Colorado

What does an Addiction Counselor in Colorado do? What is Their Job Role?


Substance abuse counselors work closely with individuals struggling with addiction to alcohol or drugs. They also work with families to heal the damage caused by addiction. This type of counseling is highly sensitive, highly important, and highly rewarding for the professionals who take their jobs seriously.


Since addiction is a widespread problem, substance abuse counselors are in demand across Colorado. There were 1,510 of these counselors in the state in 2014, but by 2024 that total is projected to rise to 2,090, an increase of 37%. That is much higher than the projected growth in demand nationally, making Colorado a great place to pursue a new career. This overview covers everything you need to know about the substance abuse counselor licensure requirements in Colorado.


Colorado Licensing & Certifications for Associates & Independent Counselors


The Colorado Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) provides management and oversight to the Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Clinical Training Program. The OBH also establishes the standards necessary for all substance abuse counselors in the state. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs (DORA) is the agency that actually regulates counselors in the state. It offers official credentials at four levels:


Certified Addiction Counselor Level 1 (CAC1)


This is defined as an entry-level to give new counselors on-the-job experience while limiting their contact with clients.

Certified Addiction Counselor Level 2 (CAC2)


This is essentially a full substance abuse counselor with the right to practice independently and offer a full range of services with the exception of clinical supervision.

Certified Addiction Counselor Level 3 (CAC3)


This level allows counselors to work independently and to take on clinical supervision duties.

Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)


This level is made up of counselors with the highest levels of education and experience. Having a graduate degree is the primary prerequisite.


Becoming a CAC1


The requirements to become a CAC1 are relatively minimal since this is the entry level of the profession. Anyone eager to start their career or explore the field of counseling without making a major commitment should pursue this certification level:


Education Requirement


Earn a high-school diploma or equivalent.

Work Requirement


Complete 1,000 of clinically supervised work experience. This experience must be supervised by a CAC3 or higher and cannot occur within less than six months.

Training Requirement


Counselors must complete 112 hours of specialized training offered through the OBH. That training breaks down as follows:


  • Addiction Counseling Skills – 12 hours

  • Client Record Management – 14 hours

  • Principles of Addiction Treatment – 21 hours

  • Professional Ethics 1: Ethics and Jurisprudence – 14 hours

  • Culturally Informed Treatment – 14 hours

  • Infectious Diseases in Addiction Treatment – 14 hours

  • Pharmacology 1 – 14 hours

Additional Requirement


All counselors must pass an Online Jurisprudence exam and submit the test results to DORA. Taking the exam again is not necessary for certification/license renewal, but it is required whenever counselors move up in rank. The exam covers the following topics:


  • General Mental Health Statutes

  • Confidentiality and Privilege

  • Prohibited Activities/Violations

  • Board Rules

  • Emergency Procedures

  • Disciplinary Provision/Proceedings


Becoming a CAC2


The requirements to become a CAC2 build on the requirements to become a CAC1. As a result, most counselors in Colorado earn the initial certification while working to become a full counselor at the CAC2 level:


Education Requirement


Earn a high school diploma or equivalent.

Work Requirement


Complete 2,000 hours of clinically supervised work experience under a CAC3 or higher. This is in addition to the 1,000 hours earned at the CAC1 level, meaning CAC2s have at least 3,000 hours of experience. The additional hours cannot be earned in less than 12 months.

Training Requirement


After completing all the training required at the CAC1 level, counselors must complete an additional 126 hours of training:


  • Professional Ethics 2 – 14 hours

  • Motivational Interviewing – 21 hours

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – 14 hours

  • Group Counseling Skills – 21 hours

  • Pharmacology 2 – 14 hours

  • Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning – 14 hours

  • Co-Occurring Disorders – 14 hours

  • Trauma Informed Care for Diverse Populations – 14 hours

Exam Requirement


Pass the National Certified Addiction Counselor Level 1 exam offered by the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC).

Additional Requirement


Pass an Online Jurisprudence exam.


Becoming a CAC3


Counselors with this level of certification are permitted to work in a clinical supervisory capacity. As a result, they must have all the credentials of a CAC1 and CAC2 plus meet a number of additional requirements:


Education Requirement


Earn a Bachelor’s Degree with a focus in Behavioral Health Science. Typically, majors in social work, psychology, or human science satisfy this requirement while majors in sociology, nursing, or criminal justice do not. Any major must include an intense focus on the following elements:


  • Psychology

  • Behavioral Science

  • Social and Cultural Factors Affecting Mental Health

  • Tools of Behavior Theory

  • Research and Assessment Models

  • Program Planning

  • Counseling

Work Requirement


Complete a total of 2,000 hours of work experience supervised by a CAC3 or higher. This must be done after completing the work requirements at the previous level, meaning CAC3s have a minimum of 5,000 hours of experience.

