Application fee
$375
Education
Master's degree
Experience
1 year or 2,000 hours
Training
180 hours
Exam
IC&RC AADC exam
Renewal
Every 2 years, 40 hours

The advanced counseling certification for master's-level substance use disorder counselors. As a CAADC, you provide direct clinical counseling to people whose primary diagnosis is a substance use disorder, prepare treatment plans and document client progress, or supervise that counseling. It is an international, reciprocal credential that meets Pennsylvania's state staffing requirements for drug and alcohol counselors.

Is this certification right for me?

It's a fit if you have a master's degree in a relevant field, you currently work as a drug and alcohol counselor with primary responsibility for individual or group counseling, and you want the highest counseling credential on the line.

Consider a different certification if you have a bachelor's degree rather than a master's (see Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor), you are starting out in the field (see Certified Associate Addiction Counselor), or you already supervise counselors and want a supervision credential (see Certified Clinical Supervisor).

Requirements

All requirements must be met and documented before you apply. Do not apply until every requirement is met.

  • Master's degree in a relevant field
    From an accredited college or university recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. The school must send an official transcript directly to PCB. Degrees from outside the United States need a degree equivalency evaluation, which you arrange and pay for.

  • One year full-time or 2,000 hours part-time of clinical work experience
    In the CAADC domains, within the last seven years, and you must be working as a drug and alcohol counselor when you apply. Volunteer work does not count. If you need hours from a previous employer, include a letter on their letterhead with your title, duties and dates. Do not send a resume.

  • Current counselor job description
    From your employer, signed and dated by you and your immediate clinical supervisor. It must show drug and alcohol counseling as a primary function of the job. An official position description on agency letterhead is accepted instead.

  • 100 hours of on-the-job clinical supervision
    Of your qualifying work, with at least 10 hours in each of the four CAADC domains. Your supervisor (or each supervisor, if more than one) completes and signs the supervision page of the application.

  • 180 hours of education and training in the CAADC domains
    Including 6 hours in counselor ethics and responsibilities. Document college courses with an official transcript and trainings with certificates showing your name, the title, dates, hours and training organization.

  • Live or work in Pennsylvania
    At the time you apply. The application asks you to confirm you live or work in Pennsylvania at least 51% of the time.

  • Agree to the PCB Clinical Code of Ethical Conduct
    Confirm you have read the Clinical Code of Ethical Conduct and sign the Acknowledgements and Release page. If you have a felony or a disciplinary action from another certification or licensing body, include a letter of explanation.

  • Pass the IC&RC AADC examination
    Taken after your application is approved. See the exam section below.

Your journey

  1. Complete your education and supervised experience

    Build your 180 hours of training, your year of clinical work and your 100 hours of clinical supervision across the four CAADC domains.

  2. Gather your documents

    Ask your school to send an official transcript about three weeks before you apply. Collect your training certificates, signed job description and the supervision page completed by your supervisor.

  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. We email you if anything is missing.

    Review: up to 10 business days

  4. Take the IC&RC AADC exam

    Once approved, the testing company emails you to register. You choose the day, time and testing site.

  5. You're certified

    You are certified once you pass. Your certificate is mailed within 10 business days, and your certification lasts two years from the date you pass the exam.

Fees

Item Fee
Application (includes first exam attempt) $375
Exam retake $175
Renewal $200
Renewal, each additional credential $50
Paper certificate (optional) $20

The certification fee includes the examination and must be sent with your application. Half the fee is refunded if your application is denied or cancelled before the exam. There is no refund after the exam.

What counts as work experience and supervision

Qualifying work experience means providing primary, direct, clinical substance use disorder or co-occurring counseling to people whose primary diagnosis is a substance use disorder, or supervising that counseling. You must have primary responsibility for individual or group counseling, prepare treatment plans, document client progress and be clinically supervised. Hours can come from more than one employer.

Roles that usually do not qualify include case managers, technicians, peer and recovery specialists, intake and admissions workers, and drug court, probation and parole professionals. Time spent in or leading mutual support groups does not count.

Clinical supervision is a process that is evaluative, clinical, educative and supportive. It can be one-on-one, observation of your skills, or group supervision. PCB has no rules about who provides it: that is up to your agency and DDAP staffing requirements.

The exam

The IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) exam is computer based, with 150 multiple-choice questions, and you have three hours. You take it at an approved testing site and choose your own day, time and location. It covers four domains: screening, assessment and engagement; treatment planning, collaboration and referral; counseling and education; and professional and ethical responsibilities.

Scores are reported on a scale of 200 to 800, and 500 is a pass. If you don't pass, you can retest after 90 days, up to three retakes. After a fourth failed attempt you must submit a study plan to PCB and wait one year. Study guides and practice exams are available from IC&RC. Examination information · Retest form

Need an accommodation for a disability or religious obligation? Request it in writing, with official documentation, at least 60 days before your exam.

Keeping your certification current

The CAADC renews every two years. You need 40 hours of education relevant to addiction, including 3 hours in ethics, plus the renewal fee. Review the recertification requirements well before your expiration date. Recertification requirements and fees

Common questions about the CAADC

Can my college internship count toward the CAADC work experience?

It may. The internship must have involved drug and alcohol counseling as described in the application, be well documented by the agency, be supervised, and appear on your official college transcript.

Who can provide my CAADC clinical supervision?

PCB has no requirements for who provides clinical supervision. That is up to your agency and DDAP staffing requirements. If more than one supervisor provided your hours, give each of them a copy of the supervision page to complete.

Is the CAADC recognized outside Pennsylvania?

Yes. The CAADC is an international, reciprocal IC&RC credential recognized in many other states and countries. About reciprocity

Will a felony or past disciplinary action stop me from getting the CAADC?

Not necessarily. Felonies and disciplinary actions from other certification or licensing bodies may not prevent certification, but you must include documentation and a letter of explanation with your application.

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.

Does employment have to be acquired within 7 years from the date of my application?

YES

Must I be currently employed in the profession for which I am applying at the time application for certification is made?

YES