California Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Continuing Education Requirements
California CADCs need 50 continuing education (CE) hours every 24 months (2 years) to renew their license.
Required CE topics
These hours are part of the 50-hour total — not in addition to it.
| Topic | Hours |
|---|---|
| Counselor ethics | 9 |
| Diversity, inclusion, culture, equity or LGBTQIA2+ (at least 3 of the 9 ethics hours) | 3 |
Renewal cycle
Biennial; certification is valid for two years from the date of certification (9 CCR 13050).
Documentation to keep
- dated certificate with ce hours
- program or activity description
Track your California CADC CE automatically
Best CE Tracker applies these rules to your activities and shows what's left before renewal. Free during beta.
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Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours do California CADCs need?
California CADCs must complete 50 continuing education hours every 24 months (2 years) to renew.
What specific CE topics are required for California CADCs?
Within the 50-hour total, California requires: 9 hours of counselor ethics; 3 hours of diversity, inclusion, culture, equity or lgbtqia2+ (at least 3 of the 9 ethics hours). The remaining hours may be general continuing education.
Where do these California CADC CE requirements come from?
These requirements are taken directly from the licensing board's published rules, last reviewed 2026-07-14.
Can I track my California CADC CE automatically?
Yes. Best CE Tracker applies these rules to your logged activities and shows exactly what you still need before renewal. Sign in with your email to start — it's free during beta.
Similar licenses in nearby states
- Oregon CADC-I
- Oregon CADC-II
- Oregon CADC-III
- Nevada CADC
- Nevada LCADC
- Arizona LAAC
- Arizona LIAC
- Arkansas AADC
This page is general information, not legal or compliance advice. Always confirm requirements with your licensing board.