Alcohol and Drug Counselor Requirements in Puerto Rico
Historically, financial constraints and limited resources hindered efforts to help those struggling under the weight of addiction in Puerto Rico. But thanks to an increasing number of community-based initiatives, harm reduction strategies, and federal grants, substance abuse counselors and the organizations and agencies in which they work have been able to reach more people than ever before, turning an underfunded treatment system into one that’s swiftly developing.
Substance abuse counselors in Puerto Rico can earn certification through two organizations:
The Puerto Rico Certification Board for Addiction and Alcoholism Professionals (JCPAA – the Junta de Certificación para Profesionales a Adicción y Alcoholismo de Puerto Rico) offers four levels of certification:
- Associate Addiction Counselor (CAA)
- Addiction Counselor I (CAC I)
- Addiction Counselor II (CAC II)
- Addiction Counselor III (CAC III)
The International Reciprocity Board of Therapeutic Professional Counselors (IRBO), a member board of the International Credentialing & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), offers two levels of certification:
- Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC)
- Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC)
Select a Puerto Rico Alcohol and Drug Counselor Topic Below…
- Puerto Rico Certification Board for Addiction and Alcoholism Professionals (JCPAA) Requirements
- The International Reciprocity Board of Therapeutic Professional Counselors (IRBO) Requirements
Puerto Rico Certification Board for Addiction and Alcoholism Professionals (JCPAA) Requirements
The four levels of certification available through JCPAA are indicative of an increasing level of education and experience:
Associate Addiction Counselor (CAA)
To become a CAA, you must have a high school diploma and 39 hours of addiction continuing education (JCPAA core course).
Addiction Counselor I (CAC I)
To become a CAC I, you must have a high school diploma, 39 hours of addiction continuing education (JCPAA core course), and at least 6 months of full-time experience the field of counseling or human behavior in the past 5 years.
Addiction Counselor II (CAC II)
To become a CAC II, you must have either an associate’s degree and two years (4,000 hours) of supervised work experience OR a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human behavioral sciences and one year (2,000 hours) of supervised work experience in the past 7 years.
Addiction Counselor III (CAC III)
To become a CAC III, you must have one of the following (earned within the last 10 years):
- An associate’s degree and 6,000 hours of supervised work experience
- A bachelor’s degree in human behavioral science and 5,000 hours of supervised work experience
- A master’s or doctoral degree in human behavioral sciences and 4,000 hours of supervised work experience in the field of addiction counseling.
You must also complete 270 hours of continuing education in addiction counseling.
The JCPAA Application Process
You must request an application handbook from JCPAA at 787-918-3039 or [email protected].
The International Reciprocity Board of Therapeutic Professional Counselors (IRBO) Requirements
You can earn one of two credentials through the IRBO that reflect your level of education and experience:
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
To become a CADC, you must have the following:
- 300 hours of education, 180 of which must be specific to SUD and 120 of which must be related to the ADC Domains
- 300 hours of supervised work experience
- 6,000 hours of clinical counseling experience with SUD clients
- A passing score on the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam
Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC)
To become a CAADC, you must have the following:
- Master’s degree or higher in psychology, social work, counseling, psychiatric nursing, addiction science, or marriage and family therapy with a clinical application
- 180 hours of education specific to SUD
- 2,000 hours of post-graduate clinical counseling experience
- 100 hours of post-graduate supervision providing SUD services
- A passing score on the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) exam
The IRBO Application Process
You must first apply for either the CADC or CAADC credential.
CADC Application
CAADC Application
Upon approval, the Board will send you information on taking the IC&RC exam. After passing the exam, you’ll receive your certificate in the mail.
Learn more about the CADC and CAADC exams here (information is at the bottom of the page).
Questions? Contact the IRBO at 787-636-5443 or [email protected].