At a Glance
The ADACBGA offers several credentials for Georgia addiction counselor certification, including CADC-T, CADC I, CADC II, CAADC, and CCS. The CADC-T requires a high school diploma or GED and 50 contact hours of education. The CADC I requires a high school diploma or GED and 6,000 hours of work experience. All ADACBGA exams are administered by the IC&RC.
Georgia has faced a serious overdose crisis, with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids contributing substantially to recent deaths. In 2022, Georgia recorded roughly 2,600 to 2,700 drug overdose deaths, depending on the dataset and methodology. The demand for trained, certified addiction counselors has grown steadily alongside that toll, and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (ADACBGA) has expanded its credential structure to meet it. Whether you’re entering the field for the first time or advancing toward clinical supervision, here’s what the certification path actually looks like.
Certification Levels at a Glance
The ADACBGA offers four credentials, each tied to a different education level and scope of practice. Here’s how they compare before we get into the details.
| Credential |
Minimum Education |
Work Hours Required |
Scope of Practice |
| CADC-T (Trainee) |
High school diploma or GED |
None (trainee status) |
Practice under direct supervision |
| CADC I |
High school diploma or GED |
6,000 hours |
Practice under clinical supervisor |
| CADC II |
Bachelor’s or graduate degree (regionally accredited) |
4,000 hours |
Independent, addiction-specific scope |
| CAADC |
Master’s degree (human services) |
4,000 hours |
Independent practice and supervision |
CADC-T: Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Trainee
The CADC-T is Georgia’s entry point into the addiction counseling field. It’s designed for people who are still building their education and supervised hours but want to start working in a behavioral health setting right away. As a CADC-T, you’ll practice under the direct supervision of a qualified clinical supervisor.
Education Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- 50 hours of addiction-specific education, including at least 6 hours in professional ethics
Experience Requirements
- No minimum direct work hours required for trainee status
- 30 hours of clinical supervision are required per ADACBGA’s current requirements
Application
- Application fee: $150
- Criminal background check required
- Submit application to ADACBGA at 777 Cleveland Ave SW, Suite 605, Atlanta, GA 30315, or through the Certemy portal (see the ADACBGA certifications page for current instructions)
CADC I: Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level I
The CADC I is the primary entry-level credential for counselors who don’t hold a bachelor’s degree. It grants a legal scope of practice under Georgia law (Georgia Code § 43-10A-7-15 and 15.1), allowing you to provide care under a licensed clinical supervisor.
Education Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- 300 contact hours in alcohol and drug education covering the ADC domains, including specified hours in professional ethics, trauma-informed care, telehealth or e-counseling, and HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C
Experience Requirements
- 6,000 documented work hours in behavioral health with direct client responsibility
- 300 hours of clinical supervision, with at least 120 hours face-to-face (25% must be one-on-one)
Application
- Application fee: $150
- Criminal background check required
- Official transcripts or documentation of education hours sent directly from the provider to ADACBGA
- Mail completed application to: ADACBGA, 777 Cleveland Ave SW, Suite 605, Atlanta, GA 30315
Exam
- Exam registration fee: $180
- You’ll take the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam administered by the IC&RC
- Practice exam available (50 questions, $49 fee): ADC Practice Exam
- ADC Candidate Guide: IC&RC ADC Candidate Guide
- You must pass within two years of applying. Two failures require restarting the full application process.
After passing the exam, you’ll receive your CADC I certification by mail.
CADC II: Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level II
If you hold a bachelor’s degree in a social sciences field, you can skip CADC I and apply directly for CADC II. This credential grants an independent scope of practice specific to addiction counseling under Georgia law. You won’t need to work under a supervisor once certified at this level.
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a human services field, or a graduate degree in any field, from a regionally accredited institution
- At least 6 hours of coursework in each of the following areas, all completed within the past 5 years:
- Professional ethics
- E-counseling or telehealth
- HIV/AIDS
- Trauma-informed care
- 300 additional hours in substance abuse-related coursework, completed within the past 5 years
- Transcripts sent directly from your college or university to ADACBGA
Experience Requirements
- 4,000 documented work hours in behavioral health with direct client responsibility
- 200 hours of clinical supervision
Application
- Application fee: $150
- Criminal background check required
- Mail completed application to: ADACBGA, 777 Cleveland Ave SW, Suite 605, Atlanta, GA 30315
Exam
- Exam registration fee: $180
- Same ADC exam as CADC I, administered by the IC&RC
- Practice exam: ADC Practice Exam
- ADC Candidate Guide: IC&RC ADC Candidate Guide
After passing the exam, you’ll receive your CADC II certification by mail.
CAADC: Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor
The CAADC is Georgia’s advanced practice credential. It requires a master’s degree, allows you to practice independently, and qualifies you to oversee counselors at lower certification levels. It’s the right target if you’re planning to run your own practice or take on supervisory responsibilities.
Education Requirements
- Master’s degree in a human services field
- 180 contact hours in alcohol and drug education covering the 12 Core Functions, including specified hours in professional ethics, trauma-informed care, telehealth or e-counseling, and HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C
- Transcripts sent directly from your college or university to ADACBGA
Experience Requirements
- 4,000 documented work hours in behavioral health with direct client responsibility
- 200 hours of clinical supervision
Application
- Application fee: $150
- Criminal background check required
- Mail completed application to: ADACBGA, 777 Cleveland Ave SW, Suite 605, Atlanta, GA 30315
Exam
- Exam registration fee: $180
- You’ll take the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) exam, administered by the IC&RC
- Practice exam: AADC Practice Exam
After passing the exam, you’ll receive your CAADC certification by mail.
