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.
- Credit Hours: 270
- Price: $1,130
- State Board Approved
- Affordable & On-Demand
- Instant Certificates Upon Completion
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 become a substance abuse counselor in North Carolina?
North Carolina substance use credentials are issued by the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB). The most common entry credential is the CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) — 270 training hours, 6,000 hours of supervised SUD counseling work, a 300-hour supervised practicum, and a passing IC&RC ADC exam. Counselors with a master’s degree pursue the LCAS (Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist), and those working in criminal justice settings can pursue the CCJP (Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional).
What is the difference between CADC, CCJP, and LCAS in North Carolina?
The CADC is North Carolina’s general SUD counseling credential — open to high school graduates with the IC&RC ADC exam. The CCJP is a specialty credential for counselors working in correctional treatment, drug courts, parole, and reentry — it requires the IC&RC CCJP exam and 270 training hours. The LCAS is North Carolina’s clinical-license-equivalent credential — it requires a master’s degree, 4,000 post-graduate SUD counseling hours, 180 training hours, and a passing IC&RC AADC examination.
What exam do I need to pass for the North Carolina CADC, CCJP, or LCAS?
The CADC requires a passing score on the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam. The CCJP requires the IC&RC Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP) exam. The LCAS requires the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) exam — a master’s-level exam distinct from the ADC.
What are the North Carolina CADC certification requirements?
North Carolina’s CADC requires: a high school diploma or higher, 270 clock hours of approved education (with at least 190 hours SUD-specific and minimum 6 hours each in clinical ethics, HIV/AIDS/STDs/Bloodborne Pathogens, and other contemporary addiction topics), 6,000 hours of supervised SUD counseling work verified by a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) or Clinical Supervisor Intern (CSI), a 300-hour supervised practicum at a 1:10 supervision ratio, and a passing IC&RC ADC exam. CEU Matrix’s NCSAPPB-approved 270-hour CADC package covers the full education requirement.
What is the North Carolina CCJP, and who should pursue it?
The CCJP (Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional) is an NCSAPPB credential for counselors working at the intersection of substance use and the criminal justice system — including correctional treatment, drug courts, parole/probation, and reentry programs. It requires a high school diploma minimum, 270 clock hours of approved education across the eight IC&RC CCJP performance domains, and a passing IC&RC CCJP exam. CEU Matrix’s NCSAPPB-approved 270-hour CCJP package covers all eight performance domains.
How long does it take to get CADC certified in North Carolina?
Training is self-paced — 270 clock hours total. The longest factor is the supervised work experience requirement: 6,000 hours of SUD counseling (about three years full-time) verified by a CCS or CSI. Combined with the 300-hour supervised practicum and the IC&RC ADC exam.
When does my North Carolina certification renew?
The CADC and CCJP both renew every two years and require 60 hours of continuing education per cycle, with at least 30 hours SUD-specific and required minimums of 3 hours ethics, 3 hours HIV/AIDS/STD/Bloodborne Pathogens, and 3 hours of a special topic (such as Nicotine Dependence, SUD and Veterans, or SUD and the Elderly). The LCAS renews every two years with 40 hours of CE, including 30 hours SUD-specific, 3 hours ethics, 3 hours HIV/AIDS, and 3 hours elective.
Is the North Carolina CADC or LCAS IC&RC reciprocal?
Yes for both. The CADC is built on the IC&RC ADC examination and the LCAS on the IC&RC AADC examination — both are portable across IC&RC member boards in other states. The CCJP is similarly reciprocal through the IC&RC CCJP exam.
Can I transfer my certification to North Carolina from another state?
Counselors holding an IC&RC ADC, AADC, or CCJP credential in good standing from another IC&RC member state can transfer to the equivalent North Carolina credential through reciprocity. NCSAPPB processes reciprocity applications and may require documentation of state-specific renewal-cycle topics before the transfer is finalized.
Are CEU Matrix's North Carolina packages NCSAPPB-approved?
Yes. CEU Matrix is an NCSAPPB-approved continuing education provider. Our North Carolina packages cover the full education requirement for each NCSAPPB credential we offer — CADC (270 hours), CCJP (270 hours), and LCAS (180 hours).
How do I access my courses and track progress?
All courses become available in your CEU Matrix Student Center the moment payment clears, with no enrollment delay. Coursework is fully self-paced — there is no fixed completion deadline. Your progress, exam scores, and earned certificates are tracked automatically and stored under “My Courses,” giving you a single consolidated view of your North Carolina credential progress and total hours earned.
Approved and Widely Recognized
CEU Matrix is approved by the following national and state accreditation boards:
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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