TL;DR: “CAADC” is one board’s name for the advanced alcohol and drug counselor credential defined by IC&RC, which calls it the AADC. In California, CCAPP’s advanced credential is the LAADC. All of them require a master’s degree, supervised clinical experience and the IC&RC AADC exam. Entry-level California credentials, RADT and CADC-I, do not.
Three names, one credential
The International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) sets the minimum standard for the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) credential and writes its exam. IC&RC does not certify anyone directly; its member boards do, and each board picks its own title. Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia, for example, issue it as the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC).
California’s IC&RC member board is CCAPP, and CCAPP’s advanced credential is the Licensed Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LAADC). CCAPP describes it as a non-governmental license and the highest level on its career ladder.
So if you searched “CAADC certification” from California, the credential you are looking for is called LAADC here.
What IC&RC requires for the AADC
Per IC&RC’s published minimums, every member board must require at least:
- A master’s degree in a relevant field
- 2,000 hours of supervised work experience specific to the AADC domains
- 180 hours of education specific to the AADC domains, including 6 hours in counselor ethics and responsibilities
- 100 hours of clinical supervision specific to the AADC domains, with at least 10 hours in each domain
- A passing score on the IC&RC AADC examination
- Living or working at least 51% of the time in the board’s jurisdiction at the time of application and testing
- A signed affirmation that the applicant has read and will follow a counselor-specific code of ethics
Boards may add requirements on top of these. They cannot go below them.
What California adds for the LAADC
CCAPP’s LAADC requirements include a master’s degree in a behavioral science or an allied mental health profession, a minimum of 300 hours of alcohol and other drug/substance use disorder education, proof of professional liability insurance, and the IC&RC AADC exam. CCAPP also sets a supervised-experience requirement measured in thousands of hours; check CCAPP’s LAADC page for the current figure and any training modules required at the time you apply.
Who the advanced credential is for
The AADC and LAADC are built for counselors who already hold a graduate degree and want a credential that reflects advanced clinical work: supervising other counselors, handling complex or co-occurring cases, or working toward independent practice within the credential’s scope. They are not entry points into the field.
Where entry-level training fits
Most people who enter substance use disorder counseling in California start with the RADT (Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician) registration and work toward the CADC-I (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Level I) through CCAPP, CADTP or CAADE. Those credentials require approved education and supervised hours, but not a graduate degree.
We offer three programs on that ladder. The Alcohol and Drug Counseling Studies certificate (online or on campus) and the Associate of Applied Science in Substance Use Disorder Counseling (online) are designed for the California entry-level pathways and meet certification standards in California. Although field experience is required before becoming certified, the coursework exceeds the didactic and supervised fieldwork internship requirement standards of CADTP, CAADE and CCAPP for future certification. Graduates applying for the CADC-I credential with CCAPP must have earned a grade of C or better in all core alcohol and other drug courses.
Above those, our Bachelor of Applied Science in Addiction Studies (online) is a post-associate completion degree built for applied practice and leadership roles in behavioral health settings. A BAS is a bachelor’s-level degree, not a clinical license. CCAPP’s CADC-III requires a bachelor’s degree; confirm with CCAPP how a specific degree counts toward that credential.
The LAADC requires a master’s degree, which we do not offer. Students who want the advanced credential complete their entry-level credential and supervised experience here, and pursue the graduate degree at another institution. Our programs prepare students for the first steps on that ladder, not the last one.
If you want to see what the entry-level path looks like in detail, our guides to RADT registration and CADC certification in California cover the education, experience and exam requirements at that level.
Frequently asked questions
Is CAADC the same as AADC? They are the same IC&RC credential under different board names. AADC is IC&RC’s term; CAADC is used by some member boards. California uses LAADC.
Do I need a CADC before I can get an AADC or LAADC? IC&RC’s minimums do not list a lower credential as a prerequisite. Eligibility is set by your board, so confirm with CCAPP if you are in California.
Can I get an advanced credential with a certificate program alone? No. The AADC and LAADC require a master’s degree, plus supervised experience and the IC&RC AADC exam.
Is the LAADC a state license? CCAPP describes it as a non-governmental license. It is CCAPP’s highest credential, not a license issued by a California state board.
InterCoast Colleges is a private institution approved to operate by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). Credential requirements are set by the certifying bodies and change over time; verify current requirements with IC&RC and CCAPP before applying.