Substance Abuse Counseling Certification in Vermont
There are three levels of certification in Vermont for Counselors. There is an introductory level that allows one to start accumulating supervised work experience which is known as the Apprentice Addiction Professional (AAP). The primary level of certification is known as the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (ADC). The final level is the supervisory level known as the Clinical Supervisor (CS) level.
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)
AAP Requirements
- You must have a High School diploma or GED.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Be currently employed or working at an AODA facility providing some or all of the 12 core functions: Screening; Intake; Orientation; Assessment; Treatment Planning; Counseling; Case Management; Crisis Intervention; Client Education; Referral; Reports and Record Keeping; Consultation.
- You must work a minimum of 16 hours per week with one hour of direct supervision.
- You must have 40 hours of education/training in the 12 core functions as listed above.
- 34 hours must be specific to substance abuse.
- 6 hours must be in professional ethics.
- You must pass the TAP 21 exam.
- You can find the application here.
ADC Requirements
- You must meet all requirements above under AAP and the following additional requirements.
- You must have 6,000 hours of supervised work experience in an AODA facility.
- You supervisor must be a currently certified ADC.
- If you hold an Associate’s degree in a Human Services field with a clinical application you can lower this to 5,000 hours.
- If you have a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field with a clinical application you can lower this to 4,000 hours.
- If you have a Master’s or Doctoral degree in a Human Services field with a clinical application you can lower this to 2,000 hours.
- You must have 300 hours of supervised experience in the 12 core functions as outlined above with 10 hours in each under direct supervision.
- You must have 270 hours of formal education in AODA training:
- 90 hours must be specific to skills theories and practices of counseling.
- 180 hours must be specific to substance abuse theory and practice.
- 6 hours must be specific to professional ethics, theory and practice.
- You must pass the IC&RC/AODA written examination.
- You can find the appropriate application form for the ADC title here.
CS Requirements
- You must have all the previous requirements as listed above with the following differences:
- You must have 10,000 hours of AODA counseling specific experience.
- You must have 4,000 hours of AODA supervisor experience; this may be part of the 10,000 hours listed above.
- You need 30 hours of education specific to the first five IC&RC clinical supervision domains, with four hours minimum in each of: Counselor Development, Professional and Ethical Standards, Treatment knowledge, Program
- Development and Quality Assurance, Program Evaluation and Administration.
- You must pass the IC&RC international written Clinical Supervisor exam.
- You must sign the code of Ethics for supervisors.
- You can find the CS application here.