You may apply for 1 of 2 certificates:
CAC - Certified Addiction Counselor
CADAC - Certified Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor

You may apply for one of 3 counselor levels:
Level I: High School Diploma or GED
Level II: AA Degree
Level III: Bachelors Degree

Level I and Level II are eligible for the CAC certificate. Level I and Level II certificates are not eligible for reciprocity.

Level III is eligible for the CADAC certification. Level III is eligible for reciprocity with the member states of IC & RC, the Armed Forces, the Indian Health Services, Canada, Sweden, Singapore, Puerto Rico, Malaysia, Germany, Bermuda, Greece, Guam and Israel.

Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC):

• 2 years (4,000 hours) working with substance abuse clients
  Note: all qualifying work experience must be completed within 6 years prior to applying for certification. This is defined as full, part-time, paid or voluntary, working directly with the alcohol/drug client.
• 180 clock hours of education (90 hours in alcohol/drug studies)

Certified Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor (CADAC):

• 3 years (6,000 hours) working with substance abuse clients. You may exchange 1 year work experience if you have a bachelor's degree or advanced degree in the behaviral sciences.
  Note: all qualifying work experience must be completed within 6 years prior to applying for certification. This is defined as full, part-time, paid or voluntary, working directly with the alcohol/drug client.
• 270 hours of education (90 hours drug, 90 hours alcohol, 90 hours counseling)
• 6 hours ethics training
• 4 hours HIV/AIDS training