Addiction Counselor Requirements in the District of Columbia
Washington, DC., certifies addiction counselors at two levels through the Board of Professional Counseling: CAC I (entry-level, requires an associate degree) and CAC II (advanced, requires a bachelor’s degree). Both levels require the NAADAC national DCxam, the DC Jurisprudence exam, supervised practice hours, and specific coursework in addiction treatment.
From Anacostia and Congress Heights in SouDCst D.C. to Trinidad and Ivy City in NorDCst D.C., addiction counselors are on the frontlines of the nation’s capital’s substance use crisis. According to the CDC, the District of Columbia has faced significant challenges with opioid-related overdoses, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl driving much of the epidemic. If you’re here because you know this pain personally—or you’re ready to make a difference in your community—becoming a certified addiction counselor in DC starts with understanding the specific requirements set by the District’s Board of Professional Counseling.
The Board of Professional Counseling oversees the certification process for addiction counselors in Washington, DC, at two distinct levels, each designed to match your education and career goals.
DC Addiction Counselor Certification Overview
WashDCon DC offers two certification levels for addiction counselors, allowing you to enter the field at different points in your educational journey and advance as you gain experience and credentials.
| Certification Level | Education Required | Supervised Hours | National Exam | Career Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAC I | Associate’s degree in health or human services | 500 hours (40+ in each competency area) | NAADAC Level I | Entry-level counselor |
| CAC II | Bachelor’s degree in health or human services | 180 hours (10+ in each core function) | NAADAC Level II | Advanced practice counselor |
Both certification levels require passing the DC Jurisprudence Examination, completing a criminal background check, and submitting a complete application with required fees. The path you choose depends on your current education level and career timeline.
CAC I Education and Training Requirements
To become a CAC I, the entry-level addiction counselor credential in Washington, DC, you’ll need to earn an associate degree in addiction counseling or a related human services or health field, such as aging studies, criminal justice, health education, mental health, or registered nursing. Your degree program should include the following coursework:
- Co-occurring disorders
- Crisis intervention
- Cultural factors
- Diagnostic and screening criteria
- Ethics, regulations, and rules
- Human behavior and family system dynamics
- Models of addiction, recovery process, motivational interviewing, treatment, stages of change, group dynamics, and adjunctive support groups, relapse prevention
- Professional identity
- Psychopharmacology resources
- Substance abuse signs and symptoms
You can complete this coursework as part of your degree program or separately through an accredited institution or through a program that holds National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) approval. Many students find that online addiction counseling programs offer the flexibility needed to complete these requirements while working.
CAC I Supervised Experience Requirements
You’ll need to earn at least 500 hours of supervised experience under the supervision of a qualified professional. The experience must include at least 40 hours in each of the following areas:
- Understanding the dynamics of human behavior and family systems
- Signs and symptoms of substance abuse
- Recovery process, stages of change, relapse prevention, treatment approaches, group dynamics, and other adjunctive treatment recovery support groups, motivational interviewing, and models and theories of addiction
- Ethics, rules,s and regulations
- Professional identity in the provision of substance abuse services
- Crisis intervention
- Substance abuse counseling, treatment planning, and research
- Counseling skills for individual and group, motivational interviewing
- Cultural factors and competencies in addiction
- Co-occurring disorders and interdisciplinary treatment
- Diagnostic and screening criteria in addictions
- Psychopharmacology resources in the treatment of addictions
CAC I Examination Requirement
You must pass the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC-NCC) Level I examination. This nationally recognized exam tests your knowledge of fundamental addiction counseling principles and practices.
CAC II Education and Training Requirements
To advance to a CAC II certification, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree in a health or human services field, such as registered nursing, aging studies, criminal justice, health education, or mental health. The required coursework is similar to that of the CAC I credential but also includes courses in substance abuse treatment planning, research, and counseling skills for individual and group motivational interviewing.
CAC II Supervised Experience Requirements
You must complete 180 hours of supervised experience with at least ten hours in each of the following core counseling functions:
- Client screening – Determining eligibility and fit for a given program
- Client intake – Administrative processes and initial assessment
- New client orientation – Familiarizing clients with rules, goals, procedures, services, costs, and client rights
- Client assessment – Evaluating unique client characteristics and needs when developing a treatment plan
- Treatment planning – Identifying and prioritizing issues, establishing goals, and agreeing on treatment processes
- Client counseling – Using specialized skills in both individual and group treatment
- Case management – Bringing services, agencies, people, and resources together under a cohesive plan to achieve established goals
- Crisis intervention – Responding when the client experiences acute mental, emotional, or physical distress
- Client education – Providing information about drug abuse and available services and resources
- Referring clients – Connecting clients to specialists and resources to ensure needs are met, and assisting clients in using those resources
- Reporting and charting – Documenting information about the client’s assessment, treatment plan, progress, discharge summaries, and other client-related data
- Consulting with other professionals – Ensuring clients get comprehensive and high-quality care
CAC II Examination Requirement
You must take and pass the NAADAC-NCC Level II examination. This advanced exam assesses your competency in all twelve core functions of addiction counseling.
