuable resource, there may be information on the actual test not covered by the CCAPP workshop. You also can purchase test prep materials online from a variety of sources.
How Is The Exam Scored?
You must complete the exam within three hours, and scores can range from 200 to 800. The minimum passing score is 500. If you don’t pass the first time, don’t despair. Candidates have four chances to pass the IC&RC exam. If you do fail four times, most certification boards will require you to complete additional training.
For instance, in California, CCAPP requires you to undergo an additional 100 hours of clinical supervision (with a start date after your last test fail date) and also complete 20 hours of AOD education through an approved provider. At that point, you will be eligible to take the test again. Truly, though, this is a very rare situation, and you likely will do fine on your second try if you failed the first time around.
Before-The-Test Strategies
We recommend using any and all resources, including the free test prep from IC&RC, and preparing for this test for several weeks before your test date. Typically, budget 30-60 minutes of test prep per day in the weeks leading up to the exam. It’s also wise to take at least one full-length practice test.
In the days leading up to your exam, eat healthy foods and stay hydrated, as this can provide you with more energy and stamina. Getting a good night’s sleep the night before also can be beneficial, and we recommend arriving early for the test to avoid rushing and the potential stress of being late.
During The Exam
While some people breeze through examinations, many people suffer from test-taking anxiety, even if they have mastered the material in the exam. The following tips can help you stay calm and focused.
1. Start with a Calm Routine
- Try deep breathing or a quick grounding exercise before you begin.
- Example: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 6.
2. Read Carefully
- Watch for words like first, best, most ethical, and except.
- Many test-takers miss points by skimming too quickly.
3. Use the Process of Elimination
- Cross out clearly wrong answers first.
- Narrowing down answers increases your odds and boosts confidence.
4. Pace Yourself
- You have about 1.5 minutes per question.
- Don’t get stuck — mark tricky questions and come back to them.
5. Trust Ethics When Unsure
- On the ADC exam, the safest answer usually prioritizes client safety, confidentiality, or professionalism.
6. Take Short Mental Breaks
- Every 20–30 minutes, pause for 10 seconds, roll your shoulders, and take a deep breath. This helps to refresh your focus.
Additional Steps For AOD Certification
While each state is somewhat unique in its requirements for certifying drug and alcohol counselors, all states will require you to complete a set number of educational hours, as well as completing practicum hours, which is like an internship.
For those taking the ADC exam to earn CADC certification, you typically must complete 315 hours of approved education and 255 hours of practicum experience. At this point, you should be prepared to take the ADC exam.
Once you’ve completed your education requirements, practicum and passed the ADC exam, you will need to complete a specific number of hours of supervised clinical field work. These work experience hours will be paid work as an addiction counselor; you simply won’t yet be fully certified.
Sober College: Your Source For IC&RC-Approved Education
At Sober College of Addiction Studies, we offer IC&RC-approved, CCAPP-approved, and NAADAC-approved education for anyone seeking AOD certification to become a CADC. Because we are IC&RC-approved, our program can be used to complete education hours in all states except Alaska, Montana and North Dakota.
Our quality curriculum not only will fulfill your educational requirements but will also have you well prepared for the IC&RC exam. Additionally, our program includes the practicum (internship) hours required for certification. During your practicum, you must spend 21 hours or more handling each of the 12 Core Functions, and this real-world experience also will help you prepare for your exam.
Our addiction studies program can be completed in just six months, and our coursework is 100% online. We also offer rolling admissions, so you can take the first steps toward AOD certification at any time. To enroll, simply click on the Get Started tab on our homepage and select the “Apply” tab.
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