Substance Abuse Counseling Certification in Iowa

Iowa has three levels of certification for Substance Abuse Counselors. The three titles are: the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), the International Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IADC) and the International Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IAADC). The IAADC level requires a Master’s degree in a Behavioral Science with credits in Counseling or a closely related subject.

Are you interested to learn about Addiction and Substance Counseling? Take the opportunity to learn about dedicated programs. Request free information to begin or continue a degree program.

Featured Programs:

Sponsored School(s)

Grand Canyon University

Featured Program: Choose from a variety of online counseling degree programs at GCU, from our Bachelor of Science in Counseling to our counseling master's degrees, including the Christian-focused online counseling and addiction counseling degrees.

Request Info

Walden University

Featured Program: Earn you BA, MS or PhD degree in Human Services in various concentrations.

Request Info

Purdue Global

Featured Program: Courses in Purdue Global’s social and behavioral sciences programs are reviewed by professionals and industry leaders to help ensure your education keeps you competitive.

Request Info

Southern New Hampshire University

Featured Program: Earn your BA in Human Services with concentrations in Child and Family Services; Substance Abuse and Gerontology.

Request Info

For the CADC Level

• You must pass a criminal background check.
• You must have a High School diploma or GED 24 semester hours of college credits in substance abuse or a highly relevant area of study. (Disciplines that qualify include: Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Human Services, and Criminal Justice).
• You will need 150 hours of education on AODA subjects including the following classes specifically: (45 clock hours in Counseling Theories & Techniques; 45 clock hours in Alcohol and Drug Specific; 6 clock hours in Special Populations; 6 clock hours in Counseling Ethics; 3 clock hours in Racial/Ethnic
• You will need 1000 hours of supervised A&D work experience to be certified.
• You must have a minimum of 500 clock hours doing tasks related to the performing the eight ADC domains which are: Clinical Evaluation, Treatment Planning, Referral, Service Coordination, Counseling, Client, Family and Community Education, Documentation and Professional and Ethical Responsibilities.
• You are required to show proof of 36 hours of direct supervision.
• You can find the necessary forms here.

For the IADC Level

• The International Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IADC) is a more advanced title.
• You must pass a criminal background check.
• You must have a High School diploma or GED, an Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a Behavioral Science will help to reduce the amount of time you need in terms of supervised experience. (See below)
• You will need 270 hours of education on AODA subjects including the following classes specifically: (90 clock hours in Counseling Theories & Techniques; 90 clock hours in Alcohol and Drug Specific; 6 clock hours in Counseling Ethics; 3 clock hours in Racial/Ethnic
• You will need 6000 hours of supervised A&D work experience to be certified.
• If you do not have a degree you will need 6000 hours of supervised A&D work experience to be certified.
• If you have an Associate’s degree you will need 5000 hours of experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree requires 4000 hours.
• A Master’s degree requires only 2000 hours.
• You must have a minimum of 300 clock hours doing tasks related to the performing the eight ADC domains which are: Clinical Evaluation, Treatment Planning, Referral, Service Coordination, Counseling, Client, Family and Community Education, Documentation and Professional and Ethical Responsibilities.
• If you do not have at least a Bachelor’s degree you will need 500 clock hours of supervision in the eight domains.
• You must pass the IC&RC Exam for this level of certification.
• You can find the necessary forms here.

For the IAADC Level

• The International Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IAADC) is the highest level of certification in Iowa. It requires that you have a minimum of a Master’s degree.
• You must possess a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a Behavioral Science with at least 30 hours at the graduate level in Counseling classes or highly related field.
• You need at least 6 hours of course work in Counselor Ethics and 3 hours in Racial/Ethnic
• You must have a minimum of 2000 clock hours doing tasks related to the performing the ten ADC domains which are: Clinical Evaluation, Treatment Planning, Referral, Service Coordination, Counseling, Client, Family and Community Education, Documentation, Research Design Analysis & Utilization, Clinical Supervision and Professional and Ethical Responsibilities.
• You will need 300 hours of direct supervision in the ten domains.
• You must pass the IC&RC Exam for this level of certification.
  .