Alcohol and Drug Counselor Requirements in Delaware
From education to prevention to individual and group counseling, Delaware’s alcohol and drug counselors continue to fight for those affected by substance use disorder. Through evidence-based interventions, educational programs, and advocacy work, these professionals ensure that the most vulnerable in Delaware receive the services and resources they need to win the battle with addiction.
The Delaware Certification Board (DCB) licenses Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC).
Professionals in the field who have earned a master’s degree are licensed as Chemical Dependency Professionals through the Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals. Alcohol and drug counselors in Delaware must first be licensed by the DCB before they can pursue licensure as a Chemical Dependency Professional.
Select a Delaware Alcohol and Drug Counselor Topic Below…
- Requirements for Certification by the Delaware Certification Board
- Application Process
- Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals Licensing
- Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals Application Process
- Additional Information
Certification by the Delaware Certification Board
Applicants for the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential must earn a minimum of an associate’s degree in a relevant field and:
- Complete at least 300 hours of relevant education/training that includes at least 6 hours in substance use disorder ethics (You may have satisfied this requirement through your degree; most three-credit college/university courses count at 45 hours.)
- Complete a period of on-the-job clinical supervision totaling at least 250 hours, with 10 hours of supervision in each counselor domain
- Complete at least 2.5 years (5,000 hours) of experience as a drug and alcohol counselor (Qualifying work experience is defined as providing primary, direct, clinical, substance use disorder or co-occurring counseling to persons whose primary diagnosis is that of substance use disorder.) All work experience must have occurred within the last 7 years; volunteer work is not accepted.
- Take and pass the IC&RC Examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC exam)
Delaware Certification Board Application Process
You must be currently employed as a drug and alcohol counselor at the time of application. You can download the CADC application or apply online.
The application package includes a verification form that must be completed by your supervisor. You must also provide your current job description, which must be signed by a supervisor. There is a $350 fee for certification. Prospective certificate holders can choose to have their education reviewed before application submission.
You must submit the application before taking the ADC examination. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive an email from the Board with instructions for registering for the exam.
Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals Licensing
There are two methods to demonstrate qualifications for licensure as a Chemical Dependency Professional through the Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals: CADC certification and reciprocity.
Candidates applying by certification must:
- Earn a master’s degree and 30 semester hours of study in counseling or closely related subjects
- Complete at least 3,200 hours of experience as a substance abuse counselor with at least 1,600 of the hours supervised by an approved clinical supervisor. The supervisor may be licensed as a chemical dependency professional, psychologist, clinical social worker, or professional mental health counselor. Supervision by a physician who specializes in chemical dependency is also acceptable.
- Provide proof of CADC certification through the Delaware Certification Board; the Board also accepts certification as a National Certified Addictions Counselor (NCAC) or Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) through the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC).
A substance abuse counselor who holds a current license in a U.S. jurisdiction and has held the license in good standing for at least five years is deemed to have adequate training and education for licensure by reciprocity.
A substance abuse counselor who is currently licensed but has not held a license for five years in any current jurisdiction will need to provide copies of the statutes, rules, and regulations under which the license was issued. If Delaware determines licensing standards were not comparable, the candidate will have the option of furnishing additional documentation and applying by certification.
Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals Application Process
All candidates must apply through the Delaware Professional Regulation Online Services (DELPROS).
The Counseling Experience Verification (verifies the 3,200 hours of substance abuse counseling experience) and Supervision Reference forms (verifies the 1,600 hours of supervised counseling experience) must be downloaded, printed, and sent to the Board.
The Board requires fingerprint-based criminal background checks.
Additional Information
Contact the Delaware Certification Board at (717) 540‐4456 with questions regarding the certification process.
Contact the Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals at (302) 744-4500 or [email protected] with questions regarding the licensing process.