Alcohol and drug counselors are certified by the Iowa Board of Certification. Counselors may meet the requirements through the education track which includes classes, field experiences and passing the national certification exam.

Important! Please review Employability Issues associated with this career.

For more information about the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Program please follow the link below:

Kirkwood Community College offerings to meet the Iowa Board of Certification requirements:

• Basic Problem Solving Skills (Counseling Ethics)

• Health and Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Special Populations/Ethics)

• Exceptional Persons (Special Populations)

• Substance Abuse and Treatment (Alcohol and Drug Specifics)

• Counseling Theories and Techniques

• Field Experience (500 hours)*

*Note: If appropriate, 220 hours of Human Services Field Experience may be applied toward the required 500 hours.

When students successfully complete all the courses, they are eligible to take the national certification exam.

This option is available to Human Services program majors, and those with an A.A. or B.A. in Human Services, Social Work or related fields. Approval of the Human Services program coordinator is a prerequisite for admission to the Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor option.

Iowa Board of Certification education track requirements for certified alcohol and drug counselors:

• 24 semester hours of college-level credit in substance abuse, or its related fields (counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, human services and criminal justice).
• A minimum grade of “C” must be earned.
• In addition, a minimum of 150 clock hours or relevant education is required. These clock hours may be a combination of college courses. Some special conditions apply. Specifically, hours must be earned as:
• 45 clock hours in Counseling Theories and Techniques
• 45 clock hours in Alcohol and Drug Specifics
• 6 clock hours in Special Populations
• 6 clock hours in Counseling Ethics
• The remaining hours may be earned under any of the Knowledge and Skill Competencies.
• 1000 clock hours of supervised experience in substance abuse counseling within the past three years. At least 500 clock hours must be documented in performing core functions of the Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

If using college classes, the formula for converting college credit to clock hours is one semester hour equals 15 clock hours.

For more information please contact:

Jody Weigel
Assistant Professor
319-398-5715
jody.weigel@kirkwood.edu

Susan Simon
Professor/Coordinator
319-398-5410
susan.simon@kirkwood.edu