A substance use disorder counselor providing primary, direct, clinical, substance use disorder or co-occurring counseling to persons whose primary diagnosis is that of substance use disorder or providing supervision of said counseling. They have primary responsibility for providing substance use disorder counseling in an individual and/or group setting, preparing treatment plans, documenting client progress and is clinically supervised. This is an international, reciprocal credential.
Domains:
1. Scientific Principles of Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders
2. Evidence Based Screening and Assessment
3. Evidence Based Treatment, Counseling, and Referral
4. Professional, Ethical, and Legal Responsibilities
For more in depth information on the requirements please review the downloadable application above.
Formal Education: Minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
Clinical Work Experience:
High School Diploma/GED: three (3) years of full-time employment or 6000 hours of parttime of employment OR
Associate’s degree: two and half (2.5) years of full-time employment or 5000 hours of part-time employment OR
Bachelor’s degree: two (2) years of full-time employment or 4000 hours of part-time employment OR
Master’s degree: one (1) year of full-time employment or 2000 hours of part-time employment.
Current Job Description: Copy of current counselor job description, obtained from current employer, and which must be signed by both the applicant and their immediate clinical supervisor.
On-The-Job Clinical Supervision:
High School Diploma/GED: 300 hours specific to the ADC domains, with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain OR
Associate’s degree: 250 hours specific to the ADC domains, with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain OR
Bachelor’s degree: 200 hours specific to the ADC domains with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain OR
Master’s degree: 100 hours specific to the ADC domains with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
Education/Training: 300 total hours in the specific ADC domains.
120 of the hours must be specific to substance use disorders, and
6 of the hours must be in professional counselor ethics and responsibilities, and
6 of the hours must be in communicable diseases, and
6 of the hours must be in medication assisted treatment.
Examination: Once application is approved, applicant must pass the IC&RC Examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC Examination).