Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC) Requirements

  • Transcripts showing bachelor’s degree or higher in human services field from regionally accredited institution.
  • Official transcripts must be sent directly to the APSC office from the regionally accredited institution.
  • Affirmation in writing of adherence to the South Carolina Certification Ethical Standards.
  • Two years full-time or 4,000 hours of experience in the Alcohol & Drug Counseling Domains within previous 5 years.
  • Current and/or previous employers must verify experience on official letterhead and must include dates of employment, whether full or part-time, job title and duties performed.
  • Minimum of 300 clock hours in education or training related to the counseling domains.
  • Documentation of 200 hours of clinical supervision by an APSC certified Clinical Supervisor noted on required form.
  • Supervision must include minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
  • Documentation of six (6) hours in Professional Ethics for counselors.
  • Documentation of six (6) hours in ASAM for counselors.
  • Documentation of three (3) hours in HIV/AIDS issues for counselors.
  • Evaluator’s Statement from current clinical supervisor who must be certified in addictions.
  • Official job description for current employment position signed by both the employee and the employer.
  • Narrative Philosophy of Addictions Treatment for those with bachelor’s degree.
  • Sample case file for those with bachelor’s degree
  • Pass IC&RC written exam for ADC.
  • Pay oral interview fee for those with bachelor’s degree.
  • Pass oral interview for those with bachelor’s degree.
  • Receive final approval for ADC from APSC Certification Commission.

Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) Requirements

  • Transcripts showing master’s degree or higher in human services field from regionally accredited institution.
  • Official transcripts must be sent directly to the APSC office from the regionally accredited institution.
  • Application expires after three years
  • Affirmation in writing of adherence to the South Carolina Certification Ethical Standards.
  • Four years full-time or 8,000 hours of experience in the Alcohol & Drug Counseling Domains within previous 5 years.
  • Current and/or previous employers must verify experience on official letterhead and must include dates of employment, whether full or part-time, job title and duties performed.
  • Minimum of 450 clock hours in education or training related to the counseling domains.
  • Documentation of 200 hours of clinical supervision by a certified addictions professional noted on required form.
  • Supervision must include minimum of 10 hours in each domain.
  • Documentation of six (6) hours in Professional Ethics for counselors.
  • Documentation of three (3) hours in HIV/AIDS issues for counselors.
  • Evaluator’s Statement from current clinical supervisor who must be certified in addictions.
  • Official job description for current employment position signed by both the employee and the employer.
  • Pass IC&RC written exam for AADC .
  • Receive final approval of AADC from APSC Certification Commission.

Clinical Supervisor (CS) Requirements

  • AADC certification
  • Official Transcripts showing master’s degree or higher in human services field or clinical subject from regionally accredited institution must be sent directly to the APSC Office.
  • Thirty (30) hours of training specific to clinical supervision.
  • Twenty-four (24) hours of clinical supervision provided by a APSC CS.
  • Affirmation in writing of adherence to the South Carolina Certification Ethical Standards.
  • Five years full-time or 10,000 hours of experience in Human Services and/or the Alcohol & Drug Counseling within previous 5 years.
  • Two years of the five years of the full-time employment or 4,000 hours must be as a clinical supervisor candidate who is providing clinical supervision to in process candidates (need clinical supervisor candidate form/)Log needs to include clinical supervisor or supervisor candidate.
  • Current and/or previous employers must verify experience on official letterhead and must include dates of employment, whether full or part-time, job title and duties performed in domains of addictions counseling.
  • Receive final approval of CS certification from APSC Certification Commission.

Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) Requirements

  • A high school diploma or GED.
  • Current or former client of services.
  • Meet one of the following requirements:
    – Have had a serious mental illness and/or addiction disorder, which meets the federal definition and received treatment for it;
    – Self-identify as a current or former client of mental health treatment and/or addiction treatment; or
    – Self-identify as having a serious mental illness and a substance use disorder and be in dual recovery.
  • All candidates must complete two weeks (46 hours) of intensive training through one of our approved providers.