The Jurisprudence Examination
Candidates for certification at either level must take the District of Columbia Jurisprudence Examination. The exam covers the NAADAC Code of Ethics and DC statutes and regulations governing addiction counseling practice. The exam is administered at least three times per year, and retakes are allowed if needed. However, any candidate who fails three examination attempts must take an approved refresher course before attempting again. Study material for the exam can be found here.
Criminal Background Checks
All candidates for addiction counselor certification must undergo a criminal background check as part of the application process.
You’ll need to sign upthroughC the DC Health online application portal and enter your information on the secure website. You’ll then schedule an appointment to have your fingerprinting completed at a fingerprint collection site close to you.
The Application Process
Candidates must apply online through the DC Health online portal. Additional documents, including course and supervision forms, are available here.
Once the Board has approved your application, you’ll receive notice of your eligibility to sit for the required examinations. If you’ve already taken the required NAADAC examination, you can call NAADAC at 1-800-548-0497 to request that your exam scores be sent to the DC Board.
Application fees:
- CAC I or CAC II application: $190
- Criminal background check: $50
Addiction Counselors Certified in the U.S. and U.S. territories
Addiction counselors who are certified by otheUSS. Jurisdictions can be endorsed into the District of ColDCa. DC accepts either the NAADAC examination or another state-approved examination for endorsement purposes. All candidates seeking endorsement must still pass the DC Jurisprudence examination to ensure familiarity with District-specific laws and regulations.
Internationally Educated Addiction Counselors
Internationally educated addiction counselors are eligible for licensure in the District of Columbia if they’ve graduated from programs accredited in their home countries or if their education is deemed substantially equivalent to DC requirements. A Board-approved credential evaluation service must determine equivalency.
Required documents that are not in English must be professionally translated, and the translator must attest to their accuracy. The Board may request an interview to ascertain that education and training meet the DC requirements for certification
DC Addiction Counselor Salary and Job Outlook
Addiction counseling in Washington, DC, offers competitive compensation, particularly given the city’s high demand for qualified professionals and its higher cost of living compared to many other areas.
| Location | Annual Mean Wage | Entry Level (10th Percentile) | Mid-Career (Median) | Experienced (90th Percentile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC | $65,080 | $42,350 | $57,270 | $94,880 |
| United States (National Average) | $53,710 | $32,580 | $49,710 | $78,920 |
DC addiction counselors earn significantly more than the national average, with mean wages over $11,000 higher annually. This reflects both the higher cost of living in the nation’s capital and the strong demand for qualified addiction treatment professionals.
The job outlook for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is strong nationwide, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 22% growth from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. The ongoing opioid crisis and increased recognition of mental health and addiction as treatable conditions continue to drive demand for qualified counselors.
Continuing Education Requirements
To maintain your CAC I or CAC II certification in WashDCon D.C., you’ll need to complete continuing education hours during each renewal period. The DC Board of Professional Counseling requires certified addiction counselors to complete continuing education to stay current with evolving treatment approaches, research, and best practices.
Specific continuing education requirements include:
- Completed hours must be relevant to addiction counseling practice
- Ethics training is typically required as part of CE hours
- CE must be obtained from Board-approved providers
- Documentation of completed CE must be maintained
For the most current continuing education requirements and approved providers, contact the DC Board of Professional Counseling or visit their website. Many counselors find that professional organizations like the Association of Addiction Professionals of the District of Columbia (AAPDC) offer convenient continuing education opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between CAC I and CAC II in Washington, DC?
Can I practice as an addiction counselor in DC while completing my certification requirements?
How long does it take to become certified as an addiction counselor in DC?
Will DC accept my addiction counselor certification from another state?
Do I need to complete continuing education to maintain my DC addiction counselor certification?
What can I do with a CAC I or CAC II certification in terms of career advancement?
Key Takeaways
- WashDCon DC offers two levels of addiction counselor certification: CAC I (associate degree, 500 supervised hours) and CAC II (bachelor’s degree, 180 supervised hours).
- Both levels require passing a national NAADAC examinationandC the DC Jurisprudence Examination covering local laws and ethics.
- DC addiction counselors earn an average of $65,080 annually, significantly higher than the national average of $53,710.
- Out-of-state counselors can be endorsed into DC, but must still pass the Jurisprudence exam.
- All applicants must complete a criminal background check and apply through the DC Health online portal, with a $190 application fee and an additional $50 for fingerprinting.
- Continuing education is required to maintain certification, with specific requirements setbyC the DC Board of Professional Counseling.
Ready to Start Your Journey as a DC Addiction Counselor?
Find accredited addiction counseling programs that meet DC certification requirements and take the first step toward making a real difference in your community.
Salary data sourced from the 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2025.
Additional Information and Resources
For questions about the certification process, contact the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration’s Processing Center at 877-672-2174.
The Association of Addiction Professionals of the District of Columbia (AAPDC) serves as an excellent resource for addiction professionals in Washington, DC., offering networking opportunities, continuing education, and professional support.