ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELOR
CERTIFICATION APPLICATION

 

  

TEXAS SYSTEM FOR CERTIFICATION OF ALCOHOL DRUG COUNSELORS

Statement of Purpose 
The Alcohol Drug Counselor credential upgrades and standardizes qualifications of those working in the 
field of chemical dependency counseling. The following ADC (formerly CADAC) credentialing 
guidelines have been developed by the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals 
(TCBAP). These guidelines were originally constructed in 1994, and were presented to the membership 
of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals for approval, review and comment. The primary 
purpose of the credential is to raise the standards of education and experience levels so that individual 
counselors with exceptional experience or education and experience can be duly recognized by their peers 
and professional organizations, statewide and nationally. 
 
Statutory Limitations 
Certification as an ADC is not to be construed as authorization to charge or collect fees for services 
rendered if to do so conflicts with any statutory limitations. Where the statute requires that an ADC be 
supervised by a licensed provider, they shall be so supervised. 
 
Principles 
Certain important principles have emerged in regard to this credential. 
 
Principle 1. This certification is based on a combination of competency and knowledge about 
chemical dependency counseling, to include academic achievement. 
 
Principle 2. Authority for this certification comes from professionals working in the field of chemical 
dependency counseling who share a common concern for standards of competency. 
 
Principle 3. Persons having chemical dependency counseling skills and utilizing them in positions 
other than those called counselors may be certified. The basic requirement for 
certification is performance of chemical dependency counseling and academic 
achievement. 
 
Principle 4. Application for this certification is entirely voluntary. 
 
Principle 5. Certification is offered to both member and non-members of the Texas Association of 
Addiction Professionals. 
 
Authority 
The authority of the Certification Board is derived from those persons who are dedicated to 
service as counselors and who are most affected by certification. This authority is embodied in 
the statewide association of alcohol and drug abuse counselors, the Texas Association of 
Addiction Professionals, Inc. Recognition of this certification is voluntary. The credibility of 
this certification results from the standards that are maintained, the performance level established 
by the Certification Board, and most importantly, the professional competency and integrity of 
Alcohol Drug Counselors. 

 

The minimum requirements for certification of an ADC shall include academic achievement, work 
experience, and formal training, including the following: 
 
1. Verification of a three hundred (300) hour Chemical Dependency Counseling Practicum. The 
practicum must take place in a setting where alcohol and other drug abuse counseling is being 
performed. Training must be specifically related to the knowledge and skills necessary to 
perform all of the 12 Core Functions of the Substance Abuse Counselor and must include at least 
ten (10) hours in each core function. 

2. Verification of successful IC&RC International ADC Written examination scores. (The Texas 
Dept. of State Health Services uses the ICRC International ADC Written examinations for LCDC 
licensure.) 

3. Verification of 270 chemical dependency education hours, of which 135 must be Alcohol/Drug 
specific, 6 of which must be HIV/AIDS specific, and 6 of which must be Ethics specific. The 
ADC domains are: clinical evaluation; treatment planning; referral; service coordination; 
counseling; client, family & community education; documentation; and professional & ethical 
responsibility. 

4. This credential will have reciprocity with other ICRC/ADC member boards. 

5. Sign and agree to comply with the ethical standards as set forth in the Texas System of 
Certification for Alcohol Drug Counselors. 

6. All persons who apply for the ADC certification through the Texas Certification Board 
should be a resident of Texas. At least fifty percent (51%) of the applicant’s work should 
be done in the State of Texas. Exceptions to the residency requirement will be 
considered on an individual basis by petition to the Texas Certification Board. 

7. Verification of 6,000 hours (approximately three years) of chemical dependency counseling 
experience (note: an associates degree in behavioral science may substitute for 1,000 hours; a 
bachelors degree in behavioral science may substitute for 2,000 hours; a master’s degree in 
behavioral science may substitute for 4,000 hours). 

Fees for Certification
The following fee structure shall apply for all individuals who apply for certification as an ADC.

 

Original Application Fee........................................................... $125.00
Application Packet Fee ............................................................... $15.00
IC&RC Certificate Fee………………………………………….$10.00 (optional)

If you have not taken the ADC Exam you can Click Here to apply 
ICRC Written Examination Fee................................................ $250.00 (This fee is paid when you 
register for the exam. Do not send this fee with this application).

Click Here to continue the application process