CASAC Certification in New York: Requirements and Career Guide
To earn the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) in New York, you’ll need to complete 350 hours of OASAS-approved education and training, accumulate between 2,000 and 6,000 hours of supervised work experience depending on your degree, and pass the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor examination. New York’s credential system is managed by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and includes trainee and provisional pathways that let candidates begin working while still completing requirements.
New York has one of the country’s most structured pathways to addiction counseling credentials. The CASAC is the state’s recognized standard for professionals who provide direct clinical care in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment settings. OASAS administers the credential and sets requirements that are specific, tiered, and worth understanding before you commit to a program.
If you’re considering this field, here’s what the path actually looks like.
The Three CASAC Credential Tiers
New York offers three tiers under the CASAC credential system, each with a distinct scope of practice and eligibility threshold. Most candidates enter as a CASAC-Trainee and work toward the full CASAC over a five-year application window.
| Credential | Who It’s For | Key Requirement | Scope of Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| CASAC-Trainee (CASAC-T) | Candidates who have completed 350 hours of education and training | 350 training hours; application approval from OASAS | Can work toward CASAC in a wider range of settings, including non-OASAS programs |
| CASAC-Provisional (CASAC-P) | Candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an approved human services field | Approved degree plus 350 training hours; OASAS application approval | Can work only in OASAS-certified settings while accumulating hours |
| CASAC (Full Credential) | Candidates who have met all the education, experience, and exam requirements | 350 training hours; required work experience; passed IC&RC exam | Full direct clinical care in SUD settings; private practice requires additional licensure (e.g., through NYSED) beyond the CASAC credential |
When a candidate qualifies for both the CASAC-T and CASAC-P, OASAS will issue the CASAC-T. Because the CASAC-T allows work in a broader range of settings, it is often considered the more flexible option for many candidates.
CASAC Requirements in New York
Basic Eligibility
Before applying, candidates must meet these baseline requirements: be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, be proficient in English, and live or work primarily in New York State during the application period. All applicants must also sign an affidavit agreeing to abide by the Canon of Ethical Principles and pass a criminal background check, including fingerprinting arranged through OASAS.
Education and Training: 350 Hours
All candidates must complete 350 hours of OASAS-approved education and training. OASAS developed a standardized 350-hour curriculum to ensure consistent preparation across the SUD counselor workforce. The required hours cover these areas:
- Section 1: Knowledge of Substance Use Disorders (85 hours): Includes at least 4 hours on tobacco and nicotine
- Section 2: Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling (150 hours): Includes 15 hours of Cultural Competence
- Section 3: Assessment, Treatment Planning, and Case Management (70 hours)
- Section 4: Professional and Ethical Responsibilities (45 hours): Includes 2 hours on Child Abuse and Mandatory Reporting, and 15 hours on Ethics for Addiction Professionals
If you hold a degree in an OASAS-approved human services field, your college coursework may satisfy some or all of these requirements. Submit your transcripts with your application so OASAS can determine what applies. Note that effective December 20, 2025, OASAS may require that at least 175 of the 350 training hours be completed through instructor-led training (ILT). Check the OASAS website for current rules.
Supervised Work Experience
The required supervised work experience ranges from 2,000 to 6,000 hours, depending on your highest degree. All experience must be in an alcohol and drug abuse counseling work environment and must be overseen by a qualified supervisor.
| Education Level | Required Work Experience Hours |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or GED only | 6,000 hours |
| Associate’s degree in approved human services field | 5,000 hours |
| Bachelor’s degree in approved human services field | 4,000 hours |
| Master’s degree in approved human services field | 2,000 hours |
A portion of internship or volunteer experience may count toward the required hours, subject to OASAS approval. Your experience must include documented hours across the 12 Core Functions (Screening, Intake, Orientation, Assessment, Treatment Planning, Counseling, Case Management, Crisis Intervention, Client Education, Referral, Reports and Record Keeping, and Consultation), as defined by OASAS.
Supervision must be provided weekly by qualified professionals, typically including a current CASAC- or NYSED-licensed Qualified Health Professional (QHP), in accordance with OASAS guidelines.
