Oregon uses a three-tier certification system for substance abuse counselors — the CADC-I, CADC-II, and CADC-III — each tied to a different education and experience level. Certifications are issued by MHACBO, the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon. Most people entering the field start with the CADC-I, which requires a high school diploma, 150 education hours, and 1,000 supervised experience hours.
Oregon has seen demand for trained addiction counselors increase significantly across the state. If you’re considering a career in substance abuse counseling in Oregon, the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential is the standard path — and Oregon has built a tiered system that meets you where you are, whether you’re starting with a high school diploma or finishing a master’s degree.
The Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) administers all three CADC certification levels. Applications are submitted and tracked through the Certemy platform on the MHACBO website. If you’re also considering Oregon counseling licensure, that credential follows a separate pathway through the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors.
The Three CADC Certification Tiers
Oregon’s CADC system is structured around education level, supervised experience, and a national exam. Each tier represents a higher proficiency level — from associate (CADC-I) to baccalaureate (CADC-II) to graduate (CADC-III). The right tier for you depends on where you are in your education and how much supervised experience you’ve accumulated.
Most candidates begin by completing a CADC-R (Registered) application through Certemy as part of the certification process. This step opens the testing application for your target certification level.
CADC-I Requirements
The CADC-I is the associate proficiency level and the entry point for most new counselors. You don’t need a college degree to pursue it — a high school diploma or GED is the minimum education requirement.
To earn the CADC-I, you must:
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Hold a high school diploma or GED. An associate’s degree in addiction counseling strengthens your application, but isn’t required.
- Complete 150 hours of alcohol and drug education covering six required core courses: Basic Counseling Skills, Group Counseling Skills, Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse Pharmacology, Infectious Disease Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction, Counseling Ethics, and Clinical Evaluation (ASAM criteria and DSM Substance Use Disorders).
- Accumulate 1,000 hours of supervised experience in alcohol and drug counseling. Your supervisor must hold an approved advanced credential as defined by MHACBO.
- Sign the MHACBO Code of Ethics.
- Pass a board-approved national exam (such as IC&RC or NAADAC exams), depending on certification level and eligibility.
Note that Basic Counseling Skills and Group Counseling Skills hours must be live and interactive — self-paced or workbook-based courses don’t qualify for those two areas.
CADC-II Requirements
The CADC-II is the baccalaureate proficiency level. It’s designed for counselors who have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in college credits and who have built substantial supervised experience.
To earn the CADC-II, you must:
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in counseling or a closely related field, or the equivalent — a minimum of an associate’s degree plus 90 college credits, combined with specialized training hours in addiction counseling competencies.
- Complete 300 hours of alcohol and drug education covering eight required core course areas: Basic Counseling Skills, Group Counseling Skills, Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse Pharmacology, HIV/AIDS Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction, Counseling Ethics, Counseling Diverse Populations, Clinical Evaluation (ASAM), and Co-occurring Disorders.
- Accumulate 4,000 hours of supervised experience in alcohol and drug counseling. Your supervisor must hold an approved advanced credential as defined by MHACBO.
- Sign the MHACBO Code of Ethics.
- Pass a board-approved national exam (such as IC&RC or NAADAC exams), depending on certification level and eligibility.
- Pass the written Jurisprudence Ethics Exam, assigned through Certemy, after your national exam is completed.
Certification is granted after all requirements, including exams and documentation, are completed and approved by MHACBO.
CADC-III Requirements
The CADC-III is the graduate proficiency level — Oregon’s highest CADC tier. It’s designed for counselors with a master’s degree who want to practice at the most advanced level of addiction treatment.
To earn the CADC-III, you must:
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Hold a master’s degree or higher in substance use disorders, addiction, or a related counseling discipline (social work, mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychology, or medicine) from a regionally accredited institution.
- Complete 300 hours of alcohol and drug education covering nine required core course areas: Basic Counseling Skills, Group Counseling Skills, Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse Pharmacology, HIV/AIDS Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction, Counseling Ethics, Counseling Diverse Populations, Clinical Evaluation (ASAM), Co-occurring Disorders, and Science-based Addiction Treatment Approaches.
- Accumulate 6,000 hours of supervised experience in alcohol and drug counseling. Your supervisor must hold an approved advanced credential as defined by MHACBO.
- Sign the MHACBO Code of Ethics.
- Pass a board-approved national exam (such as IC&RC or NAADAC exams), depending on certification level and eligibility.
- Pass the written Jurisprudence Ethics Exam, assigned through Certemy, after your national exam is completed.
Certification is granted after all requirements, including exams and documentation, are completed and approved by MHACBO. Applications for all three levels are submitted through the MHACBO certifications page.
Salary and Job Outlook for Oregon Substance Abuse Counselors
Oregon pays substance abuse counselors well compared to much of the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Oregon is $69,660 as of May 2024. The top 25 percent of earners in the state bring in $84,970 or more, and the 90th percentile reaches $103,380.
The job outlook for related behavioral health occupations in Oregon is strong. The BLS projects approximately 16% growth for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Oregon between 2022 and 2032 — a related occupational category — with an average of 190 job openings per year during that period. Demand for credentialed addiction counselors across the state reflects a similar trend. For those considering adjacent credentials, Oregon social work licensure follows its own pathway and may suit counselors drawn to broader case management roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MHACBO, and why does it matter?
MHACBO stands for the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon. It’s the state body that issues all CADC certifications. If you want to work as a credentialed addiction counselor in Oregon, your certification comes from MHACBO. Applications are submitted through their Certemy platform.
Do I need a college degree to become a certified addiction counselor in Oregon?
Not for the CADC-I. That entry-level certification requires only a high school diploma or GED, 150 education hours, and 1,000 supervised experience hours. A college degree is required for the CADC-II (bachelor’s or equivalent) and the CADC-III (master’s degree).
What’s the difference between the CADC-I, CADC-II, and CADC-III?
Each tier reflects a higher level of education and experience. The CADC-I is the associate proficiency level — the starting credential. The CADC-II requires a bachelor’s degree equivalent and 4,000 supervised hours. The CADC-III requires a master’s degree and 6,000 hours. Higher tiers open the door to more independent and advanced practice settings.
What is the CADC-R?
The CADC-R (Registered) is an administrative step that most candidates complete in Certemy as part of the certification process. It opens the pathway to whichever CADC level you’re pursuing. Check the MHACBO website for the most current guidance on whether this step applies to your specific pathway.
How long does it take to get CADC certified in Oregon?
It depends on the tier. The CADC-I requires 1,000 supervised hours, which typically takes one to two years working full-time in an approved setting. The CADC-II requires 4,000 hours, and the CADC-III requires 6,000 — both represent multi-year commitments that most candidates work toward while employed in the field.
Key Takeaways
- Three tiers, one certifying body — All CADC certifications in Oregon are issued by MHACBO, with applications managed through the Certemy platform.
- Education level determines your tier — CADC-I requires a high school diploma, CADC-II a bachelor’s equivalent, and CADC-III a master’s degree.
- Oregon pays well — The median salary for substance abuse counselors in Oregon is $69,660, with strong projected job growth for related behavioral health occupations through 2032.
- Jurisprudence exam required at higher tiers — CADC-II and CADC-III candidates must pass a written Jurisprudence Ethics Exam after their national exam.
- Verify requirements directly with MHACBO — Requirements and exam pathways can be updated. Always confirm current details at mhacbo.org before applying.
Ready to explore your options in Oregon? Browse addiction counseling programs and learn what credentials employers in the state are looking for.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers, Social and Human Services Assistants, Social and Community Service Managers, and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.