How to Become a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor III in California

You’re a mid-career substance abuse counselor in California now —a CATC II, SUDCC II, or CADC-II—and you’re ready to take your career to the next level by advancing your education and upgrading your professional certification.

Regardless of which agency you’re certified with, advancing to a Level III credential signifies that you’re not only experienced, but that you’ve also completed a bachelor’s degree in a field related to substance abuse counseling.

Similar to when you graduated to a Level II substance abuse counselor, earning a Level III credential allows you to enjoy more and better paying career opportunities and take on roles of increasing importance in the substance abuse counseling profession.

In California, the next step on the career ladder for substance abuse counselors is:

Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor III (CATC III)

Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor III (SUDCC III)

Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor III (CADC-III)

Steps to Becoming a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor III in California

As a California CATC II, SUDCC II, or CADC-II, you’re already quite familiar with the certification process, so moving to the next level will likely be an easy transition; you’ll just need to earn a bachelor’s degree to make it happen.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to make this next career move in substance abuse counseling and earn the CATC III, SUDCC III, or CADC-III:

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

I currently hold the CAT II and want to qualify for the Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor II (CAT III) 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 III through the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) requires earning a bachelor’s degree in a recognized field of study. Once you’ve earned a higher-level degree, you’ll be ready to apply for the CATC III credential.

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

You must earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in addiction studies or in a field related to behavioral science/health (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology) to transition from the CAT II to the CAT III credential. CAADE maintains a list of a CAADE-accredited degree programs, although you’re not limited to choosing one of these programs, provided the degree is in a recognized field.

Step 2. Apply for CAT III certification

Once you’ve earned the necessary degree, you’ll complete and sign the Upgrade CAT Certification – CATC III Tier application.

Just like your CAT II certification, CAT III 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 II and want to qualify for the Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor III (SUDCC III) credential.

You’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree to become an SUDCC III through the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP). Once you’ve earned a recognized degree, you’ll be ready to apply for the SUDCC III credential.

Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in SUD or a related field

To become an SUDCC III, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree in SUD or a related field.

Step 2: Apply for SUDCC III certification

You must complete and sign the Certification Upgrade Application and provide proof of the completion of your bachelor’s degree by sending unofficial transcripts from your college or university or by providing a copy of your degree.

Just like your SUDD II certification, SUDD III 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-II and want to qualify for the Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor – III (CADC-III) credential.

To become a CADC-III through the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), you must earn a bachelor’s degree in a recognized field.

Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science or allied mental health field

You’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology, etc.) or allied mental health field (e.g., marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, etc.) to transition from the CADC-II to the CADC-III credential.

Step 2: Apply for CADC-III certification

You must apply for CADC-III certification through your current Certemy account, the same portal through which you applied for the CADC-I and CADC-II.

Just like your CADC-II certification, CADC-III 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 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-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.

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 III Jobs in California

Exciting job opportunities are reserved for substance abuse counselors in California who hold a Level III certification. For example:

Substance abuse counselors III for Kaiser Permanente’s Chemical Dependency Recovery Programs (CDRP) provide chemical dependency services and psychotherapy to adults, adolescents, and families of CD patients. They respond to, and handle, crisis calls, provide higher-level assessments, perform intakes, and develop and present treatment plans to the CDRP treatment team for recommendation, revisions, and approval
Alcohol and Drug Counselors III for the County of Napa conduct more complex individual, family, and group counseling services to clients in alcohol and drug abuse programs and assist in the coordination of the alcohol and drug abuse programs and activities.
AOD support staff III for Southern California Alcohol and Drug Programs provide education on recovery programs and individual and group counseling sessions, as well as crisis management. They also provide alcohol and drug counseling duties that include screening, assessment, and intake, and they collaborate with case managers and therapists to assist treatment and other plans.
Behavioral Health Specialists III for the County of Riverside’s CARES Lines Program oversee the peer support program and conduct mental health and substance use screenings to determine appropriate services. These professionals also provide referrals to outside organizations and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team that handles crisis callers.

Degree Options to Become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor III

Bachelor’s degrees in addiction counseling, in a behavioral science field (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology), and in the allied mental health professions (e.g., marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling) prepare substance abuse counselors who want to advance their level of professional certification and broaden their professional opportunities in the process.

Just some of colleges and universities in California that offer bachelor’s degrees related to substance abuse counseling include InterCoast Colleges, which offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Addiction Studies, and Antioch University, which offers a BA in Liberal Studies, Addiction Studies.