North Carolina CADC Initial Certification – 270 hours

CEU Matrix’s 270-hour North Carolina Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) online package is approved by the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB) and fulfills all education requirements for the CADC credential. Every required content area and topic — including SUD-specific education, clinical ethics, HIV/AIDS/STDs/Bloodborne Pathogens, and contemporary addictions — is covered in this 270-hour package for CADC certification.

Package Information

North Carolina CADC Certification Requirements and Course Package

This course package offers substantial savings versus purchasing the courses individually. Courses are taken at your convenience, there is no time limit, and everything is done online. If you have any other questions please call John Tinsley at (512) 843-0866.

What This Package Covers

North Carolina requires 270 clock hours of education for the CADC credential. This CEU Matrix 270-hour package provides full coverage of the required 270 hours with at least 190 hours being SUD-specific, a minimum of 6 hours each in clinical ethics, HIV/AIDS/STDs/Bloodborne Pathogens, and other contemporary addictions topic.

Please see the “Package Contents” section below for the complete list of courses included in this package.

Certification Requirements

  • Education Required: High school diploma or equivalent, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or graduate degree
  • Work Experience: 6,000 hours (3 years) of supervised substance use disorder counseling experience verified by a CCS or CSI.
  • Supervised Hours: 300 hours of supervised practicum completed by a CCS or CSI at a ratio of 1 hour of supervision per 10 hours of work.
  • State Exam: IC&RC ADC Examination.

Important Notes

At least 60 of the 270 education hours must have been completed within the last 2 years.

Renewal Requirements

60 hours of training every 2 years; at least 30 hours must be SUD-specific; must include 3 hours ethics, 3 hours HIV/AIDS/STD/BBP, and 3 hours of a special topic (Nicotine Dependence, SUD and Veterans, SUD and the Elderly, Psychopathology, or Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches).

Package Contents

Computerized Assessment of Substance Abuse (4 hours)
Screening and Assessment of Clients in the Criminal Justice System (6 hours)
Substance Abuse Screening and Assessment in Criminal Justice Systems (6 hours)
Anger Management for Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Clients: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Manual (Revised 2025) (3 hours)
You Can Lead a Horse to Water – Treatment Resistance and Motivation Characteristics of Offenders Who Use Substances (3 hours)
Treating Early Life Trauma-Related Issues in Early Recovery From Addictive Disorders (4 hours)
Clinical Drug Testing in Primary Care (3 hours)
Cluckers, Clockers, Cookers: An Introduction to Drug Control Policy for Substance Abuse Counselors (3 hours)
A Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction Module 1 (4 hours)
A Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction Module 2 (3 hours)
A Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction Module 3 (4 hours)
The Offender and Addiction – Clinical Case Management (6 hours)
Substance Abuse and Sexual Assault (3 hours)
Supporting Infants, Toddlers, and Families Impacted by Caregiver Mental Health Problems, Substance Abuse, and Trauma (4 hours)
Implementing Change in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs (3 hours)
Motivation for Change in Substance Abuse Treatment (6 Hours)
Treatment Planning:Utilizing the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) (3 hours)
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy TIP 39 Part I (3 hours)
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy TIP 39 Part II (4 hours)
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy TIP 39 Part III (3 hours)
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy TIP 39 Part IV (4 hours)
Drug Treatment Courts: An Integrated Approach (3 hours)
Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy (TIP 41) (Revised 2025) (5 hours)
A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction (CBA-1) Module 1 (4 hours)
A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction (CBA-2) Module 2 (4 hours)
Major Treatment Issues for Offenders Who Use Substances (6 hours)
Booting Up the System- Case Management Models, Principles and Practices (3 hours)
Working With Families of Chemically Dependent Criminal Justice Offenders (3 hours)
Treatment Needs and Strategies for Individuals in Various Criminal Justice Settings (12 hours)
Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Addiction using Buprenorphine (6 hours)
Overview of Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment (4 hours)
Group Treatments for Addiction (6 hours)
Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People With Co-Occurring Disorders, Module 1 (Revised 2025)
Counseling for Marijuana Dependence – A Manual for Treating Adults (6 hours)
Relapse Prevention Counseling (4 hours)
Substance Abuse Counseling for Clients with HIV/AIDS (3 hours)
Treating Chronic Mental Illness & Substance Use Disorders: Individual and Group Counseling Strategies (6 hours)
Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice (Module 1) (3 hours)
Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice (Module 2) (3 hours)
Treatment of Anger and Aggression in Early Recovery (6 hours)
Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment (3 hours)
Overview of Group Therapy for Substance Abuse Treatment (8 hours)
Treatment of Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders, Module 1 (3 hours)
Treatment of Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders, Module 2 (3 hours)
Coping With Feelings and Moods (4 hours)
Drug and Alcohol Dependence: The Problem, The Solution, and Co-Occurring Disorders (3 hours)
Managing Depressive Symptoms in Substance Abuse Clients During Early Recovery (6 hours)
The Offender and Addiction – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (6 hours)
Commitment to Change – Overcoming Errors in Thinking (4 hours)
Commitment to Change – The Power of Consequences (4 hours)
Commitment to Change – Habits That Block Change (4 hours)
Mind Over Matter: The Brain’s Response to Drugs. A Teacher’s Guide (3 hours)
Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People With Co-Occurring Disorders, Module 4 (Revised 2025)
Ethical Decision Making for Counselors (4 hours)
Ethical Practice with Special Populations (3 hours)
Personal Wellness for Substance Abuse Counselors (3 hours)
The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 hours)
Clinical Supervision: Models, Roles and Responsibilities, Ethics and Legal Issues (3 hours)
Retraining and Updating on Currently Abused Drugs (3 hours)
Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People with Physical and Cognitive Disabilities (6 hours)
Faith Based Substance Abuse Treatment (3 hours)
Powerlessness or Empowerment? Special Issues in Treating Women Offenders Who Abuse Substances (3 hours)
An Introduction to Treatment Medications: What Every Counselor Should Know (4 hours)
Considerations for the Provision of E-Therapy (3 hours)
HIV and Other Blood-Borne Infections in Drug Users (6 hours)

