Receiving and Maintaining Certification

Alcohol and drug counseling class

PCC offers the coursework and 720 of the 1000 hours of the clinical experience necessary for certification as an alcohol and drug counselor (CADC I), and we offer the education and partial work experience needed for the Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS). The certification process is managed by the Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon (ACCBO). ACCBO reviews educational background and clinical experience and facilitates testing for certification.

Applying for Certification

To apply for certification, visit the links below to the ACCBO website and download the application materials. Once your educational background, clinical experience, and other application materials have been reviewed and accepted, you will be able to sit for the examination.

Certification Testing Requirements

You can get a copy of the Addiction Counselor Competencies, from the Addiction Technology Transfer Center website.

Continuing Education

All CADCs must obtain continuing education in order to renew their certification biannually. See the ACCBO website for current requirements.

Criminal Background Check

Anyone interested in working in the addiction counseling profession in the State of Oregon should be aware that a Criminal History Check as a condition of employment is a standard practice. A conviction does not automatically disqualify someone from obtaining employment. Each situation is evaluated on a case by case basis and therefore it is very difficult to predict in advance who can be employed in any given employment situation. It is common place for individuals with one or more convictions on their record to be employed in the addiction counseling profession. The Alcohol and Drug Counselor Program cannot determine in advance who is or is not employable due to their criminal history.

Information on Clearing a Criminal Record can be found on the Oregon State Bar website.