Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) Certification Requirements

The "first CDCA" you must apply for is the CDCA Preliminary (CDCA PRE).  It is the initial temporary CDCA that expires after thirteen months. It is Non - Renewable.  It requires 40 hours of education in certain content areas shown on the CDCA Preliminary Grid.  Individuals must hold the CDCA Preliminary for a minimum of 10 months before applying for the next CDCA certificate.   
 
The "second CDCA" must be obtained by opening a "new application" after you have held the CDCA Preliminary certificate for at least 10 months   It requires 30 additional hours of education.  The education for this credential must show completion dates "after" the date you received your CDCA Preliminary. This certificate is a renewable CDCA.  Once awarded, it can be renewed every 2 years for as long as you keep it active.  
 
Both are Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant Credentials, but the CDCA Pre expires in thirteen months and may not be renewed.  Individuals who hold a CDCA PRE and want to remain a CDCA must apply with a new application in elicense to move up and obtain the renewable CDCA.  
 
Education hours required for the CDCA may be completed with college coursework (an official transcript will be required) or continuing education hours or *CEUS from board approved educational providers (certificates for each course will be required)
 
* Continuing Education CE/CEUs:  Applicants applying for any Treatment credential must complete courses that are approved by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professional (OCDP) Board’s CEU approval process or another authorized entity (State behavioral health licensing boards, NAADAC, NASW, ASWB, NBCC). The education provider must reference the name and approval number for the formal approval body on the CE certificates. You may Search board approved courses through CE Broker ( Add link)
 
 The CDCA PRE and the CDCA have the same Scope of Practice and have the same supervision requirements. https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4758-6-01 
 
Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant Preliminary (CDCA PRE) Certificate Requirements
  • Forty (40) hours of chemical dependency specific education in the required content areas 
Complete the CDCA PRE Chemical Dependency Specific Education Grid using the content area definitions to best select which content area your course covered. Read all the instructions provided on the GRID
*If using college education to complete the GRID: One semester hour = 15 clock hours or One quarter hour = 10 clock hours 
 
You will upload the Grid along with all your CEU certificates onto your application in e-license. If you are using a college education, see Application Instructions on providing your official transcripts to the Board.
 
 
       Completion of online application (See Tab under “Certification & Licensure” for Online Application Instructions)
 
If you hold a CDCA preliminary, please make sure you apply for the CDCA no less than 2 ½  months before the expiration of your CDCA preliminary to allow sufficient time for your CDCA application review
 
Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA)-  Renewable Certificate Requirements
  • Must have held the CDCA Preliminary 10 months before applying
  • Thirty (30) hours of chemical dependency specific education in the required content areas 
Complete the CDCA Chemical Dependency Specific Education Grid using the content area definitions to best select which content area your course covered. Read all the instructions provided on the GRID
*If using college education to complete the GRID: One semester hour = 15 clock hours or One quarter hour = 10 clock hours 
 
You will upload the Grid along with all your CEU certificates onto your application in e-license. If you are using a college education, see Application Instructions on providing your official transcripts to the Board.
 
 
  • Completion of online application (See tab under Certification & Licensure for Online Application Instructions)
 
Once you obtain the CDCA (Renewable Certification) you must renew your credential every two (2) years with Continuing Education Hours. See Renewal Information
 
 
IMPORTANT : Online applications are reviewed in the order of “date submitted”.  The review process can take up to 40 business days (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date submitted due to the vast number of applications we receive. In order to be fair to all applicants, we cannot expedite application reviews.
 
Please do not email asking for status updates unless it has been more then 40 BUSINESS days. 
You can check status of your application at elicense.ohio.gov and see definitions of application status here
 
 
If you have criminal justice history please review :
The Board also requests that all restitution to the courts including probation/parole and fines/fees be completed before application.