CCAPP vs. CADTP: Which Certification Board Is Right for You?
If you are preparing to become a certified Substance Use Disorder (SUD) counselor in California, one of the first decisions you will face is which certification board to go through: CCAPP or CADTP. It is a question we hear from nearly every prospective student at ADCSI, and the answer might surprise you — because in many ways, you are comparing apples to apples.
Both boards are recognized by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Both lead to legitimate, respected credentials that qualify you to work in DHCS-licensed or certified treatment programs across the state. Neither one is going to open doors that the other cannot. The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference, and this article will give you the information you need to make that decision with confidence.
What Is CCAPP?
The California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (ccapp.us) is one of the two major certifying organizations for SUD counselors in California. CCAPP is a member of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), which means their certifications carry reciprocity with other states and countries that also use the IC&RC framework.
Through CCAPP, the registration and certification pathway looks like this:
- RADT (Registered Alcohol Drug Technician) — your initial registration to begin working in the field
- CADC-I (Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor Level I) — your first full certification
- CADC-II — advanced certification with additional experience requirements
- CADC-III — the highest CCAPP counselor credential
To earn your CADC-I through CCAPP, you need 315 hours of AOD-specific education from a CCAPP-approved provider, 255 hours of supervised practicum experience, documented work experience, and a passing score on the IC&RC examination. Continuing education requirements are 50 hours per renewal cycle (40 continuing education hours plus up to 10 professional development hours).
What Is CADTP?
The California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (cadtpcounselors.org) is the other major certifying organization in the state. CADTP certifications are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and recognized by DHCS.
Through CADTP, the pathway is:
- SUDRC (Substance Use Disorder Registered Counselor) — your initial registration, which requires a 9-hour registrant orientation course
- SUDCC (Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor) — your first full certification
- SUDCC-II through SUDCC-IV — advanced levels based on experience, education, and supervisory roles
- Clinical Supervisor (-CS) variants at levels II through IV for those who supervise other counselors
To earn your SUDCC through CADTP, you need 315 hours of formal SUD education, 255 hours of supervised SUD training and practicum, 2,080 hours of SUD-related work experience, and a passing score on an approved examination. CADTP offers eight total levels of certification, providing a detailed career ladder from entry-level to advanced clinical supervisor.
The Side-by-Side Comparison
When you lay the two boards next to each other, the core requirements are remarkably similar:
| Requirement | CCAPP (CADC-I) | CADTP (SUDCC) |
|---|---|---|
| Education Hours | 315 hours | 315 hours |
| Practicum Hours | 255 hours supervised | 255 hours supervised |
| Work Experience | Required (varies) | 2,080 hours |
| Certification Exam | IC&RC Exam | CADTP-approved Exam |
| Registration Level | RADT | SUDRC |
| DHCS Recognized | Yes | Yes |
| NCCA Accredited | Yes | Yes |
| Certification Levels | 3 (CADC I, II, III) | 8 (SUDCC through SUDCC IV-CS) |
| IC&RC Reciprocity | Yes | No |
The education and practicum requirements are identical. Both boards require you to pass an examination. Both are recognized by DHCS. Both are NCCA accredited. The differences are primarily in naming conventions, the specific exam used, and the number of advanced certification tiers available.
Clearing Up the CADTP Name Misconception
One of the most common misunderstandings we encounter is about CADTP's name. Because CADTP stands for the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs, many people assume that certifying through CADTP means you can only work in DUI programs. This is absolutely not true.
A SUDCC credential from CADTP qualifies you to work in any DHCS-licensed or certified treatment program in California — residential treatment centers, outpatient programs, detox facilities, sober living environments, hospital-based programs, and yes, DUI programs too. The organization's historical roots may be in DUI treatment, but their certification scope covers the full spectrum of SUD counseling. Do not let the name limit your thinking about where a CADTP credential can take you.
IC&RC Reciprocity: A Real Difference
One meaningful distinction between the two boards is that CCAPP is a member of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). This means that if you earn your CADC through CCAPP and later decide to move to another state or country that participates in the IC&RC network, your certification may transfer more easily. If you think there is any chance you will practice outside of California in the future, this is worth considering.
That said, if you plan to build your career in California, both credentials carry equal weight with employers and regulatory bodies in the state.
What Treatment Centers Actually Care About
Here is the reality on the ground: most treatment centers in California care that you are registered or certified — period. They want to see that you have completed your education, passed your exam, and hold a valid credential recognized by DHCS.
That said, you may notice that some treatment centers have the majority of their clinical team certified through one board or the other. A facility where most counselors hold CCAPP credentials might have a slight preference for CCAPP applicants simply because of familiarity with the credentialing process and continuing education requirements. The same goes for facilities that lean CADTP. This is not a hard rule — it is more of a cultural tendency within individual organizations.
In practice, hiring managers are looking at your skills, your experience, your professionalism, and whether you can connect with clients. Your certification board is rarely the deciding factor in a hiring decision.
So How Do You Choose?
Since both boards lead to the same outcome — a legitimate, DHCS-recognized SUD counselor credential — the decision often comes down to a few personal factors:
- Do you plan to practice outside California? If so, CCAPP's IC&RC reciprocity gives you more flexibility.
- Do you prefer a more detailed career ladder? CADTP offers eight certification levels with clinical supervisor designations built in, which can be motivating if you like having clear milestones.
- Is there a treatment center you want to work at? Find out which board their team primarily uses — it might make your onboarding smoother.
- Do you know other counselors who can mentor you? Going with the same board as your mentor or professional network can make navigating the certification process easier.
None of these factors are deal-breakers. Both paths lead to the same destination: a rewarding career helping people overcome substance use disorders.
ADCSI Is Approved by Both Boards
At ADCSI, we made a deliberate decision to seek approval from both CCAPP and CADTP. This means that regardless of which board you choose, your education hours from our program are fully recognized. You do not have to decide before you enroll — you can make your board selection when you are ready to register, and your ADCSI coursework will count either way.
Our 635-hour SUD Counseling Studies program exceeds the 315-hour education requirement for both boards, and our curriculum is mapped to the core competency topics mandated by AB 2473. Whether you are pursuing CADC-I through CCAPP or SUDCC through CADTP, ADCSI prepares you for the exam and the career that follows.
The Bottom Line
Choosing between CCAPP and CADTP is a personal decision, and it is one you can make with confidence knowing that both boards are legitimate, both are DHCS-recognized, and both lead to a certified SUD counselor career in California. Do not overthink it. Do not let anyone tell you that one board is inherently better than the other. Focus on completing your education, gaining your clinical experience, and passing your exam — that is what truly matters.
If you have questions about which board might be the best fit for your specific situation, book a call with our Program Director. We will walk you through the differences, help you think through your career goals, and make sure you are set up for success no matter which path you choose.
For more information, visit ccapp.us (CCAPP) or cadtpcounselors.org (CADTP). Both organizations maintain current information about registration requirements, certification pathways, and approved education providers.
Not Sure Which Board to Choose?
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