By staying engaged and proactive, you’ll be well-positioned to meet the new educational standards and advance in your career as an SUD Counselor.
Significant changes are on the horizon for Substance Use Disorder Registered Counselors (SUDRCs) in California. Assembly Bill 2473 (AB 2473), enacted in 2022 and being implemented in 2025, updates the educational and professional requirements for individuals pursuing certification as SUD counselors. These updates aim to improve quality of care, align with national standards, and create a clearer path to certification for registrants.
As part of the bill’s implementation, CADTP is introducing a new three-tier system for SUDRCs, effective August 1, 2025.
New SUDRC Levels
To support compliance and ensure a structured pathway for education and certification, CADTP will classify SUDRCs into the following levels shown below. You will be issued your new SUDRC credential upon your next renewal.
SUDRCs whose renew before 1/1/2026, must comply with the old renewal requirements (see requirements here). SUDRCs renewing as of 1/1/2026 will be required to follow the new renewal requirements below:
SUDRC I – First-Year Registrant
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Applies to newly registered counselors who have not yet completed one full year of registration.
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Requirement: Must complete 80 hours of core competency education within six (6) months of registration and before first-year renewal.
SUDRC II – Mid-Level Registrant
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Applies to registrants who have not yet completed the required 315 total hours of AOD formal education toward certification.
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Requirement: Must complete 50 hours of AOD education annually toward the 315-hour certification requirement.
SUDRC III – Pre-Certification Registrant
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Applies to registrants who have completed all 315 hours of formal SUD counselor education but are not yet certified.
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Requirement: Must complete 20 hours of continuing education (CEs) annually until certification is achieved.
Core Competency Requirements Under AB 2473
AB 2473 mandates a standardized set of core competencies that all registrants must complete in their first six months.
These include:
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DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
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ASAM Criteria for placement and treatment planning
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Cultural Competency and Disability Inclusion
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Case Management / Care Coordination
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Electronic Health Records (EHR)
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Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
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Clinical Documentation
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Co-Occurring Disorders
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Confidentiality & Ethics
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Professional Boundaries
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Behavioral Health System Navigation
Timeline & Key Dates
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July 1, 2025: AB 2473 education requirements go into effect.
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January 1, 2026: Full implementation will be outlined in the DHCS Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN), expected to be released by DHCS in July 2025.
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First-time registrants after July 1, 2025, must complete the 80-hour core competencies within six months.
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All other registrants must meet tier-specific annual education or continuing education requirements.
Exemptions
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Registrants in Good Standing who registered prior to July 1, 2025, are exempt from the 80-hour core competency requirement. However, the core competency topics must be included in their 315 hours of education for final certification.
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Master’s Degree Holders (in psychology, social work, MFT, or counseling) are exempt from the core competencies.
“In good standing” means an active registration without a history of revocation.
Updated Procedures for Registration and Renewal
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Renewal Application Timing: Submit your renewal application at least 120 days before expiration.
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Review Period: CADTP has 45 days to approve, deny, or request corrections.
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Correction Window: Registrants have 30 days to respond, followed by a 15-day review turnaround.
How to Prepare
- Whether you’re just starting out or progressing toward certification, now is the time to prepare:
- Understand your level (SUDRC-I, II, or III) and its requirements.
- Select an approved provider for your 80-hour core competency course (to be announced).
- Stay informed through CADTP and DHCS updates as implementation approaches.
- Reach out to CADTP if you have questions—we’re here to support you.
Have Questions?
The CADTP team is ready to guide you through the upcoming changes. Visit www.cadtpcounselors.org or contact us directly for support.