If you are searching for a career where you truly make an impact on people’s lives, becoming a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) can be a great option to consider. To earn your LCDC license, there are several steps you need to take, and, at Sober College, we can help you fulfill your educational requirements.
What Is A Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor?
Before we dive into the steps you need to take to earn your LCDC license, let’s take a look at this career option in general. As an LCDC, you will help your clients overcome their addictions and create treatment plans to facilitate long-term sobriety.
While the terms “chemical dependency counselor” and “chemical dependency counseling” are still commonly used in some states, the preferred term is Substance Use Disorder counselor, or SUD counselor.
However, states such as Texas and Ohio still officially use the title LCDC, while other states might use the term Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, or CADC. Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, or LADC, is another common term.
The names differ from state to state, but the job tasks tend to be the same. Counsleors will handle all tasks associated with the 12 Core Functions of Addiction Counseling. These functions or tasks were developed in 1980 to standardize substance use disorder treatment, and they include the following:
- Patient Screening
- Intake
- Patient Orientation
- Assessment
- Treatment Planning
- Counseling (including Individual, Group & Family Counseling)
- Case Management
- Crisis Intervention
- Client Education
- Referral
- Reporting & Record Keeping
- Consultation with Other Professionals
As an LCDC, CADC, or the equivalent, you will handle all of these addiction counseling functions. Counselors work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, inpatient treatment centers, outpatient facilities, private practices and other facilities that help those struggling with substance abuse or those in recovery. In some cases, you also might work on the prevention side, creating programs to help prevent substance use disorders.
How To Earn Your LCDC License
There are several licensing requirements you must complete to become an addiction counselor, including the following:
1. Complete Your Educational Requirements
In most states, you will need to complete about 315 hours of addiction studies education from an approved provider. Sober College of Addiction Studies is an approved educational provider for students in most states. We offer NAADAC-approved and IC&RC-approved curriculum, which means it can be used in all states except Alaska, Montana and North Dakota.
2. Complete Your Practicum Hours
Typically, you will be required to complete about 255 hours of practicum experience, which is basically an internship. During your practicum, you must spend at least 21 hours handling each of the 12 Core Functions at an approved facility.
Some states require more practicum hours than others, but we include 255 hours of practicum in our program, so you should be able to complete most or all of your practicum through Sober College.
3. Take & Pass The IC&RC Exam
IC&RC is an international organization that provides standardized testing for a variety of types of SUD counselors. As an LCDC, you likely will be required to pass this organization’s Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam. Our curriculum, along with your practicum experience, should provide you with all you need to know to pass this exam, but IC&RC does offer test prep materials on its website.
4. Complete Your Work Experience Hours
To earn your LCDC license, you will need to complete a specific number of work experience hours, and this varies by state and by the level of LCDC certification you wish to earn.
For instance, in California, where an LCDC is known as a CADC, you need to complete 3,000 hours to become a CADC-I. To become a CADC-II, you must earn 6,000 hours, and most CADC-I’s keep acquiring hours to reach this second level.
A CADC-III only needs to complete 4,000 hours, but this person must also have earned a bachelor’s degree. A college degree is typically not required to become an LCDC or CADC, except for higher levels of licensure or certification, such as a CADC-III. Keep in mind that state requirements do vary, and you’ll need to research the number of work experience hours required for certification in your state.
5. Apply For Licensure
Once you’ve completed the first four steps, you can apply for licensure or certification through your state’s certification board. There will be a fee to apply, and the cost varies by state.
In most states, you will need to renew your license or certification about every two years. To do so, you will need to complete Continuing Education (CE) units, and the number of units varies by state. In some cases, attending webinars and conferences can be a way to earn CE units, but CE options also may be available through your state certification board.
Why Choose Sober College?
At Sober College, we make it as easy and fast as possible for students to complete their educational requirements. Unlike a traditional college, which can take years to complete, our program (including practicum) can be completed in just six months.
If you have been searching for a convenient way to earn your substance abuse counselor certification, our program is 100% online, and we offer rolling admissions so you can get started at any time. This makes it easy for busy, working adults to schedule their learning time rather than having to attend in-person classes.
Additionally, the total cost for our program (excluding books) is just $4,250 with no hidden fees. The cost for books ranges from $300 to $500 total. This is far less expensive than most college or university programs, yet we still offer a high-quality curriculum that will prepare you for your work as a certified addiction counselor.
Get Started Now At Sober College!
If you are ready to take the first steps toward earning your CADC or LCDC license, you can enroll in our program by simply heading to our homepage and selecting “Apply” under the Get Started tab. SUD counselors are in great demand, and this can be a truly rewarding career where you help others heal!
