Have you ever considered expanding your role as a California substance abuse counselor to include that of a mentor, coach, leader, teacher? Then earning certification as a substance abuse counselor supervisor should be part of your career plans. Becoming a substance abuse counseling supervisor is a great way to give back to the profession while broadening your professional opportunities and boosting your earning power.
In California, substance abuse counselors may be certified as supervisors through one of the three certifying agencies:
- Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor II Supervisor (SUDCC II-CS)
- Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor III Supervisor (SUDCC III-CS)
- Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor IV Supervisor (SUDCC IV-CS)
- Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor – Supervisor (LAADC-S)
- California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) of the Addiction Counselor Certification Board of America (ACCBC)
- Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
According to the CADTP, substance abuse counselor supervisors “ensure the quality of clinical care” and provide supervision to ensure “quality improvement and the successful implementation of consensus- and evidence-based practices.”
According to the CCAPP, substance abuse counselor supervisors provide close supervision (in the same room) for interns who are “practicing counseling skills or performing any function described in the four domains or 12 core functions.”
Steps to Becoming a CADTP Alcohol/Other Drug Clinical Supervisor/CCAPP Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor-Clinical Supervisor in California
Becoming a supervisor is an exciting way to mentor aspiring substance abuse counselors and provide them with the support and guidance they need during their period of required clinical supervision.
Here are the steps you’ll need to take:
California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP)
I currently hold the SUDCC II, III, or IV and want to qualify for the Substance Use Disorder Certified Supervisor II, III, or IV (SUDCC II-CS, SUD III-CS, or SUD IV-CS) credential.
The California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP) offers a path to supervisor certification for substance abuse counselors who hold the SUDCC II, III, or IV credential. For all three supervisor certifications, you must meet the requirements for that level of certification AND satisfy specific supervisor education and experience requirements, which include:
Step 1: Complete at least 40 hours of clinical supervisor education courses
Regardless of which level of supervisor certification you’re seeking (II, III, or IV), you’ll need to complete at least 40 hours of clinical supervisor education courses. These courses are offered online through Quantum Units Education and the Breining Institute.
Step 2. Complete at least two years of experience in the direct supervision of SUD counselors
To become an SUDCC counselor (II, III, or IV), you must show proof of the completion of at least two years of experience directly supervising SUD counselors. This two-year experience requirement to become a supervisor must be in ADDITION TO the experience requirement for your specific certification level.
Step 3: Apply for SUDCC II-CS, SUDCC III-CS, or SUDCC IV-CS certification
You must complete and sign the Certification Upgrade Application and include proof of the completion of 40 hours of clinical supervisor education courses. You must also include a completed and signed SUD Counseling Work Experience Verification form that documents your two years of supervisor experience.
SUDCC II-CS, SUDCC III-CS, or SUDCC IV-CS certification requires a biannual certification renewal. To renew your certification, you’ll need to complete at least 40 hours of continuing education, six hours of which must be in supervision topics.
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)
I currently hold the LAADC credential and want to qualify for the Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor Supervisor (LAADC-S) credential.
The LAADC is the highest level of competency in California and is recognized as being on par with many of the licensed disciplines in the state. With this credential, you can work at any state-licensed or certified facility and bill many insurance providers. If you want to become a substance abuse counseling supervisor through the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), you’ll need to first hold the LAADC credential and then complete the following:
Step 1: Complete 45 hours of clinical supervisor education
To transition from an LAADC to an LAADC-S, you’ll need to complete at least 45 hours of clinical supervisor education. You can earn the required education through programs offered through organizations like The Center for Addiction Studies and Research.
Step 3: Apply for licensure as an LAADC-S
You must apply to become an LAADC-S through your current Certemy account, the same portal through which you applied for your LAADC license.
LAADC-S licensure requires a biannual certification renewal. To renew this credential, you must complete at least 56 hours of continuing education, six of which must be in clinical supervision.
