Requirements for Certified Chemical Dependency Counselors in Ohio

Chemical dependency counselors in Ohio are licensed by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board. There are multiple levels of certification dependent on practical job training, academic education and exam scores. At the minimum, you will need many hours of education just to become an assistant. A certified counselor at the lowest level will need an associate degree, and top level independent counselor's need a graduate degree.

Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant

• Chemical dependency counselor assistants typically start in a volunteer capacity. On-the-job training hours are accrued under supervision, and you must complete an additional 40 hours of approved chemical dependency education to successfully apply for assistant certification.

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II

• Becoming certified as a licensed chemical dependency counselor II (LCDC II) requires at least an associate degree in behavioral science. Otherwise, you need a bachelor's degree in any field. You also need about three years or 6,000 hours of work experience in chemical dependency counseling. Degrees can substitute for up to a year of work experience. Part of your work experience should include 330 practical experience hours, and you will need 270 hours of chemical dependency education. You will need to pass the Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) written examination.

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III

• The requirements for LCDC III are similar to LCDC II, but you will need a bachelor's or master's degree. Your work experience must be at least 4,000 paid hours. A master's degree cuts the work requirement time in half. You will need the 270 hours of chemical dependency education and 330 hours of practical experience hours plus the completion of AODA exam.

Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor

• The highest level of certified counselor is the licensed independent chemical dependency counselor (LICDC). LICDCs must have a master's degree in behavioral science with documented course work in certain areas. You must have a minimum of 6,000 hours of paid experience with no substitutions. Two-thirds of the experience must be supervised clinical work. Like the other certificates, you will also need the 270 hours of chemical dependency education and 330 hours of practical experience hours along with the AODA exam. An additional 30 hours of clinical education is required, and you must pass another test, the Clinical Skills exam.