Substance Abuse Counselor Requirements in Idaho
Idaho’s substance abuse counselors are committed to helping people struggling under the weight of addiction take steps toward recovery. Whether involved in direct counseling services or in other areas like advocacy and education, substance abuse counselors in the Gem State have a deep understanding of the mechanisms behind addiction and the treatment methods for tackling it head on.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Alcohol/Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Programs does not license substance abuse counselors but does define “qualified professionals” as those delivering services in state facilities.
According to state administrative code, you can meet the requirements it takes to be considered a qualified substance abuse counselor by holding a license in another health discipline or by earning certification through the Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC), a member of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).
The IBADCC credentials substance abuse counselors at two levels:
- Alcohol/Drug Counselor (ADC)
- Advanced Alcohol/Drug Counselor (AADC)
Idaho also accepts the Northwest Indian Alcohol/Drug Specialization Board’s Chemical Dependency Counselor I, II, and III certifications and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) credential (not currently taking applications).
Select an Idaho Alcohol/Drug Counselor Topic Below…
- Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification Requirements
- Northwest Indian Alcohol/Drug Specialization Board Certification
- Substance Use Disorders Professional Trainees
- Additional Information
Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification
To become an ADC or AADC in Idaho, you’ll need to meet specific education, training and examination requirements.
Alcohol/Drug Counselor (ADC)
To become an ADC, you must have the following:
- A bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health field (e.g., social work, counseling, addiction studies, psychology, sociology) that includes a clinical component.
- 4,000 hours of supervised work experience with alcohol and other drug addiction clients (can be paid or unpaid) under a qualified supervisor
- 300 hours of supervision with a minimum of 10 hours in each of the 12 Core Functions
- 270 hours of education, with a minumum of 30 hours in each of the IC&RC domains and tasks:
- Screening, Assessment and Engagement
- Treatment Planning
- Collaboration and Referral
- Counseling and Education
- Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
- 6 hours of ethics education specific to substance abuse counselors
- Passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam
Education may include formal college courses or workshops and seminars approved by any of the following organizations: IC&RC, Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), State of Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), National Association of Social Workers (NASW), or IBADCC. One university credit hour is considered the equivalent of 15 clock hours. Limited in-service hours can be credited.
Qualified supervisors are recognized as those with:
- Advanced Certified Alcohol/Drug Counselor (ACADC) credential
- CADC credential (if the individual has been certified for three years and has completed the required supervision training)
- Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) credential
- Master’s degree and addictions counseling certification or licensure
Advanced Alcohol/Drug Counselor (AADC)
To become an AADC, you must have the following:
- A master’s degree in a behavioral health field (e.g., social work, counseling, addiction studies, psychology, sociology) that includes a clinical component.
- 2,000 hours of supervised work experience with alcohol and other drug addiction clients (can be paid or unpaid) under a qualified supervisor
- 100 hours of supervision, including at least 10 hours in each of the 8 domains
- 180 hours of education, with a minumum of 30 hours in each of the IC&RC domains and tasks:
- Screening, Assessment and Engagement
- Treatment Planning
- Collaboration and Referral
- Counseling and Education
- Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
- 6 hours of ethics education specific to substance abuse counselors
- Passing score on the IC&RC AADC exam
Application Process
All applicants must apply through the IBADCC’s Certemy online portal. The application process includes submitting three references and undergoing a criminal history background check.
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive instructions from IBADCC for registering for the appropriate IC&RC exam.
Certification Reciprocity
Contact the IC&RC Member Board for information about reciprocity.
Northwest Indian Alcohol/Drug Specialization Board Certification
Idaho recognizes individuals certified by the Northwest Indian Alcohol/Drug Certification Board as Chemical Dependency Counselors I, II, or III.
To become a Chemical Dependency Counselor I, you must:
- Complete 2,000 hours of chemical dependency counseling experience in a state-approved HIS approved chemical dependency program and under the supervision of a certified chemical dependency counselor
- Earn 60 college/university credit hours of chemical dependency coursework that includes:
- Intro to, or Survey of Chemical Dependency
- Physiology/Pharmacology of Drug/Alcohol Use
- Chemical Dependency Counseling Skills
- Group Counseling Skills For Chemical Dependency Counselors
- Chemical Dependency And The Family
- Chemical Dependency Case Management
- HIV/AIDS/Bloodborne Pathogens/STDs
- Ethics in Chemical Dependency Treatment
- Chemical Dependency and the Laws
- Complete an additional 8 semester credit hours of education/training in:
- Relapse Prevention
- Youth Chemical Dependency, Assessment, and Counseling
- Cultural Awareness
- Alcoholism and Native Americans
- 12 core functions
- Pass the NAADAC exam (170 or higher)
To earn the Chemical Dependency Counselor II credential, you must meet all the requirements for a Chemical Dependency Counselor I AND:
- Complete an additional 3,000 hours of chemical dependency counseling experience in a state-approved HIS approved chemical dependency program and under the supervision of a certified chemical dependency counselor
- Earn an additional 40 additional college/university credit hours of chemical dependency coursework
- Pass an exam in areas of Alcoholism and Native Americans, Cultural Diversity, and 12 Core Functions
To earn the Chemical Dependency Counselor III credential, you must meet all the requirements for a Chemical Dependency Counselor II AND:
- Complete an additional 5,000 hours of chemical dependency counseling experience in a state-approved HIS approved chemical dependency program and under the supervision of a certified chemical dependency counselor
- Submit a case study to the Board and pass a verbal test with the Board
Application Process
Certification packets and instructions are available on the NWIADCB website.
Substance Use Disorders Professional Trainees
Idaho also recognizes qualified substance use disorders professional trainees. A trainee may be recognized on the basis of enrollment in a qualifying program, classification as an Idaho Student in Addiction Studies, or certification as a Northwest Indian Alcohol/Drug Specialist Counselor 1.
Additional Information
You can contact the Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification at [email protected] or at 208-444-8282.
Contact the Northwest Indian Alcohol/Drug Certification Board at 833-688-5800 or at [email protected]. You can also send them questions through their online form.