CADDTP Certification Activity

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Certification as an Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor

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Mandatory Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor Certification is required for all those who provide counseling services in any program that is licensed or certified by the California Department of Alcohol & Drug Programs or DADP. (California Code of Regulations, Title 9, Section 13000, et seq., as effective on April 1, 2005). The regulations are available at www.adp.ca.gov.

There are nine AOD counselor certifying organizations recognized by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (DADP) and the California Association of Drinking Driver Treatment Programs (CADDTP) is one of the nine. As required in the regulations, all nine are currently accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Organizations (NCCA).

CADDTP’s Requirements to become a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CAODC™):

1. Within six months of being employed as a counselor in a DADP licensed or certified program, or when six months service as such has accumulated, an applicant must register with and submit a signed code of ethics to CADDTP for certification. The downloadable registration form and code of ethics are listed below. The fee for registration is $50.

2. Applicants will have five years from the date of beginning employment as an AOD counselor in a DADP certified or licensed program to complete the following:

• After providing proof (original transcript or certified copy) of completion of at least 320 hours of formal, in-classroom, post secondary alcohol and/or other drug education, the applicant must take and pass an exam, which covers the TAP 21 standards for substance abuse counselors. The exam, also known as the RAS exam, is administered for CADDTP by The Breining Institute
• Potential exam takers must be registered with CADDTP and complete the exam application (available at this web site) and pay the exam fee ($199).
• If the application is approved, applicants will be notified by mail of how to make exam arrangements (appointment, locations, etc.) and will receive a study guide that conforms to the exam.
• NOTE: The exam is computer-based, offered at many locations throughout California – and even other states, appointments can be made to take it on Monday through Friday, and results (pass/fail) will be available immediately on completion of the exam.
• After passing the exam, applicants will be responsible for submitting the exam results, proof of work experience as specified in the above-noted regulations (if not already submitted), and a $150 certification fee to CADDTP. They will then receive their Certified Alco-hol and Drug Counselor (CAODC) certificate.
• There is a thirty day waiting period for those who do not pass the exam and wish to re-apply to take it again. There is also a re-exam fee of $75.

• Click Here to download the latest version of the TAP 21 manual.


• Click Here to download the Exam Application.


• Click Here to download the Registration Form.


• Click Here to download the Code of Ethics.


• Click Here to download the Credit Card Authorization Form.