California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE)
I currently hold the CATC I, II, III, IV, V, or N and want to qualify for the Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) credential.
The California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) offers the Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) credential, which can be added to any level of CATC certification.
To achieve this specialty credential, you’ll need to first be certified by the CAADE as a CATC (I, II, III, IV, V, or N) and then complete the following steps:
Step 1. Earn at least 10,000 total hours of experience as an AOD counselor
Before you can qualify for the CCS credential, you’ll need to provide proof of 10,000 hours (about five years) of “documented and verifiable” experience providing counseling services as an AOD counselor. You must complete these hours in no less than five years (no more than 2,080 hours per calendar year).
Step 2. Earn at least 4,000 hours of experience in a supervisor or supervisor-in-training role
You must also complete at least 4,000 hours (about two years) of “documented and verifiable” experience in a role as a clinical supervisor or supervisor-in-training. These 4,000 hours may earned as part of the 10,000-hour experience requirement.
Step 3. Complete a minimum of 45 hours of approved training related to clinical supervision
You must complete at least 45 hours of CAADE/ACCBC-approved CCS training that’s aimed specifically at clinical supervision. The CAADE offers the Certified Clinical Supervisor Training – Complete Course to satisfy this requirement.
Step 4. Apply for CCS certification
As a specialty credential, the CCS certification is in addition to your CATC certification. To earn the credential, you’ll need to complete the CCS application and submit proof of your training and education, as well as three professional reference letters from CCSs, licensed mental health professionals, or professional colleagues who are familiar with your work as a supervisor.
Your CCS credential must be renewed every two years. In addition to the renewal requirements for your CATC I, II, III, IV, V, or N credential, you’ll need to complete at least five CEUs to maintain your CCS credential.
Certified CADTP Alcohol/Other Drug Clinical Supervisor/CCAPP Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor-Clinical Supervisor Jobs in California
Clinical supervisor jobs in substance abuse counseling allow substance abuse counselors to expand their professional role and become part of the clinical education process for new substance abuse counselors. Just some of the jobs these professionals hold include:
- Counselor supervisors with BAART Programs (offers outpatient medication-assisted treatment, substance use counseling, and support services for opioid use disorder) in San Francisco supervise counselors and counselor interns who provide treatment and casework services to patients. These professionals monitor the treatment and counseling of all patients while providing clinical supervision for, and assigning caseloads to, counselors.
- Substance abuse counselor supervisors with American Health Services in Bakersfield ensure that the facility meets all state and federal standards by monitoring quality assurance activities. These professionals also monitor counselor performance, conduct counseling trainings, and monitor intakes, discharge planning, needs assessments, and initial treatment plans.
- Clinical supervisors at Casa Recovery in San Juan Capistrano work with a multidisciplinary treatment team to provide individual and group therapy and evidence-based interventions. They collaborate closely with the rest of the clinical and operations team while also carrying their own caseload of clients and supervising interns.
Degree Options to Become a Certified CADTP Alcohol/Other Drug Clinical Supervisor/CCAPP Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor-Clinical Supervisor
Degrees for substance abuse supervisors in California may range from associate’s degrees to master’s degrees. What sets these professionals apart is their supervisor-specific training and education. While the required supervisor education is usually achieved through a specially designed program of study, these substance abuse professionals hold degrees in addiction counseling, the behavioral science/health field (e.g., psychology, sociology, etc.), and the allied mental health field (e.g., social work, marriage and family counseling, mental health counseling, etc.) that meet the requirements for substance abuse counseling certification/licensure.
In California, you’ll find a wide range of substance abuse counseling degree programs at every level. For example:
- Woodland Community College: AS in Chemical Dependency Counselor
- Imperial Valley College: AS in Addiction Disorder Studies
- Long Beach City College: AA in Human Services Addiction Studies
- InterCoast Colleges: Bachelor of Applied Science in Addiction Studies
- University of Southern California: Master of Addiction Science (MAS)