Substance Abuse Professional Requirements in Michigan
Michigan’s substance abuse counselors are regulated and certified by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP), a member of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). MCBAP is not a state government agency, but instead a nonprofit that the state recognizes as providing professional credentials in the field.
The MCBAP offers the Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) and Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC) (master’s-level) certifications as primary credentials for full-authority counselors.
Additionally, MCPAB offers credentials in augmentative support roles for prevention specialists, for supervisors, and for those specializing in criminal justice system services:
- CCS – Certified Clinical Supervisor
- CPS – Certified Prevention Specialist
- CPC – Certified Prevention Consultant
- CPRM – Certified Peer Recovery Mentor
- CCJP-M – Certified Criminal Justice Professional Michigan
Since 2007, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services’ Behavioral and Physical Health and Aging Services Administration has recognized the MCBAP as the state’s primary credentialing agency for substance abuse counselors.
However, addiction counselors who work with Indian populations may be certified by the Upper Midwest Indian Council on Addictive Disorders (UMICAD); medical doctors may be certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM); psychologists may be certified by the American Psychological Association (APA); and prevention specialists have the option of certification through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC).
Select a Michigan Substance Abuse / Addiction Counselor Topic Below…
- Development Plan While Completing Qualifications for MCBAP Certification
- Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) Certification
- Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC) Certification
- Examination Requirements
- Other MCBAP Credentials
- The Application Process
- Reciprocity Information
- Additional Information
Development Plan While Completing Qualifications for MCBAP Certification
In Michigan, under some limited public funding sources, an individual who does not yet hold an approved certification may work under a time-limited Development Plan, while they are completing their qualifications for MCBAP certification at any level. However, a Development Plan is not a credential; it is not correct for the person to list themselves or add after their name “DP-C”.
Some payment contracts with public services employers and nonprofits that contract with the state may allow an individual who has not yet gained addiction specialty certification to work while supervised under a MCBAP-registered Development Plan. During the Development Plan phase, trainees are considered non-credentialed and cannot provide counseling or prevention support services independently.
Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) Certification
To become a CADC, you’ll need a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, although if you have a degree in an approved discipline, you’ll have fewer supervision and experience requirements.
To qualify using your education, you must have an associate or bachelor’s degree in an area of counseling or human services OR a master’s degree or higher in counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, marriage and family therapy, or criminal justice.
Regardless of your education, you must also complete at least 300 hours of education, with at least 180 hours related to substance abuse counseling and 6 hours related to ethics.
You must complete the following hours under the supervision of an approved professional:
- High school diploma/GED: 300 hours
- Associate’s degree: 250 hours
- Bachelor’s degree: 200 hours
- Master’s degree or higher: 100 hours
You must complete the following hours of work experience:
- High school diploma/GED: 6,000 hours
- Associate’s degree: 5,000 hours
- Bachelor’s degree: 4,000 hours
- Master’s degree or higher: 2,000 hours
Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC) Certification
To qualify for the CAADC, you must have a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, art therapy, marriage and family therapy, along with at least 2,000 hours of experience providing counseling to those with substance use disorder.
You must also have 100 hours of post-master’s supervised training and 186 total education hours, 180 hours of which must be in substance abuse counseling and 6 hours of which must be in ethics.
Examination Requirements
All applicants must take and pass one of the following exams offered through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC):
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (ADC) – CADC
- Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) – CAADC
You must complete the examination registration form to take either exam. Once the MCBAP receives your registration form, you’ll receive an email with instructions for setting up a test location, date, and time.
Visit the IC&RC for study guides and additional information about these exams. You can also request study resources by emailing [email protected].
Other MCBAP Credentials: Prevention Specialist Certification, and Supervisor and CJ Specialist Credentials
Michigan recognizes other MCBAP substance abuse treatment credentials, including the:
- CCS – Certified Clinical Supervisor
- CPS – Certified Prevention Specialist
- CPC – Certified Prevention Consultant
- CPRM – Certified Peer Recovery Mentor
- CCJP-M – Certified Criminal Justice Professional Michigan
The Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) designation requires a master’s degree in an approved discipline, along with at least 6,000 hours of experience, 4,000 hours of which must be focused on clinical supervision. You must have a current CADC or CAADC credential to apply.
The Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) credential is based on work experience, training and education hours, and an examination process. A total of 2,000 hours of experience is required.
The Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP-M) is designed for professionals applying substance abuse training in the criminal justice arena. Experience requirements may range from 1,000 to 6,000 hours, depending on academic degree.
Learn more about these credentials here.
The Application Process
All applicants must apply through Certemy. Visit the MCBAP for links (found under each credential) that take you directly to the appropriate application.
Reciprocity
Substance abuse counselors who hold reciprocal certification through other IC&RC member board state may have their certification transferred. Contact your own state’s member board for a reciprocity application.
Additional Information
Contact the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals at [email protected] or through their online form.
The Michigan Association for Addiction Professionals is a good resource for professional events and continuing education.