How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Florida

America’s opioid crisis has left no state untouched, and Florida has felt the brunt of it. Today, the state is embroiled in a war with opioids the likes of which haven’t been seen since the Miami drug wars of the 70s and 80s.

According to the CDC, as of 2021, Florida ranked second in the nation in drug overdose deaths (behind only California). More than 7,800 Floridians lost their lives due to overdose in that year alone.

The fallout has been felt statewide, but certain areas have been hit much harder than others. The Tampa Bay region, for example, reports overdose deaths that exceed the statewide rate by as much 56 percent. And in Sarasota, a lethal mixture of heroin or fentanyl with a powerful tranquilizer called xylazine, that law enforcement officials have dubbed the “zombie drug,” is responsible for the deaths of some 230 Floridians. Sarasota reported the third largest increase in xylazine deaths in the state as of 2023.

But there’s plenty of hope on the horizon. Recovery and treatment efforts are making serious inroads, and Certified Addiction Professionals (CAP) are leading the fight.

Whether they’re working in state-run programs like the CORE Network, at small community clinics that offer immediate care and resources, or in larger, hospital-based systems, Certified Addiction Professionals (CAP) are the backbone of the addiction recovery system in Florida. With the right credentials, you can become part of the solution.

The Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network Offers a Novel Approach to a Generation’s Old Problem in Florida

A major effort called the Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network – the first of its kind in the U.S. – is underway.

Focused on sustainable addiction recovery, this large-scale initiative combines the forces of the Florida Department of Health, the Department of Children and Families, and the Agency for Health Care Administration to offer a state-supported, coordinated system of care.

Since its implementation in 2022, EMTs throughout the state have connected more than 25,000 overdose patients to long-term recovery solutions. Between 2021 and 2022, opioid overdose rates were down across the state by 2.6 percent – the first decline in four years.

But recovery from addiction is an uphill battle, and those on the front lines must remain committed to the cause. Substance abuse counselors are invaluable members of Florida’s recovery network of care, providing a full range of clinical services to those suffering from substance use disorders and the people who love them.

Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Florida

In Florida, there are three levels of certification for substance abuse counselors:

Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC): An intermediate credential that allows you to work side-by-side with clinical staff to provide services to individuals with substance use conditions. CACs are not qualified for independent practice and must work under the supervision of a qualified professional.
Certified Addiction Professional (CAP): A bachelor’s-level credential that allows you to provide direct, clinical counseling and a full range of recovery-oriented, substance use clinical services; CAPs are recognized for billable services under Florida’s State Medicaid Plan.
Master’s Level Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP): A master’s-level, advanced practice credential for people who provide services to individuals with substance use conditions; MCAPs who meet the requirements are able to make substance use disorder diagnoses in programs billed under Florida’s State Medicaid Plan.

For purposes of this guide, we’ve detailed the process of becoming a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAP), Florida’s standard credential that will allow you to provide substance abuse counseling services without supervision/oversight.

However, we’ve also detailed the process of becoming an MCAP below in the Earn Advanced Certification with a Master’s Degree and More Experience section to provide you with information for expanding your career, if desired.

You’ll work closely with the Florida Certification Board as you take the steps to become a Certified Addiction Professional (CAP), the designation required to provide direct clinical counseling to individuals and groups afflicted by substance use disorder.

1. Earn a Bachelor’s or Higher Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling or Another Behavioral Science Major

2. Complete a Period of On-the-Job Supervision and Related Work Experience

3. Apply to Become a Certified Addiction Professional (CAP) through the Florida Certification Board

4. Take and Pass the CAP Exam

This, of course, leads to the big question: How do I earn CAP certification in Florida? We’ve taken what can often be a confusing process and have broken it down into easy-to-understand-and-follow steps that will allow you to work toward a fulfilling career in substance abuse counseling in Florida.

