IBC requires that all applicants complete 24 semester hours of college-level coursework in substance abuse or related fields: Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Human Services, and Criminal Justice

Because students enter Kirkwood with different educational backgrounds, the specific courses a student needs will vary depending on how many related credits they already have.

If you have few or no related college credits

Students with little or no prior college credit will need to take both the tCADC required courses and the additional IADC-recommended courses to reach the 24-semester-hour education requirement.

If you already have related credits

You may need fewer Kirkwood courses. An advisor or the Human Services Program Coordinator will review your transcript and tell you exactly which courses are still required.

The following courses provide the addiction-specific training required by IBC:

• HSV-112 - Personal & Professional Wellness in Helping Professions: Focuses on boundaries, ethics foundations, self-care, and counselor wellness.
• HSV-184 - Cross-Cultural Considerations in Counseling: Addresses cultural humility, bias awareness, and multicultural counseling skills.
• HSV-285 - Case Management: Intake to Discharge: Covers assessment, planning, documentation, coordination, and referral skills.
• HSV-292 - Substance Abuse & Treatment: Covers addiction, substances, treatment models, recovery theory, and co-occurring concerns.
• Optional (Recommended): HSV-260 – CADC Exam Preparation (1 credit): Provides targeted preparation for the IC&RC ADC exam; required for tCADC (Includes the cost of the IC&RC ADC exam within the course tuition.)

Students seeking the International Alcohol & Drug Counselor (IADC) credential (which has reciprocity in 40+ states) should take the following courses to help meet the 300-hour IADC education requirement:

• HSV-201 - Loss, Trauma & Resilience (3 credit): Examines loss as a part of life and the impact of trauma on individuals, families, and communities.
• HSV-282 - Health & Psychosocial Rehabilitation (3 credit): Addresses co-occurring disorders, psychosocial functioning, and treatment planning.
• HSV-287 - Counseling Theories & Techniques (3 credit)Provides in-depth counseling models and applied skills.
• HSV-215 - Group Work in Human Services (3 credit): Covers group dynamics, co-facilitation, and psychoeducational group practice.

• All education required for the tCADC (24 semester hours + 150 clock hours)
• Courses needed to prepare for the IC&RC exam
• One-on-one advising on course selection
• Optional exam-prep course (HSV 260)

• You apply to the Iowa Board of Certification (IBC)
• You take the IC&RC exam (exam cost part of course tuition if taking HSV-260)
• IBC issues your tCADC
• You gain supervised experience hours through your employer
• You upgrade to CADC or IADC through IBC

Please note that these steps are not completed at Kirkwood.

Most students complete:

• Coursework: 2–4 semesters
• Exam: Immediately after coursework
• Supervised hours: 1–2 years (completed through employment)

Certification decisions, including exam approval, issuance of the tCADC, and the upgrade to CADC or IADC, are made solely by the Iowa Board of Certification (IBC). Students are responsible for meeting all IBC requirements.

Most college courses are 3 credits, so students need the equivalent of eight courses in substance abuse or related fields.

If you are in personal recovery, we strongly recommend having at least two years of stable sobriety before beginning the tCADC track. This is a  recommendation, not a requirement. It supports student wellbeing and readiness for field work.

Supervised experience hours happen through your employer, not through the college.

Kirkwood provides advising and field options during your degree, but the CADC/IADC supervision hours must be completed through paid employment, volunteering, or a combination of both with an IBC certified counselor.

Possibly. Credits in psychology, sociology, social work, criminal justice, counseling, and human services may count toward the 24-hour requirement.

Students with no prior credits usually need both. Students with prior credits may need fewer courses.

It allows you to work in more than 40 states because it’s part of the IC&RC reciprocity system.

Yes, the IC&RC ADC exam cost is included in the tuition for HSV-260.                

After finishing Kirkwood coursework (before exam):

• Technician roles
• Support staff in treatment programs
• Recovery centers, shelters, rehab support
• Peer support (depending on agency requirements)

With tCADC:

• Entry-level counselor positions
• Residential or outpatient counselor
• Assessment and intake under supervision
• Case manager in substance use settings

With CADC/IADC:

• Full substance use counselor roles
• Group facilitator
• Treatment planning
• Documentation and assessment
• Expanded roles in treatment settings; Higher-level clinical positions (depending on agency)