How to Become a Registered Alcohol Drug Technician in California

Before certification/licensure as a California substance abuse counselor there’s registration. Registration signifies that the applicant is working toward meeting the requirements for certification as a substance abuse counselor.

The purpose of registration is two-fold: (1) It indicates to employers that you are in the process of completing the education and/or experience to become certified as a substance abuse counselor; and (2) it is required to work in any program that is licensed or certified by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

Registration is the beginning of the entire certification process, which can be accomplished through one of three agencies:

Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC)

Substance Use Disorder Registered Counselor (SUDRC)

Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician I (RADT-I)

Becoming a substance abuse counselor in California may, at first glance, look like a rather daunting task. But don’t worry; we’ve provided easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance on this process, so that you can move forward with confidence and become a certified/licensed substance abuse counselor.

Steps to Becoming a Registered Alcohol Drug Technician in California

If you haven’t yet, or have just begun, earning the necessary education/degree to become a substance abuse counselor, it’s time to choose one of the three California agencies that certify/license substance abuse counselors and become registered as an alcohol drug technician.

The choice is yours which agency you choose – CAADE, CADTP, or CCAPP. Study the certification levels and requirements for certification with each agency and choose the one that best aligns with your career goals. Once you’ve made your decision, it’s time to get registered so you can start the certification process to become a substance abuse counselor in California while you work within a DHCS agency/program.

California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) of the Addiction Counselor Certification Board of America (ACCBC)

I want to register with the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) as a Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC).

To become a registered addiction counselor (RAC) with the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE), you’ll need to complete the following steps:

Step 1. Complete a nine-hour orientation course

Before you can register as an RAC, you’ll need to complete a nine-hour orientation course. You can complete this course through a number of online education providers:

Step 2. Apply for RAC registration

Once you’ve finished the required course, you’ll apply for RAC registration. The CAADE has three different registration options:

RAC Student Registration: For applicants who have not taken/passed the CATC exam (it’s an exam you’ll need to become certified) but who are currently enrolled in (or have completed) an approved alcohol and drug studies/addiction studies program (AOD/ADS). RAC New Student Registration application
RAC Individual Registration: For applicants who did not complete an approved AOD/ADS program and are seeking certification through the Education Equivalency process; OR for applicants who have not completed an approved AOD/ADS program and want to complete their clinical hours toward initial CATC certification. RAC New Individual Registration application
RAC Intern Registration: For applicants who have passed the CATC examination but aren’t yet fully certified (these applicants are issued an RAC-I credential). RAC Intern Registration application

Step 3. Renew your RAC registration annually

You’ll need to renew your RAC registration annually until you’ve achieved certification as a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor I (CATC I). Note: You’ll have five years of the date of your initial registration to become certified.

California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP)

I want to register with the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP) as a Substance Use Disorder Registered Counselor (SUDRC).

To become a substance use disorder registered counselor (SUDRC) with the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP), you’ll need to complete the following steps:

Step 1. Complete a nine-hour orientation course

Before you can register as a SUDRC, you’ll need to complete a nine-hour orientation course. The CADTP offers this course through a number of CADTP-certified online education providers:

Step 2. Apply for SUDRC registration

Once you’ve completed the orientation course, you’ll apply for SUDRC registration by completing an Initial Registration Application and include a copy of your driver’s license, a signed Code of Conduct/Ethics, and a 2×2 photo.

Step 3. Renew your SUDRC registration annually

You must renew your SUDRC registration annually until you earn certification as an Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor (SUDCC). Note: You’ll have five years of the date of your initial registration to become certified.

California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)

I want to register with the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) as a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT-I).

To become a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT-I) with the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), you’ll need to complete a number of steps:

Step 1. Complete a nine-hour orientation course

Before you can register as an RADT-I, you’ll need to complete the CCAPP’s nine-hour orientation course, Ethics, Confidentiality, & Boundaries. This free course consists of nine video lessons (each lasts about an hour) and quizzes at the end of each lesson.

Step 2. Apply for RADT-I registration

Once you’ve completed the orientation course, you’ll apply for RADT-I registration, which involves creating an account in Certemy, CCAPP’s online portal. You’ll need to complete and sign the online e-application and sign the CCAPP Code of Conduct for Registered Alcohol and Drug Technicians and the DHCS Code of Conduct for Credentialed Alcohol and Drug Professionals. You’ll also need to upload a photo of your government ID.

Step 3. Renew your RADT-I registration annually

You must renew your RADT-I registration annually until you earn certification as a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor I (CADC-I). Note: You’ll have five years of the date of your initial registration to become certified.

