Alcohol and Drug Counselor Requirements in West Virginia
To become certified in West Virginia, you need at least 300 education hours covering the 12 IC&RC practice domains, 100-300 supervised work hours (depending on your degree level), six years of experience or 12,000 hours (with substitutions for degrees), and passing the IC&RC ADC or AADC exam through the West Virginia Certification Board.
West Virginia wasn’t spared from America’s opioid epidemic—before prescription restrictions, the state was at its epicenter. Today, fentanyl, meth, and alcohol continue to devastate communities across West Virginia. But you already know this. There’s a good chance you’ve seen the impact firsthand, maybe even carried some of that weight yourself.
That pain, that struggle—it’s what drives people like you to show up every day and fight for recovery. By getting certified through the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP), you can turn that experience into the expertise your community desperately needs.
The WVCBAPP is a state affiliate of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), one of the nation’s leading substance use disorder (SUD) counselor certification agencies. In West Virginia, they offer two main pathways: Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) certification for professionals with a bachelor’s degree or less, and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) certification for clinical professionals with master’s degrees. Both credentials are essential to bringing evidence-based recovery services to West Virginians who need them most.
Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Requirements
The ADC credential is West Virginia’s foundational certification for substance abuse counselors. It’s designed for professionals who want to provide direct counseling services under clinical supervision.
Education Requirements
You’ll need at least 300 contact hours of education and training in the 12 IC&RC practice domains. These domains cover everything from screening and assessment to counseling techniques, crisis intervention, and professional ethics. At least 70 of your 300 hours must focus specifically on substance use disorders.
You’ll also need six hours dedicated to ethics training. This isn’t just box-checking—ethics training prepares you for the real-world dilemmas you’ll face when working with vulnerable populations.
You can earn these hours through accredited degree programs or WVCBAPP-approved training providers, such as River Park Hospital in Huntington or national organizations like the IC&RC.
Supervised Experience Requirements
West Virginia requires supervised work hours that vary based on your education level:
- Master’s degree: 100 supervised hours
- Bachelor’s degree: 200 supervised hours
- Associate degree: 250 supervised hours
- High school diploma or GED: 300 supervised hours
No matter your degree level, you must spend at least 10 hours working in each of the 12 IC&RC practice domains. At least half of your supervised hours should be completed under the guidance of a certified ADC Supervisor or higher credential. Other licensed professionals, such as social workers or counselors, can manage the remaining hours.
Work Experience Requirements
In total, you need 6 years of qualifying work experience (approximately 12,000 hours of full-time work). At least three of those years must be directly related to substance use disorder treatment—this can include volunteer work in recovery settings. The other three years can be general work experience.
Here’s where your degree can save you time: if you have a degree in an SUD-related field, you need less direct experience. With a bachelor’s degree, you only need two years of SUD-related work. With a master’s degree, you only need one year.
The ADC Exam
The final step is passing the IC&RC ADC Exam. The test includes 150 multiple-choice questions, though only 125 are scored (the other 25 are field-tested questions for future exams). You can take it at an approved testing site or at home with an online proctor.
Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) Requirements
The AADC credential is West Virginia’s highest-level certification for addiction counselors. It’s designed for clinical professionals who want to diagnose clients, work with complex co-occurring disorders, and potentially supervise other counselors.
Education Requirements
AADC candidates need the same 300 education hours covering the 12 practice domains, but the requirements are stricter. You must have 180 hours specifically focused on substance use disorders (compared to 70 for ADC). You’ll also need six hours in ethics.
More importantly, you must hold a master’s degree or higher in behavioral science, human services, or a related field with clinical applications. The WVCBAPP evaluates whether your degree meets this standard during the application review.
Supervised Experience and Work Requirements
Like ADCs, AADC candidates need six years of qualifying work experience (approximately 12,000 hours)—half can be general work, and half must focus on substance use disorder treatment.
The key difference: you must complete at least one year of supervised work after earning your master’s degree. During that year, you’ll complete 100 supervised hours under the guidance of an ADC Supervisor, AADC Supervisor, or practicing AADC. As with the ADC track, you must dedicate at least 10 hours to each of the 12 practice domains.
The AADC Exam
The IC&RC AADC Exam follows the same format as the ADC exam: 150 multiple-choice questions with 25 un-scored field-test items. The questions are more clinically focused, reflecting the advanced diagnostic and treatment planning responsibilities that come with this credential.
