Approval for Addiction Counselors in Tennessee

Must hold a high school diploma. 6 hours must be in a counselor-related ethics course for renewals. TCB cannot accept training used for previous renewals.

Must hold a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health related field (Note: if the bachelor's degree is in a non-related field, the applicant must apply for the CADC I). 6 hours must be in a counselor-related ethics course for renewals. TCB cannot accept training used for previous renewals.

INITIAL:

A minimum of a master’s degree in a behavioral health related field with a clinical component/application is required. If your master's degree is not in a related field, you must apply for the appropriate CADC level.

180 total hours of education relevant to the field of substance use disorders and cooccurring disorders and the 4 IC&RC AADC performance domains:

1. Screening, Assessment, & Engagement
2. Treatment Planning, Collaboration, & Referral
3. Counseling & Education
4. Professional & Ethical Responsibilities

6 of the hours must be in professional ethics and responsibilities that are specific to counseling/behavioral health. Ethics courses that are in business, philosophy, religion, etc. are not accepted.

RENEWAL:

40 hours of related continuing education (in any IC&RC AADC domain) every 2 years.

• Hours must include 6 hours of counselor ethics as a refresher

TCB cannot accept training used for previous renewals.

INITIAL:

Minimum 120 contact hours of prevention-specific training required.

• 28 hours must include the Core Prevention Training Curriculum

  • Effective Audience Management (6 hours)
  • Prevention Ethics (6 hours PE course)
  • Cultural Competency (6 hours)
  • Environmental Strategies (10 hours)

• 50 hours must be ATOD prevention specific

RENEWAL:

40 hours of prevention-related continuing education (in any domain) every 2 years.

• Hours must include a TCB-approved, 6-hour prevention ethics course refresher (it can be the in-person or online approved course)

TCB cannot accept training used for previous renewals.

INITIAL:

Minimum 220 contact hours of prevention-specific training required.

• 28 hours must include the Core Prevention Training Curriculum

  • Effective Audience Management (6 hours)
  • Prevention Ethics (6 hours PE course)
  • Cultural Competency (6 hours)
  • Environmental Strategies (10 hours)

• 100 hours must be ATOD prevention specific


RENEWAL:

40 hours of prevention-related continuing education (in any domain) every 2 years.

• Hours must include a TCB-approved, 6-hour prevention ethics course refresher (it can be the in-person or online approved course)

TCB cannot accept training used for previous renewals.