Training Requirement


After completing all the training required at the CAC1 and CAC2 levels, counselors must complete an additional 56 hours of training:


  • Clinical Supervision 1 – 21 hours

  • Advanced Motivational Interviewing – 14 hours

  • Clinical Supervision 2 – 14 hours

  • Professional Practice – 7 hours

Exam Requirement


Pass the National Certified Addiction Counselor Level 2 exam.

Additional Requirement


Pass an Online Jurisprudence exam.


Becoming a LAC


Only the most experience and expert substance abuse counselors are granted a license in the state of Colorado. This is typically a rank that counselors achieve after working their way through all the previous ranks:


Education Requirement


Earn a clinical behavioral health master’s or doctoral degree. A degree with a focus in any of the following areas is considered acceptable:


  • Community Counseling

  • Human Services Counseling

  • Marriage and Family Therapy

  • Clinical Psychology

  • Counseling Psychology

  • Human Psychology

  • Clinical Social Work

  • Psychiatric Nursing/Advanced Practice Nursing

  • Addictionologist – Addiction Medicine

Work Requirement


There is not a specific work requirement to become a LAC, but these counselors must meet the same standards as all CAC3 counselors, meaning that at least 5,000 hours of clinically supervised work experience is required. However, if a counselor already has an applicable master’s degree or doctorate when first beginning to purse certification they are only required to complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience.

Training Requirement


Complete all the training course (and the prerequisites) required at the CAC3 level. However, if a counselor already has an applicable master’s degree or doctorate they are allowed to take an expedited training course:


  • Principles of Addiction Treatment – 21 hours

  • Infectious Diseases in Addiction Treatment - 14 hours

  • Pharmacology 1 – 14 hours

  • Motivational Interviewing – 21 hours

  • Groups Counseling – 21 hours

  • Pharmacology 2 – 14 hours

  • Professional Ethics – 14 hours

  • Clinical Supervision 1 – 21 hours

  • Clinical Supervision 2 – 14 hours

  • Advanced Motivational Interviewing – 14 hours

Exam Requirement


Pass the Master Addiction Counselor Exam

Additional Requirement


Pass an Online Jurisprudence exam.


CACREP Accredited Online Certification


Two types of accreditation are recognized in the United States; institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation takes the entire institution into account while the specialized focus on professional preparation programs. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is a specialized accreditation that focuses on master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling at colleges and universities worldwide. Only already-accredited institutions are eligible for CACREP review. The review for accreditation will center on programs offering graduate degrees in counseling.


Choosing a CACREP-accredited program ensures that the program meets the highest of quality standards. Many counseling specialties are accredited by the CACREP, including addiction counseling. Accredited addiction counseling programs prepare individuals to work with those affected by addictive behavior and their families. Addictive behaviors include alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex, and anything else that negatively affects your personal or work life by creating addiction behaviors.


CACREP-accredited programs will focus on treatment models and the phases of addiction including prevention, recovery, and relapse prevention. These 60-semester hour programs will include the application of interventions. When students choose a CACREP-accredited program they can be confident that:


  • the program meets or exceeds national standards

  • the program will focus on professional counseling rather than psychology or education

  • the program has an excellent reputation

  • CACREP graduates statistically receive higher scores on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE).

  • the requirements for licensure will be met.


Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners


The Colorado Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners is a division of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). DORA Boards are committed to encouraging business while protecting consumers. The Board reviews licensure applications and provides licensure exams, renewals, and continued education information. The Board also reviews consumer complaints, enforcing disciplinary action when licensees are found to violate the Mental Health Practice Act or other Colorado rules of practice.


Address

1560 Broadway

Denver, CO 80202


Phone

(303)) 894-7855


Website Address

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/Professional_Counselor


Licensure:

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)


Addiction counselors in Colorado are regulated by the State Board of Reliance Specialist Supervisors. There are 4 degrees of credentialing: Certified Addiction Therapist I Qualified Addiction Counselor II Certified Dependency Therapist III Accredited Dependency Counselor Qualified Reliance Therapist (CAC) levels I as well as II can be achieved with a secondary school education and learning and also understanding and likewise training in locations mandated by the Board.


There require to be 14 hours in each of the following: Cognitive therapy Co-existing issues Analysis in addition to therapy preparation Specialist Ethics II Pharmacology II Injury Informed Take Care Of Diverse Populations A specialist with a secondary school diploma or similarity will certainly take the National Qualified Dependency Counselor I analysis (NCAC I).


The CAC III should have all coursework required for lower certifications plus advanced inspirational speaking with, medical method I as well as II, as well as expert approach. 2,000 hours of included work experience is asked for. At this degree, an addiction counselor can perform therapy sessions independently; co-counseling is not asked for. The specialist will absolutely need experience in all 8 locations outlined as relevant at the CAC II degree.


