How to Become an Addiction Counselor in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania recognizes addiction counselor credentials issued by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB), the state's IC&RC-affiliated certifying body. The PCB administers a tiered structure from associate-level entry through the advanced master's-level counselor tier.

Credential tiers

• CAAC (Certified Associate Addiction Counselor) — associate-level tier: approved education, supervised experience, written exam.
• CAC (Certified Addiction Counselor) — bachelor's degree in a behavioral-health field, additional supervised experience, and the CAC exam.
• CAADC (Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor) — master's degree, advanced supervised experience, and the advanced exam. Pennsylvania's advanced-tier addiction credential.

Adjacent licenses

LPC is a separate state license issued by Pennsylvania's State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors.

What this page is not

A structural reference. Not career advice. Not a substitute for the exact hour totals and application forms published by the PCB.