Earn Your Substance Abuse Counselor Certification through the CCAPP

Earn Your Substance Abuse Counselor Certification at Sober College School of Addiction Studies (SCSAS), an Approved Education Provider in California through the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP).

In order to meet the California Alcohol & Drug Counselor requirements, you’ll need to complete a CCAPP-approved counselor training program like ours. Then, you’ll be eligible for the following certifications:

Click on the substance abuse counselor certification you’re interested in to jump straight to its specific requirements.

• Registered Alcohol & Drug Technician (RADT)
• Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (Level I) (CADC I)
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (Level II) (CADC II)
• Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor Clinical Supervisor (CADC CS)
• Licensed Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LAADC)
• Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP)
• Medication Assisted Treatment Specialist (MATS)
• Intervention Specialist (IS)

Earn your California CCAPP Substance Abuse Counselor Certification in Six Months & Start Anytime

Online & Formats: With our online counselor training programs, you can earn the education you need to become a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor in California. Get on the fast track to a career in the ever growing and evolving field of addiction treatment.

Self-Paced & Rolling Admission: We offer the flexibility you need to work towards your goal at your own pace or in as little as six months. You can start anytime and with our CCAPP approved curriculum and can begin on your path today.

Works With Your Previous Education: Whether you need the full program, or just a few classes to fulfill requirements, we can help you fill the gaps.

Demand for Substance Abuse Counselors in California

The demand for substance abuse counselors is much higher than average when compared to other professions. In 2016, careers in substance abuse saw both an increase in the rate of growth of employment and a 23% increase in jobs. California specifically is an excellent place to get certified as it is a haven for addiction treatment facilities.

Earning a substance abuse counseling certification is a great investment in your future as you’ll be able to work in a rewarding environment, give back to your community and have more employment options than other states. If you’re already working at a treatment center and want to earn a higher pay, investing in your education to obtain certification is a natural way to do so. Learn more about the benefits of the profession in our substance use counseling career guide.

California Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Requirements

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Below are the California Alcohol & Drug Counselor requirements for becoming a Registered Alcohol & Drug Technician (RADT) in California based on the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) site.

• Completion of an approved Nine-Hour Orientation Course consisting of ethics, professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Completed RADT Application
• Signed RADT Code of Ethics/Conduct
• Signed RADT Scope of Practice
• Payment of registration fee ($40.00 annaully)

Benefits of being a CCAPP Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT):

• Invitations to workshops and education seminars
• Discounts and scholarships to events
• Mentoring and career assistance
• The security of knowing that every step you take toward certification isn’t lost or wasted along the way
• The pride that comes with saying, “I’m a CCAPP RADT!”

Important things you need to know about the RADT application:

As of March 1, 2014, all individuals applying for registration to become a drug and alcohol counselor in California, prior to registering with any certifying organization, must complete a nine-hour orientation course consisting of three hours each of ethics, professional boundaries, and confidentiality approved by the certifying organization issuing the registration.

The nine hours of education specified in the orientation course shall not count toward fulfillment of the minimum 315 hours of alcohol and other drug education required to become certified.

Applying to be a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT) does NOT include membership; MEMBERSHIP is separate from REGISTRATION – for more information on becoming a CCAPP Member, please click here.

State of California regulations require that registrants become certified within five years of INITIAL REGISTRATION. If you have been previously registered more than five years ago, you may need to complete a hardship application in order to become registered again.

Learn more about the RADT Certification.

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Becoming certified offers employers and clients a greater sense of your capabilities and experience. Becoming a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor I with CCAPP will give you the recognition you deserve to move forward in the profession. Having the internationally recognized, IC&RC title, CADC-I is an accomplishment that tells the world you have the commitment and dedication needed to promote change and save lives.

