Certification Requirements for

Addiction Counselors and Continuing Education Information

NOTE: The requirements for each level of CAC include the requirements of the previous level, i.e. a CACII must have taken the classes and met the requirements for CACI as well. The classes need not be taken in any particular order within the certification level.

You may also take our CAC Certification Requirements online class for a very detailed explanation of this information.

Using College Courses for CAC Credit

For those interested in using college courses for CAC Credit Requirements, here is an article written by Mark Condojani, LCSW, CACIII that appeared in the Summer 2005 SACC Newsletter. Here also is a link to the document posted on the DORA web site in reference to this matter.

Clarity for CAC Applicants (regarding college equivalency)

DORA's College Equivalency Form

CAC Requirements:

Level I Classes:

Addiction Counseling Skills

21 hrs / 3 days

Client Records Management

14 hours / 2 days

NOTE: Passing the NAADAC Exam & Skills demonstration video may be substituted for Addiction Counseling Skills and Client Records Management.

Principles of Addictions

21 hours / 3 days

Ethical Issues in Counseling

14 hours/2 days

Preventing Infectious Diseases in the Alcohol and Drug Treatment Setting

14 hours/2 days

One of the following:

Diversity Issues, or Cultural Competency, or

Native American Treatment Issues

14 hours/2 days

Level II Classes:

Motivational Interviewing

14 hours/2 days

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy           

14 hours/2 days

Differential Assessment

---or---

Co-Existing Disorder

14 hours/2 days

Group Counseling Skills

21 hours/3 days

Pharmacology I

14 hours/2 days

Pharmacology II

14 hours/2 days

AND 14 Hours of ADAD Approved Elective Courses

Level III Classes:

Clinical Supervision

21 hours/3 days

Advanced Counseling Skills

21 hours/3 days

Therapeutic Restistance

14 hours / 2 days

And 49 Hours of ADAD Approved Elective Courses

Additional Requirements :

In addition to the classroom training, the CAC program also requires

Documented Work Experience Hours in a Clinical, Supervised Setting:

LEVEL I - 1000 Hours
LEVEL II - 3000 Hours
LEVEL III - 5000 Hours

**ALL CAC CLASSES ARE HELD FROM**

**8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.**

Continuing Education Information:

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD):

General Information # 303-866-7480

All CAC Classes are ADAD approved for level I, II, and III certification requirements.

Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA):

Contact DORA for application packet to become a CAC at 303-894-7766 and ask for Shara Harris. The application may also be found online at DORA's forms page.

National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC):

Odyssey Training Center is an approved NBCC provider (#5521) and all the workshops are NBCC approved for continuing Education credit. It is the responsibility of the provider to abide by NBCC Continuing Education Guidelines.

National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC):

Odyssey Training Center is an approved NAADAC provider (#344) and all the workshops are NAADAC approved for Continuing Education Credit. It it the responsibility of the provider to abide by NAADAC Continuing Education Guidelines.

Domestic Violence Offender Management Board (DVOMB):

All the Domestic Violence Counseling workshops at Odyssey Training Center are designed for Domestic Violence Providers. The Domestic Violence Offender Management Board (DVOMB) does not pre-approve classes. For more information and the standards please contact the DVOMB at 303-239-4456.