Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor

Mandatory Criteria:

The following eligibility criteria are mandatory. Failure to provide any of the required information will result in the examination application being rejected as incomplete.

1. Proof of employment as a counselor in the alcohol and/or other drug field for the equivalent of forty (40) hours per week for a minimum of five (5) years, i.e., a total of at least 10,400 hours, between April 1, 1995, and April 1, 2005

-OR-

2. An official transcript which proves successful completion of an associate’s degree (A.A.), a bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.), or a master’s degree (M.A. or M.S.) in the study of chemical dependency.

Only applicants with approved applications are considered eligible for the examination. Applicants will be notified by mail of their approval and the testing date, time and location approximately 2 weeks before the examination date.

Certification Requirements for All Other Applicants

All candidates must complete the following requirements to earn the CAODC credential.

1. Register with CADDTP as an applicant for certification. Once registered, applicants have up to five (5) years to complete the remaining requirements. On proof of medical hardship this period can be extended for up to two (2) years.
2. Complete a minimum of 320 hours of formal classroom education in the areas specified in the California regulations (Section 13040). The education should be obtained in a program approved by the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE). There are approximately two dozen such programs throughout California. A list of their locations can be obtained at www.caade.org. Any other education must be obtained at an accredited postsecondary institution and must be pre-approved by CAADTP.
3. Complete of 160 hours of documented “supervised” training in an alcohol or other drug (AOD) setting (see regulations for more detail).
4. Complete of 2,080 hours or more of paid or unpaid counseling services in an AOD program. This experience can be obtained prior to, after, or at the same time as the education and supervised training required above.
5. Submit a signed statement documenting whether any prior certification as an AOD counselor has ever been revoked.
6. Submit the signed agreement to abide by CADDTP’s Code of Ethics.
7. Payment of the non-refundable registration and examination fees. All applicants must pay a $50 registration fee and a fifty dollar $50 examination fee at the time of application. An additional $150 will be payable on successful passage of the examination. All fees are nonrefundable.
8. Submit two photographs (2" X 2", passport style head and shoulder view) as described on the application form.
9. Achieve a passing score on the written examination.

Recertification/Renewal    

As mandated by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs      

recertification, or certification renewal, is required for all certificants every 2 years.  Certificants will be informed, in writing, of the due date for renewal. The renewal program is designed to enhance the continued competency of CAODC certificants by requiring 40 hours of approved continuing education during each 2 year renewal cycles. All continuing education hours must meet the requirements of California CodeSection 13055.