At a Glance
To become a substance abuse counselor in New York, you need a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) certification from the state’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). That means completing 350 hours of approved training, accumulating 6,000 supervised work hours in an OASAS-approved setting, and passing the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam.
New York employed more than 24,000 substance abuse counselors as of May 2023, second only to California in total employment for this occupation, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics state data. The need for that workforce is real. An estimated 4,567 New Yorkers died of a drug overdose in 2024, a drop of more than 30 percent from the prior year, according to OASAS. That progress reflects sustained investment in treatment and prevention services, and demand for qualified counselors remains strong. If you want to work in this field in New York, one credential opens the door: the CASAC. Here’s exactly what it takes to earn it.
What Is the CASAC Credential?
The Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) is issued by OASAS, the state agency responsible for all substance use disorder credentialing in New York. OASAS is a member board of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), which means a New York CASAC meets IC&RC’s Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) standards. That IC&RC affiliation can facilitate reciprocal recognition when moving to other member states, though each state board sets its own reciprocity policies and requirements.
CASACs provide direct clinical care in OASAS-certified programs: conducting screenings and assessments, developing treatment plans, delivering individual and group counseling, coordinating referrals, and supporting clients through the recovery process. Per OASAS, no person shall use the title CASAC to engage in private practice unless otherwise authorized by law. If private practice is part of your long-term career goals, review the current scope-of-practice rules with OASAS before choosing your credential path.
If you hold a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or another license issued through the New York State Education Department, you may already be considered a Qualified Health Professional (QHP) with an alternative credentialing pathway. See the New York counseling licensure and New York social work licensure pages for more on those credentials. Check with OASAS directly to confirm your QHP eligibility before applying.
CASAC Certification Levels in New York
New York’s credentialing system runs four levels. You start with an entry-level certificate, build your experience and education, then advance to the full CASAC and beyond. Here’s how the levels break down.
| Credential |
Education Required |
Work Experience |
| CASAC-T (Trainee) |
350 hours OASAS training, or 85 hours training plus 4,000 work hours |
None required at application |
| CASAC-P (Provisional) |
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in an approved human services field |
None required at application (scope limited to OASAS-certified settings) |
| CASAC |
350 hours OASAS training, high school diploma or GED minimum |
6,000 hours in an OASAS-approved setting |
| CASAC 2 |
Associate’s degree in an approved human services field |
6,000 hours in an OASAS-approved setting |
| CASAC-Advanced |
Bachelor’s degree plus 30 hours of clinical supervision training |
6,000 hours in an OASAS-approved setting |
| CASAC-Master |
Master’s degree in human services or related field |
6,000 hours in an OASAS-approved setting |
The CASAC-P was introduced by OASAS in September 2023. One important distinction: the CASAC-P is limited to OASAS-certified settings, while the CASAC-T allows a broader range of treatment settings. Because of that, OASAS’s policy is to issue the CASAC-T when an applicant qualifies for both, as the wider scope gives you more flexibility while you work toward the full CASAC. The CASAC-P is not renewable. If your CASAC-T has expired, the CASAC-P can serve as an alternative entry point rather than starting a full new application.
How to Get Your CASAC: Step by Step
The certification process is sequential. Here’s the path from first application to full CASAC credential.
Step 1: Confirm Basic Eligibility
Before you apply, you’ll need to meet OASAS’s baseline requirements: be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED from a New York State-recognized institution, and be able to read and write in English at a functional level. You’ll also need to successfully complete a criminal background check review as part of the application process. At the time of credentialing, you must have lived or worked in New York State at least 51 percent of the time during your active application period.
Step 2: Choose Your Entry-Level Path
You have two starting points. The CASAC-T (Trainee) is the standard path and is available once you complete the required training hours. The CASAC-P (Provisional), introduced in 2023, is available to candidates who already hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an approved human services field and can provide a Verification of Employment or Intent to Hire form. The key practical difference: the CASAC-T allows you to work in a broader range of settings, while the CASAC-P is limited to OASAS-certified programs. If you qualify for both, OASAS will issue the CASAC-T by default for that reason. You cannot apply for both at the same time.
