The Sober College School of Addiction Studies (SCSAS) is an Iowa Board of Certification (IBC) Approved Education Provider Education Provider and can help you complete the education you need to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in Iowa in as little as 6 months. We offer an approved Counselor Training program that is comprehensive as well as flexible. Designed to fit your specific schedule and needs our one-of-a-kind online Alcohol & Drug Counselor training program can help you become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). Created by real Addiction Professionals working in the field we provide our students with the education they need to reach their goals and begin a new career.
To learn more about our Alcohol & Drug Counselor training program and becoming a CADC in Iowa give us a call at 424.229.4179.
How to Become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) In Iowa
Below are the requirements for becoming a Temporary Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (tCADC) in Iowa based on the Iowa Board of Certification (IBC) site.
Requirements
- Satisfy the requirements under the Education Track or the Experience Track (see below).
- Receive a passing score on the Supervisor’s Counselor Evaluation (Form 09).
- Receive a passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam.
Education Track
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. 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; namely,
* 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. Please see page 7 for information regarding supervised experience. 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.
OR
Experience Track
A high school diploma or general education diploma. 150 clock hours of training in the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Knowledge and Skill Competencies. These 150 clock hours may be a combination of college courses, trainings, and workshops. Some special conditions apply; namely,
* 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. Please see page 7 for information regarding supervised experience. 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.
**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.