How To Become A Substance Abuse Counselor In Wisconsin
Are you wondering how to become a substance abuse counselor in Wisconsin? Addiction counselors are provided certification by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). The Department offers 3 different levels of certification. These are: Substance Abuse Counselor In Training (SAC-IT), Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC), and Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC).
Degree Requirements & Education
The SAC-IT certification is entry level and does not require a degree. It does however require the applicant to have completed 100 hours of education or training in these areas:
- 15 hours in Substance Abuse Assessment
- 15 hours in Substance Abuse Counseling
- 10 hours in Substance Abuse Case Management
- 15 hours in Substance Abuse Patient Education
- 20 hours in Substance Abuse Professional Responsibility
- 25 hours in electives within the performance domains listed above
The SAC certification does not require a degree. It does require 360 hours of education or training in these areas:
- 60 hours in Substance Abuse Assessment
- 60 hours in Substance Abuse Counseling
- 60 hours in Substance Abuse Case Management
- 60 hours in Substance Abuse Patient Education
- 60 hours in Substance Abuse Professional Responsibility
- 6 hours in Boundaries and Ethics
- 54 hours in electives within the performance domains listed above
The CSAC certification requires that the applicant have at least an Associate’s Degree or higher in a behavioral science field. The CSAC certification requires applicants to complete 360 hours of formal education or training in these areas:
- 60 hours in Substance Abuse Assessment
- 60 hours in Substance Abuse Counseling
- 60 hours in Substance Abuse Case Management
- 60 hours in Substance Abuse Patient Education
- 60 hours in Substance Abuse Professional Responsibility
- 6 hours in Boundaries and Ethics
- 54 hours in electives within the performance domains listed above
Experience & Supervision Requirements
The SAC-IT certification does not require any supervised work experience as it is an entry-level position. The SAC applicant must complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience within 5 years from the date of initial application. The CSAC will need to complete 5,000 hours of supervised work experience in the substance abuse field.
Application
All applications should be mailed into the Department at: P.O. Box 8935 Madison, WI 53708-8935. All applicants will need to submit proof of current employment. Application fees include the registration fee as well as the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules Exam fee. This comes out to be $150 for all levels of certification. The fee should be paid by check. The check should be made out to the DSPS. Application fees may be waived for those who are veterans. If applicants have criminal convictions the Department must look into, there is an additional $8 fee. Applicants who are worried that their criminal convictions may disqualify them from candidacy may apply to the Department for “predetermination.” The form for this may be found here: Predetermination Application. There is a $68 fee for this service. This will allow the applicant to know if they are eligible for candidacy prior to submitting an actual counselor’s.
Application
Exam
Substance abuse counselor exams will be administered by the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). There is no required exam for the SAC-IT aside from the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules Exam. The SAC and CSAC applicants will need to take the NCAC I Exam as well as the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules Exam. The passing score for the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules Exam is 76%. It can be taken online here: Wisconsin Statutes and Rules Exam Online. The exam is open book. The applicant can find the relevant chapters to study here: Wisconsin Statutes and Rules.
Recertification
All counselors throughout the different certification levels will be required to renew their credential every odd year by February 28. The renewal fee is $75. Renewal can be done online or mailed in. During the period of the first license renewal, the counselor will not be required to take any hours of continuing education. However after that first renewal period, the counselor is required to take 30 hours of continuing education. 4 of these hours must be in Ethics and Professional Boundaries. 15 of these hours can be completed through online course work.
Renewal Application Online