Step 3: Complete OASAS-Approved Training
You’ll need 350 clock hours of OASAS-certified education and training. The coursework covers substance abuse knowledge, pharmacology, counseling techniques, assessment and evaluation, treatment planning, case management, ethics, cultural competency, and co-occurring disorders. Starting December 20, 2025, OASAS requires at least 175 of those 350 hours to be completed through instructor-led training. Online programs approved by OASAS are available through institutions including Stony Brook University, Alfred State College, and the Outreach Training Institute. One college credit counts as 15 clock hours if you’re taking academic coursework.
Step 4: Submit Your Application to OASAS
Submit your completed application to the OASAS Credentialing Unit. OASAS now processes applications through an online credentialing management system. Visit oasas.ny.gov for current submission instructions. An application processing fee applies; confirm the current amount directly with OASAS before submitting. Your application stays active for five years from the date of first review. Once approved, you’ll receive your CASAC-T or CASAC-P certificate and can begin accumulating supervised work experience in the field.
Step 5: Accumulate Supervised Work Experience
The CASAC requires 6,000 documented hours of work experience in an OASAS-approved setting, roughly three years of full-time employment. Your experience must be distributed across the 12 Core Functions defined by OASAS: screening, intake, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, record keeping, consultation, and orientation. Your supervisor must hold a qualifying credential, currently an Advanced or Master CASAC, or a NYSED-licensed Qualified Health Professional. Confirm current supervision requirements with OASAS before you start, as these rules are subject to change under Part 853 regulations.
Step 6: Pass the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam
Once your training and experience requirements are met, you’re eligible to take the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam administered by IC&RC. The exam is computer-based and offered in person at sites across New York on a weekly basis. OASAS will provide an exam registration form upon confirming your eligibility. Confirm the current exam fee directly with IC&RC or through the OASAS Credentialing Portal before registering. IC&RC publishes ADC Study Guides and a Candidate Guide to help you prepare.
Step 7: Apply for Full CASAC Certification
After passing the exam and documenting your hours, submit your upgrade documentation through the OASAS Credentialing Portal. Confirm the current fee structure with OASAS at the time of submission. Once approved, your CASAC is valid for two years and must be renewed through OASAS’s attestation process. From there, you can pursue CASAC 2 with an associate’s degree, the CASAC-Advanced credential with a bachelor’s degree plus the 30-hour Clinical Supervision Foundations training, or the CASAC-Master’s level with a qualifying master’s degree.
How Long Does CASAC Certification Take?
The honest answer: it depends primarily on how much time you can dedicate to accumulating your 6,000 work experience hours.
If you’re starting with just a high school diploma and no prior experience in the field, plan for three to five years. The 6,000 hours alone represent roughly three years of full-time work in an OASAS-approved setting, and you’ll be completing your 350 training hours on top of that.
If you’re already working in addiction services or a related human services role, some of those hours may already be counting toward your total, which can compress the timeline considerably.
Your CASAC-T or CASAC-P certificate is valid for five years from OASAS’s first review of your application. That’s your window to meet all remaining requirements and pass the exam. If you’re exam-eligible but run out of time before the five-year mark, you can apply for a one-time three-year extension for a $100 fee.
Salary and Job Outlook for New York Counselors
Substance abuse counselors in New York earn above the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,190 in May 2024. In New York, the mean annual wage was $67,240 according to BLS state data from May 2023. Note that the national figure is a median wage from the 2024 OOH release, while the New York figure is a mean wage from the 2023 OES release. The two figures come from different BLS datasets and different release years.
| Location |
Annual Wage |
| National median (BLS OOH, May 2024) |
$59,190 |
| New York mean (BLS OES, May 2023) |
$67,240 |
The job outlook is strong nationally. The BLS projects 17% employment growth for this occupation from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average across all occupations, with roughly 48,300 openings expected per year. The BLS attributes that growth primarily to expanded access to mental health and addiction treatment services and growing recognition of substance use disorders as a health condition requiring professional care.
17%
Projected employment growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors from 2024 to 2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s much faster than the average for all occupations.
