Exam FAQs

 
 
 

 

What are the qualifications for taking the CATC exam?

If you have earned your certificate of completion from a CAADE approved college program (or have met the requirements for one of the Tiers or equivalent), then you are eligible to take this exam. 

Do I need to complete all of my internship hours before I can take the CATC exam? 

No. You may take the exam as soon as you have met the educational requirements. In fact, it is best to take the exam as soon as you have completed your education.

How can I prepare for the exam?

CAADE offers various Exam Prep workshops to help our members prepare for the exam.  To find upcoming workshops, click here.

The CATC exam is based off the TAP 21 Addiction Counseling Competencies as required by the state of California.  For additional study materials, CAADE offers the Intervention, Treatment, and Recovery: A Practical Guide to the TAP 21 Addiction Counseling Competencies  which provides a detailed review of the TAP 21 counseling competencies, including practice exercises and worksheets along with links to additional resources.

I am ready to take the CATC exam, what do I do?

Complete and submit the Exam Eligibility Form- be sure to include proof of completion of a CAADE college program.

Fill out and mail the CATC CBT application along with $55 processing fee ($130 if you are not a member). Please allow 7-10 days for review.  Once your application is approved, the CAADE office will contact you with final instructions to set up your exam and submit the $70 exam fee.  To find your nearest exam location, click here.  

What’s the next step after I pass the exam?

You will receive a CATC-Intern certificate 7-10 business days after you pass the exam.  You then have three (3) years to apply for initial certification, which requires a total of 2,240 hours of supervised fieldwork.  Click here for more information on the requirements for certification.