SUDC Levels outline the step-by-step pathway for individuals pursuing substance use disorder counseling certification in California.
Understanding these levels helps prospective students plan their education, meet state requirements, and enter the behavioral health workforce with clarity.
A Strong Foundation in Behavioral Healthcare
Tarzana Treatment Centers has delivered high-quality behavioral healthcare for more than fifty years. Its integrated services support substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and co-occurring disorders for adults and youth.
Building on this leadership, Tarzana Treatment Centers College prepares future counselors through education rooted in real clinical practice. TTCC reflects decades of hands-on experience in licensed treatment settings.
Why SUDC Levels Matter
According to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), “Counselor certification is based upon the Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes of Professional Practice, published by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Individuals who provide counseling services such as intake, assessment of need for services, treatment planning, recovery planning, individual or group counseling to participants, patients, or residents in any alcohol and other drug program licensed or certified by DHCS are required by the State of California to be certified.”
California requires certification for anyone providing counseling services in licensed substance use disorder programs. These requirements reflect California’s commitment to nationally recognized addiction counseling competencies.
These standards:
- Protect clients and families
- Promote ethical and evidence-based care
- Ensure consistency across treatment programs
For students, SUDC Levels provide structure. Each level builds logically on the previous one.
Important 2026 Regulatory Updates (AB 2473)
Effective January 1, 2026, California implemented significant changes through AB 2473.
These updates impact all new and current registrants:
- New “80-Hour” Requirement: Completion of eighty hours of core competency education within the first six months.
- The 5-Year Deadline: You must progress from a “Registered” status (SUDRC) to a “Certified” status (SUDCC) within five years. Failure to do so can result in losing your ability to work in the field.
- Mandatory Topics: The 2026 standards require specific training in electronic health records (EHR), Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT), and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Entry Level: SUDC Registration
The first step in the SUDC Levels pathway is registration as a Substance Use Disorder Registered Counselor. This level is for individuals training toward certification through the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs.
To register, individuals must complete a nine-hour orientation course covering ethics, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.
Beginning in 2025 and continuing into 2026, AB 2473 introduces a major change:
- New registrants must complete eighty hours of education and core competency training within the first six months
- This education includes Medication For Addiction Treatment training
- Afterward, registrants must complete fifty hours of education each year to remain active
TTCC coursework directly aligns with these SUDC registration requirements. Its hybrid online format allows students to balance education with work and personal responsibilities.
Advancing Through Professional SUDC Levels
After passing the IC and RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam, individuals advance beyond the registration stage.
Professional certification levels include:
- SUDCC: Three hundred fifteen hours of education and two thousand eighty hours of work, including supervised practicum
- SUDCC II: Advanced experience level requiring five years or ten thousand hours
- SUDCC III: Bachelor’s degree level plus required experience
- SUDCC IV: Master’s degree level with the same experience threshold
TTCC courses meet education requirements across all SUDC Levels, creating a seamless progression from entry to advanced practice.
Supervision and Ongoing Renewal
Certified counselors may pursue advanced clinical supervisor designations. These require two years of direct supervision experience and forty hours of specialized education.
All CADTP certifications require renewal every two years, with 40 continuing education hours. TTCC offers ongoing learning to support long-term career growth.
A Clear Path Forward and the SUDC Levels
The SUDC Levels provide a clear, structured roadmap from entry level training to advanced professional practice. The updated SUDC Levels simplify entry into the SUD workforce:
- Start with registration
- Complete eighty hours early
- Progress through certification
- Advance into leadership
With flexible hybrid education and deep clinical roots, Tarzana Treatment Centers College helps students succeed at every stage. Contact Tarzana Treatment Centers College today to learn how our hybrid online programs align with every stage of the SUDC Levels.