How to Become a CADC II in California

Q: How long does it take to advance from Level I to Level II?

Timeline varies by pathway. CATC II typically takes 2‑3 years if pursuing an associate degree part‑time while working. CADC‑II takes approximately 1.5‑2 additional years beyond your Level I experience for a total of about 2.5‑3 years from initial entry. SUDCC II takes about four additional years beyond your Level I experience for a total of approximately 5 years from initial entry into the field.

Q: Can I work while accumulating experience hours for Level II?

Absolutely. Most counselors work full‑time in substance abuse treatment settings while accumulating their required hours for SUDCC II or CADC‑II. Your regular employment hours count toward your credential requirements as long as you're providing direct client services in an approved setting.

Written by Dr. Emily R. Thornton, PhD, LCADC , Last Updated: November 7, 2025

Quick Answer

To advance from CATC I, SUDCC, or CADC-I to Level II certification in California, choose one of three paths: earn an associate degree (CATC II, 2-3 years), complete 10,000 work hours (SUDCC II, 4-5 years), or complete 6,000 supervised hours (CADC-II, 2-3 years). Each opens doors to senior counselor positions with increased responsibilities and pay.

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Compare Level II Certification Pathways

Before diving into the specific requirements, understanding the key differences between these three credentials can help you choose the right path for your career goals and current situation.

Credential	Certifying Agency	Primary Requirement	Typical Timeline	Renewal Period	CE Hours for Renewal
CATC II	CAADE/ACCBC	Associate degree in addiction studies or behavioral science (no additional work hours required)	2-3 years (part-time degree completion)	Biannual	40 hours
SUDCC II	CADTP	10,000 work hours in substance abuse counseling	4-5 years total (including Level I time)	Biannual	40 hours
CADC-II	CCAPP	6,000 hours of supervised work experience (including 315 hours of education)	2-3 years total (including Level I time)	Biannual	50 hours

Renewal and continuing education requirements verified as of June 2024. Always confirm current requirements with your certifying agency.

Steps to Becoming a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor II (CATC II)

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

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

Step 1: Earn an Associate Degree in Addiction Studies or a Related Behavioral Science Field

To transition from CATC I to CATC II, you’ll need to earn an associate degree in addiction studies or a related behavioral health field such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, or social work. CAADE maintains a list of CAADE-accredited community college associate degree programs to help you locate an approved program.

Most associate degree programs can be completed in 2-3 years while working part-time. Many California community colleges offer evening and online options to accommodate working counselors.

Step 2: Apply for CATC II Certification

Once you’ve earned your associate degree, complete and sign the Upgrade CATC Certification – CATC II Tier application. You’ll need to provide proof of your degree completion.

Just like your original CATC I certification, the CATC II certification requires biannual renewal with at least 40 hours of continuing education.

Steps to Becoming a Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor II (SUDCC II)

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 experience-based. Once you earn the required work hours 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 (approximately five years of full-time work) of experience in substance abuse counseling to transition from SUDCC to SUDCC II. Since you already have about one year of experience qualifying for SUDCC certification, you’ll need to log an additional four years of experience to meet the SUDCC II requirement.

These hours must be earned in a substance abuse treatment setting providing direct client services. Administrative-only roles typically don’t count toward this requirement.

Step 2: Apply for SUDCC II Certification

Complete and sign the Certification Upgrade Application and provide documentation of your completed work experience. A SUD Counseling Work Experience form verifying your hours must be signed by an authorizing agent at your workplace.

SUDCC II certification requires biannual renewal with at least 40 hours of continuing education.

Steps to Becoming a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor II (CADC-II)

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 experience-based but requires fewer hours than the SUDCC II path. Once you earn the required supervised work experience, you’ll be ready to apply for the CADC-II credential.

Step 1: Earn at Least 6,000 Hours of Supervised Work Experience

You must complete at least 6,000 hours (approximately three years of full-time work) of supervised work experience in substance abuse counseling to transition from CADC-I to CADC-II. This includes 315 hours of approved education. Since you already earned about one year of experience qualifying for CADC-I certification (or about 18 months if you qualified without a degree), you’ll need to log an additional one and a half to two years of supervised experience to meet the CADC-II requirement.

