What Is a CADC?

CADC stands for Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. In California it is a state-recognized certification (not a license), issued by DHCS-approved certifying organizations under California's counselor certification framework.

Definition

A CADC is a practitioner who has been certified by one of California's DHCS-approved certifying organizations after completing the organization's education, supervised work-experience, and examination requirements at the CADC tier.

California does not license this role; it certifies it. Oversight sits with the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), which approves the certifying organizations that issue and discipline the credentials.

Who issues the credential

• CCAPP Credentialing — issues RADT, CADC-I, CADC-II, CADC-III, and LAADC.
• CADTP — issues RADT and CADC tiers.
• CAADE — issues RADT and CATC tiers.

Pathway at a glance

• Education — certifying-organization-approved coursework.
• Supervised work experience — hours in a DHCS-licensed or certified setting.
• Examination — written exam administered by the certifying organization.
• Renewal — continuing education and renewal cycle set by the issuing organization.

What this page is not

This is a credential reference for a California helping role. It does not describe substance use, treatment, recovery, or clinical content. It is not advice about pursuing the credential and is not a substitute for the official rules published by DHCS or the certifying organization of record.