About the SUDCC Exam

The Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor (SUDCC) Exam is designed to validate the competencies of aspiring SUD counselors in California. Administered by CADTP (California Association of DUI Treatment Programs), this certification exam is based on extensive professional research and adheres to national standards in the addiction counseling field.

How the Exam Was Developed

The SUDCC exam was developed using a comprehensive Job Task Analysis (JTA) conducted by experienced addiction professionals, CADTP counselors. This analysis identified the key skills, knowledge, and responsibilities required for effective practice in substance use disorder treatment.

Using the JTA findings, CADTP developed the SUDCC Exam Blueprint, which outlines four primary content domains. These domains guided the creation of the exam questions by CADTP Counselors and the accompanying official study guide, written by Dr. Nola Veazie. The exam and study guide were developed in English and translated into Spanish, supported by funding from California’s Behavioral Health Workforce Development (BHWD) Organizational Enhancement and Support (OES) Project.

The SUDCC exam and study guide are both available in both English and Spanish.

Exam Format and Requirements

• Number of questions: 135 total
• 125 scored questions
• 10 unscored pre-test questions
• Format: Multiple-choice
• Time Limit: 3 hours
• Passing Score: 74% (92 correct answers)
• Proctoring: Administered remotely via Google Meet with strict ID and testing environment requirements

Exam Domains and Content

The SUDCC exam is divided into four domains, each containing several subdomains and weighted for scoring:

Domain 1: Substance Use Disorder Counseling Fundamentals  (21%)

Topics include:

• Neurological effects of addiction
• Biopsychosocial risk factors
• Progressive stages of substance use disorder
• Co-occurring mental and medical conditions
• Characteristics of commonly abused substances
• Addiction models and medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

Domain 2: Substance Use Disorder Assessment (23%)

Topics include:

• Motivational interviewing and probing techniques
• Standardized screening tools (ASI, ACE, SASSI)
• Drug and alcohol testing methods
• Use of diagnostic criteria (DSM)
• Biopsychosocial history and treatment planning
• Level of care placement decisions

Domain 3: Substance Use Disorder Treatmentl (28%)

Topics include:

• Verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Building rapport and facilitating referrals
• Addressing specific populations and trauma-informed care
• Counseling techniques (CBT, MI)
• Group counseling dynamics
• Discharge planning and recovery pathways

Domain 4: Substance Use Disorder Counselor Conduct (28%)

Topics include:

• Boundaries, self-awareness, and counselor wellness
• Multicultural competency
• Confidentiality, informed consent, and documentation
• Scope of practice, supervision, and grievance response
• Advocacy for diversity, inclusion, and equity

Preparing for the Exam

Before you take the exam it is important you review the CADTP SUDCC Candidate Guide. This will go over the SUDCC Exam domains, application requirements, exam rules, and the exam room and techincal requirements.

CADTP provides a official study guide to align preparation with the SUDCC certification exam blueprint.

SUDCC Certification Study Guide – English

SUDCC Certification Study Guide – Spanish

Additional recommended materials and resources include (These study resources are provided as a convenience to help you prepare for the exam. While many candidates find them helpful, using these materials does not guarantee a passing score on the SUDCC Certification Exam.):

• Purchase the CADTP SUDCC Practice Exam, (Non-Refundable) which includes sample questions designed to familiarize you with the exam format and content. SUDCC English Practice Exam – SUDCC Spanish Practice Exam
• SUDCC Exam Prep Study Course ($35.00 Non-Refundable): Course led by instructor Rachel Z. Sandoval.
• Tap 21: Addiction Counseling Competencies

Study strategies:

• Structured study plans and group discussions
• Practice tests and mock counseling sessions
• Deep understanding of CBT, MI, MAT, DSM criteria, and trauma-informed care
• Focus on ethics, documentation, and legal responsibilities

To apply for the certification exam, you must complete the CADTP Exam Certification Application. Along with the completed application you will need to submit the following:

• Non-Refundable Payment of $350 ($175 for Exam and $175 for Initial SUDCC Certification)
• Government issued ID.
• Official Transcripts documenting the completion of at least 315 hours of formal, in-classroom education, at an accredited college or post-secondary school in alcohol and/or other drug education (see Academic Content Areas here for required courses). Official transcripts need to be mailed in a sealed envelope or emailed to the CADTP office directly from the college.
• Documentation of 2,080 hours SUD counseling work experience (see Work Hours Verification Form)
• Documentation of 255 hours of SUD supervised practicum hours that cover the 12 core functions (effective for initial registrations on or after 11/1/2021) (see Practicum Verification Form)
• Signed Code of Conduct/Ethics

PLEASE NOTE: Put the name (First and Last) on the application that matches the name on your photo ID. You must present a VALID GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO ID WITH SIGNATURE in order to be admitted to the examination. Approved forms for ID are: Drivers License, Government Issued ID Card (must have photo and signature), Passport, Military ID Card. No other forms of identification will be accepted.

If the application is approved, applicants will be notified by e-mail about the exam arrangements.

Requests for testing accommodations should be submitted with the SUDCC Exam Application, along with all required supporting documentation, to allow sufficient time for review and coordination prior to exam scheduling.

Applicants who submit an accommodation request after their exam application has been processed or approved may experience a delay in scheduling or may need to reschedule their examination to allow sufficient time for the accommodation request to be reviewed and, if approved, implemented.

Submitting an accommodation request does not guarantee approval. Each request will be reviewed individually in accordance with applicable requirements.

The Documentation for Disability Related Accommodations should be submitted with the exam application.

There is a 90-day waiting period for those who do not pass the exam and wish to re-apply to take it again. A re-exam application and a non-refundable re-exam fee of $175 is required for each re-exam.

To be eligible to sit for the exam for a fifth attempt, the Certification Board will mandate a 180-day waiting period requiring the candidate to have their knowledge of TAP 21 competency requirements evaluated through 100 hours of documented and verifiable SUD counseling mentorship dated after the last exam attempt. The remedial action is designed to provide the exam takers with individualized support utilizing an experienced and knowledgeable person. The candidate will be required to provide documentation of this mentorship confirming the candidate has demonstrated sufficient knowledge of competency requirements to pass the exam.

The mentor must be, at minimum, a certified counselor. Mentorship should focus on TAP 21 and areas of specific need, as noted in the exam domain areas, thereby increasing the candidate’s knowledge in the failed area.

It will also be required to have a number of additional educational hours of study and a review of the Addiction Counseling Competencies – The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice (Technical Assistance Publication Series #21 (TAP 21).

If candidates fail to show up for an examination, do not have the proper identification or Candidate Admission Letter, they will not be permitted to sit for their examination. They will be considered a “No-Show” and examination fees will be forfeited.

You must complete the “No-Show” Exam Application and submit with a non-refundable $175 payment to the CADTP certification office to set up a new exam time and date.