Addiction Counseling Training Florida: Become a Certified Addiction Counselor

You want real steps, not vague promises. You want a career that helps people and pays the bills. If that’s you, addiction counseling training Florida is the start. This guide gives you the requirements, the timeline, the costs, and the next move. No fluff.

What addiction counseling training covers

You learn how to screen, assess, and counsel people with substance use disorders. You learn documentation, ethics, and case management. You practice skills you will use on day one in the field. Your end goal in Florida is the Certified Addiction Counselor credential through the Florida Certification Board.

The Florida path at a glance

• Education: 270 hours of approved training

• Work experience: 6000 hours, reduced with a related degree

• Supervision: 300 hours of documented supervision

• Exam: IC&RC CAC exam, 150 questions, 3 hours

• Ethics and background: code of ethics and screening

If you already work in a program, you can complete education while logging hours. That keeps your momentum and your income.

Step 1. Complete 270 education hours of addiction counseling training education

Your addiction counseling training in Florida should hit the core domains:

• Counseling skills for individual and group work

• Screening, intake, and assessment

• Treatment planning and documentation

• Crisis response and referral

• Ethics, boundaries, and confidentiality

• Cultural competence and professional conduct

Online study helps if you work odd hours. Educational Enhancement CASAC Online offers a 270-hour program that maps to Florida Certification Board requirements. You move at your pace and track progress in one dashboard.

Step 2. Log supervised work experience

You need 6000 hours of experience in approved settings. That equals about three years full-time. A degree cuts that down:

• Associate’s degree: 5000 hours

• Bachelor’s degree: 4000 hours

• Master’s degree: 2000 hours

Keep a clean log. Have your supervisor sign monthly. Store copies of time sheets, job descriptions, and any evaluations. You will need proof when you apply.

Step 3. Complete 300 hours of supervision

Supervision sharpens your practice. It must cover key domains:

• Assessment and diagnosis within scope

• Counseling techniques and group facilitation

• Documentation and case management

• Professional responsibility and ethics

Ask for scheduled one-to-ones and live observation. Bring real cases. Write down feedback and action items. The board expects structure, not casual check-ins.

Step 4. Apply to the Florida Certification Board

When your education and hours are ready, submit:

• Application form

• Official transcripts or certificates for the 270 hours

• Verified experience and supervision forms

• Background screening

• Signed code of ethics

• Application fee

Set a calendar reminder for each missing piece. Missing signatures delay approvals more than anything else.

Learn more about the Florida Certification Board’s CAC requirements on their official website.

Step 5. Pass the IC&RC CAC exam

The exam has 150 multiple-choice questions. You have three hours. It covers counseling, assessment, case management, education, documentation, and ethics. Build a study plan that fits your week:

• Two short sessions on weekdays

• One longer session on the weekend

• One full practice test every two weeks

Review your wrong answers. Turn them into flashcards. Schedule your test when your practice scores pass the line and stay there.

For national reciprocity information, see the IC&RC Certification Boards

Renewal and continuing Addiction Counseling Training Education

Your credential renews every two years. You need continuing education hours, including ethics. Put your renewal date in your calendar the day you pass the exam. Do not scramble at the last minute. Pick topics that fit your role, like trauma, medication-assisted treatment, HIV risk, or documentation.

Timeline you can trust

People finish at different speeds. Here are honest ranges:

• Education hours online: 3 to 6 months at a steady pace

• Experience hours: 12 to 36 months, faster with a degree

• Supervision: paced across your work schedule

• Exam prep: 4 to 8 weeks of focused study

If life gets busy, reduce session length and keep frequency. Consistency wins.

What it costs

Plan for these items:

• Training program for 270 hours: about 2000 to 3500, depending on provider

• Application fee: board fee posted by FCB

• Exam fee: posted by FCB

• Fingerprinting and background: typical Florida rates

• Renewal every two years: board renewal fee

Cut the out-of-pocket hit with employer tuition support. Many agencies reimburse education if you agree to stay for a set period. Payment plans also help. Ask before you enroll.

Jobs and pay in Florida

Behavioral health employers across Florida hire CACs for outpatient, residential, hospital, and community programs. Roles include counselor, case manager, group facilitator, and care coordinator. Recent pay data in Florida often ranges in the mid-50s to low-60s, with higher pay in metro areas and specialized programs. Overtime and differentials can raise total income.

How to choose the right program

Use this checklist:

• Approved by the Florida Certification Board

• Full 270 hours with clear domain mapping

• Self-paced access with instructor support

• Built-in quizzes and progress tracking

• Clear certificates of completion for each course

If a program cannot show domain mapping, keep looking. Your education must match what the board requires.

What you actually do day to day

• Run intakes and screenings

• Write treatment plans that clients understand

• Lead groups with purpose, not filler

• Document sessions in clear, tight notes

• Coordinate care with medical and mental health providers

• Practice boundaries that protect you and the client

This is people work. It asks for patience, structure, and heart.

For people starting from scratch

If you are new to the field, do this:

• Enroll in addiction counseling training Florida

• Volunteer or work in entry roles to start your hours

• Find a supervisor who teaches, not just signs forms

• Study ethics early and often

• Build a simple portfolio with training certificates, logs, and a clean resume

I built my own path this way. One class. One shift. One small win at a time. It works.

Your next step

If you are ready, enroll in the 270-hour program and start module one this week. Book two study blocks on your calendar before you log off today. Email your local program director about supervised hours. Small moves add up.

You want a career that matters. Addiction counseling training Florida is how you begin.

Why train with Educational Enhancement CASAC Online

• Florida-ready 270-hour curriculum that aligns with FCB domains

• Self-paced lessons with instructor support

• Clear documentation for your application

• Payment plans so you can start now

You bring the drive. We bring the structure. Together you get to the finish line.

FAQ

Do I need a degree to become a CAC in Florida
No. A degree helps reduce required work hours but is not required for the base credential.

Can I complete training while working
Yes. That is the smartest way to move fast. Study online at set times and log hours at work.

How many times can I retake the exam
You can retest after a waiting period. Each retake has a fee. Aim to pass once with steady prep.

Is online training accepted
Yes, if it is board-approved and mapped to the required domains.

How long will the whole process take
Plan on one to three years based on your schedule and prior education.

Call to action

Start your addiction counseling training in Florida now. Enroll, book your first study block, and set up supervision. The sooner you begin, the sooner you help people change their lives.