The National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) administers the National Certified Addiction Counselor exam to certify the skills and working experience of those working in substance use and addiction-related fields.
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Certified Addiction Counselor Exam Outline
The Certified Addiction Counselor exam is split into two tests: NCAC I and NCAC II. The written examinations consist of 150 multiple-choice questions each, and each test will have a time limit of 3 hours.
Candidates for the exam are expected to be well-versed in these topic areas and will be evaluated through the test accordingly:
- Treatment admission
- Clinical assessment
- Ongoing treatment planning
- Counseling services
- Documentation
- Case management
- Discharge and continuing care
- Legal, ethical, and professional growth issues
- Physiology and psychopharmacology
NCAC I
The exam is divided into five areas of knowledge with specific percentages allocated to each.
- Orientation to the treatment process (14%)
- Assessment (23%)
- Ongoing treatment planning and implementation (25%)
- Addiction counseling practices and skills (21%)
- Professional practices (17%)
NCAC II
The exam is divided into five areas of knowledge with specific percentages allocated to each. These are:
- Orientation to the treatment process (14%)
- Assessment (23%)
- Ongoing treatment planning and implementation (23%)
- Addiction counseling practices and skills (23%)
- Professional practices (17%)
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Addiction Counselor Online Prep Course
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Certified Addiction Counselor Exam Registration
To register for the exam, you must submit an application via NCC AP’s accredited testing partner Kryterion. Initial application fees for both tests are $235. You may take an onsite exam by locating a test center near you or opt for distance proctoring and take the test remotely from your home or office.
Some states offer the NCAC I and NCAC II Tests as part of their state credentialing or licensing process. If you are taking the test for your state license, you have to be approved by your state board before you can register for testing. Upon approval, your state board will then provide the information and a code for registration. If you register without being approved by your state board, you will not be allowed to take the test and your fee will not be refunded.
Test Day
In-person Testing
On the day of your exam, you should arrive at the testing facility at least 15 minutes before your scheduled exam time. Once you arrive, you will be asked to present two forms of valid identification, one of which must be a photo ID.
Personal items will not be allowed into the testing center, so it is best to leave things like bags, notebooks, and food items at home or in your car.
Remote Testing
On the day of your exam, you should log in to your Webassessor account and click on your exam, which will be listed in the Scheduled Exams section. Before your exam begins, you will be asked to show two forms of valid identification to the remote proctor via your webcam. You will also be asked by the remote proctor to use your webcam to scan your testing area.
Personal items will not be allowed on your desk/table while you take the exam. This includes your cell phone, notebooks, and food items.
Certified Addiction Counselor Exam Scores
To pass the NCAC I and NCAC II tests, you must score 101 correct answers out of 150, equivalent to a 67% passing score.
If you have previously taken one of these exams as part of a state licensing procedure, you may be able to use your score towards a national-level certification.
Retaking the Certified Addiction Counselor Exam
The NCC AP allows applicants who failed the exam to retake the test up to three times within the calendar year. However, if you still fail the following exams, you are required to wait until the next year to retake the exam.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the Addiction Counselor exam?
A
There are 300 multiple-choice questions in total on the exam.
Q
How long is the Addiction Counselor exam?
A
The total time limit for the exam is 6 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the Addiction Counselor exam?
A
To pass the exam, you must answer at least 67% of the questions correctly.
Q
How much does the Addiction Counselor exam cost?
A
The initial credential fee is $235.
