The Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) is a great opportunity to determine if the field of addictions counseling is for you, before spending the time and money on a college degree, only to get into the field and find out it is not the right fit. The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (OCDPB) requires that you be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or GED. Along with that, 40 hours of training in six specific content areas is required for a preliminary (temporary) certification :
- Theories of Addiction (5 hours)
- Counseling Procedures & Strategies with Addicted Populations (14 hours)
- Group Process & Techniques Working with Addicted Populations (5 hours)
- Assessment and Diagnosis of Addiction (3 hours)
- Treatment Planning (7 hours)
- Ethics (6 hours)
After you have completed the 40 hour training and received a certificate of completion from us, you will apply online to the OCDPB for the preliminary CDCA certification (CDCA PRE). After receiving your CDCA PRE certification from the Board, you will have 10 months to complete an additional required 30 hours of training for your CDCA, formerly known as Phase II, which is a renewable certification. You will then reapply to the Board no sooner than 10 months from the date of your CDCA PRE. You have a 3 month window in which to apply before your CDCA PRE expires. For example, if you received your CDCA PRE certification from the Board on January 1, 2020, the first opportunity you have to apply for your CDCA (renewable) certification is November 1, 2020, and the last day is January 31, 2021 (it will be considered expired on February 1, 2021 if you haven’t submitted your application). You will want to start your CDCA training any time after you receive your CDCA PRE from the Board. You don’t want to wait until your CDCA PRE is due to expire to start your CDCA training!
While working as a CDCA, you must receive regular and consistent clinical supervision. The Board requires a minimum of one (1) hour of face to face Clinical Supervision for every 40 hours of work. CDCAs are bound by a clinical code of ethics and need regular clinical supervision surrounding clinical boundaries, confidentiality, client’s rights, consultation protocols, crisis intervention, policy and procedures, and ethics. This supervision must be by an LCDC III (who is under the supervision of an LICDC-CS); LICDC-CS; Physician; Psychologist; RN, CNP or CNS (if consistent with scope); LPCC, LPCC-S, LISW, LISW-S (if consistent with scope).
$229 (hardcopy)/$199 (hardcopy book, e-worksheets)/$179 (all e-version)
The OCDPB requires an additional 30 hours of training for CDCAs (The Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant) within a 10 month period from receiving their CDCA PRE:
- Theories of Addiction (5 hours)
- Counseling Procedures & Strategies with Addicted Populations (8 hours)
- Group Process & Techniques Working with Addicted Populations (5 hours)
- Assessment and Diagnosis of Addiction (3 hours)
- Treatment Planning (6 hours)
- Ethics (3 hours)
After completing these hours you will reapply to the Board for your CDCA (renewable) certification. Then every two years you will need 40 CEUs to renew your credential. We recommend you do not wait until your expiration date is looming to begin obtaining your 40 hours.
Every two years, you will need 40 CEUs for renewal. We have put together renewal packages to make it easy for you to get what you need for your renewal. All renewal packages are priced at $229 for hardcopy, $209 for hardcopy book and e-worksheets, and $199 for all electronic version.
CDCA / LCDC
LICDC
Part of the OCDPB’s requirements to becoming an LCDC (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor) is 180 training hours in 9 specific content areas, as follows. (Please see www.ocdp.ohio.gov for full requirements.)
- Theories of Addiction (24 hours)
- Counseling Procedures & Strategies with Addicted Populations (30 hours)
- Group Process & Techniques Working with Addicted Populations (24 hours)
- Assessment and Diagnosis of Addiction (24 hours)
- Relationship Counseling with Addicted Populations (18 hours)
- Prevention (12 hours)
- Pharmacology (18 hours)
- Treatment Planning (18 hours)
- Ethics (12 hours)
Wise Communications offers a discounted full package for the 180 training hours. If you have completed the CDCA PRE and CDCA (formerly known as Phase II) within the last 5 years, you can use those hours toward the 180 hours needed. Whether you completed them with us or elsewhere, we have a 110 hour package available for you.
For payment plan option, please call 419-496-2696.
An LICDC desiring a clinical supervision endorsement must complete 30 hours of education in required clinical supervision specific content areas. For your convenience, we have put together a package to satisfy these hours:
- Clinical Supervision and Professional Development for Substance Abuse Counselors (Counselor Development-S1, and Administration-S5)
- Implementing Change in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs (Program Development & Quality Assurance-S3)
- Ethics for Addiction Professionals (Professional & Ethical Standards-S2)
- Performance Evaluation (Performance Evaluation-S4)
$199 Hardcopy/ $199 Hardcopy books, electronic worksheets/ $179 all electronic
FAQ
It is the recommendation of Wise Communications that someone should show a lifestyle of recovery for at least one year beyond treatment before pursuing a CDCA certification. Clients in treatment are too enmeshed in their own recovery to have the perspective of helping others. In psychology terms, think countertransference. We are training you to help others. If you are still in treatment, you are not at that stage.
Yes they do! Whether you are a CDCA, LCDC or LICDC, each package was put together so you will receive everything you need, such as ethics and chemical dependency specific hours. For the LICDC renewal, it meets the supervision requirement. We can also put together custom packages for you so you can take advantage of the discount instead of paying ala carte pricing. Peruse our courses and find out what looks interesting to you, then give us a call!
Absolutely! With the 180 hours of CD specific training required by the Board, we provide a full package to meet the nine content areas. We also offer a 110 hour package for those who have completed CDCA and Phase II training within the last 5 years, whether with us or another training provider. Please note, that this is in addition to the college education required by the Board and the 2000 work hours to become an LCDC. (For detailed requirements, please visit www.ocdp.ohio.gov.)
Yes you can, however you do need 2000 hours of work experience before you can sit for the exam. You may need the CDCA to get your ‘foot in the door’ of an agency to get those hours. Or you may not, that’s up to you.
Sure, but it’s all in the timing. If you have your 2000 hours in, have your 180 hours completed, can sit for the exam and pass it before your preliminary expires, then you don’t need to do the CDCA (formerly known as Phase II). Keep in mind that your CDCA training hours can go toward the 180 hours needed, so your time and money won’t be wasted (we have a 110 hour package for you instead of the 180 hour package).