Get Registered

The two types of registration are:

1. Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC) credential is open to individuals who have not completed the minimum education requirements needed for ACCBC’s CATC.

Applicants who have never applied with ACCBC or any other certifying organization will need to show proof of either enrollment in or completion of First Year Registrant requirements from an approved education provider,.as well as of a minimum of nine (9) hours of law and ethics (which may be from completion of First Year Registrant requirements or a three (3) semester unit course on the topic.)

To renew an existing RAC, counselors are required to show proof of completion of six (6) semester units towards the Certificate or Degree.  The education must have been completed since the time of the current RAC issue date. 

Applicants who are currently or previously registered with another certifying agency in California and wish to transfer to ACCBC must provide proof of completion of First Year Registrant requirements from an approved provider and requirements for renewal (if applicable).

Applicants who will be applying for certification through Education Equivalency Evaluation will be required to have First Year Registrant requirements completed and at least 80 percent of Equivalency Evaluation requirements satisfied before an RAC is issued.

2. Intern Registration is open only to those who have completed the formal education required for certification.

Applicants will need to provide transcripts showing that their certificate or degree was conferred. Applicants applying through Education Equivalency Evaluation must submit a signed, dated, and approved Equivalency Evaluation application.

To renew an Intern Registration, counselors need to show a minimum of twenty (20) hours of continuing education from an approved CEU provider. Applicants who are currently pursuing higher levels of education in a related field may use a three (3) semester unit course to satisfy this requirement.

Intern Registrations are still bound to the time limits for counselor registrations.

Intern Registrants will be issued an “-i” registration credential, which replaces the RAC for registrants that have passed the CATC Exam.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration renewal is the responsibility of each registered individual – the ACCBC does not send out renewal notices. We do not expedite applications under any circumstances. Please be sure to submit applications at least forty-five (45) calendar days prior to expiration, however, DHCS regulations request submission at one hundred twenty (120) days. Applications that are incomplete when submitted due to the applicant not including all required documentation can be delayed. Please plan accordingly to account for the processing time. Except for applications to satisfy First Year Registrant requirements, Renewal Applications will not be accepted more than one hundred fifty (150) calendar days prior to expiration.

This situation best describes me:

I have never been registered with a certifying organization and want to register for the first time with the ACCBC.

I am currently registered with CAADE’s ACCBC and want to renew my registration.

My current or most recent registration was with another organization. I want to transfer to ACCBC.

 

Per California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 9, Chapter 8, Subchapter 3, Section 13035(f)(1) and (2): “Registrants shall complete certification as an AOD counselor within five (5) years of the date of registration (with ANY Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) approved certifying organization)” and “the certifying organization may allow up to two (2) years additional time for a leave of absence due to medical problem or other hardship…”. No more than seven (7) total years of registration time from date of initial registration with any DHCS approved certifying organization will be allowed, in compliance with State regulations.  Please see the Hardship Request Application if this applies to you. 

Addiction Counselor Certification Board of California

5230 Clark Ave, Suite 13, Lakewood, CA 90712

Phone: 1-562-304-5261  Email: office@accbc.org   Website: www.accbc.org