How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Iowa

Iowa faces a serious substance abuse problem, with 458 drug overdose deaths recorded between January and October 2023 alone. Opioids, particularly fentanyl, have become the major cause of the state’s climbing overdose deaths. But the state is embarking upon programs and initiatives that are tackling the drug epidemic in Iowa head-on.

One such resource gaining serious traction is Your Life Iowa, a joint effort between the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP). Offering education, support, and recovery resources, Your Life Iowa serves as a single point of contact for individuals suffering from alcoholism, substance abuse disorders, and mental health issues and the people who love them.

Becoming a substance abuse counselor in Iowa involves meeting specific educational and certification requirements. By joining this field, you can make a significant impact on your community, helping to combat the state’s growing substance abuse epidemic.

Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Iowa

The Iowa Board of Certification (IBC) is the nonprofit professional association responsible for certifying substance abuse counselors in Iowa. They offer the following certification levels for front-line counselors based on experience and education:

For most aspiring substance abuse counselors in Iowa, the Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) certification serves as the point of entry into the field. That’s what we’ll be covering here in this guide.

Here are the steps you’ll take to become a CADC in Iowa:

1. Complete a course of education that meets certification requirements

2. Apply for the tCADC credential

3. Earn the required experience hours

4. Apply for the CADC credential

Becoming a substance abuse counselor in Iowa requires dedication, but the certification process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This guide will offer clear and straightforward steps to help you achieve your goal.

1. Complete a course of education that meets certification requirements

To kick off your journey as a substance abuse counselor in Iowa, you’ll need at least a high school diploma or GED. There are two tracks you can choose from to meet the education requirements:

Education Track: This route requires you to complete 24 semester hours (or 33 quarter hours) of college-level credit in fields like counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, human services, or criminal justice AND 150 clock hours of relevant education.
Experience Track: If formal education isn’t your thing, this path requires you to complete 150 clock hours of relevant education.

You can satisfy the 150-clock hour requirement through your choice of college courses, trainings, and/or workshops, provided they cover the following topics:

Up to 50% of these education hours can be completed online or through approved in-service training. Note: The IBC offers a counselor training series throughout the year and sponsors a conference every August/September, both of which are great sources for earning the required hours.

Pro tip! If you complete a certificate or associate degree program in a relevant field, you’ll likely satisfy the 150-hour requirement. It will also allow you to complete fewer experience hours needed to earn the CADC. (Read more about that in Step 3).

Note: 1 semester hour equals 15 clock hours

Several schools in Iowa offer certificate or associate degree programs that meet these education requirements. Many of these institutions not only provide the necessary coursework but also offer internships and practical experience opportunities, ensuring you meet both the educational and experience requirements for the CADC credential efficiently.

2. Apply for the tCADC credential

Once you have completed the necessary education requirements, you will need to apply for certification as a Temporary Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (tCADC). You’ll need to hold the tCADC credential before you can begin accumulating the required experience hours needed to earn the CADC credential.

Here are the steps you’ll take to earn the tCADC:

Complete the tCADC Application: The application form is available on the IBC website. You will need to fill out the application and submit it to the IBC office, along with certificates of completion for all required trainings. Note: You must request that transcripts from your colleges or universities be sent directly to the IBC.
Take and pass the IC&RC ADC exam: Once the IBC determines that you have fully met the education requirements, you will be automatically pre-registered for the IC&RC’s ADC exam. Upon passing the exam, the IBC will issue a two-year temporary certification, making you a tCADC.

The certification is valid for two years, during which you must meet the experience and supervision requirements to upgrade to the CADC or IADC credential. (See Step 3.)

There is no recertification process for the tCADC. If you don’t fulfill the required experience hours during this two-year period, you’ll need to reapply for the tCADC credential.

3. Earn the required experience hours

Now it’s time to gain some hands-on experience. During your time as a tCADC, you’ll complete the required supervised work experience under a qualified professional. The amount of required experience depends on which track you decided to take:

Regardless of which path you chose, 36 of the hours will be in direct supervision with a qualified supervisor. Also, 500 clock hours of your supervised experience must be documented in performing the 4 Domains of the Alcohol and Drug Counselor, with a minimum of 20 hours in each Domain:

Did you complete a certificate or associate degree program in a relevant field? Your college or university can be a great resource when it comes time to finding an agency through which you can complete the required experience.

4. Apply for the CADC credential

You’re almost there! The final step to becoming a certified substance abuse counselor in Iowa is to apply for your CADC certification.

First, you’ll complete the application online through the IBC. Once completed, you must print it out and mail it to the IBC, along with the non-refundable fee of $400, the completed Professional Experience Resume form, Documentation of Domain Experience form, and the Supervisor’s Counselor Evaluation (completed and signed by your supervisor).

Once your application is reviewed and approved, you’re officially a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Iowa, and on your way to making a real difference in the lives of many!

With a Higher Degree and More Experience Comes Advanced Certification Options

A higher degree and more experience in the substance abuse counseling field opens doors to advanced certifications, leading to better job opportunities, higher pay, and the ability to make a greater impact in your profession. In Iowa, you have the option of advancing your CADC certification to the International Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IADC) and further to the International Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IAADC) certification.

International Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IADC)

Counseling Theories & Techniques: 90 hours
Alcohol and Drug Specific: 90 hours
Counseling Ethics: 6 hours
Racial/Ethnic: 3 hours

Master’s degree in a related field: 2,000 hours (100 hours supervised)
Bachelor’s degree in a related field: 4,000 hours (200 hours supervised)
Associate degree in a related field: 5,000 hours (250 hours supervised)
No degree in a related field: 6,000 hours (300 hours supervised)

International Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IAADC)

Counseling Ethics: 6 hours
Racial/Ethnic: 3 hours

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Throughout Iowa

Substance abuse counselors can make a meaningful impact in settings across Iowa ranging from hospitals to community clinics. In Des Moines, facilities like UnityPoint Health offer comprehensive treatment programs, while in Cedar Rapids, you can find opportunities at locations such as the Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC).

Other organizations in Iowa that are ripe with substance abuse counselor jobs include:

Embarking on a career as a substance abuse counselor in Iowa not only allows you to help others but also offers you a fulfilling and rewarding professional path. With the ongoing need for these services, your role will be essential in supporting recovery and promoting healthier communities throughout the state.

Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Throughout Iowa

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse counselors in Iowa earned a median salary of $59,000 as of May 2023. Entry-level professionals in this field earned approximately $38,570 annually, while highly experienced substance abuse counselors earned closer to $82,620.

Des Moines: As of May 2023, the BLS reported a median salary of $61,520 for substance abuse counselors in Des Moines. Less experienced counselors earned about $41,860 during this time, while the top counselors earned about $91,290.
Cedar Rapids: According to the BLS, substance abuse counselors in Cedar Rapids earned a median salary of $66,040 as of May 2023. Those with less experience earned around $39,150, while more experienced counselors earned about $82,280.

Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Iowa

Iowa colleges and universities offer a variety of programs that meet the requirements for substance abuse counselor certification. For example, the University of Iowa offers a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, which includes relevant coursework for substance abuse counseling, while Upper Iowa University provides an online Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a focus on Substance Abuse Counseling.

Many colleges and universities outside of Iowa also offer online degree and certificate programs that meet the requirements to become a substance abuse counselor in Iowa. Because they are offered in a fully online format, you can earn them from the comfort of your home.

Iowa Lakes Community College

Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Hybrid

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.