Your supervision must be provided by a qualified supervisor approved by CCAPP. Regular supervision sessions must be documented throughout your experience hours.

Step 2: Apply for CADC-II Certification

Apply for CADC-II certification through your current Certemy account, the same portal through which you applied for your CADC-I credential. Complete the CADC-II application and submit documentation of your supervised hours.

CADC-II certification requires biannual renewal with at least 50 hours of continuing education.

Advanced Credentials Beyond Level II

When you’re ready to advance your credentials even further, all three certifying agencies offer advanced certification options requiring bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Here’s what’s available at each level:

CAADE/ACCBC Advanced Credentials

CATC III: Earn a bachelor’s degree in addiction studies or a related behavioral health/behavioral science field
CATC IV: Earn a master’s degree in addiction studies or a related behavioral health/behavioral science field
CATC V: Earn a doctoral degree in addiction studies or a related behavioral health/behavioral science field
CATC N: Earn a nursing degree

Learn more about advancing to bachelor’s-level credentials in California.

CADTP Advanced Credentials

SUDCC II-CS (Clinical Supervisor): Complete at least 5 years or 10,000 hours of SUD work experience, including at least two years directly supervising SUD counselors, plus at least 40 hours of clinical supervisor education
SUDCC III: Complete a bachelor’s degree in a SUD-related field plus at least 5 years or 10,000 hours of SUD work experience
SUDCC III-CS (Clinical Supervisor): Complete a bachelor’s degree in a SUD-related field, with at least 5 years or 10,000 hours of SUD work experience, including at least two years directly supervising SUD counselors, plus at least 40 hours of clinical supervisor education
SUDCC IV: Complete a master’s degree in a SUD-related field, plus at least 5 years or 10,000 hours of SUD work experience
SUDCC IV-CS (Clinical Supervisor): Complete a master’s degree in a SUD-related field, at least 5 years or 10,000 hours of SUD work experience (including two years directly supervising SUD counselors), plus at least 40 hours of clinical supervisor education

CCAPP Advanced Credentials

CADC-III: Complete at least 4,000 hours of supervised work experience (including 255 practicum hours) plus a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science or allied mental health field
Licensed Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LAADC): Complete a master’s degree in behavioral science or an allied mental health profession, 315 hours of approved college education, and 4,000 hours of supervised work experience
Licensed Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor Supervisor (LAADC-S): Available to LAADCs who have completed 45 hours of clinical supervision education

Note: Requirements current as of June 2024. Verify current requirements with each certifying agency before beginning your credential pathway, as requirements may change.

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II Jobs in California

Jobs for certified alcohol and drug counselors II in California span a broad range of settings and locations. You’ll find opportunities in community rehab programs, private inpatient and outpatient facilities, correctional facilities, state and regional programs, schools, and healthcare systems. Level II credentials typically qualify you for senior counselor positions with increased responsibilities, supervisory opportunities, and higher earning potential.

According to substance abuse counselor salary data, California counselors with Level II credentials typically earn $5,000-$15,000 more annually than entry-level counselors, though actual salary varies by employer, location, specific credential held, and years of experience. Metropolitan areas like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego generally offer higher compensation than rural regions.

Here are examples of Level II positions across California:

Alcohol and Drug Treatment Specialists II (Ventura County): Provide a full scope of counseling and treatment services with some supervisory responsibilities
Substance Abuse Counselors II (Comprehensive Addiction Programs Inc., Fresno): Deliver individual and group services, conduct assessments, and complete documentation as part of the senior counselor staff
Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors II (Clare|Matrix, Santa Monica): Work alongside behavioral health clinicians to design and implement treatment plan goals, provide weekly case management sessions, and conduct group counseling and educational sessions
Counselors II (American Addiction Centers, Aliso Viejo): Provide individual, group, and family counseling, conduct clinical assessments for new patients, and demonstrate expertise in therapeutic interventions and treatment modalities
Addiction Prevention Counselors II (Pacific Clinics, San Jose): Implement addiction prevention services programs at designated schools and in family settings, collaborating with agency staff, school personnel, and core teams serving students

Degree Options to Become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II

If you’re pursuing the CATC II pathway through CAADE, you’ll need an associate degree to advance from Level I. The CATC II credential is education-based rather than experience-based. Associate degrees in substance abuse counseling and related fields are designed specifically for this purpose and are widely available across California community colleges.