Package FAQs

How do I find North Carolina-approved courses on CEU Matrix?

Click “Course Listing” at the top of our homepage, select North Carolina from the map, then choose your credential level or “All Available Courses.”

 

 

We offer several money-saving options:

  • Value Package (10 hours for $99, saves $31)
  • 60 Hour CADC Renewal Package ($360, saves $420)
  • 40 Hour LCAS Renewal Package ($240, saves $280)

Plus, we offer specialized credential packages with significant savings for initial certification requirements.

 

 

Courses are available immediately with credit card payment in your Student Center under “My Courses.” For renewal packages, you’ll receive credits to select individual courses.

 

 

Unlike many states that limit online/distance learning hours, North Carolina allows 100% of your required training and continuing education to be completed through CEU Matrix online courses. This means you can complete your entire credential pathway using our platform without needing to find in-person training to meet state requirements.

 

 

CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) Entry-level credential for counselors with high school diploma through graduate degrees that don’t qualify for LCAS. Requires completion of education requirements (available through CEU Matrix), 300-hour practicum under CCS supervision, supervised work experience, IC&RC ADC exam, and ongoing supervision after certification. Multi-step process: Registration → Intern Status → Full Certification.

LCAS (Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist) Master’s level credential requiring qualifying graduate degree with clinical internship component. Requires 180 hours of substance-specific education (available through CEU Matrix), may require 300-hour practicum (depending on Criteria), supervised work experience, and IC&RC AADC exam. Allows independent practice and supervision of CADCs. Multi-step process varies by Criteria (A, B, C, or D).

 

 

We’ve designed specific packages for North Carolina requirements:

  • Initial CADC Package: Covers the education hours required, with substance-specific and general counseling content identification
  • LCAS Initial Package: Provides the full 180 hours of substance-specific education required for all LCAS pathways
  • CADC Renewal Package: 60 hours with built-in tracking for substance-specific hours, ethics, HIV/AIDS, and special topics requirements
  • LCAS Renewal Package: 40 hours structured to meet North Carolina’s specific renewal requirements

 

 

Yes, you can retake any CEU Matrix exam multiple times at no additional cost. Exams are scored immediately online, and you can print your certificate of completion as soon as you pass.

 

 

No, there’s no time limit on CEU Matrix courses. The system tracks your credits automatically, so you can work at your own pace 24/7 from anywhere with internet access while meeting North Carolina’s requirements.

 

 

Your CEU Matrix Student Center under “My Courses” has all certificates for immediate download/printing. These certificates are specifically formatted for North Carolina NCSAPPB applications and include all required information for your credential submissions.

 

 

  • CADC 60 hours every 2 years (at least 30 hours substance-specific) including 3 hours ethics, 3 hours HIV/AIDS/STD/BBP, and 3 hours of special topics (nicotine dependence, psychopathology, evidence-based treatment, veterans issues, or elderly issues).
  • LCAS 40 hours every 2 years (at least 30 hours substance-specific) including 3 hours ethics, 3 hours HIV/AIDS/STD/BBP, and 3 hours of special topics.

 

 

Approved and Widely Recognized

CEU Matrix is approved by the following national and state accreditation boards:

Provider #6310
Provider #94564

CEU Matrix is approved with the following state boards:

Arkansas (ASACB), California (CCAPP #OS-07-394-0222), California (CADTP #250), Connecticut (#0115-5202), Delaware (DCB #37), Florida (FCB #5141-A), Georgia (ADACBGA #2026-4-003), Illinois (IAODAPCA #19345), Kentucky, Louisiana (LA ADRA #E026), Michigan (MCBAP), Missouri (Missouri CB #183), New Mexico (NMCBBHP #2046), North Carolina (NCSAPPB), Ohio (OCDP #50-19236), Oklahoma (OBLADS #20260153), Texas (TCB #1758-07)

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