Addiction Counseling Training North Carolina: Become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
You don’t need to wait for a new year or a new degree to start over. If you want a meaningful career helping others rebuild their lives, addiction counseling training in North Carolina is the place to begin.
This post walks you through what it takes to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), how to meet state requirements, and how to get started with online training that fits real life.
What Is Addiction Counseling Training in North Carolina?
Addiction counseling training gives you the knowledge and tools to work directly with people struggling with substance use disorders.
In North Carolina, this education is part of your pathway to becoming a CADC, certified through the North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board (NCASPPB).
Training includes:
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Client screening and assessment
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Case management and documentation
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Group and individual counseling techniques
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Crisis response and ethical decision-making
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Cultural competence and professional boundaries
When you finish your training, you’ll be ready to apply what you’ve learned in clinical or community-based recovery settings.
CADC Requirements in North Carolina
To earn your CADC certification, you must complete:
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270 hours of addiction counseling education
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6,000 hours of supervised work experience
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300 hours of documented clinical supervision
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A passing score on the IC&RC CADC exam
If you already have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a human services field, you can reduce the experience requirement to 4,000 hours.
Step 1. Complete 270 Hours of Education
Your addiction counseling training North Carolina must come from an NCASPPB-approved education provider.
The required 270 hours must include:
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Counseling skills and group facilitation
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Screening, intake, and assessment procedures
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Treatment planning and client engagement
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Documentation and ethical responsibilities
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Professional growth and self-care
Educational Enhancement CASAC Online provides NCASPPB-approved courses that meet all 270 hours. You can study anywhere, anytime, with instructor feedback and progress tracking that keeps you accountable.
Step 2. Gain Supervised Work Experience
You’ll need 6,000 hours (around three years full-time) of direct addiction counseling experience. This can include client intake, assessment, treatment planning, group facilitation, and case management.
Work experience can come from:
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Outpatient and residential treatment programs
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Correctional and re-entry services
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Community mental health centers
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Harm reduction or recovery support agencies
If you have a degree, the required hours drop to 4,000. Make sure your employer or supervisor is familiar with NCASPPB documentation standards.
Step 3. Complete 300 Hours of Supervision
Supervision connects your classroom learning with field practice. North Carolina requires supervision in the following domains:
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Screening and assessment
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Counseling and group facilitation
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Case management and documentation
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Ethics and boundaries
These 300 hours must be signed off by a qualified supervisor recognized by NCASPPB. Keep a clear log of each session.
Step 4. Pass the IC&RC CADC Exam
The exam is computer-based and covers eight major content domains, including assessment, counseling, documentation, ethics, and client education.
Here’s how to prepare:
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Review study guides aligned with IC&RC standards
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Take timed practice exams
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Use flashcards for definitions and domain terms
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Study in short daily sessions instead of long marathons
Educational Enhancement’s online addiction counseling training North Carolina program includes built-in quizzes and review materials to help you pass the exam confidently.
Step 5. Apply for Certification
Once you’ve completed all requirements, submit your CADC application through the North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board at ncasppb.org.
You’ll include:
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Transcripts or certificates showing 270 hours of education
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Documentation of supervised experience
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Supervision verification forms
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Application and exam fees
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Proof of ethical conduct and background screening
Renewal and Continuing Education
Your CADC credential must be renewed every two years. You’ll need 40 hours of continuing education, including 6 hours in ethics.
Educational Enhancement offers affordable online CE courses approved by NAADAC and recognized by NCASPPB.
Why Choose Online Addiction Counseling Training North Carolina
Online training isn’t about convenience — it’s about access. You can learn while working, raising a family, or volunteering in the field.
With Educational Enhancement CASAC Online, you’ll get:
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24/7 course access from any device
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Progress tracking and quizzes
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Affordable payment plans
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Instructor feedback from certified professionals
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Certificates recognized by NCASPPB and IC&RC
You learn at your own pace without sacrificing quality or credibility.
How Long It Takes
Most students complete their addiction counseling training North Carolina in 3–6 months, depending on their schedule.
Work experience and supervision take 12–36 months.
If you already work in treatment, you can complete education and experience simultaneously.
What It Costs
Typical costs include:
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270-hour education program: $2,000–$3,500
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NCASPPB application: $200
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IC&RC exam: $150
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Renewal every two years: $150
Educational Enhancement CASAC Online offers payment plans and employer invoicing to help you start training right away.
Career Outlook in North Carolina
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024):
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Median salary for substance abuse counselors: $58,000 per year
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Top 25% earn over $72,000
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Job growth projected at 18% through 2032
Counselors are needed in hospitals, residential programs, schools, and correctional systems across the state.
Why It Matters
Every person you’ll work with carries a story. Some will test you, some will break your heart, and a few will remind you why you chose this path. You’ll learn that recovery isn’t just about stopping use — it’s about rebuilding hope.
Addiction counseling training North Carolina gives you the foundation to do that work with skill, compassion, and purpose.
Start Your Journey Today
You don’t need to figure it out alone.
Join the thousands of professionals who began with Educational Enhancement CASAC Online and built fulfilling careers in addiction treatment.
Start your addiction counseling training North Carolina today — flexible, affordable, and fully approved by NCASPPB.
Visit EducationalEnhancement-CASACOnline.com to enroll.
