Substance abuse counselors in Mississippi are issued credentials by The Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals (MAAP). The Association offers 5 different levels of certification: Certified Intern Counselor (CIC), Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC), Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC-I), Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC-II), and Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC).
Degree Requirements & Education
Each level of certification will have different degree and education requirements. Most education will need to be specific to the 12 core functions of the Alcohol & Drug Counselor: Screening, Case Management, Intake, Crisis Intervention, Orientation, Client Education, Assessment, Referral, Treatment planning, Reports & Recordkeeping, Counseling (individual, group, family), and Consultation.
- Because the CIC is designed for those who are working towards their CADC certification, there is no degree required. The only requirement is a high school diploma and 192 hours of education specific to the 12 core functions.
- The CADC, CADC-I, CADC-II, and CAADC all require the applicant to obtain 270 hours of education specific to the 12 core functions.
- While the CADC only requires a high school diploma, if the applicant has an associate’s degree then the required hours of Supervised Practical Training decreases. The applicant will need to complete 300 hours of Supervised Practical Training with only a high school diploma. If the applicant holds an associate’s degree they are only required to complete 250 hours of Supervised Practical Training.
- The CADC-I applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree in a human services related field. In addition to the degree and course work the applicant must complete 200 hours of Supervised Practical Training.
- The next level of certification is the CADC-II which requires a master’s degree and 120 hours of Supervised Practical Training.
- The last level of certification, the CAADC, requires a master’s degree in a human services field as well as 120 hours of Supervised Practical Training.
Work Experience Requirements
- CADC applicants must document 6,000 work hours in the substance abuse counseling field (however associate’s degree in a related field may count for 1,000 work experience hours, a bachelor’s degree in a related field may count for 2,000 hours, and a master’s degree in a related field).
- CADC-I applicants must document 8,000 work hours
- CADC-II applicants must document 10,000 work hours
- CAADC applicants must document 4,000 work hours
Application
All applications can be found online. It is important that applicants sign the Ethical Standards of Certified Professionals document and turn it in. The applicant must become a member of the MAAP. Membership dues are $90. Every level of certification requires 3 letters of reference to be turned. Letters of reference must be mailed directly to MAAP at MAAP, 4785 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS 39211. Applicants must also turn in a complete written case they worked.
- CIC certification fee is $75 upon becoming a member
- The CADC, CADC-I, CADC-II, and CAADC require a $130 application fee for MAAP members and $190 fee for non- members
Exam
All exams are administered through the IC&RC. Study materials as well as practice exams may be found here: IC&RC Exam Prep
- CIC, CADC, CADC-I, and CADC-II applicants must take and pass the Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC) Exam
- CAADC applicants must take the Advanced Alcohol & Drug (AADC) Exam
Renewal
Counselors must renew their certifications every 2 years. CICs cannot be renewed after 4 years. Other certifications are indefinite as long as they are renewed every 2 years. CICs require 20 hours of continuing education and ALL other certifications require 40 hours of continuing education. The recertification application can be found here: Recertification Application