CCS: Certified Clinical Supervisor
The CCS is the ADACBGA’s clinical supervisor credential. It’s not a standalone certification you earn after CADC I. It builds on an existing CADC II or CAADC and requires substantial post-certification experience. The CCS is required for certain addiction counseling roles that involve supervising other counselors at lower certification levels, but it doesn’t grant a legal scope beyond the holder’s prerequisite credential.
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a human services field, or a graduate degree in any field
- Must hold a current, valid CADC II or CAADC certification
- At least 6 hours of coursework in each of the following areas:
- Each of the 5 performance domains of clinical supervision
- Professional and ethical standards specific to clinical supervisors
- 300 additional hours in substance abuse-related coursework
- Transcripts sent directly from your college or university to ADACBGA
Experience Requirements
- 10,000 post-certification or post-licensure hours, including at least 4,000 hours in an alcohol and drug counseling, clinical lead, supervisory, or administrative role
- 200 hours of supervision related to clinical supervisor domains, under the supervision of a CCS
Application
- Application fee: $150
- Criminal background check required
- Three reference letters sent directly to ADACBGA from: a professional who can verify your supervisory capabilities, someone you have directly supervised, and your current job supervisor or manager
- Mail completed application to: ADACBGA, 777 Cleveland Ave SW, Suite 605, Atlanta, GA 30315
Exam
- Exam registration fee: $180
- You’ll take the Clinical Supervisor (CS) exam, administered by the IC&RC
- Practice exam available (50 questions, $49 fee): CS Practice Exam
After passing the exam, you’ll receive your CCS certification by mail.
Alternative Route: GACA Certification
The ADACBGA isn’t the only path. The Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA) issues its own credentials, including Certified Addiction Counselor I (CAC I) and CAC II, through a university-based classroom instruction model. The coursework requirements and credential structure differ from the ADACBGA path. If you’re also considering the social work route in Georgia, our Georgia social work license guide covers the LCSW and LMSW paths.
Both credential systems are accepted by Georgia employers. If you’re also exploring the licensed professional counseling path in Georgia, see our Georgia counseling licensure guide.
According to GACA, applicants must earn a passing score on the applicable national examination, except for the CCIT credential. ADACBGA certifications carry IC&RC reciprocity, which matters if you plan to practice in another state. If you’re committed to Georgia long-term and prefer a classroom-based route, GACA is worth exploring. If portability is a priority, ADACBGA is the stronger choice.
Renewal Requirements
Most ADACBGA credentials must be renewed every two years. The CADC-T is renewed annually. Renewal requires 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during the renewal period. Renewal fees are $150 for online submissions and $175 for mail-in applications.
Career Outlook and Salary
Substance abuse counseling is one of the fastest-growing fields in behavioral health. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS projects roughly 48,300 job openings in this field each year through that period.
The national median annual wage for this occupational group was $59,190 in May 2024, according to BLS data.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Wage (May 2024) |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors |
$59,190 |
Earnings vary by credential level, work setting, and years of experience. Counselors in supervisory roles or private practice tend to earn at the higher end of the range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between CADC I and CADC II in Georgia?
The main difference is in the education level and the scope of practice. CADC I requires only a high school diploma and 6,000 hours of work experience, but you’ll practice under a clinical supervisor. CADC II requires a bachelor’s degree in a social science field and 4,000 hours of work, and it grants an independent scope of practice specific to addiction counseling. If you hold a qualifying bachelor’s degree, you can skip CADC I entirely and apply directly for CADC II.
How long does it take to get certified as an addiction counselor in Georgia?
It depends on which credential you’re pursuing. The CADC I path requires 6,000 work hours in behavioral health, roughly three years of full-time work, plus the required education hours. The CADC II path requires 4,000 hours. Most candidates complete the full process in two to three years, depending on how quickly they accumulate supervised experience and education hours.
Does Georgia license addiction counselors through the state government?
No. Georgia doesn’t issue state government licenses for addiction counselors. Certification comes through nonprofit credentialing bodies, primarily the ADACBGA and, alternatively, the GACA. The ADACBGA credentials (CADC I, CADC II, and CAADC) are recognized under Georgia law and grant a legal scope of practice under Georgia Code § 43-10A-7-15 and 15.1.
What exam do I need to pass for ADACBGA certification?
For CADC I and CADC II, you’ll take the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam through the IC&RC. For the CAADC, you’ll take the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) exam. For the CCS, you’ll take the Clinical Supervisor (CS) exam. All three are computer-based and administered through the IC&RC testing system. The registration fee is $180 each time you sit for any of these exams.
Can I transfer my ADACBGA certification to another state?
Yes. The ADACBGA is an IC&RC member organization, which means your CADC I, CADC II, and CAADC credentials are recognized in other IC&RC-affiliated jurisdictions. If you relocate, you’ll typically be able to apply for the equivalent credential in your new state without retaking the exam, though each state’s specific reciprocity rules vary. This is one of the main advantages of the ADACBGA path over GACA certification, which is Georgia-specific.
Key Takeaways
- The ADACBGA offers several credentials for Georgia addiction counselors: CADC-T, CADC I, CADC II, CAADC, and CCS.
- CADC I requires a high school diploma and 6,000 hours of work. CADC II requires a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution and 4,000 hours. CAADC requires a master’s degree and 4,000 hours.
- All ADACBGA exams are administered by the IC&RC, which provides these credentials with reciprocity in other IC&RC-affiliated states.
- The GACA offers an alternative certification path through university-based instruction, a solid option for those who stay in Georgia and prefer classroom training.
- All certifications renew every two years, with 40 hours of continuing education required.
- The BLS projects 17 percent employment growth for substance abuse counselors from 2024 to 2034, with a national median wage of $59,190 as of May 2024.
Ready to start your path toward addiction counselor certification? Browse accredited programs in Georgia and find one that fits your education 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 national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
