Pennsylvania Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) Initial Certification (300 hours)

Pennsylvania substance use credentials are issued by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB). Pennsylvania offers four addiction counselor credentials at different levels: the AAC (Associate Addiction Counselor) for high school graduates entering the field, the CAAC (Certified Associate Addiction Counselor) for counselors without a bachelor’s degree, the CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) for bachelor’s-degree holders, and the CAADC (Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor) for master’s-degree holders pursuing clinical-level practice. Counselors choose a credential based on their education level and career goals, with all four pathways requiring approved education, supervised work experience, and (except for the AAC) a passing IC&RC examination.

The four PCB credentials differ by education requirement, exam, and practice level. AAC requires a high school diploma, 100 training hours, and 2,000 supervised work hours — no exam. CAAC requires a high school diploma or associate’s degree, 300 training hours, 6,000 supervised work hours, and a passing IC&RC ADC exam. CADC requires a bachelor’s degree, 300 training hours, 4,000-6,000 supervised work hours (depending on degree relevance), and a passing IC&RC ADC exam. CAADC requires a master’s degree in a relevant field, 180 training hours, 2,000 supervised work hours, and a passing IC&RC AADC exam — the master’s-level exam.

The AAC requires no examination — the credential is granted based on completed education, work experience, and supervised hours. The CAAC and CADC both require a passing score on the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) examination. The CAADC requires a passing score on the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) examination — a master’s-level exam distinct from the ADC.

Pennsylvania’s CADC requires: a minimum bachelor’s degree, 300 hours of approved training in the four IC&RC ADC performance domains (with at least 100 hours specific to substance use disorders and 6 hours in professional counselor ethics), 200 hours of on-the-job clinical supervision (minimum 10 hours in each of the four domains), and a passing IC&RC ADC examination. Supervised work experience scales with degree relevance: 4,000 hours (two years full-time) with a relevant bachelor’s degree, or 6,000 hours (three years full-time) with a non-relevant bachelor’s degree. CEU Matrix’s PCB-approved 300-hour CADC package covers the full education requirement across all four IC&RC ADC performance domains.

Pennsylvania’s CAADC is the master’s-level clinical credential and requires: a master’s degree in a relevant field, 180 hours of approved training in the four IC&RC AADC performance domains (Screening/Assessment/Engagement; Treatment Planning/Collaboration/Referral; Counseling and Education; Professional and Ethical Responsibilities), at least 6 hours in counselor ethics, 2,000 hours (one year full-time) of direct clinical SUD or co-occurring counseling in the specific CAADC domains, 100 hours of on-the-job clinical supervision (minimum 10 hours in each domain), and a passing IC&RC AADC exam. CEU Matrix’s PCB-approved 180-hour CAADC package covers the full education requirement across all four IC&RC AADC performance domains.

The AAC and CAAC are PCB credentials that do not require a bachelor’s degree. The AAC requires a high school diploma, 100 hours of approved training (with at least 6 hours in counselor ethics), 2,000 hours of direct primary clinical SUD counseling within the last 7 years, 100 hours of supervised clinical practice, and no examination. CEU Matrix’s PCB-approved 100-hour AAC package covers the full education requirement. The CAAC requires a high school diploma or associate’s degree, 300 training hours (100 hours SUD-specific, 6 hours ethics), 6,000 hours (three years full-time) as a drug and alcohol counselor, 300 hours of clinical supervision, and a passing IC&RC ADC exam. CEU Matrix’s PCB-approved 300-hour CAAC package covers the full education requirement.

Training is self-paced — 300 hours total. The longest factor is supervised work experience: 4,000 hours (about two years full-time) with a relevant bachelor’s degree, or 6,000 hours (about three years full-time) with a non-relevant bachelor’s degree. Combined with the 200-hour clinical supervision requirement and the IC&RC ADC exam, candidates also complete the certification application and exam scheduling steps before the credential is awarded.

All four PCB addiction counselor credentials (AAC, CAAC, CADC, and CAADC) renew every two years and require 40 continuing education hours per cycle, with a minimum of 3 hours in professional counselor ethics. Pennsylvania does not limit how many CE hours can come from online education, making distance learning a fully accepted renewal pathway.

Yes. The Pennsylvania CADC is built on the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) examination, which is portable across IC&RC member boards in other states. The CAAC is similarly reciprocal through the IC&RC ADC exam, and the CAADC through the IC&RC AADC exam. The AAC is a Pennsylvania-specific credential (no exam) and is not part of the IC&RC reciprocity system.

Counselors holding an IC&RC ADC or AADC credential in good standing from another IC&RC member state can transfer to the equivalent Pennsylvania credential through reciprocity. PCB processes reciprocity applications and may require documentation of state-specific education content (such as the 6-hour ethics requirement). The CAAC and CAADC additionally require applicants to live or work in Pennsylvania at the time of application. The AAC is a Pennsylvania-only credential and is not eligible for inbound IC&RC reciprocity.

Yes. CEU Matrix is a PCB-approved continuing education provider. Our Pennsylvania packages cover the full education requirement for each PCB credential we offer — AAC (100 hours), CAADC (180 hours), CAAC (300 hours), and CADC (300 hours).

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 Pennsylvania credential progress and total hours earned.