Continuing Education for SUD Counselors: What Counts, What Doesn't, and Where to Get Your Hours

Earning your SUD counselor certification is a major achievement, but it is not the finish line. Every certified SUD counselor in California is required to complete continuing education (CE) hours to maintain their credential. Whether you are certified through CCAPP or CADTP, the requirements are specific, the deadlines are real, and falling behind can put your certification at risk.

This article breaks down exactly how many hours you need, what types of education qualify, what does not count, and where to find approved CE providers so you never miss a renewal deadline.

CCAPP Continuing Education Requirements

If you hold a CCAPP credential (CADC-I, CADC-II, CADC-III, LAADC, or LAADC-S), you are required to complete 50 hours of continuing education every two years to renew your certification. These 50 hours are not all interchangeable. CCAPP has specific subcategories that must be met:

• 40 hours minimum must come from a CCAPP-approved continuing education provider
• 9 hours must be in ethics, with at least 3 of those hours covering diversity, equity, inclusion, culture, or LGBTQIA2+ competency
• The remaining 10 hours can come from non-CCAPP-approved sources such as conferences, workshops, college courses, or in-service trainings (with documentation)

Beginning July 1, 2024, CCAPP increased the ethics requirement from 6 hours to 9 hours, with the added mandate that at least 3 hours address DEI and LGBTQIA2+ topics. This change applies to all renewal cycles going forward.

CADTP Continuing Education Requirements

If you hold a CADTP credential (SUDCC-I, SUDCC-II, SUDCC-III, or SUDCC-CS), the continuing education requirements operate on an annual renewal cycle rather than biennial. You must complete 40 hours of continuing education each year to renew your certification. The specific requirements include:

• 40 hours minimum of SUD-specific continuing education annually
• 3 hours must cover ethics and confidentiality (may be combined in one training)
• SUDCC-CS (Clinical Supervisors) must include hours specific to clinical supervision practices
• All CE hours must come from CADTP-approved providers

It is important to note the difference: CCAPP requires 50 hours every 2 years, while CADTP requires 40 hours every year. If you hold credentials from both boards, you must meet each board's requirements separately.

CE Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	CCAPP	CADTP
Total CE Hours	50 hours every 2 years	40 hours every year
Ethics Hours	9 hours (3 hrs DEI/LGBTQIA2+)	3 hours (ethics & confidentiality)
Approved Provider Required	40 of 50 hours	All 40 hours
Renewal Cycle	Biennial (every 2 years)	Annual (every year)

What Counts as Continuing Education

Not all learning activities qualify as continuing education for credential renewal. Here is what typically counts:

• Courses from approved CE providers listed in the CCAPP or CADTP directories
• Workshops and seminars offered by approved organizations with documented attendance
• College or university courses in SUD-related subjects (with official transcripts)
• Professional conferences with documented session attendance
• In-service trainings at your workplace that cover SUD-specific topics (CCAPP allows up to 10 hours from non-approved sources)
• Online courses from approved providers (increasingly common and convenient)

What Does NOT Count

The following activities generally do not qualify toward your CE requirements:

• General self-help or personal development courses not specific to SUD counseling
• Repeated courses on the same topic within the same renewal cycle (unless the content has been substantially updated)
• Staff meetings or administrative trainings that do not cover clinical or SUD-specific content
• Courses from non-approved providers beyond the 10-hour allowance (CCAPP) or at all (CADTP)
• Supervision hours you provide or receive (these count toward different requirements)

Where to Find Approved CE Providers

Both CCAPP and CADTP maintain directories of approved continuing education providers. Here are the primary resources:

For CCAPP credentials: Visit the CCAPP Education Institute website at ccappeducation.org to search their directory of approved schools and CE providers. You can filter by distance learning, SUD-dedicated programs, and specific content areas.

For CADTP credentials: Visit the CADTP CEU Providers directory at cadtpcounselors.org/ceu-providers to find approved continuing education providers.

ADCSI is approved by both CCAPP and CADTP, and we offer standalone continuing education courses designed specifically for credential renewal. Our 80-hour Core Competencies course is available as a standalone module for counselors who need to meet their renewal education requirements. This course can be completed in as little as 6 weeks and you have up to 12 months to finish.

Tips for Staying on Track

Missing your renewal deadline can result in your credential lapsing, which means you cannot legally practice as a certified SUD counselor in California until it is reinstated. Here are practical strategies to stay compliant:

First, mark your renewal date on your calendar and set reminders 6 months, 3 months, and 1 month before the deadline. Do not wait until the last minute to start accumulating hours.

Second, keep a running log of all CE activities throughout the year. Document the provider name, course title, date, number of hours, and whether it was approved by CCAPP, CADTP, or both. Save all certificates of completion.

Third, front-load your ethics hours early in the renewal cycle. These are the most specific requirements and the easiest to forget. Getting them done first ensures you are not scrambling at the end.

Fourth, consider online CE courses for convenience. Many approved providers now offer self-paced online courses that you can complete on your own schedule. This is especially valuable for working counselors who cannot take time off for in-person workshops.

What Happens If You Miss Your Deadline

If your credential lapses due to incomplete CE hours, the reinstatement process varies by board. CCAPP generally allows reinstatement within a grace period, but you may need to pay additional fees and provide documentation of completed CE hours. CADTP has similar provisions. In both cases, you cannot practice under a lapsed credential, which can affect your employment.

The bottom line: staying current with your continuing education is not optional. It is a professional obligation that protects your career, your clients, and the integrity of the SUD counseling profession.

Need CE hours for your next renewal? ADCSI offers approved continuing education courses for both CCAPP and CADTP credentials. Book a call or visit adcsinstitute.com to learn about our standalone CE course options.

Sources: CCAPP Credentialing (ccappcredentialing.org), CADTP Counselors (cadtpcounselors.org), CCAPP Education Institute (ccappeducation.org)