Renewing Your CASAC
A full CASAC credential must be renewed every two years. As of OASAS’s September 2023 regulatory update, renewal no longer requires a formal evaluation. Instead, you submit an attestation confirming that you’ve met the 60-hour continuing education requirement and that your professional conduct remains in good standing. OASAS conducts random monthly audits of attestations, so keep your documentation organized.
If your CASAC lapses, OASAS now allows reinstatement rather than requiring you to start a new application from scratch. A flat $50 late renewal fee applies if you renew during the late window. If your credential has expired for more than a year, you’ll go through the reinstatement process.
CASAC-Advanced and CASAC-Master credentials have the same two-year renewal cycle and the same attestation-based process. The related Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP) and Credentialed Prevention Specialist (CPS) certifications, also issued by OASAS, follow a parallel renewal structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the CASAC-T and the CASAC-P?
Both are entry-level certificates that allow you to work in OASAS-certified settings while you accumulate hours toward the full CASAC. The CASAC-T (Trainee) is available to anyone who completes 350 hours of OASAS-approved training. The CASAC-P (Provisional) is specifically for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human services. They carry the same scope of practice and the same five-year credentialing window, but you can only apply for one at a time.
Can I work as a substance abuse counselor in New York while earning my CASAC?
Yes. That’s exactly what the CASAC-T and CASAC-P certificates are for. Once OASAS approves your trainee or provisional certificate, you can work in an OASAS-certified program under appropriate supervision. Your on-the-job hours count toward the experience requirement for full CASAC certification, so working in the field and completing your credential at the same time is the most efficient path for most people.
Does a degree reduce the number of work hours I need?
Yes, in many cases. The standard experience requirement is 6,000 hours, but OASAS allows reductions based on your education level. Candidates with a master’s degree in a qualifying human services field may qualify with as few as 2,000 hours, with the range depending on your specific degree and OASAS’s review of your transcripts. A relevant degree also determines your entry path: a bachelor’s or master’s in an approved field qualifies you for the CASAC-P certificate rather than the CASAC-T. Confirm the exact substitution table for your degree with OASAS directly, or review the current Part 853 regulations before you apply.
What is the IC&RC ADC exam, and how hard is it?
The Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam is a computer-based test administered by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). It covers substance use disorder knowledge, counseling theory, assessment, treatment planning, ethics, and case management. OASAS publishes exam performance data quarterly. Among New York candidates in late 2023, first-time test-takers passed at a rate of 85%, while repeat test-takers passed at 48%. Preparing with the IC&RC study guides and the official candidate guide significantly improves your odds.
Does my New York CASAC work in other states?
It may be recognized in other states. Because OASAS is a member board of IC&RC, your CASAC aligns with the IC&RC’s ADC credential standard. That affiliation can facilitate reciprocal recognition when moving to another IC&RC member state, but reciprocity isn’t automatic. Each state’s credentialing board has its own policies, application requirements, and fees. Contact the credentialing board in the destination state before assuming your New York credential transfers directly.
Key Takeaways
- The CASAC, issued by OASAS, is the standard required credential to practice as a substance abuse counselor in New York’s OASAS-certified treatment programs.
- You can start working in the field before completing the full CASAC by applying for the CASAC-T (Trainee) or CASAC-P (Provisional) certificate first.
- The required work experience for full CASAC certification is 6,000 hours in an OASAS-approved setting, regardless of degree level. A relevant degree expands your credential options and can accelerate your path to advanced CASAC levels.
- As of December 2025, at least 175 of the required 350 training hours must be completed through instructor-led training.
- New York’s mean annual wage for this occupation is $67,240, according to BLS state data, above the national median of $59,190. The field is projected to grow 17% nationally through 2034.
Looking for OASAS-approved programs that meet the 350-hour training requirement? Browse accredited addiction counseling programs by location and find options that fit your schedule and goals.
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Laura Bennett, MPH is a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in community health education and program coordination. She specializes in helping aspiring professionals explore flexible education pathways, including online and hybrid public health degree programs. Laura is passionate about making public health careers more accessible through practical, accredited training
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors represent state and national data, not school-specific information. New York state wage figures sourced from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2023. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