The Certification Application Process
Whether you’re pursuing ADC or AADC certification, you’ll apply online through the WVCBAPP website. Be prepared to submit:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Supervised experience documentation (signed by your supervisor)
- A signed copy of the WVCBAPP Code of Ethics
- A notarized statement affirming that your application is true and correct
- Application fees (check current rates on the WVCBAPP website)
The WVCBAPP typically processes applications within 30 days. Once approved, they’ll pre-register you with the IC&RC testing company. From there, you’ll schedule your exam, complete the test, and receive your full certification.
Timeline and Cost Breakdown
How Long Does Certification Take?
Timeline depends heavily on your starting point:
- With a master’s degree in a related field: 1-2 years (completing supervised hours and passing the exam)
- With a bachelor’s degree: 2-3 years (education hours, supervised work, exam prep)
- With an associate degree or high school diploma: 3-4 years (more supervised hours required, plus education)
- Starting from scratch with no degree: 4-6 years (completing degree, education hours, supervised work, and experience requirements)
These are realistic estimates if you’re working full-time while pursuing certification. Full-time students or those who can dedicate more hours to supervised work may complete requirements faster.
What Does Certification Cost?
Expect these expenses:
- Education and training courses: $500-$3,000+ depending on provider and format
- IC&RC exam fee: Approximately $150-$200 per attempt
- Application fee: Check current WVCBAPP rates (typically $100-$200)
- Degree costs (if pursuing): Varies widely by institution
Many employers in the addiction treatment field offer tuition assistance or will cover certification expenses, especially if you’re already working in a recovery setting.
Reciprocity for Out-of-State Counselors
Moving to West Virginia from another state? Because the WVCBAPP is an IC&RC affiliate, counselors certified through other IC&RC-affiliate boards can transfer their credentials to West Virginia without meeting additional requirements.
The process is straightforward: initiate the reciprocity request through your home state board, pay West Virginia’s $150 reciprocity fee, and your certification will transfer. This reciprocity agreement is in place across most states, making it easier for counselors to relocate while maintaining their credentials.
Other WVCBAPP Certifications
The WVCBAPP offers several additional credentials for professionals working in related fields:
Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP)
Designed for counselors working with individuals in the criminal justice system. You can qualify with a high school diploma, though having a degree reduces your experience requirements. The CCJP credential prepares you to work in prisons, drug courts, probation offices, and reentry programs.
Prevention Specialist (PS)
Available at two levels: one for individuals with 60 semester hours of coursework, another for those with bachelor’s degrees. Prevention specialists focus on community education, early intervention programs, and preventing substance use before it starts.
Clinical Supervisor (CS)
If you want to supervise new counselors and help guide the next generation of professionals, you can earn the Clinical Supervisor credential. Requirements include holding an ADC, AADC, or CCJP credential, having five years of experience, and completing 30 hours of supervisor-specific training.
All of these credentials require passing a final IC&RC exam. Each exam is tailored to the specific role but follows the same 150 multiple-choice question format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a counselor in West Virginia while completing my certification requirements?
What’s the pass rate for the IC&RC exams?
Should I pursue ADC or AADC certification?
Do I need to renew my certification, and how often?
What happens if I don’t pass the exam on my first try?
Can I get certified if I’m in recovery myself?
What’s the job outlook for addiction counselors in West Virginia?
Will my West Virginia certification work in other states?
Key Takeaways
- West Virginia offers two main certification pathways: ADC for counselors with bachelor’s degrees or less, and AADC for clinical professionals with master’s degrees.
- Both credentials require 300 education hours, supervised work experience (100-300 hours depending on degree), six years of work experience or 12,000 hours (with degree substitutions), and passing an IC&RC exam.
- Timeline to certification ranges from 1-2 years with an existing master’s degree to 4-6 years if starting from scratch with no college education.
- The WVCBAPP is an IC&RC affiliate, which means your West Virginia certification has reciprocity with most other states.
- You can work in substance abuse treatment settings while completing your certification requirements under proper supervision.
- Personal recovery experience doesn’t disqualify you—many effective counselors bring lived experience to their work.
- West Virginia has strong demand for addiction counselors due to ongoing substance use challenges across the state.
Ready to Start Your Certification Journey?
West Virginia needs compassionate, trained addiction counselors now more than ever. If you’re ready to turn your passion for recovery into professional credentials, start by exploring education programs that meet WVCBAPP requirements.
Additional Resources
For questions about the certification process, contact the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals through their website or by phone at (304) 768-2942.
The West Virginia Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors is another valuable resource. They host training events, provide advocacy for counselors, and stay current on legislation affecting the profession.
Salary Disclaimer: 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.