If you want a job where you truly help others, becoming a licensed addiction counselor might be a great option to consider. At Sober College, we can set you on the path to becoming an addiction counselor, but first, let’s take a quick look at the requirements and the training needed to become a counselor.
Licensed Addiction Counselors Are In Demand
According to the United States Bureau of Labor, the need for substance abuse, behavioral abuse and mental health counselors is growing faster than the need for workers in many other industries. The bureau speculates that between now and the end of the decade, the projected growth rate for this industry is 25%, which is considered a well above average job growth rate.
For someone interested in working as a licensed addiction counselor, this is good news because it means that there will be plenty of job opportunities to consider. The median pay for these types of counseling jobs was $47,660 or $22.91 per hour, according to the bureau. In some cases, your pay might be less or more, depending on your years of experience, level of education and the location of the facility.
Types Of Licensed Addiction Counselors
There are several different types of certified addiction counselors, but one of the most common types are known as Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors, or CADCs. CADC is a common term, but some states do have different names for this job position, such as LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor) or ADC (Alcohol and Drug Counselor), but the job description, requirements and training will be virtually identical.
Some CADCs in California might begin their careers as Registered Alcohol and Drug Technicians, or RADTs. This is an easy first step into the world of addiction treatment and counseling. A RADT acts as support staff in either an outpatient or in-patient treatment facility. While you won’t be counseling patients, this job provides you with an opportunity to learn more about the job of an addiction professional and see if it is a good fit for you.
To become a RADT, you only need to complete a 9-hour orientation featuring a curriculum approved by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). This orientation covers topics such as ethics and patient confidentiality. While you do need to show evidence of a high school diploma or GED, no college coursework is necessary.
You will need to fill out the CCAPP’s RADT application, sign the CCAPP Code of Conduct document as well as the California AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) Counselor Code of Conduct document and RADT Scope of Practice document as well as a copy of your proof of orientation and your driver’s license or government ID.
Most RADTs opt to become CADCs, and this is where we can help. At Sober College, we can provide you with all of the educational training you will need to become a CADC-I, CADC-II or CADC-III. The educational requirements for all three of these levels of CADC are identical and our curriculum is CCAPP-approved and approved by the NAADAC, which is the national association for addiction professionals.
There also are many other interesting options to consider once you’ve earned your CADC certification. There are a variety of specialty certifications, such as Intervention Specialist, Professional Recovery Coach, Medication-Assisted Treatment Specialist, Women’s Treatment Specialist and many more.
Additionally, if you already have earned a bachelor’s degree and pursue your education and earn a master’s degree in behavioral science or an allied mental health profession, you can work toward becoming a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC).
CADC Licensed Addiction Counselor Requirements
In order to become any level of CADC, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete your coursework – With Sober College, this includes six academic classes, with courses ranging from Law & Ethics; Individual, Group & Family Counseling; Case Management and more for a total of 315 hours of education.
- Complete Your Supervised Practicum – This is a brief work experience that includes supervision by a qualified instructor and includes direct supervision.
- Complete Your Supervised Fieldwork Practicum – This includes a minimum of 255 hours of practical experience with at least 21 hours of practicum in each of the 12 Core Functions.
- Pass The IC&RC Exam – We can help you with IC&RC test prep
- Complete Supervised Work Experience – The number of hours needed depends on the type of CADC certification you intend to earn, but all of your practicum hours will be included in this total.
The amount of supervised work experience, the last section in the requirements, varies depending on whether you want CADC-I, CADC-II or CADC-III certification. Let’s take a look at the differences.
CADC-I Certification:
For those trying to earn CADC-I certification, no college education is required, however, if you do have an associate’s degree in behavioral science or an allied mental health profession, you only need to complete 2,080 hours of supervised work experience. Without this degree, you will need to complete 3,000 hours. Keep in mind, your practicum hours will count in this total and all of the hours, aside from the practicum hours, will be paid work. It’s simply supervised work.
CADC-II Certification:
To earn CADC-II certification, you simply need to complete more hours of supervised work experience. Regardless of your previous level of education, 6,000 hours of work experience are required to earn this certification.
CADC-III Certification:
This level of certification only requires 4,000 hours of work experience, but you also must have earned a bachelor’s degree. If you do have a bachelor’s degree, we highly recommend that you opt for CADC-III certification. However, one of the perks of becoming a licensed addiction counselor is that you don’t have to have a college degree. This opens the profession to many people who otherwise might not consider addiction counseling.
Get Started Now – Finish In Just Six Months!
When you enroll in Sober College, you can complete your educational requirements in addiction studies in just six months, and you can take all of your coursework online. We make it easier to fit in schoolwork around your existing job schedule and family or other commitments. We even offer rolling admissions so you can get started at any time.
We also offer a self-paced program that you can complete in as little as three months or you can take up to 18 months to complete the program. This self-paced program is a great option for people who wish to complete their education as quickly as possible or for those who might need longer than in our traditional online program, which includes one class per month for six months.
While we are based in California, our curriculum is approved in most states, so no matter where you live, we may be able to help you complete your educational requirements. To learn about our program and how to become a licensed addiction counselor, go to https://sobercollege.com/substance-use-counselor/. You also can click on the Get Started tab at the top of this page.
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