Certification is the process of evaluating an individual's experience, education, training, knowledge and competency as an addiction counselor.  This function is accomplished by ICAADA's Certification Board, which is composed of thirty elected members of ICAADA, eight alternates, one member appointed by the ICAADA Certification Chairperson.  it is the intention of the Board to issue a credential based on the sum total of the applicant's experience, training, peer review, and overall judgement of service to the addictions constituency.

In developing a system for Certification, the Board will assume broad powers in assessing applicants and their portfolios.  With these broad powers in assessing different categories of service, the Board may require additional evidence or information.

The Board, within its rules, will make every effort to function with maximum members present.  In doing so, the Board will be employing an approach that is most favorable to the applicant.  Board members will encourage an open dialogue with the applicant.  However, the Board will respect all confidential material, oral or written.

The Certification Board may enlist technical assistance and consultation, as required from the Division of Mental Health and Addiction and other sources.

Board members who are named as a reference for an applicant will abstain from voting on the certification of that applicant.

Professionals working in the human-service field who major responsibilities include counseling, care and advocacy of persons with alcohol and/or other drug problems may apply for certification.  Those who specialize in alcohol/drug counseling can be employed ina variety of environments:  churches, schools, business and industry, hospital-based inpatient programs, detoxification centers, halfway houses, prisons and jails, the courts, or public and private outpatient clinics.  Persons interested in certification may request application packets which explain the following requirements in complete detail.

ICAADA offers multiple levels of certification.  All persons seeking certification must complete the following requirements:

• A confidential evaluation by the candidate's peers and supervisors who are listed as references on the certification application;
• A written examination passed at the established norm for each respective certification level;
• A personal appearance and/or oral examination before the Certification Board;
• Payment of all application and/or certification fees.

Entry level: Addiction Counselor-in-Training (ACIT)

Persons seeking the ACIT credential must also:

• Show 2,000 hours of the equivalent of one year's supervised experience in alcoholism or drug abuse service.  (Example:  one day per week for five years or half-time for two years, etc.) A degree in the human services area from four-year accredited colleges or universities, specialized education in alcoholism or drug abuse, or a minimum of 3 years of experience in a self-help program (AA, NA, Al-Anon, etc.) will be considered as partial satisfaction of up to six months of this requirement. 

Certification level:  Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADAC I)

Persons seeking the CADAC I certification must provide:

• Two years (4,000 hours) of supervised full-time counseling experience;
• Evidence of 180 hours of formal training (alcohol and/or drug training);
• Documentation of at least 220 clock-hours of an approved, supervised practicum in specific alcoholism and drug counselor functions, using the 12 core functions;
• Successful completion of a case presentation before three Case Presentation Evaluators who are all certified counselors.

Advanced level:  Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADAC II)

Persons seeking the CADAC II credential must:

• Show three years (6,000 hours) of supervised full-time counseling experience in alcoholism and drug abuse services, a minimum of one year in the alcohol area and a minimum of one year in the drug area or its equivalent;
• Submit documentation of at least 300 clock-hours of an approved, supervised practicum in specific alcoholism and drug abuse functions using the 12 core functions;
• Submit documentation of at least 270clock-hours of formal training with a minimum of 90 clock-hours in each of the following areas:  alcohol, drugs, and counseling;
• Successful completion of a case presentation before three Case Presentation Evaluators who are all certified counselors.

Renewal of Certification is required every two years.  Payment should be attached to the renewal application according to current fee structure announced on the application form.  Current membership in ICAADA will result in a substancial savings to the individual.

Renewal requires completion of a Renewal Application and documentation of at least 40 clock-hours of FIELD-RELATED education and/or training during the period of certification.

Allowable clock hours of training for renewal of certification:

1. Formal Alcohol and Drug Training - provided by independent agencies or institutions with open application policies.  40 clock-hours is allowable in this category.
2. Academic Courses - provided by accredited schools and universities.  40 clock-hours allowed in this category.
3. In-Service Training - staff development offered to personnel by a program or agency.
4. Workshops, Conferences, Seminars - such as ICAADA quarterly meetings, ICAADA conventions, AA conventions, AA conventions, etc.

Attendance at association meetings such as:  ICAADA Business meetings, ICAADA Board of Directors Meetings, ICAADA Certification Board Meetings, ICAADA Regional Chapter Business Meetings may be used for a maximum of 5 continuing education hours per year regardless of the number of meetings you attend.

If you are an instructor of a workshop you can receive (2) hours preparation time per hour for the original presentation.  (i.e. 6 hour workshop= 12 continuing education hours for the original presentation.)

Counselors who allow their certification to lapse must file a request to the Board for reinstatement.  This request must include the completed renewal application.  The Board will assess a ten dollar delinquent fee for each month of certification lapse, up to a limit of six months.  After that time, an individual must re-apply for certification and complete all requirements for certification under the current provisions.

A person may apply for Inactive Status if unable to comply with the requirements for renewal of certification.  For details, contact the ICAADA office.

Membership fees and dues are listed on the membership information page of this website.  The following are fees for certification:

• Certification test fee:  $100
• Initial certification fee for two years:  $200 ($500 Non-member)
• Certification renewal every two years:  $200 ($500 Non-member)

Click here to make payments online.