The Sober College School of Addiction Studies (SCSAS) is an Approved Education provider with the Iowa Board of Certification (IBC). We offer an approved Alcohol & Counselor Training program developed by real Addiction Professionals working in the fields of Addiction & Treatment. Designed to be comprehensive as well as flexible, the SCSAS Counselor Training Program can help you become an International Alcohol & Drug Counselor (IADC) and be completed in as little as 6 months. Our goal is to 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 and becoming a IADC in IOWA give us a call at 424.229.4179.
How to Become an International Alcohol & Drug Counselor (IADC) in Iowa
Below are the requirements for becoming an International Alcohol & Drug Counselor (IADC) in Iowa based on the Iowa Board of Certification (IBC) site.
Requirements
There is one level of IADC, and this credential is reciprocal with other IC&RC boards offering the ADC credential.
- High school diploma or general education diploma.
- Completion of 300 clock hours in the Alcohol and Drug Knowledge and Skill Competencies.
- These 300 clock hours may be a combination of college courses, trainings, and workshops.
Some special conditions apply; namely, at least 30 hours must have been earned within the 24 months preceding the application.
Specifically, hours must be earned as:
- 90 clock hours in Counseling Theories & Techniques
- 90 clock hours in Alcohol and Drug Specific
- 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 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 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. Only original transcripts sent directly from the college/university to the IBC office via U.S. Mail will be accepted and reviewed.
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.”
Experience
Experience within the past six years in the 4 Domains of the Alcohol & Drug Counselor is required, as follows:
- Those with a Master’s Degree or higher in a related field must document 2000 hours experience
- Those with a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field must document 4000 hours
experience - Those with an Associate’s Degree in a related field must document 5000 hours experience
- Those without a college degree in a related field must document 6000 hours of experience.
Documentation of this will be according to instructions on Form 05, “Experience Resume.”
Supervision
- 300 hours of on-the-job supervision in the 4 domains of counseling are required for applicants with a H.S. Diploma
- 250 hours for applicants with an Associate’s degree in a related field
- 200 hours for applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- 100 hours for applicants with a Master’s degree or higher in a related field;
- a minimum of 10 hours is required in each domain.
Domains
The domains are:
- Domain I: Screening, Assessment and Engagement
- Domain II: Treatment Planning, Collaboration and Referral
- Domain III: Counseling
- Domain IV: Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
Documentation
Documentation of this will be according to instructions on Form 06, “Documentation of Domain Experience.”
- Passing score on the Supervisor’s Counselor Evaluation (Form 09).
- Passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam.
*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.