Becoming a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, or CADC, can be a rewarding career where you truly help people rebuild their lives. At Sober College of Addiction Studies, we can help you with several steps on your road toward earning CADC certification in California.
A CADC is a common type of substance use disorder (SUD) counselor in California, as well as many other states. In California, there are three levels of CADC certification – CADC I, CADC II, and CADC III. Our program can be used for all three levels of CADCs to complete the first two steps toward earning your certification.
Our certificate program includes the 315 hours of addiction studies curriculum required for CADC certification in California, as well as the 255 required hours of practicum experience. The practicum is an internship where you work at an approved facility and spend at least 21 hours handling each of the 12 Core Functions of Addiction Counseling.
Our curriculum includes eight classes, two of which are your practicum. You can begin your practicum hours as soon as you have completed your first course, “Introduction and Overview of Drug and Alcohol Addiction.” The five additional courses include
- Physiology and Pharmacology of Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Law and Ethics
- Case Management
- Individual, Group & Family Counseling
- Personal and Professional Growth
Each of these classes, as well as your practicum experiences, will prepare you for the third step in the process of becoming certified – earning a passing score on the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam. IC&RC is an international organization that provides standardized testing for several different types of SUD counselor certification.
Our curriculum is approved by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), which is the main credentialing organization in the state of California. If you intend to earn CCAPP certification, our program can be used to complete your education and practicum.
Additional Requirements for CADC Certification in California
Once you have completed your educational units and practicum and passed your IC&RC exam, you can move on to the final requirements of CADC certification. This includes completing your supervised work experience hours and applying for your certification through CCAPP or another state-approved credentialing body.
In California, a CADC-I must complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience. A CADC-II must complete 6,000 hours, and a CADC-III must complete 4,000 hours. CADC-III’s must have earned a bachelor’s degree to hold that certification level.
No degree is required for CADC-I certification or CADC-II certification in California. The candidate needs only to have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent. Most CADC-I’s will work toward earning their CADC-II certification. Some will even complete their bachelor’s degree and go on to earn CADC-III certification.
Once you complete the supervised work experience hours, you can apply for your credential. This credential must be renewed every two years, and you will need to complete Continuing Education (CE) hours to renew your credential.
As a side note, supervised work experience is paid work, and you will be working as a counselor, handling all of the important tasks that credentialed counselors handle on a day-to-day basis; you simply will be working under supervision.
Outside of California? Sober College Can Help!
While we are based in California, our substance abuse counseling curriculum is NAADAC-approved and IC&RC-approved, which means it can be used in most states to complete your educational requirements. Most states require 315 hours of education from an approved provider, and our curriculum is approved in all states except Alaska, Montana, and North Dakota.
When it comes to the practicum, some states require more than the 255 hours required by California, so it is important to research your state requirements for certification, as these may differ from requirements for CADC certification in California.
Additionally, not all states use the term CADC. Some states might use the term Alcohol and Drug Counselor, or ADC. Some states use the term Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, or LADC. However, the educational requirements tend to be the same from state to state, and you will be required to complete a practicum and pass the IC&RC ADC exam.
Why Choose Sober College of Addiction Studies?
We offer CADC candidates a quality education that will have them well prepared for the IC&RC exam, as well as their work as a substance abuse counselor. Unlike many traditional college programs, Sober College is 100% online, which is convenient for busy adults who may not be able to fit in-person classes into their schedule.
Additionally, our program can be completed in just six months, which allows you to quickly move into your new career. Many college and university programs take several years to complete. We also offer rolling admissions, so you can begin at any time rather than having to wait for a semester or quarter start date.
Our substance abuse certification program costs just $4,250 with no hidden fees, and all class materials are included in this cost, except for books, which will cost about $300 to $500 in all. This is far less expensive than most college programs.
5 Reasons To Become A SUD Counselor
Making a career change can be a daunting experience, but there are many great reasons to consider becoming a certified addiction counselor, including:
1. The Opportunity to Make a Real Impact
As a CADC, you work directly with individuals navigating substance use challenges. Few careers offer such tangible, life-changing outcomes. Your role can help clients:
- Achieve recovery
- Rebuild relationships
- Improve mental health
- Regain stability in work and daily life
2. Strong & Growing Job Demand
Substance use treatment continues to expand nationwide, creating steady demand for qualified counselors in:
- Outpatient clinics
- Residential treatment centers
- Hospitals
- Community mental health agencies
- Correctional settings
- Private practice environments
3. Accessible Entry Into the Counseling Field
Compared with some mental health professions, the CADC pathway can be:
- Faster to enter
- More affordable educationally
- Structured with supervised experience
- A stepping stone toward advanced credentials
- Many professionals begin with CADC certification before pursuing higher degrees.
4. Opportunities for Career Growth & Specialization
CADC certification can open doors to:
- Clinical supervision roles
- Case management
- Dual-diagnosis treatment
- Trauma-informed care
- Criminal justice counseling
- Medication-assisted treatment programs
Earning your CADC certification can also serve as a foundation for advanced credentials and leadership positions. For instance, many CADCs go on to become an Intervention Specialist, Certified Criminal Justice Professional, Prevention Specialist, or earn other specialized credentials.
5. Personal Fulfillment & Purpose
Many CADCs describe their work as deeply meaningful because it combines:
- Advocacy
- Empathy
- Education
- Behavioral change support
- Community impact
The role allows counselors to witness resilience and transformation firsthand. Becoming a CADC offers the chance to make a meaningful impact, enter a growing field, build a flexible career, and support individuals on their recovery journeys.
Start Your Counseling Journey Today!
Whether you are working toward CADC certification in California or another state, you can enroll in Sober College at any time. To download the application for our program, just head to the Get Started tab on our homepage and select “Apply.” If you have questions, feel free to select the “Speak with Someone” section, and a member of our team will get in touch with you as soon as possible to provide information.
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