There are many opportunities in Georgia for those looking to become a certified substance abuse counselor. The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (ADACBGA) issues certification for four different levels of counselors. By following the education requirements and passing the required exams one can be a step closer to becoming a substance abuse counselor in Georgia. By specializing in addiction studies a counselor can help individuals gain their life back to better serve in the community. Here are the next steps to take:
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Levels of Licensure
Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor Level I (CADC I)
Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor Level II (CADC II)
Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC)
Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
CADC I
As a CADC Level I, the counselor can provide care under a clinical supervisor. This level of certification is where the applicant begins their career as a substance abuse counselor.
Education Requirements
- Applicant will need only a High School Diploma or GED
Experience Requirements
- Applicant will need 300 hours of clinical supervision in a behavioral health workplace
- Must document a total of 6,000 work hours in the field of behavioral health
Application
- There will be an application fee of $150
- Find the application here: Requirements & Application
- The applicant will also need to pass a criminal background check upon application
- Mail the completed application to the ADACBGA office at 777 Cleveland Ave SW, Suite 605, Atlanta, GA, 30315
Exam
- Upon applying, the applicant will then receive a test form to fill out and will pay a fee of $180
- The applicant will take the Alcohol and Drug Counselor test administered by the IC&RC
- The ADC test guide may be accessed here: ADC Test Guide
- Practice exams have 50 questions and have a fee of $49. Take a practice exam here: ADC Practice Test
After passing the exam the applicant will receive their CADC I certification in the mail.
CADC II
The applicant may first become a CADC I if they do not have the required degree for CADC II. However, if one has a bachelor’s degree in any of the human services (psychology, social work, etc.), they may automatically apply for CADC II and skip I. A CADC II will practice under a clinical supervisor.
Education Requirements
- Applicant will need a bachelor’s degree in a social sciences field
- The applicant must have taken at least 6 hours in each of the general courses:
- Professional ethics
- E-counseling or Telehealth
- HIV/Aids
- Trauma informed care
- Applicant must document an additional 300 hours in substance abuse related courses
- All hours must be obtained in the past 5 years to be considered for this certification
- The applicant must provide transcripts and/or their degree to prove these courses were taken and within the 5 year time frame
- The transcripts must be sent directly from the college/university to the ADACBGA when applying
Experience Requirements
- 200 hours of documented clinical supervision
- Must document a total of 4,000 work hours in the field of behavioral health
Application
- There will be an application fee of $150
- Find the application here: Requirements & Application
- The applicant will also need to pass a criminal background check upon application
- Mail the completed application to the ADACBGA office at 777 Cleveland Ave SW, Suite 605, Atlanta, GA, 30315
Exam
- Upon applying, the applicant will then receive a test form to fill out and will pay a fee of $180
- The applicant will take the Alcohol and Drug Counselor test administered by the IC&RC (same as for CADC I)
- The ADC test guide may be accessed here: ADC Test Guide
- Practice exams have 50 questions and have a fee of $49. Take a practice exam here: ADC Practice Test
After passing the exam the applicant will receive their CADC II certification in the mail.
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CAADC
A CAADC may practice independently, and oversee other counselors of lower levels.
Education Requirements
- The applicant will need to have at least a master’s degree in a human service field
- The applicant must have taken at least 6 hours in each of the general courses:
- Professional ethics
- E-counseling or Telehealth
- HIV/Aids
- Trauma informed care
- Applicant must document an additional 300 hours in substance abuse related courses
- All hours must be obtained in the past 5 years to be considered for this certification
- The applicant must provide transcripts and/or their degree to prove these courses were taken and within the 5 year time frame
- The transcripts must be sent directly from the college/university to the ADACBGA when applying
Experience Requirements
- 200 hours of documented clinical supervision
- Must document a total of 4,000 work hours in the field of behavioral health
Application
- There will be an application fee of $150
- Find the application here: Requirements & Application
- The applicant will also need to pass a criminal background check upon application
- Mail the completed application to the ADACBGA office at 777 Cleveland Ave SW, Suite 605, Atlanta, GA, 30315
Exam
- Upon applying, the applicant will then receive a test form to fill out and will pay a fee of $180
- Access the the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor test guide here: CAADC Test Guide
- The exam will be administered by the IC&RC
- Practice exams have 50 questions and have a fee of $49. Take a practice exam here: AADC Practice Test
After passing the exam the applicant will receive their CAADC certification in the mail.
CCS
A CCS is the highest level of certification in Georgia. At this point, the counselor may supervise other counselors who are working their way towards their certification, run their own practice, and oversee patients’ treatment.
Education
- Applicant must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a human service field, or a graduate degree in any field
- The applicant must have taken at least 6 hours in each of the general courses:
- Each of the 5 performance domains of clinical supervision
- Professional and Ethical Standards (specifically for clinical supervisors)
- Applicant must document an additional 300 hours in substance abuse related courses
- The transcripts must be sent directly from the college/university to the ADACBGA when applying
- Applicant must already have a valid CADC II or CAADC certification
Experience Requirements
- Have worked 10,000 hours (5 years) as an addiction counselor after obtaining their CADC II or CAADC certificates
- 4,000 (this may be included in the 10,000) hours of supervisory experience under the supervision of another CCS
Application
- There will be an application fee of $150
- Find the application here: CCS Requirements & Application
- The applicant will also need to pass a criminal background check upon application
- Mail the completed application to the ADACBGA office at 777 Cleveland Ave SW, Suite 605, Atlanta, GA, 30315
Letters of Reference
- The applicant will need three reference letters sent directly to ADACBGA from the references who will be:
- A professional who can verify to the applicant’s capability to perform supervisory duties
- An individual who has been supervised by the applicant directly
- An individual who is the job supervisor or manager of the applicant
Exam
- Upon applying, the applicant will then receive a test form to fill out and will pay a fee of $180
- Access the Clinical Supervisor (CS) test guide here:
- The exam will be administered by the IC&RC
- Practice exams have 50 questions and have a fee of $49. Take a practice exam here: CS Practice Exam
After passing the exam the applicant will receive their CCS certification in the mail.
Alternative Route
- An alternative way to go about obtaining certification would be to go through the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA). They have different certifications available than the ADACBGA.
Renewal
- Certifications need to be renewed every two years. Online renewals charge a fee of $150 while mail ins cost $175.
