To be eligible for the Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) credential, all applicants must ultimately meet the minimum requirements outlined below. These requirements ensure that every CAC professional is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to provide effective, ethical substance abuse treatment services.
The following information provides an overview of the CAC requirements – detailed information is provided in the CAC Standards and Requirements Table.
Note: CAC requirements are presented for applicants holding a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants with related Associates, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree have prorated work experience and supervision hour requirements.
Requirements Overview
🎓 Formal Education
- A high school diploma or GED is required.
- Applicants holding a related Associate of Arts (AA), Bachelor’s or Master’s degree must request an official transcript.
- Related fields are: Addiction Studies/Counseling; Art/Dance Therapy; Behavioral Healthcare; Child Development/Family Relations; Criminal Justice; Counseling/Guidance; Divinity/Religion/Theology (only with a concentration in counseling); Drama/Expressive Arts Therapy; Gerontology; Health Education; Health Sciences; Human Services; Marriage and Family Counseling; Medicine; Mental Health Counseling; Music Therapy; Nursing; Occupational Therapy; Pastoral Counseling; Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences; Psychology; Public Health; Recreational Therapy/Counseling; Social Work; Sociology; Vocational Counseling.
- If your degree isn’t specifically listed as related degree but you think your coursework makes your degree equivalent, you may request a Related Degree Equivalency Review.
📚 CAC Training
- Completion of 300 hours of training in CAC-approved topics, designed to build foundational skills in addiction counseling. A minimum of 6 hours of training must address professional counselor ethics and responsibilities.
💼 Work Experience
- Completion of hours of relevant work experience depending upon degree held.
- High School Diploma, General Equivalency Degree, or unrelated Associate of Arts, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree = 6,000 hours
- Related Associate of Arts Degree (AA): 5,000 hours
- Related Bachelor’s Degree: 4,000 hours
- Related Master’s Degree or higher: 2,000 hours
👥 Supervision
- Completion of hours of supervision depending upon degree held. A minimum of 10 hours of supervision is required for each performance domain.
- High School Diploma, General Equivalency Degree, or unrelated Associate of Arts, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree = 300 hours
- Related Associate of Arts Degree (AA): 250 hours
- Related Bachelor’s Degree: 200 hours
- Related Master’s Degree or higher: 100 hours
📝 Letters of Recommendation
- Submission of three letters of recommendation that support your readiness and suitability for CAC certification.
🖥️ Exam Requirement
- Applicants may only register for the exam after application requirements have been reviewed and approved by the Certification Board.
- Pass a 150-item, multiple-choice certification exam. The exam is designed to assess knowledge, skills, and competencies essential to peer support practice.
- The passing score is 500, with all questions weighed equally.
- For information regarding the IC&RC Exam, download and review the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Exam Candidate Guide.
Click on the application pathway button to access detailed information on application, examination, credential award, and maintenance/renewal requirements, processes, and procedures.