Substance abuse and behavioral counselors spend their careers helping people who face a variety of behavior health challenges, such as drug and alcohol addiction. This work includes developing treatment plans to help your clients overcome their challenges. Substance abuse and behavioral counselors work in outpatient facilities, community health centers, private practice, and behavioral health facilities.
Idaho requires substance abuse counselors to obtain certification through the Idaho Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC), including additional education requirements, as well as Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse (AODA) counseling hours.
You must also provide evidence of 270 hours of education in Assessment, Case Management, Client Examination, Counseling, and Professional Responsibility.
In order to prepare graduates for certification through the IBADACC, the program you choose must include the following 12 counselor functions:
Common coursework required for these programs includes addiction studies, crisis intervention, chemical dependency counseling, and counseling theory and technique.
The state of Idaho requires all substance abuse counselors to meet certain criteria in order to work in behavioral health programs. IBADCC grants certification based on a combination of education and number of hours performing AODA work, as well as additional education requirements and passing the IC&RC/AODA Substance Abuse Exam.
There are two levels of certification:
Both require the ability to pass a criminal background check, passing the exam, and turning in a complete application and requisite fee. CADC certification requires 6,000 hours of AODA work if you have no degree, 5,000 hours if you have an associate degree, and 4,000 hours if you have a bachelor's degree or higher. You also need at least 10 hours of supervised work in each of the 12 core functions, and 300 supervised hours with a board-approved supervisor. ACADC certification requires a master's degree, as well as 2,000 ADOA hours, and 180 supervised hours with 10 hours in each of the 12 core functions.
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