The CASAC Examination
Candidates must pass the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) examination, which is now available in both English and Spanish. The exam is administered by ISO Quality Testing. Candidates choose their preferred location, date, and time after receiving registration instructions from the testing provider. The exam fee is approximately $245 per attempt (subject to change). Candidates who do not pass may retest once every 90 days during the active application period. Candidates who do not pass multiple times may be required to complete additional OASAS-approved training before retesting.
Application Timeline and Renewal
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and remain active for five years from the date of submission. If you haven’t completed all requirements by the end of that window, your application and any trainee or provisional certificates will expire. Candidates who are exam-eligible before expiration may request a one-time three-year extension for a $100 fee. Once you hold a full CASAC, renewal requires 60 hours of continuing education every three years, plus a series of one-time requirements outlined on the OASAS website. Application materials are available through the OASAS credentialing page.
Salary and Job Outlook for Substance Abuse Counselors in New York
New York is one of the higher-paying states for this occupation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data), substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (SOC 21-1018) in New York earned a median annual salary of $62,070. The lowest 10% earned around $43,160, while the top 10% reached $101,910. New York employs approximately 22,450 counselors in this category, making it one of the largest state-level workforces for this occupation in the country.
For job growth context, BLS state projections for New York show a 26.9% increase in mental health and substance abuse social workers (SOC 21-1023) between 2022 and 2032, with about 360 average annual openings projected in that category. Note that this projection applies to a related occupation and may not directly reflect CASAC counselor roles specifically. Demand for addiction treatment professionals in New York has been reinforced by ongoing investment in overdose prevention: as of 2025, the state had distributed more than 296,000 naloxone kits through its online portal and has made $400 million in Opioid Settlement Funds available for treatment and recovery services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CASAC stand for, and who issues it?
CASAC stands for Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. It’s issued by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), the state agency that oversees all substance use disorder credentialing in New York.
Can I work as a substance abuse counselor while completing my CASAC requirements?
Yes. The CASAC-Trainee (CASAC-T) and CASAC-Provisional (CASAC-P) certificates allow candidates to work in SUD settings while accumulating their required supervised hours. The CASAC-T permits work in a broader range of settings, including non-OASAS programs. Candidates cannot use the CASAC title until they’ve received the official credential from OASAS.
How long does it take to become a fully credentialed CASAC?
The timeline varies significantly depending on your education level and work schedule. A candidate with a master’s degree who needs 2,000 supervised hours might complete requirements in two to three years. Someone starting with only a high school diploma and needing 6,000 hours will typically take longer. Applications remain active for 5 years, with a possible 3-year extension.
Does New York offer reciprocity for CASAC holders from other states?
New York may recognize credentials held by members of the IC&RC (International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium), which is the same body that administers the ADC exam required for the CASAC. Candidates with a current reciprocal-level credential from another IC&RC member board should contact OASAS directly to determine their eligibility.
What’s the difference between a CASAC and a licensed mental health counselor in New York?
The CASAC is a credential issued by OASAS specifically for substance use disorder counseling. New York’s mental health counseling license, the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), is issued by the New York State Education Department and has a broader scope, covering mental health treatment generally. Some professionals hold both, particularly those working in co-occurring disorder settings.
Key Takeaways
- New York has three credential tiers: CASAC-T, CASAC-P, and the full CASAC, each allowing candidates to begin working in SUD settings before completing all requirements.
- Education reduces your experience hours. A master’s degree in an approved human services field cuts the required supervised hours from 6,000 to 2,000.
- The 350-hour training requirement may have changed in late 2025. At least 175 of those hours may now need to be completed through instructor-led training. Check OASAS for current rules.
- The exam carries an approximately $245 fee per attempt (subject to change). Candidates who do not pass multiple times may be required to complete additional OASAS-approved coursework before retesting.
- New York substance abuse counselors earn a median annual salary of $62,070, with top earners in the state earning over $100,000, according to BLS May 2024 data.
To explore education programs that can help you meet CASAC requirements and plan your path into addiction counseling, visit our substance abuse counselor career guide.
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.
