How to Become a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor II in California

Congratulations! You’ve earned one of three recognized professional certifications— CATC I, SUDCC, or CADC-I —to get your foot in the door of the substance abuse counseling profession in California and are now helping those afflicted by substance use disorder make profound, lasting changes on their path to recovery.

Since then, you’ve been acquiring experience hours and are likely considering advancing your education. This natural progression in the field of substance abuse counseling has led you to consider elevating your professional credential, and for good reason. Moving to the next level on the professional certification ladder will allow you to enjoy more professional opportunities and the larger paycheck that often accompanies a higher-level job title.

In California, the next step on the career ladder for substance abuse counselors signifies your advanced level of experience or education:

Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor II (CATC II)

Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor II (SUDCC II)

Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor II (CADC-II)

Steps to Becoming a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor II in California

As a California CATC I, SUDCC, or CADC-I, you’re already familiar with the certification process, so taking your certification to the next level will be a fairly seamless process; you’ll just need to gain the experience or earn the education that qualifies you for this next rung of the career ladder. Here are the steps you’ll need to take to make this next career move in substance abuse counseling and become a CAT II, SUDCC II, or CADC-II:

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

I currently hold the CATC I and want to qualify for the Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor II (CAT II) credential.

The ACCBC’s career ladder is an honorary tiered system that is designed to reflect your higher level of education. Therefore, the process of becoming a CAT II through the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) requires earning an associate’s degree. Once you’ve earned this degree, you’ll be ready to apply for the CATC II credential.

Step 1. Earn an associate’s degree in addiction studies or in a related behavioral health/behavioral science field

To transition from the CATC I to the CATC II, you’ll need to earn an associate’s degree in addiction studies or in a related behavioral health/behavioral science field (e.g., sociology, psychology, anthropology, etc.). CAADE maintains a list of a CAADE-accredited community college associate degree programs to help you locate a program.

Step 2. Apply for CAT II certification

Once you’ve earned an associate’s degree, you’ll complete and sign the Upgrade CATC Certification – CATC II Tier application.

Just like your original CAT I certification, CAT II certification requires a biannual certification renewal, with the completion of at least 40 hours of continuing education required for renewal.

California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP)

I currently hold the SUDCC and want to qualify for the Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor II (SUDCC II) credential.

The process of becoming an SUDCC II through the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP) is fairly straightforward. Once you earn the required work experience in substance abuse counseling, you’ll be ready to apply for the SUDCC II credential.

Step 1. Earn at least 10,000 hours of work experience in substance abuse counseling

You must complete at least 10,000 hours (about five years) of work experience in substance abuse counseling to transition from the SUDCC credential to the SUDCC II credential. You already earned about one year of experience when you qualified for SUDCC certification, so you’ll need to log an additional four years of experience to meet the requirement for SUDCC II certification.

Step 2. Apply for SUDCC II certification

You must complete and sign the Certification Upgrade Application and provide documentation of the completion of the required work experience. (A SUD Counseling Work Experience form verifying your hours must be signed by an authorizing agent.)

Just like your original SUDD certification, SUDD II certification requires a biannual certification renewal, with the completion of at least 40 hours of continuing education required for renewal.

California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)

I currently hold the CADC-I and want to qualify for the Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor – II (CADC-II) credential.

The process of becoming a CADC-II with the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) is fairly straightforward. Once you earn the required work experience in substance abuse counseling, you’ll be ready to apply for the CADC-II credential.

Step 1: Earn at least 6,000 hours of supervised work experience in substance abuse counseling

You must complete at least 6,000 hours (about three years) of supervised work experience to transition from the CADC-I credential to the CADC-II credential. You already earned about one year of experience when you qualified for CADC-I certification (or about 18 months if you qualified for certification without a degree), so you’ll need to log an additional one and a half to two years of experience to meet the requirement for CADC-II certification.

Step 2: Apply for CADC-II certification

You must apply for CADC-II certification through your current Certemy account, the same portal through which you applied for your CADC-I credential. You’ll complete the CADC-II application.

Just like your original CADC-I certification, CADC-II certification requires a biannual certification renewal, with the completion of at least 50 hours of continuing education required for renewal.

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

When you’re ready to take your credentials even further, all three certifying agencies offer advanced certification options in substance abuse counseling:

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 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 – 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 – 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 – 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
The Licensed Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LAADC): Complete a master’s degree in behavioral science or in an allied mental health profession; 315 hours of approved college education; and 4,000 hours of supervised work experience
The Licensed Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor Supervisor (LAADC-S): Available to LAADCs who have completed 45 hours of clinical supervision education

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II Jobs in California

Jobs for certified alcohol and drug counselors II in California are found in a broad range of settings and locations. You’ll find a wealth of opportunities in settings like community rehab programs, private inpatient and outpatient facilities, correctional facilities, and state and regional programs. For example:

Alcohol and drug treatment specialists II working for Ventura County are responsible for providing a full scope of counseling and treatment services, some of which may have supervisory responsibilities.
Substance abuse counselors II for Comprehensive Addiction Programs Inc. in Fresno are responsible for individual and group services, assessments, and other documentation. They interact with clients daily, providing both individual and group counseling. These professionals are considered part of the senior counselor staff.
Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors II at Clare|Matrix in Santa Monica work alongside behavioral health clinicians to design and implement treatment plan goals. They also provide weekly case management sessions related to patients’ treatment plans and conduct group counseling and educational sessions.
Counselors II at American Addiction Centers in Aliso Viejo prove individual, group, and family counseling. They conduct clinical assessments for new patients and demonstrate their expertise in therapeutic interventions and treatment modalities.
Addiction prevention counselors II at Pacific Clinics in San Jose implement the Addiction Prevention Services program at designated schools and in family settings. They collaborate and communicate with the agency and assigned school and serve as an active participant in providing services with the school’s core team for students referred to addiction preventions services.

Degree Options to Become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II

Associate degrees in substance abuse counseling and related fields are commonplace among Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors II. And you’ll need one to advance to the CAADE’s CAT-II credential. As a result, you’ll find a wealth of California schools that offer associate degrees in areas like addiction treatment studies, chemical dependency, and human services with an addiction emphasis.

Just some of community/four-year colleges in California offering associate degrees in the field of substance abuse counseling include:

Santa Barbara City College: AS in Addictive Disorders Counseling
Woodland Community College: AS - Chemical Dependency Counselor
Long Beach City College: AA in Human Services Addiction Studies
West Los Angeles College: AA in Addiction Studies
City College of San Francisco: AS in Addiction Studies