CADDTP Alcohol & Other Drug Counselor Certification

CADDTP is one of nine AOD Counselor certifying bodies approved by the State of California Alcohol & Drug Programs

CADDTP is accredited by ICE - NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies)

CADDTP is a comprehensive certifying organization certifying AOD counselors of various job types; DUI, In-patient, Out-patient, County contracted AOD services, etc.

CADDTP offers ease with scheduling availability for testing by liaison with exam agencies that offer multiple exam dates annually

CADDTP offers low cost registration, certification, and re-certification

CADDTP Organizational Members are approved to provide AOD CEU’s

Visit the Certification Info & Application section for more information.

The CADDTP Organization

The California Association of Drinking Driver Treatment Programs, CADDTP, is a non-profit, mutual benefit organization, formed as an association in 1986 and incorporated in 1988. CADDTP is self-supported through membership dues, association activities, and contributions.

CADDTP's organizational membership currently includes a majority of the several hundred DUI programs licensed by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. CADDTPs total membership includes over 2000 individuals.

CADDTP is a pro-active organization. We seek to promote the understanding, improvement, and at times the preservation, of driving-under-the-influence programs in California. The results of our organizational mission has had a significant impact on reducing recidavison in the State of California, creating safer communities for all California residents. CADDTP also seeks to evaluate and enhance the services offered by its members and others in DUI programs throughout the state.  

CADDTP began certificating counselors, instructors, and administrators in licensed DUI programs in 1988. In April of 2005, the Department of Alcohol & Drug Programs amended the regulations, and a new procedure was required for certification of alcohol and other drug counselors. 

CADDTP is one of the nine organizations currently named in the California Administrative Code, Title 9, Section 13035, with authorization to certify individuals as alcohol or other drug counselors. Since that time, CADDTP has certified over 1,000 counselors.

CADDTP believes a significant part of its responsibility to its members and to the DUI program field, in general, to provide this service and to keep the costs of certification reasonable.

For over 23 years CADDTP has held semi-annual educational forums, open to both members and non-members. The forums continue to be held each Spring in Southern California and in the Fall in Northern California. Attendance at the forums is strong with Continuing Education Units for attendees, relevant topics, and exciting presenters.

Legislative Action

CADDTP has significantly impacted the nature of California's licensed DUI program "system":

CADDTP has successfully "sponsored" ten legislative measures, and has been materially involved in the development, or revision, of a number of other legislative proposals. For example:

• The innovative 30 Month Program for 3rd and subsequent (chronic) DUI offenders.

• Standardized California's first offender programs to include, among other things, minimum requirements for education and counseling services. The bill also brought these programs under state licensure and regulation.

• Senate Bill 311 which, among other things, essentially made satisfactory completion of the appropriate, licensed DUI program a pre-requisite for license re-instatement for ALL those (first or multiple offenders) who have had a suspension or revocation as a result of a DUI-related conviction.

• Senate Bill 1650, dealt further with mandatory program completion for those who have been convicted of a DUI.

• Senate Bill 1186 A 1998 bill, sponsored by CADDTP and enacted into law, requires all those who plead to "wet reckless" driving to complete, at a minimum, the educational component of a licensed DUI program as a condition of probation.

• Senate Bill 24

• Assembly Bill 803, effective in 2001 added the same educational component requirement for those 18 to 21 years of age who have been found to have been driving with a BAC of 0.05 to 0.08.

For two decades, the California DUI program network has been providing services to well over 120 thousand impaired drivers per year at no cost to taxpayers. DUI-related arrests have also dramatically lowered during this time, and recidivism continues to decline.CADDTP believes that future studies and evaluations will show that the DUI programs are not only an important component in preventing recidivism, but that they are also a wide-reaching and effective means of moving alcohol and other drug dependent individuals toward long-term recovery. CADDTP will continue to work to improve and promote understanding of these programs.