The evaluation is to be taken post-master. The candidate needs to also take the Colorado Mental Health Law Analysis. This evaluates know-how of regulations and standards, discretion in addition to privilege, outlawed jobs, disciplinary activity, as well as first aid. The assessment is open publication and can be taken online.


Similarity can be confirmed through documents as well as additionally included materials such as curriculum. Potential customers will certainly videotape asking for training on the kind provided for this function; a different form is made use of for candidates with graduate degree education and learning. The Board settings time constraints on required training courses nevertheless does not place limitations on made levels.


You will definitely need experience in at the minimum 3 of the following: Positioning, Admin Consumption, Admin discharge, Option coordination, Situation documents and additionally Customer, Family members or Area Education. You will absolutely need straight guidance of 3 hours monthly from a CAC-III or LAC. Complete all parts of CAC-I over. 2000 human resources of medically checked task experience completed in a minimum of 12 months.


Becoming an addictions counselor in Colorado has many rewards and one of them is that you get to help others overcome their addictions. If you are one of the best addiction counselors in the state and you have been doing this for a long time now, then you must be doing something right.


You need to make a name for yourself in the field of addiction counselor. You need to make sure that you have the qualifications, the knowledge, and the expertise. You have to make sure that you are an expert on what you are doing. Otherwise, your clients are not going to respect you for what you do.


As an addictions counselor in Colorado, you will have to become an expert in the field of addiction. You will also need to become an expert on the other things that you have knowledge of, like how to manage your job and keep your clients happy.


If you are not an expert in all these things, you will have to help them do these things for you. You cannot do it on your own. You have to hire a professional to help you.


The best way for you to find the best professional counselor is to get referrals from people who have hired them. You can also get referrals from your school counselor. Your parents may also know someone who is an addictions counselor in Colorado.


As a counselor in the state of Colorado, you have to stay current in the job market. This means that you have to keep your license current. This can be done by taking a course in addiction counseling at a local community college or by taking a refresher course.


You have to also make sure that you have all the necessary certifications for the job that you are going to become an addiction counselor in Colorado. You can either get them from your state, or you can get them from the American Association of Alcohol and Drug Addictions. You will also have to get a state approved certification from the National Association for the Study of Alcohol and Drug Dependence.


Becoming an addiction counselor is a great job. You will be able to help others get off drugs and stay off them for good. You will also be able to help your clients maintain a healthy lifestyle after they are clean. if you follow the right steps.


The good thing about becoming an addiction counselor is that you will make a lot of money. This is because you will be able to do this for a living.


As an addictions counselor in Colorado, you will be able to work for either a private or public facility. You can either work for a school, an organization, or even a private agency.


If you decide to work in a private agency, you will have a lot of flexibility. You can work when you want to, for as long as you want. as long as you can handle the hours, and you are willing to accept the pay.


On the other hand, if you work in a public agency, you will have to accept the hours that are scheduled, and you will also be required to work with a limited number of clients. This is a lot more work.


You also have to remember that if you decide to work in a public agency, you will be responsible for paying the agency and keeping up your licensing. as an addiction counselor in Colorado.


Renewal and Continuing Education


All CAC2, CAC3, and LAC credentials expire on August 31 of odd numbered years, meaning they must be renewed every two years. The renewal period begins six weeks prior to the expiration date. In order to be eligible for renewal, counselors must complete prescribed amounts of professional development. That requirement can be satisfied in several ways:


  • Participate in the State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners’ Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program. This program is designed to help counselors identify their professional weaknesses, develop a learning plan, then pursue learning opportunities targeted to the counselor. By the end, counselors should have the 40 hours of professional development required to be completed every 2 years.

  • Participate in the DEEM program if you hold multiple mental health licenses. In order to keep multiple renewal requirements from overburdening mental health professionals, the amount of hours required is reduced depending on the number and type of licenses held.

  • Apply for a military exemption. Any counselor called to federal military service for more than 120 consecutive days may apply to have the required amount of professional development either reduced or waived.


Potential Counselor Career Path Options


  • Addiction Counselor

  • Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor

  • Behavioral Health Specialist

  • Certified Addiction Drug and Alcohol Counselor

  • Chemical Dependency Counselor

  • Mental Health Counselor

  • School Counselor

  • Substance Abuse Counselor


Associations & Organizations


There are a number of professional associations in Colorado either directly or indirectly related to substance abuse counseling. Joining, following, and participating in these organizations is a great way to develop skills, make connections, and develop professionally:


  • Colorado Association of Addiction Counselors

  • Colorado Counseling Association

  • Advocates for Recovery

  • Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council

  • Colorado Drug Free Workplace Alliance

  • Mental Health America of Colorado

  • Peer Assistance Services