Alcohol and Drug Abuse – Professional Certification

In accordance with Hawaii Revised Statutes 321-193(10), the Department of Health’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division certifies substance abuse counselors and program administrators.

Hawaii is a member board of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Inc. (IC&RC/AODA). The IC&RC is a voluntary international organization comprised of substance abuse credentialing boards representing 41 states, the U.S. military, various Indian Health Service Organizations, and a range of countries. As a member board, Hawaii subscribes to the international standards prescribed by the IC&RC and published in the IC&RC Guidelines. Qualified counselors certified in Hawaii have reciprocity with other IC&RC member boards, as indicated by Hawaii Administrative Rules 11-177.1.

All applications, renewals, educational documents needs to be mailed to the office. 

Processing Days is Thursday for all new candidates and for work/education verification updates. Due to the increase of candidates, respond time may take up to 8-12 weeks (subject to change). All Renewals will be reviewed as received.

Application for testing will be provided by ADAD. If you pass the test, you will receive confirmation within 2-4 weeks. If you do not pass, you will need to wait 90 days to contact ADAD for a new testing application.

As of June 26, 2023 – Applicants that fail to submit required documentation may result in rejection of your application and/ or hinderance of the review processes. Please read general instructions and code of ethics before completing the application. 

  • Initial Certification Application (All Certifications)

Certification Application-Fillable – updated 10/1/2024

  • Renewal Application (All Certifications)

Renewal Application Instructions – updated 10/3/2024

Renewal Application – Updated 10/15/2024

  • Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

CSAC Application Instructions, Code of Ethics, 12 Core Functions – updated 4/15/2024 

New Work Verification – updated 4/15/2024

  • Certified Prevention Specialist

CPS General Instructions and Code of Ethics – updated 10/1/2024

CPS Work Verification

  • Certified Clinical Supervisor

CCS General Information and Code of Ethics – updated 10/1/2024

Work Experience Verification

  • Certified Criminal Justice Professional

CCJP-General Instructions and Code of Ethics – updated 10/1/2024

Work Experience Verification

  • Certified Program Administrators

CSAPA – General Instructions and Code of Ethics – updated 10/1/2024

RECIPROCITY:

RECIPROCITY INTO ADAD: Addiction professionals certified by an IC&RC member board who relocated to Hawaii may transfer their credential to ADAD using the reciprocity process.  To begin the reciprocity process, certified addiction professionals must contact their current credentialing board and request a reciprocity application. Upon completion of the reciprocity application by both the certified addiction professional and the current credentialing board and upon receipt of this information by ADAD. ADAD will review your application and advise if additional requirements need to be obtained before becoming a Hawaii Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). Review the Credential Information regarding the Reciprocity Process to Other IC&RC Member Boards.

OVUII ASSESSOR’S LISTING:

Effective 10/01/2017, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division will maintain a list of Certified Substance Abuse Counselors (CSAC) who would like to perform mandatory assessments of those charged with Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant (OVUII). This will be done as a private enterprise, typically on a client self-pay basis. For more information or for an application to be placed on this list, contact ADAD at [email protected] . All existing assessors need to contact ADAD to remain on the list. Download the CSAC Application for Drivers Education/Independent Assessor Form  Application for Drivers Education Judicary – Independent Assessor Revised

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROFESSIONAL (SAP):

To register as a Substance Abuse Professional under Dept. of Transportation rules, go to www.saplist.com. If you qualify as a SAP, please notify ADAD at [email protected].  Effective July 1, 2017, the computer-based testing fee is $125.00 for all certifications. 

If you have any questions regarding certification contact ADAD at [email protected].

Hawaii Department of Health
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division
601 Kamokila Blvd. Room 360
Kapolei, Hawai’i, 96707
(808) 692-7506