How many educational hours are required?To become a Tier III Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor, a total of 315 educational hours is required.

Are there specific courses required for your state, and is there a certain number of hours in this content (that is, Ethics=4 hours)?Yes, specific courses are necessary to fulfill the educational requirements. One option is to be approved for an Education Equivalency Evaluation Process, which includes 6 semester hours in specific addiction studies coursework and 18 semester hours in related Behavioral Health/Behavioral Science courses.

What specific content is required?Another option is to complete an accredited and approved Addiction Studies/Alcohol and Other Drug Studies program, which consists of 30 semester units through an accredited college.

Other Requirements Overview

In addition to educational requirements, states mandate credentialing exams, supervision hours, and prior experience in the field. Complete the table below using complete sentences.

How many hours of supervised experience are required?A total of 2,240 hours of supervised clinical/field work is required through a California Department of Health Care Services certified alcohol/drug treatment facility or center. All documented hours must include counseling services under the supervision of a licensed professional.

Are working experience hours required? If so, how many?The 2,240 supervised working hours can be accrued from either paid or volunteer work. Individuals must complete the logged hours within a minimum of 14 months.

Are any licensing or certification tests required?In California, the only certification test required is the CATC Exam. Passing the Certified Addiction Treatment Exam is mandatory to complete the certification process, and no substitutions are allowed.

What other requirements are there that you haven’t already listed on the form?Additional requirements include three letters of recommendation from three different individuals who are not related to the applicant. There is also a nonrefundable fee of $185 to initiate the CATC process.

Final Thoughts

Based on your research, provide a summary paragraph of the requirements needed in your chosen state to become an addiction professional.

The requirements established by the California Department of Health Services for becoming an addiction professional are quite comprehensive. An individual must fulfill educational requirements that include a minimum of 30 semester hours in Addiction Studies or a related field from an accredited college or university. After meeting the educational criteria, the Certified Addiction Treatment Exam must be passed with a score of 70% or higher to commence the required 2,240 hours of supervised clinical/field work experience. Once the 2,240 hours of supervised experience are documented and accepted, the CATC certification process can be completed.

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