Step 1. Earn a Bachelor’s or Higher Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling or Another Behavioral Science Major

To become a CAP in Florida, you’ll need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. But you’ll have plenty of options regarding which field to study. As of 2023, the Florida Certification Board instituted two pathways to certification: Tier I and Tier II. The field you choose to study will determine how much training, work experience, and on-the-job supervision you’ll need to meet the standards for certification as a CAP.

Tier I

If you earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in a counseling-related field, you’ll follow the Tier I pathway. This pathway provides a more streamlined pathway to CAP certification.

Degrees that meet the Tier I pathway requirements include: addiction studies, addiction counseling, counseling, psychology, social work, and behavioral health.

As part of your Tier I education, you’ll need to complete 150 hours of content-specific training, which can be accomplished through college coursework, or through a single class awarded by an FCB provider. (FCB single-source providers offer single training certificates that meet the 150-hour requirement.) This includes:

Tier II

If you earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in a health or human services field, you’ll follow the Tier II pathway.

Degrees that meet the Tier II pathway requirements include: child development, criminal justice, education, family relations, guidance counseling, health education/health sciences, human services, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy/pharmaceutical studies, public health, recreational therapy, sociology, and vocational counseling.

As part of your Tier II education, you’ll need to complete 250 hours of content-specific training, which can be accomplished through college coursework, or through a single class awarded by an FCB provider. (FCB single-source providers offer single training certificates that meet the 150-hour requirement.) This includes:

Understanding addiction/treatment knowledge: 80 hours
Application to practice/professional readiness: 25 hours
Client/family/community education: 15 hours
Case management: 15 hours
Clinical evaluation: 25 hours
Treatment planning 15 hours
Counseling: 30 hours
Ethical and professional responsibilities: 30 hours (six hours of which must be in ethics)

Step 2. Complete a Period of On-the-Job Supervision and Related Work Experience

Once you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree, it’s time to land a job where you’ll start logging the required on-the-job supervision and work experience you’ll need for CAP licensure.

Note: You cannot start logging these hours until you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree! All logged hours must begin after you’ve earned your degree and within 5 years of applying for the CAP.

Addiction recovery service providers and government programs routinely hire college grads, providing supervised pre-certification experience, fostering you on your professional journey, and helping you build your skills and confidence as you prepare to become a Certified Addiction Professional (CAP).

Tier I

Tier I applicants must complete at least 100 hours of on-the-job supervision that’s delivered by an FCB-approved qualified supervisor. (Your supervisor must complete and return the CAP Supervision Verification Form.) A qualified supervisor is a CAP, master’s-level certified addiction professional (MCAP), advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), physician, physician’s assistant, psychologist, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or mental health counselor.

Within the 100 hours of on-the-job supervision, at least 50 hours must be individual, one-on-one supervision and/or observation of skills.

You must also log 2,000 hours (about one year of full-time work) of addiction-specific work experience.

Tier II

Tier II applicants must complete at least 150 hours of on-the-job supervision that’s delivered by an FCB-approved qualified supervisor. (Your supervisor must complete and return the CAP Supervision Verification Form.) A qualified supervisor is a CAP, master’s-level certified addiction professional (MCAP), advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), physician, physician’s assistant, psychologist, clinical social worker, or mental health counselor.

Within the 150 hours of on-the-job supervision, at least 50 hours must be individual, one-on-one supervision, and/or observation of skills.

You must also log 4,000 hours (about two years of full-time work) of addiction-specific work experience.

Step 3. Apply to Become a Certified Addiction Professional (CAP) through the Florida Certification Board

Once you’ve satisfied the required work experience hours, you’ll apply to become a CAP, which includes creating an online account where you’ll complete an application and submit the following:

Once you submit the application to the FCB, you’ll have 12 months to earn your credential, which includes taking and passing your exam.

