Application fee
$150
Education
HS diploma / GED
Experience
1 year or 2,000 hours
Training
100 hours, 6 in ethics
Exam
No exam
Renewal
Every 2 years, 40 hours

An entry-level credential for newer drug and alcohol counselors with a high school diploma, GED or higher. As an AAC, you develop treatment plans and provide individual and group counseling under clinical supervision. The AAC is time-limited: it is a starting point while you work toward full counselor certification.

Is this certification right for me?

It's a fit if you are currently employed as a drug and alcohol counselor, you have at least one year of clinical counseling experience, and you want a credential now while you build toward the CAAC or CADC.

Consider a different certification if you provide substance use services but not primary counseling (see Certified Allied Addiction Practitioner), you already have three years of counseling experience (see Certified Associate Addiction Counselor), or you have a bachelor's degree and two or more years of counseling experience (see Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor).

Requirements

All requirements must be met and documented before you apply. Send all documents with your application, except your official college transcript, which your school sends to PCB directly before you apply.

  • High school diploma or GED
    Send a copy of your diploma, transcript or GED verification. Veterans may send discharge documentation instead. A college degree from an accredited school also counts (official transcript sent directly from the school).

  • One year full-time or 2,000 hours part-time as a drug and alcohol counselor
    Providing primary, direct, clinical substance use disorder or co-occurring counseling, preparing treatment plans and documenting client progress, under clinical supervision. All of it must be within the last seven years. Volunteer work and mutual support groups do not count. If hours come from a previous employer, send a letter from that employer with your title, duties and dates. A resume is not accepted.

  • Current employment as a drug and alcohol counselor
    At the time you apply. Case managers, technicians, peer and recovery specialists, intake workers and drug court or probation staff are typically not eligible. A supervised, documented counseling internship that appears on your college transcript may count.

  • Signed current counselor job description
    From your current employer, signed and dated by you and your immediate clinical supervisor. It must show drug and alcohol counseling as a primary function. An official position description on agency letterhead can be used instead.

  • 100 hours of on-the-job clinical supervision
    With at least 10 hours in each of the four counselor domains. Your clinical supervisor documents the hours on the supervision page of the application. More than one supervisor can sign.

  • 100 hours of relevant education, including 6 hours in substance use disorders ethics
    There is no time limit on when you earned it. Document trainings with certificates showing your name, title, dates, hours and provider, and college courses with an official transcript. Online and out-of-state education count.

  • Live or work in Pennsylvania
    At the time you apply.

  • Notarized acknowledgements and release
    Complete, sign and notarize the release page, and send it with your application.

Your journey

  1. Build your counseling experience and training

    Work as a drug and alcohol counselor while you complete 100 hours of education and 100 hours of clinical supervision across the four counselor domains.

  2. Gather your documents

    Proof of education, training certificates, your signed job description, the completed supervision page and the notarized release. Ask your college to send your official transcript about three weeks before you apply.

  3. Apply online or by PDF

    Apply through your online account and pay by credit card, or send the PDF application by mail, email or fax.

    Review: up to 10 business days

  4. You're certified

    There is no exam. Your certification starts on the date your application is approved and lasts two years. Your certificate is mailed within 10 business days.

  5. Upgrade within four years

    You can hold the AAC for up to four years (initial certification plus one recertification). Upgrade to another certification by the time your AAC expires. The employment, education and supervision you used for the AAC count toward the upgrade.

Fees

Item Fee
Application (includes first exam attempt) $150
Renewal $100
Renewal, each additional credential $50
Paper certificate (optional) $20

Half the application fee is refunded if your application is denied.

The exam

There is no exam for the AAC. You are certified once PCB approves your application. When you upgrade to the CAAC or CADC, you will take the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam.

Keeping your certification current

The AAC renews every two years. You need 40 hours of education relevant to addiction, including 3 hours in ethics, plus the renewal fee. You can recertify the AAC only once: after four years in total you must have upgraded to another certification. Recertification requirements and fees

Common questions about the AAC

How long can I hold the AAC?

Up to four years: your initial two-year certification plus one recertification. You must upgrade to another certification before or when your AAC expires. Contact PCB to find out what documentation you need for the upgrade.

Do I have to take an exam for the AAC?

No. The AAC has no exam. Your certification starts on the date your application is approved.

Does my AAC work count toward the CAAC or CADC?

Yes. The employment, education and supervision you used to earn or recertify the AAC are applied toward your upgrade.

Do I have to live or work in Pennsylvania to be eligible for most of the credentials offered by PCB?

YES

Should I submit all documentation with full application and fee at the same time?

YES, if a test is required you will be notified of future dates, locations and times after approval of application.

How do you define the term supervision?

It is supervised practical training in performing the core skill areas or domains, the time spent in face-to-face supervision, not the time performing the function. Supervision should be reflected in your actual work experience. Supervision is not education or training.