California Substance Abuse Counselor Certification

Overview, Licensing Boards, Requirements & Step-by-Step Guidance for 2025

Key Licensing Organizations

California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)
2400 Marconi Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821
Phone: (916) 338-9460
Website: ccapp.us
California Certification Board of Chemical Dependency Counselors (CCBCDC)
8912 Volunteer Ln, Sacramento, CA 95826
Phone: (916) 361-3421
Website: ccbcdc.org
International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC)
298 S Progress Ave, Harrisburg, PA 17109
Phone: (717) 540-4456
Website: internationalcredentialing.org
California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE)
5230 Clark Ave. Suite #4, Lakewood, CA 90712
Phone: (562) 304-5959
Website: caade.org
California Association of Drinking Driver Treatment Programs (CADTP)
5230 Clark Ave. Suite #4, Lakewood, CA 90712
Phone: (800) 464-5767
Website: cadtp.org

Certification Process

The process to become a certified substance abuse counselor in California includes:

  • ✔ Complete relevant education (approved addiction coursework or behavioral science programs)
  • ✔ Accumulate supervised clinical hours (usually 2,000–6,000 depending on path)
  • ✔ Pass the IC&RC or relevant board examination (CADC-I, CADC-II, etc.)
  • ✔ Apply through your chosen certification board with documentation and fees
  • ✔ Maintain certification with CEUs and renewal filings every 1–2 years

🎯 Download Your Free California Certification Checklist

Step-by-step checklist to help you prepare for every phase of your certification journey.

Download Checklist PDF

Frequently Asked Questions (California)

Follow the educational and clinical hour requirements, then apply through CCAPP, CCBADC, or CADTP with the required documentation.

Yes. These data discrepancies were corrected by the state boards. Contact your board directly if issues persist.

A state-approved addiction studies certificate or behavioral science degree with addiction coursework is required.

2 Comments

  1. Your ad blocks out the Indian Alcoholism Commission of CA. information, Why? Please place that ad somewhere else, it smacks of racism, and it seems unfair and out of place with respect to the rest of your content which is very helpful. Thank you.
    Patricia Sam, MSN, MS, RN

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