Step 4. Take and Pass the CAP exam

The next step of the certification process includes registering for the CAP exam. After the FCB approves your application, they’ll send you an email giving you the green light to pre-register for the CAP exam, which you’ll do through the FCB system. Click “Add to Your Application,” which will take you to the exam pre-registration page, where you’ll answer a few questions and pay for the exam.

After you’ve completed this step, you’ll receive another email from FCB with the subject line “Exam Instructions.” Click on the link provided in the email to complete the exam registration process, which includes choosing your exam site, day, and time. You can take the exam at testing sites throughout Florida.

The FCB has study guides available to help you prepare for the exam.

Once you complete the computer-based CAP exam, the FCB will provide you with an official score within seven days, along with your CAP certification.

If you fail the exam, you’ll have the option of rescheduling it every 30 days. Remember that you must pass the exam in the 12-month application period, or you’ll need to resubmit the CAP certification application again.

You’ll renew your CAP credential with the FCB annually. All credentials renew on June 30, so your first renewal date will be prorated. To maintain CAP certification, you’ll need to complete at least 20 continuing credits every year.

Earn Advanced Certification in Florida with a Master’s Degree and More Experience

If you want to advance your education in the field of substance abuse counseling (and your earning potential and job prospects), the FCB offers the Master’s Level Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP) designation. To earn this designation, you’ll need to earn a master’s or doctoral degree in a related clinical counseling field. Some of the acceptable fields include Addiction Studies/Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Rehabilitation/Counseling, and Clinical Social Work.

Applicants must also complete at least 161 clock hours of training. However, those with the CAP designation need only complete 20 hours of training in:

Once you’ve earned your master’s or doctoral degree, you’ll then need to complete 4,000 hours (about two years of full-time work) of addiction-specific, professional-level work experience. This must include at least 200 hours of on-the-job supervision related to performing addiction-related services, and at least half of these hours must be individual, one-on-one supervision or observation of skills by a qualified supervisor.

Once you have met all education and experience requirements, you’ll apply for the MCAP designation and take the Florida MCAP exam. You’ll receive MCAP certification upon passing the exam.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Florida

Substance abuse counselors in Florida possess a unique skillset that makes them valuable members of any recovery or addiction treatment team in settings like hospitals, prisons, inpatient rehabilitation centers, outpatient treatment centers, community programs, and more.

There’s no better time than now to consider a career as a substance abuse counselor in Florida, given the gravity of the state’s drug abuse epidemic. According to the CDC, between August 2022 and July 2023, many of Florida’s counties reported opioid overdose death rates that were far higher than (in some instances, more than double) the national rate of 32.5 deaths per 100,000 people.

For example, Escambia County reported an overdose death rate of 69.6 per 100,000 people, while Marion County reported a similar overdose death rate of 62.4 per 100,000 people. Perhaps just as alarming was the percentage of overdose deaths in these counties related to fentanyl: 75 percent and 63 percent, respectively.

Duval County, home to the large cities of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, reported an opioid overdose death rate of 55.4 per 100,000 people during this time, and its share of fentanyl-related deaths stood at a sobering 78 percent.

Other Florida counties reporting high overdose death rates during this time included:

Pinellas County (St. Petersburg, Clearwater): 54.4 deaths per 100,000 people
Pasco County (New Port Richey, Land O’ Lakes, Port Richey): 53.2 deaths
Volusia County (Daytona Beach): 53.2 deaths
Brevard County (Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cape Canaveral): 38.8 deaths
Palm Beach County (Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Jupiter): 36.8 deaths
Okaloosa County (Destin): 45.7 deaths
Lee County (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach): 35.3 deaths
Osceola County (Kissimmee, St. Cloud): 35.5 deaths
Hillsborough County (Tampa): 34.5 deaths

In response to a rising number of Floridians afflicted by drug and alcohol use disorder, jobs for substance abuse counselors are projected to increase by 28 percent during the ten-year period leading up to 2030. During this time, the Sunshine State will see about 2,200 job openings in the field every year due to a blend of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.

