In the world of addiction professionals, there are literally dozens of certification options. These options vary from state to state and even among credentialing organizations within states. One option you may be wondering about is CAADC certification, so let’s take a look at this possibility.
What Is CAADC Certification?
CAADC is one of the many acronyms you’ll hear about in our profession, it stands for Certified Advanced Addiction & Drug Counselor. This is one of the highest levels that addiction counselors can attain.
The downside of CAADC certification for many individuals is that they lack the educational background in order to work toward this credential. A CAADC must have completed a master’s degree in behavioral science or an allied mental health profession as well as a set amount of alcohol and drug counseling-specific education. In California, this amount is 300 hours of education.
Additionally, you will need a passing score on the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) exam. You also must complete 4,000 hours of work experience and provide proof of professional liability insurance. Finally, you will need to pay a fee for the credential.
In some states, you might be earning CAADC certification, while in California, this is known as LAADC certification or Licensed Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor. The names may differ from state to state, but the requirements tend to be similar, and you will need to have that Master’s degree.
What If I Move Out Of State?
When you earn CAADC certification in one state, this doesn’t automatically mean that you will be certified in all 50 states. However, many states offer reciprocity, so you might be able to transfer your CAADC certification state to state. Basically, states just want to know that you have the necessary degree, approved education, have passed the IC&RC exam and you’ve completed a set number of work experience hours.
If you have earned CAADC certification in your state but will be moving to another state, do some research and make some calls to ensure that you can transfer this credential and what steps you need to take in order to do so.
I Don’t Have A Degree; Can I Still Become A Counselor?
Absolutely! CAADC certification is just one of the many types of counseling options. If you long to help others heal but don’t have a master’s degree, don’t worry, you have several choices.
If you have a high school diploma, you can apply to become either a CADC-I or a CADC-II. This is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. There are actually three levels, CADC-I, CADC-II and CADC-III.
Those wanting CADC-III certification do need to have a bachelor’s degree in behavior science or an allied mental health profession. This can be a great option for someone who eventually does wish to earn CAADC certification and is working toward earning that master’s degree.
For CADC-I certification, you need only have a high school diploma, however if you do have an associate’s degree in behavior science or an allied mental health profession, this will reduce the number of work experience hours you have to complete. Those without a degree must complete 3,000 hours of work experience while those with an associate’s degree need only complete 2,080 hours of work experience.
With CADC-II certification, your level of education is irrelevant, aside from the high school diploma. To earn this level of certification, everyone must complete 6,000 hours of work experience, regardless of education level. Basically, it takes a little less than three years to earn this number of work hours. Of course, you will be paid for these hours, so it’s not like an unpaid internship; it simply means you will be supervised by someone with more experience.
Room For Growth
As you progress in your years as a CADC, you might begin to work toward that master’s degree and earn your CAADC certification. You also will have the option to earn a variety of specialty certifications.
In California, there are certifications such as CCDP, which stands for Certified Co-Occurring Disorder Professional and this is a person that has experience and education regarding the many co-occurring disorders that people suffering from addiction might have. For instance, a person might be addicted to drugs and also suffer from bipolar disorder or perhaps bulimia. In order for addiction treatment to be successful, treating all of these issues is crucial.
Other California specialties include Medication-Assistance Treatment Specialist (MATS), Women’s Treatment Specialist (WTS), Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Professional (CCJP) and several others. Each requires some additional education and some also require specific IC&RC exams.
To get started on your path toward CAADC certification or CADC certification, you can talk with a registration specialist at Sober College. We can answer questions that you might have and help you discover if our program is the best fit for you. We offer rolling admissions and you can complete all of your coursework online in as little as six months.
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