Important distinction: An associate degree is required for CATC II, but is not required for SUDCC II or CADC-II at Level II. Those pathways advance through work experience hours instead. However, earning an associate or bachelor’s degree while pursuing SUDCC II or CADC-II will qualify you for higher credential levels (Level III and beyond) with both agencies in the future.

California community and four-year colleges offering associate degrees in substance abuse counseling include:

Santa Barbara City College: AS in Addictive Disorders Counseling
Woodland Community College: AS in 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

Many programs offer flexible scheduling with evening and online courses to accommodate working professionals. Most associate degree programs can be completed in 2-3 years part-time or 18-24 months full-time. Financial aid through FAFSA is available at all California community colleges, and many employers offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing relevant credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Level II credential is best for my career?

The best credential depends on your current situation and career goals. If you have time to complete an associate degree and value education-based credentials, CATC II may be ideal. If you prefer to advance through work experience without returning to school immediately, SUDCC II or CADC-II are excellent options. CADC-II requires fewer hours (6,000 vs. 10,000) but mandates supervision throughout, while SUDCC II takes longer but has less stringent supervision requirements.

How long does it take to advance from Level I to Level II?

Timeline varies by pathway. CATC II typically takes 2-3 years if pursuing an associate degree part-time while working. CADC-II takes approximately 1.5-2 additional years beyond your Level I experience for a total of about 2.5-3 years from initial entry. SUDCC II takes about four additional years beyond your Level I experience for a total of approximately 5 years from initial entry into the field.

Can I hold multiple Level II credentials simultaneously?

Yes, many California counselors hold credentials from multiple agencies. This can increase job flexibility and demonstrate broad professional competency. However, each credential has separate renewal requirements and fees.

Do Level II counselors earn more than Level I?

Yes, Level II credentials typically result in increased earning potential. Senior counselor positions generally pay $5,000-$15,000 more annually than entry-level roles, though actual figures vary significantly by employer, geographic location (metropolitan vs. rural areas), specific credential type, work setting (private practice vs. community programs), and individual years of experience.

Can I work while accumulating experience hours for Level II?

Absolutely. Most counselors work full-time in substance abuse treatment settings while accumulating their required hours for SUDCC II or CADC-II. Your regular employment hours count toward your credential requirements as long as you’re providing direct client services in an approved setting.

What if I already have an associate degree from before I earned my Level I credential?

If you already hold an associate degree in addiction studies or a related behavioral science field, you can apply for CATC II immediately after earning your CATC I. Your previous education counts toward the requirement. Contact CAADE to verify your degree qualifies.

Are there financial assistance options for earning an associate degree?

Yes, California community colleges offer affordable tuition, and financial aid is available through FAFSA. Many employers provide tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing relevant credentials. Check with your employer about educational benefits.

Key Takeaways

California offers three distinct Level II certification pathways through CAADE (CATC II), CADTP (SUDCC II), and CCAPP (CADC-II), each with unique requirements
CATC II requires an associate degree in addiction studies or behavioral science, typically taking 2-3 years to complete
SUDCC II requires 10,000 work hours (approximately 5 years total), making it the longest experience-based pathway
CADC-II requires 6,000 supervised work hours (approximately 2-3 years total), offering the fastest experience-based route to Level II
Level II credentials qualify you for senior counselor positions with increased responsibilities, supervisory opportunities, and higher salaries
All three credentials require biannual renewal with continuing education (40-50 hours, depending on pathway)