Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Receiving certification

Initial Certification

PCC offers coursework for an AAS degree and certificate. With this coursework, 648 hours of practicum experience is included. In total, 1,000 hours of the clinical experience is needed for certification as an alcohol and drug counselor (CADC I). The certificate offers for students to complete a practicum experience between 108 and 324 hours necessary for the CADC-1, however it is not required.

The certification process is managed by the Mental Health and Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO). MHACBO provides the application, reviews the educational background, verifies the 1,000 hours of clinical experience, and facilitates testing for the CADC-1 certificate completion.

Additional Certification(s)

PCC also offers a course for certifying as an Addiction Recovery Mentor. AD 107- Addiction Recovery Mentor satisfies the educational requirements to become certified as a recovery mentor (CRM). Please note that this course is intended for folks who want to work in a recovery oriented environment, while also identifying as someone with at least one year in recovery from addiction.

The certification process is managed by the Mental Health and Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO). MHACBO provides the application, verifies your course completion certificate, reviews your “Big Six ” background check, and facilitates testing for a short ethics quiz for CRM certification.

See information about background checks.

See information about clearing your record.