At a Glance
Indiana’s Certified Alcohol and Drug Addiction Consultant (CADAC) credentials are issued by the Indiana Counselors Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ICAADA) and span five levels, CADAC I through V. Requirements vary by degree held, with education hours ranging from 180 to 300, supervised experience from 1,000 to 6,000 hours, and exams administered through IC&RC. All candidates must live or work in Indiana at least 51% of the time.
Indiana recorded 2,811 drug overdose deaths in 2021, approximately 78 percent involving opioids, according to the Indiana Department of Health. The state issued an Emerging Drug Notification for xylazine in April 2023, flagging the veterinary sedative increasingly found in combination with fentanyl on the illicit market and presenting new challenges for both overdose response and addiction treatment. That sustained demand for trained professionals has not let up.
The primary certification pathway for addiction counselors in Indiana runs through ICAADA, which oversees the CADAC credential system. There are five levels, each building on the last, from an entry-level certificate accessible to high school graduates all the way to advanced credentials for master’s-level clinicians. Here’s what each level requires and how to move through the process.
Understanding the CADAC Credential System
Before diving into the requirements for each level, it helps to understand the overall architecture of ICAADA’s credential system. The five CADAC levels are not a single linear ladder. They split into two distinct tracks depending on your education and existing licenses.
CADAC I and CADAC II are the entry-level and mid-level credentials open to anyone who meets the education and experience thresholds, regardless of professional licensure. CADAC III and CADAC V are add-on credentials for counselors who already hold an active behavioral health license issued by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). CADAC IV is a master’s-level credential for those without prior IPLA licensure who want to reach the advanced tier directly. If you’re also pursuing independent clinical practice, the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential follows a separate pathway through the IPLA.
ICAADA also issues the Addiction Consultant in Training (ACIT) credential, a non-renewable three-year certificate designed for people actively working toward CADAC certification. The ACIT is not a standalone professional credential, but it documents your progress in the field and can be useful for employment purposes while you accumulate the hours required for CADAC.
CADAC Credential Requirements
The table below summarizes the education, experience, and supervision requirements for each CADAC level. Detailed explanations follow.
| Credential |
Minimum Education |
Education Hours |
Experience Hours |
Supervision Hours |
| CADAC I |
High school diploma (no degree required) |
180 |
1,000–2,000 |
220 |
| CADAC II |
High school diploma (degree reduces experience hours) |
300 |
2,000–6,000 |
100–300 |
| CADAC III |
Active non-clinical IPLA Behavioral Health license |
40 |
None additional |
None additional |
| CADAC IV |
Master’s degree in a human services field |
180 |
2,000 |
100 |
| CADAC V |
Active master’s-level IPLA Behavioral Health license |
40 |
None additional |
None additional |
CADAC I
CADAC I is the entry point for counselors without a professional degree. It requires 180 clock hours of substance abuse-specific education, including 6 hours in ethics, 6 hours in HIV/AIDS education, and 6 hours in cultural competency. Experience requirements depend on education level: candidates without a bachelor’s or master’s degree must complete 2,000 hours of supervised work experience, while those with an applicable degree need only 1,000 hours. All CADAC I candidates, regardless of degree status, must complete a minimum of 220 hours of direct clinical supervision distributed across all four CADAC skills domains.
CADAC II
CADAC II is the credential recognized by the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction and by IC&RC, which means it carries reciprocity value in affiliated states and countries. It also qualifies as a billable counseling service credential in Indiana Opioid Treatment Programs. The education requirement is 300 clock hours, including the same 6-hour ethics, HIV/AIDS, and cultural competency requirements as CADAC I.
Experience hours for the CADAC II scale down significantly with education level. Candidates with a high school diploma need 6,000 hours of supervised experience and 300 hours of direct supervision. An associate’s degree brings that down to 5,000 experience hours and 250 supervision hours. A bachelor’s degree reduces it further to 4,000 hours and 200 supervision hours. A master’s degree brings the requirement to 2,000 hours of experience and 100 hours of direct supervision.
CADAC III
CADAC III is an add-on credential, not a standalone certification path. To be eligible, you must hold and maintain an active non-clinical (bachelor’s-level) license recognized by the IPLA Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board, which oversees Indiana behavioral health licensure. Qualifying licenses include the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), among others. Because your IPLA license already verifies your work history, CADAC III does not require separate experience hours or additional supervision beyond what you completed for licensure. You will need to complete 40 hours of addiction-specific education, including 6 hours each in ethics, HIV/AIDS education, and cultural competency.
CADAC IV
CADAC IV is the advanced credential for counselors with a master’s degree in a human services field who do not hold a qualifying IPLA license. It requires 180 clock hours of substance abuse-specific education (same topic requirements as CADAC I), 2,000 hours of supervised work experience in a substance use treatment setting, and 100 hours of direct supervision with at least 10 hours per skills domain.