Requirements for applying for the CADC-I Credential:

• 315 hours approved education
• 255 hour field practicum
• Passing score on the ICRC written exam
• 3,000 hours supervised work experience (an AA degree in SUD/AMHP may be substituted for 1,000 hours)
• Renewal every two years (continuing education required)

Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Fees and Discounts

Portfolio Review

• $145 Member
• $280 Non-Member

Written Exam

• $164 Member
• $338 Non-Member

**You must pay for the portfolio review and written exam at the time of submission.

Benefits of CCAPP’s Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor I Credential

• Approval to be employed at state licensed and certified facilities
• Reciprocity throughout the United States and many countries
• Recognition of skills and competencies required to treat clients in any setting
• The security of knowing that you are on the path to the highest levels of certification in California

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The CADC II demonstrates an advanced level of experience that tells consumers and employers that you have commitment and dedication. You are a leader and a respected member of your treatment team. Advancement to this level demonstrates a competency that comes from applying the skills you’ve learned in ways that have withstood the test of time. Becoming a CADC II lets you stand out in any treatment workplace.

Requirements for applying for the Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor II Credential:

• 315 hours approved education
• 255 hour field practicum
• Passing score on the ICRC written exam
• 6,000 hours supervised work experience (A degree in a behavioral health discipline, not used to meet the education requirements for certification, can be used for hours toward certification, for the CADC II only, as follows: BA degree = 4000 hours. Examples of behavioral science degrees are: Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Addiction Counseling. Sociology and other liberal arts degrees are not acceptable).

You must pay for portfolio review and written exam at the time of submission.

Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Fees and Discounts

Portfolio Review

• $145 Member
• $280 Non-Member

Written Exam

• $164 Member
• $338 Non-Member

Benefits of CCAPP’s Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor II Credential

• Approval to be employed at state licensed and certified facilities
• Reciprocity throughout the United States and many countries
• Recognition of skills and competencies required to treat clients in any setting
• The security of knowing that you are on the path to the highest levels of certification in California

[/accordion-item][accordion-item tag=”h3″ title=”4. Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor | California Alcohol & Drug Counselor Requirements”]

A Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor is the highest level on CCAPP’s career path. With a master’s degree, professional liability insurance, and standards equal or higher than licensing statutes in other states, the LAADC puts CCAPP counselors on par with other licensed disciplines in California. The Affordable Care Act is opening new avenues and the demand for licensed level counselors has never been higher.

Requirements for applying for the LAADC:

• Completion of a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Science or an Allied Mental Health Profession
• Proof of completion of 300 hours of alcohol/drug counseling specific education, with at least six hours specific to counselor ethics (This can be included in the MA degree)
• Proof of Professional Liability Insurance coverage in the amount of $1.3 million per incident
• 4,000 hours work experience
• Completion of the following trainings from a CCAPP approved provider: 10 Hours in Private
• Practice, and 40 Hours in Screening for a Co-Occurring Disorder
• Passing Score on the IC&RC LAADC Exam

Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Fees and Discounts

Portfolio Review

• $145 Member
• $280 Non-Member

Written Exam

• $164 Member
• $338 Non-Member

**You must pay for the portfolio review and written exam at the time of submission.

Benefits of CCAPP’s Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor Credential

• Approval to be employed at state licensed and certified facilities
• Ability to bill many insurance providers
• Recognized as the highest level of competency in California
• Preparation for state licensure

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Addiction counseling with individuals in the criminal justice system is complex and complicated, and it requires specialized training. Substance abuse or mental health training alone doesn’t really prepare professionals for dealing with the interaction of addictive and criminal thinking. In addition to addiction counseling skills and theoretical understanding, Criminal Justice Addictions Professionals (CCJP) need an understanding of the criminal justice system and criminal thought patterns.

Requirements for applying for the CCJP Credential:

• 270 hours of addiction-specific education
• 300 hour supervised practicum
• Passing score on the IC&RC Certified Criminal Justice Professional Exam

Education and experience as follows:

1. High School/GED with 6,000 hours experience, or
2. AA/AS or Certified AODA Counselor (non IC&RC) with 5,000 hours experience, or
3. BA/BS or IC&RC Certified Reciprocal AODA Counselor with 4,000 hours experience, or
4. MA/MS or IC&RC Certified Supervisor AODA Counselor with 2000 hours experience, or
5. Above Masters Level or IC&RC Certified Advanced Counselor with 1,000 hours experience

*Work experience must be obtained within ten years of application and must be in direct services in criminal justice addiction services

Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Fees and Discounts

Portfolio review CCJP

• $145 Member
• $265 Non-Member

Written Exam

• $164 Member
• $240 Non-Member

Re-certification

• $175 Member
• $645 Non-Member
• With CADC I/II $48

Benefits of CCAPP’s Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Professional Credential

• Opportunity to demonstrate specialized skills
• Widely recognized as THE credential for criminal justice addiction professionals
• Reciprocity nationally and globally
• Reciprocity throughout the United States and many countries
• Recognition of skills and competencies required to treat clients in any setting
• The security of knowing that every step you take toward certification isn’t lost or wasted along the way

[/accordion-item][accordion-item tag=”h3″ title=”6. Medication Assisted Treatment Specialist | California Alcohol & Drug Counselor Requirements”]
The treatment profession is changing as advances in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) are made. Certified counselors who are on the cutting edge of new technologies to treat addiction are in high demand. CCAPP’s Medication Assisted Specialist designation documents your competency, understanding, and value to the modern treatment team in California. Obtaining this specialty can set you apart in the rapidly changing AOD counseling profession. Whether you are interested in documenting your skills by becoming a MAT Specialist, or would like to further your knowledge of new treatment therapies, CCAPP is the place to start.

As part of a comprehensive treatment program, MAT has been shown to: improve survival, increase retention in treatment, decrease illicit opiate use, decrease hepatitis and HIV seroconversion, decrease criminal activities, increase employment, and improve birth outcomes with perinatal addicts. The MATS credential requires professionals to demonstrate competency through experience, education, supervision, and the passing of a rigorous examination.

Requirements for applying for the “MATS” Credential:

• A copy of current Certification (CADC I/II, CCS, CCJP, CPS)
• 30 hours MAT-specific education/training, with: 16 hours medication assisted treatment of opioid use disorders, five hours introduction to psychiatric medications, four hours introduction to alcohol pharmacotherapy, five hours motivation and change
• 2,000 hours experience (paid or volunteer) specific to medication assisted treatment
• Letter from agency employer or supervisor attesting to the number of hours of experience and the specialty services (specific to the credential) completed at the facility and a recommendation statement
• Signed Code of Ethics
• Appropriate Application Fee

Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Fees and Discounts

Application

• $50 Member
• $75 Non-Member

*You must hold a current, valid CCAPP certification to apply for this credential

Benefits of CCAPP’s MAT specialty credential

• Recognition of skills and competencies required to treat clients in medication assisted settings
• ncreased employment value for interdisciplinary work

[/accordion-item][accordion-item tag=”h3″ title=”7. Intervention Specialist | California Alcohol & Drug Counselor Requirements”]
The Specialty Endorsement program is only available to Alcohol/Drug Certified Counselors (Level I/II) OR equivalent, Certified Clinical Supervisor, Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Professionals and Certified Prevention Specialists.

Requirements for applying for an Intervention Specialist Endorsement (IS) :

• Copy of current Certification (alcohol/drug, CCS, CCJP, CPS, CATC)
• Certificate of Completion for each training/course attended OR school transcripts (education received must be obtained from a CCAPP Education Institute approved IS provider or school)

The applicant must provide documentation of at minimum 1 year (2000 hours) of verifiable experience within the specialty the applicant is applying for in addition to the required education or 6 months of clinical supervision/mentorship or 1 year of working with families and addiction. The experience attained must have been received within the preceding 10 years. They must also provide a letter from the Clinical supervisor or supervising interventionist or other documentation from the professional or company employed with or volunteering for that provides credence of specialty services offered.

• Signed Code of Ethics
• Payment: $75 Dollars for non-members and $50 dollars for members

Benefits of being a CCAPP Intervention Specialist Endorsement (IS)

• Invitations to workshops and education seminars
• Discounts and scholarships to events
• Mentoring and career assistance
• Better case management opportunities
• Ability to provide closer integration between types of addiction treatment

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Questions About Becoming A CCAPP Certified Substance Abuse Counselor in California?

Learn more about earning your CCAPP approved substance abuse counselor certification and the education programs by sending us a message.