NJPN is providing free training for individuals interested in becoming a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor or a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Trainings will be offered at the ten sites below.

The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Training and Workforce Development Initiative was created to enhance and diversify New Jersey’s addiction workforce. A primary goal of the program is to increase credentialed professional staff employed at DMHAS-licensed addiction treatment agencies by offering CADC and other professional development training opportunities. Class size is limited, and eligibility for the program is based on the following criteria:  

1.  Priority is given to individuals currently working at a DMHAS-licensed substance abuse treatment agency who are:
        a.  working towards the completion of a New Jersey license or certification as a LCADC, CADC or CDA.
        b.  accumulating work experience in the field of substance abuse treatment and are being supervised by a LCADC or another licensed clinical professional who is qualified to supervise alcohol and drug counselor interns as specified under New Jersey statue (N.J.A.C.13:34C-6.2) and has submitted a Proposed Plan of Supervision to the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee.

2.  Limited space is available for individuals who are interested in pursuing an internship at a DMHAS-licensed substance abuse treatment agency but have not yet been hired as an alcohol and drug counselor intern. These individuals will be limited to taking 18 courses (two domains) with NJPN and cannot take additional courses until they have obtained employment or an internship at a DMHAS-licensed substance abuse treatment facility.

3.  After completing coursework, students agree to take the additional steps to become certified and/or licensed which include successfully completing a written and oral exam.  

4.  The student’s participation and progress in training will be documented by the agency’s director of substance abuse or designee, pursuant to the clinical supervision rules at N.J.A.C. 13:34C-6-2.

5.  Students must have their supervisors’ approval to attend courses and agree that NJPN may communicate with their agency regarding their progress towards certification.

6.  Students agree to allow NJPN the authority to access the results of the LCADC/CADC written and oral exam in order to monitor progress towards certification or licensure as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Locations for free trainings through NJPN:

Atlantic County:
(Click on the link below for information about this location)
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Pomona-Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Burlington County:
Prevention Plus, 1824 Rte 38 East, Suite B, Lumberton
Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Camden County:
Starting Point, 215 Highland Ave, Westmont
Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Essex County:
Newark Renaissance House, 50-56 Norfolk Street, Newark
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hudson County:
Partners in Prevention Hudson County, 309-311 Newark Ave, Jersey City
Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mercer County:
Rescue Mission of Trenton, 98 Carroll Street, Trenton
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Middlesex County:
NCADD of Middlesex County, 152 Tices Lane, East Brunswick
Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ocean County:
Preferred Behavioral Health, 725 Airport Road, Lakewood
Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Passaic County:
Straight & Narrow, 390 Straight Street, Paterson
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sussex County:
Center for Prevention & Counseling, 61 Spring Street, Newton
Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Register today
To register to attend trainings at any of these locations, please download one of the forms below and fax it to NJPN at the number listed on the application.  We have a short waiting list at some locations, so if possible, please indicate your top two choices of where you would like to attend classes.

• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor/Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor Application 
• Chemical Dependency Associate Application

Need more information?

The process of becoming a CADC or LCADC involves several steps, so it’s important to understand what lies ahead if this is a path you are interested in taking. The New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, put together a comprehensive document answering many of the most frequently asked questions about this process to help individuals navigate these steps.

You can also learn more by reading our Frequently Asked Questions section.