CADAC V
Like CADAC III, CADAC V is an add-on credential for licensed clinicians. Eligibility requires an active master’s-level IPLA license: LCAC, LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, or HSPP. Temporary licenses are not accepted. No separate experience or supervision is required beyond what you completed for your IPLA credential. You’ll need to complete 40 hours of addiction-specific education with the same topic hour requirements as CADAC III.
Applying for CADAC Certification
All applicants must live or work in Indiana at least 51% of the time. Applications are submitted online through Certemy, and you’ll need to create an account before starting the process. Submit all supporting documentation with your application, including transcripts, supervision verification, and proof of education hours. Links to the specific application for each credential level are available directly on the ICAADA website:
Examinations
All CADAC exams are administered by the International Credentialing and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). The exam you take depends on the credential level you’re pursuing.
CADAC I, II, and III candidates take the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam, a 150-question test (125 scored questions plus 25 unscored pretest items) with a three-hour time limit, per the IC&RC General Candidate Guide (updated April 2025). The ADC is available in both English and Spanish, and both remote and in-person testing options are available. CADAC IV and V candidates take the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) exam.
IC&RC provides study materials and candidate guides on its website. Practice exams are available for purchase to help you prepare. You can find these resources at the IC&RC Exam Prep Material.
Renewal
CADAC certifications renew on a two-year cycle. To qualify for recertification, you must complete 40 hours of continuing education during each renewal period, including 6 hours in ethics. Recertification forms are available through the same ICAADA credential pages listed above.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Indiana earned a median annual wage of $57,920 as of May 2024, per BLS state data. That’s close to the national median of $59,190 for the same occupation, though salary varies by credential level, employer type, and setting. Counselors working in hospital-based programs or VA facilities tend to earn toward the upper range, while those in community outpatient settings typically start lower.
The employment picture is strong. The BLS projects this occupation to grow 17 percent nationally from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Indiana’s demand for addiction counselors is reinforced by ongoing state investment in behavioral health infrastructure and the continued pressure of the opioid epidemic.
| Geography |
Median Annual Wage (May 2024) |
| Indiana |
$57,920 |
| United States (national median) |
$59,190 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Indiana state data (May 2024) and Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2024).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CADAC III and CADAC V?
Both are add-on credentials for counselors who already hold an active IPLA Behavioral Health license. CADAC III is for non-clinical (bachelor’s-level) IPLA license holders, such as LSW or LAC. CADAC V is for master’s-level IPLA license holders, such as LCAC, LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, or HSPP. Neither requires separate work experience hours beyond what you completed for your IPLA license.
Can I apply for CADAC certification without a college degree?
Yes. CADAC I and CADAC II are both accessible to candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent. The tradeoff is more required experience hours. Without a degree, CADAC II requires up to 6,000 hours, compared to 2,000 hours with a master’s. Having a degree is not required, but it substantially reduces the experience timeline.
Does CADAC II offer reciprocity in other states?
Yes. CADAC II meets the International Credentialing and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) requirements for the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) credential, which is recognized in IC&RC-affiliated states and countries. If you’re considering relocating or working in multiple states, the CADAC II is the credential that travels most reliably.
How long does it take to earn CADAC certification?
Timeline varies widely by credential level and educational background. At CADAC II with a master’s degree, the 2,000 experience hours could be completed in roughly two years of full-time work. At CADAC II, with only a high school diploma, accumulating 6,000 hours takes closer to three to four years. Education hours can typically be completed independently through ICAADA-approved distance learning providers.
What continuing education is required to renew a CADAC credential?
All CADAC credential holders must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years to renew. At least 6 of those hours must be in ethics. Renewal requirements may vary slightly by level, so check with ICAADA directly for the most current recertification standards for your specific credential.
Key Takeaways
- ICAADA issues five CADAC credential levels in Indiana. CADAC I and II are open to all applicants, while CADAC III and V require an active IPLA Behavioral Health license as a prerequisite.
- Education requirements range from 40 hours (CADAC III and V) to 300 hours (CADAC II), and all levels require coursework in ethics, HIV/AIDS education, and cultural competency.
- Experience hours for CADAC II scale from 6,000 hours for high school diploma holders down to 2,000 hours for those with a master’s degree, making your degree level the biggest variable in your timeline.
- All CADAC exams are administered through IC&RC; CADAC I, II, and III use the ADC exam, while CADAC IV and V require the AADC exam.
- Indiana’s median annual wage for substance abuse counselors was $57,920 as of May 2024, per BLS data, with 17 percent projected job growth nationally through 2034.
- All certifications renew every two years and require 40 hours of continuing education, including at least 6 required ethics hours.
Ready to find a degree program that prepares you for CADAC certification in Indiana? Browse accredited addiction counseling programs by state and find options that match your 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 employment figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors represent national data; Indiana state figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Indiana (May 2024). Data is not school-specific. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