Similarly, the number of substance abuse facilities also continues to grow in Florida. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2020 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, there were 617 facilities throughout the state in 2011. By 2020, this number had jumped by nearly 100 to 712 facilities.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Jacksonville

Duval County is one of the more than dozen Florida counties that are part of the state’s Coordinated Opioid Recovery – CORE – program, and for good reason. According to the Duval County health officer for the Florida Department of Health, more than 400 people died of drug overdoses in the county in 2022 alone.

This state-led program is supported by many other programs, services, and resources at the county and city level aimed at supporting those suffering from addiction. For example, substance abuse counselors throughout Jacksonville lend their talents to innovative programs like River Oak Center, a sober high school that helps teenagers in recovery. This center, designed for students aged 14 to 19, provides a specially designed curriculum that helps adolescents on their path to recovery from substance abuse or addiction.

Substance abuse counselors in Jacksonville are also found in dozens of residential treatment centers like River Point Behavioral Health, Dr. Paul’s by the Sea, and Beaches Recovery.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Tampa

Professional opportunities for substance abuse counselors in Tampa include River Oaks, a specialized treatment facility for individuals with addiction and mental health conditions. Services here include medical detox, inpatient/residential treatment, outpatient rehab, and veterans addiction treatment services.

North Tampa Behavioral Health Hospital is another large facility in the Tampa region that serves adolescents, adults, and senior patients. They also have an inpatient program that includes specialized tracks for those with co-occurring disorders and chemical dependency. Therapies here include individual, group, and recreational therapy.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in St. Petersburg

According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, a person dies from a drug overdose every 43 hours in Pinellas County. Substance abuse counselors here assume important roles in private and nonprofit inpatient facilities, outpatient substance abuse counseling centers, and a variety of programs in prisons, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.

Pinellas County has also implemented a unique initiative for the people of St. Petersburg called Pinellas Matters. This county-funded pilot program, aimed at curbing opioid overdose deaths, helps ER patients find resources, many of which are covered through grants. Since the start of the program, officials announced that it has helped more than 400 patients, about three-quarters of whom have either completed or are completing long-term drug treatment programs.

Substance abuse counselors here may also work at community programs like the St. Pete Free Clinic, which provides housing and recovery services for those experiencing homelessness and recovering from substance use disorders. Their residences provide men and women with a safe place to stay as they work on their recovery.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Orlando

According to Orange County’s Coalition for a Drug-Free Community, the county saw a decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths for the first time between 2021 and 2022, with opioid overdose deaths here dropping 14 percent. The county credits its many harm reduction practices, including the “One Pill Can Kill” campaign, for these promising statistics.

And when Orlando residents are ready to begin treatment, substance abuse counselors are waiting, armed with the skills to help those with substance use disorder make significant and lasting inroads on the path to recovery.

Substance abuse counselors in Orlando work in many different settings, from inpatient treatment facilities to community recovery centers. For example, they are an important part of the staff at Orlando Recovery Drug and Alcohol Rehab, a 93-bed facility that serves Orlando and the greater Central Florida community. This program offers inpatient care for substance abuse and co-occurring mental health conditions, while their sister facility in Maitland offers outpatient care.

Orlando is also where you’ll find a number of gender-specific programs. For example, Serenity Springs Recovery Center is a men’s rehabilitation center that offers both inpatient and outpatient programs.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Miami

Substance abuse counselors are an important part of Miami-Dade County’s Rehabilitative Services Division, which provides residential and outpatient treatment to adults with substance use disorders. The Rehabilitative Services Division consists of four units, including central intake, residential treatment, outpatient treatment, and corrections-based treatment.

Miami is also where you’ll find dozens of private rehab facilities offering inpatient and/or outpatient services. For example, Summer House Detox is a private inpatient drug and alcohol detox center; South Miami Recovery is an outpatient drug and alcohol substance abuse treatment center; and Miami Valley Recovery provides individualized treatment services for both drug and alcohol addiction.

Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Fort Myers, Daytona Beach, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, Florida

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse counselors in Florida earned a median salary of $48,040 as of May 2022, slightly below the national median of $49,710. Those at the top of their field earned about $76,980.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Fort Myers

The BLS reports that as of May 2022, substance abuse counselors in the Fort Myers metro area (also includes Cape Coral) earned a median salary of $50,840. Those new to the profession earned about $39,590 during this time, while those with graduate degrees and extensive experience earned about $77,400.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Daytona Beach

According to the BLS, substance abuse counselors in the Daytona Beach metro area (also includes Deltona and Ormond Beach) earned a starting salary of about $36,650, a median salary of $47,010, and a top salary of $70,740.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Gainesville

The BLS reported that substance abuse counselors in Gainesville earned a median salary of $46,220 as of May 2022. With just a few years of experience, substance abuse counselors here earned about $38,750, while those with extensive experience earned about $94,620 – about $20,000 more than many other parts of the state.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Jacksonville

As of May 2022, the BLS reported that substance abuse counselors in Jacksonville earned a starting salary of about $38,610, a median salary of $46,910, and a top salary of about $73,570.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Miami

According to the BLS, substance abuse counselors in the Miami metro area, which also includes Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, earned a median salary of $48,160. With just a few years of experience, these professionals earned about $38,960, while those at the top of their field earned about $77,630.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Orlando

The BLS reported that as of May 2022, substance abuse counselors in Orlando earned a median salary of $49,600. Early career professionals earned about $40,160 during this time, while those with extensive experience and advanced credentials earned about $80,860.

How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Tampa

According to the BLS, substance abuse counselors in the Tampa metro area (also includes St. Petersburg and Clearwater) earned a starting salary of about $35,970, a median salary of $45,910, and a top salary of about $75,960.

Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Florida

Florida substance abuse counselor programs include both bachelor’s and master’s degree options. The FCB accepts a wide range of bachelor’s degrees in the counseling, addiction studies, human service, and behavioral sciences fields. Just some of the programs that meet the educational requirement for CAP certification include the BA in Psychology through Trinity University; the BA in Counseling through Florida Christian University; and the BS in Human Services through St. Petersburg College.

Though Florida accepts a wide range of bachelor’s degrees for CAP certification, applicants must also complete coursework specific to addiction counseling. Therefore, you’ll find a large number of schools throughout the state that offer certificate programs that meet this coursework requirement (designed for either Tier I or Tier II applicants.) Just a few of the universities and career colleges that offer these programs include the University of South Florida, which offers an Addictions and Substance Abuse Professional Certificate; St. Petersburg College, which offers the Addiction Studies Certificate; and the Academy for Addiction Professionals, which offers the Certified Addiction Professional Tier I Course.

Similarly, you can earn the MCAP in Florida with a master’s degree in addiction studies/counseling, marriage and family counseling, mental health counseling, rehabilitation/counseling, and clinical social work, but you’ll also need to complete addiction-specific coursework if it wasn’t part of your degree. Therefore, a number of Florida colleges and universities offer graduate-level certificate programs that meet the coursework requirements needed to secure the MCAP. For example, Florida Atlantic University offers a Graduate Certificate in Addiction.

Broward College

Arts, Humanities, Communication, and Design pathway
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Campus, Online

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Florida Atlantic University

College of Social Work and Criminal Justice
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Online

Master's Degrees

Florida Southwestern State College

School of Health Professions
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Hybrid, Online

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Miami Dade College

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Human Services career path
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Palm Beach State College

Education, Human Services, Social and Behavioral Science pathway
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Bachelor's Degrees

Pasco Hermando State College

Health Science career path
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Campus, Online

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

St. Petersburg College

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures shown here for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. Job growth projections are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, CareerOneStop. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2024.