With a Higher Degree and More Experience You Can Become a Licensed Advanced Drug Counselor in California

Registration as an alcohol and drug technician is just the first step in a substance abuse counselor’s career. Education and experience in the field allows substance abuse counselors to earn certification and climb the career ladder to achieve more advanced levels of certification:

CATC I: Complete 30 semester units in an approved Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD)/Addiction Studies or Alcohol and Drug Studies (ADS) Community College Program
CATC II: Earn an associate’s degree in addiction studies or in a related behavioral health/behavioral science area of study.
CATC III: Earn a bachelor’s degree in addiction studies or in a related behavioral health/behavioral science area of study.
CATC IV: Earn a master’s degree in addiction studies or in a related behavioral health/behavioral science area of study.
CATC V: Earn a doctoral degree in addiction studies or in a related behavioral health/behavioral science area of study.
CATC N: Earn a nursing degree

SUDCC – Substance Abuse Disorder Certified Counselor – Complete at least 315 hours of formal SUD education; AND 255 hours of supervised SUD training/practicum; AND 2,080 hours of SUD-related work experience; AND pass the IC&RC ADC exam.
SUDCC II-CS – Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor – Clinical Supervisor: Complete at least 5 years or 10,000 hours of SUD work experience, with at least two years of experience directly supervising SUD counselors; AND at least 40 hours of clinical supervisor education courses.
SUDCC III – Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor – Advanced Experience and Bachelor’s Level Education: Complete a bachelor’s degree in a SUD-related field; AND at least 5 years or 10,000 hours of SUD work experience.
SUDCC III-CS – Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor Clinical Supervisor: Complete a bachelor’s degree in a SUD-related field; AND at least five years or 10,000 hours of SUD work experience that includes at least two years of experience directly supervising SUD counselors; AND at least 40 hours of clinical supervisor education.
SUDCC IV – Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor – Advanced Experience and Master’s Level Education: Complete a master’s degree in a SUD-related field; AND complete at least five years or 10,000 hours of SUD work experience.
SUDCC IV-CS – Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor Clinical Supervisor: Complete a master’s degree in a SUD-related field; AND at least five years or 10,000 hours of SUD work experience, two years of which must be directly supervising SUD counselors; AND at least 40 hours of clinical supervisor education.

CADC – I: Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor: Complete 315 hours of education from a CCAPP-approved college; complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised work experience (including 255 hours of field practicum); and pass the IC&RC ADC exam.
CADC – II – Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor II: Complete at least 6,000 hours of supervised work experience, including 255 hours of field practicum.
CADC – III – Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor III: Complete at least 4,000 hours of supervised work experience, including 255 practicum hours; AND a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science or allied mental health field
LAADC – Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor: Complete at least 4,000 hours of supervised work experience; AND a master’s degree in behavioral science or an allied mental health profession; and pass the IC&RC AADC exam
LAADC -S: Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor Supervisor: Hold the LAADC credential AND complete 45 hours clinical supervision education

Registered Alcohol Drug Technician Jobs in California

There’s no need to wait to begin working in the substance abuse counseling field while you’re preparing for professional certification. Becoming a registered alcohol drug technician allows you to land those entry-level jobs in settings like inpatient rehab facilities, outpatient programs, community programs, correctional facilities, and more. Just some of the jobs for registered alcohol drug technicians in California include:

Substance abuse advocate counselors – registered with Inland Valley Recovery Services in Upland provide supervision and supportive services for program and daily living activities. These entry-level members of the substance abuse counseling team are registered with the CCAPP/CAADE/CADTP and are pursuing education/certification as drug and alcohol counselors.
Residential technicians at After Action, a men’s residential treatment center in Northridge, report to the agency’s program director. These entry-level team members help clients complete their activities of daily living and assist them with meal service, laundry, etc. They also transport clients to their appointments and activities and coordinate treatment with other members of the counseling staff.
Registered alcohol and drug technicians at Pathways Recovery Center, a residential addiction treatment facility in Azusa, interact with clients daily, observing changes in their mood or behavior. They maintain the required charts and reports, monitor vitals, and conduct assessments.
Substance abuse recovery technicians at Saving My Tomorrow in Sylmar assist client needs and monitor client behavior. They are also responsible for documenting activities of daily living and help coordinate treatment and execute daily programming.

Degree Options to Become a Registered Alcohol Drug Technician

Once you’re a registered alcohol drug technician, you’ll begin or continue working toward becoming certified as a substance abuse counselor which, of course, includes completing the required course of education and/or earning a degree in a related field.

In California, educational options to become a substance abuse counselor often begin at the certificate level. These programs, which take about a year to complete, prepare aspiring substance abuse counselors to become certified as a CATC, CADC-I, or SUDCC. Just some of these programs include Glendale Community College’s Certificate in Addiction Studies Counseling; Modesto Junior College’s Certificate of Achievement in Chemical Dependency Counseling; and California Southern University’s Certificate in Addiction Studies.

But many students also choose to earn an associate’s degree or higher in a field related to addiction counseling or in a behavioral health/science or allied mental health field. Advancing your education will allow you to earn higher-level credentials and position you for more and better-paying positions in the field.

Associate degree programs in substance abuse counseling are widely available in California. Just some of the options include College of San Mateo’s AA in Addiction Studies; Napa Valley College’s AS in Addiction Studies; and San Diego City College’s AS in Behavioral Sciences-Alcohol and Other Drug Studies.