CAC Requirements | What Does It Take? | FAQs | College Course Requirements
CACI Requirements | CACII Requirements | CACIII Requirements | CAC Application
What Does It Take to Become a Certified Addictions Counselor?
There are Two Basic Components to the Requirements:
- Education - DBH Approved Training and Workshops
- Experience - Work/Field Experience
The amount of training and field experience necessary to become a CAC depends on which level of certification the student will be applying for.
The Three Levels of CAC Certification Are:
For a detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of a CAC counselor for each level of certification, please click on the following link. This link takes you to DBH's CAC counselor regulations which set out the responsibilities, duties, and requirements for each CAC level of certification. You should thoroughly read this document: Addiction Counselor Certification and Licensure Standards
What Training and How Much Work Experience is Required?
The amount of training/education required depends upon the CAC level to which the student is applying. In order to apply for a CAC level II, the student must complete all the Level I and Level II training. To apply for level III, the student must complete all Level I, II and III training.
The same rule applies to the amount of work experience required. Certification for CACI requires 1000 hours of work experience, CACII requires an additional 2000 hours of work experience (3000 total), and CACIII requires another 2000 hours (5000 total) of work experience.
