Chemical Dependency Track  ·  ACBHC Certified

Chemical Dependency
Certification in Alaska

From entry-level technician to advanced clinical supervisor — a structured credentialing pathway for counselors dedicated to substance use recovery across the Last Frontier.

Credential Levels

Five Pathways in Chemical Dependency

ACBHC's CD track offers a progressive credentialing structure — whether you're entering the field or pursuing advanced clinical recognition.

CT
CDC I
CDC II
CDCS
ADM
Specialty Add-On
Level 1
CT
Chemical Dependency Technician
🎓
Education High school diploma or GED
Supervised Hours 2,000 hrs of supervised experience
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CEU Renewal 40 hours every 2 years
Entry Level
Level 2
CDC I
Chemical Dependency Counselor I
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Education Associate degree in behavioral health
Supervised Hours 4,000 hrs + 500 direct client contact
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CEU Renewal 40 hours every 2 years
Counselor
Level 3
CDC II
Chemical Dependency Counselor II
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Education Bachelor's degree in behavioral health
Supervised Hours 6,000 hrs + 2,000 direct client contact
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CEU Renewal 40 hours every 2 years
Advanced
Level 4
CDCS
CD Clinical Supervisor
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Education Bachelor's or Master's + CDC II or equivalent
Supervision Provided 500 hrs of clinical supervision provided
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CEU Renewal 40 hrs incl. supervision-specific training
Supervisor
Specialty
ADM
Alcohol & Drug Misuse
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Prerequisite Active CDC I certification or higher
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Focus Area Alcohol & drug prevention and education
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CEU Renewal 40 hrs + min. 12 hrs specialty content
Specialty Add-On

Continuing Education

CEU Requirements

All CD certifications require 40 continuing education hours per 2-year renewal cycle. CEUs must come from ACBHC-approved providers or receive prior approval.

CT & CDC I
40 CEUs / 2 yrs

6 hours — Ethics & Professional Standards

6 hours — Counseling Theory & Practice

6 hours — Co-occurring Disorders

22 hours — Elective: behavioral health, substance use, cultural competency, or trauma-informed care

CDC II & CDCS
40 CEUs / 2 yrs

6 hours — Ethics & Professional Standards

6 hours — Evidence-Based Treatment Models

6 hours — Clinical Supervision Practices (CDCS only)

22 hours — Elective: cultural competency, trauma, co-occurring disorders, or indigenous healing practices

ADM Specialty
40 CEUs / 2 yrs

6 hours — Ethics & Professional Standards

12 hours — Alcohol & Drug Prevention / Education Content

22 hours — Elective: public health, harm reduction, or community outreach

Approved Providers
Policy

Training must come from an ACBHC-approved provider or receive prior written approval before attendance

Online, hybrid, and in-person formats are all accepted

Log and upload CEU certificates through your portal account — the tracker generates your CEU list automatically

College coursework may substitute (3-credit course ≈ 45 CEUs) with prior approval

💡

Track your CEUs in your portal account. Log hours, upload completion certificates, and monitor progress toward renewal in one place. Email reminders are sent automatically before your renewal date. Questions? Contact us at acbhc@akcertification.org or (907) 332-4333.

What You'll Need

Required Application Documents

All documents are submitted digitally through the ACBHC secure portal — no paper mail accepted. Have everything ready before starting your application.

📄 Initial Certification

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Completed Application Form

Log in to the ACBHC portal and complete the application form for your level (CT, CDC I, CDC II, CDCS, or ADM) directly online.

Required — All Levels
🎓

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts from all accredited institutions, showing degree conferral or applicable coursework for your credential level.

Required — CDC I, II, CDCS

Supervised Hours Log

A detailed log of all supervised work experience using the ACBHC standard hours form. Must be signed and verified by your qualifying clinical supervisor.

Required — All Levels
✍️

Clinical Supervisor Verification Letter

A signed letter from your qualified supervisor confirming your work hours, areas of practice, and professional competency at the applied credential level.

Required — All Levels
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CD Requirements Matrix

Completed matrix matching your education and experience to ACBHC standards. Use the degree-track or non-degree-track version as applicable.

Required
🛡️

Barrier Crime Acknowledgment

Attestation of understanding ACBHC's barrier crime policy. Certain criminal histories may require additional review documentation.

Required — All Levels
⚠️

Barrier Crime Policy

Certain criminal convictions may affect certification eligibility. Review the full Barrier Crime Matrix on the Forms page before applying. Staff can discuss your situation confidentially — acbhc@akcertification.org.

🔄 Renewal & Recertification

📋

Renewal Application Form

Complete the renewal application for your credential level. Available in your portal account when your renewal window opens — 90 days before expiration.

Required
📚

CEU Completion Certificates

Upload certificates from all approved continuing education activities completed during your renewal period, satisfying required hours and topic minimums for your level.

Required — All Levels
📝

CEU Activity Log (CD Track)

A completed ACBHC CEU log summarizing all training activities, providers, dates, and hours. Your portal's CEU tracker can generate this automatically.

Required
🔐

Ethics Attestation

Signature confirming continued adherence to the ACBHC Code of Ethics (2025 edition). Completed through your portal at time of renewal submission.

Required
📄

Employment Verification

Only required if there has been a significant change in your employment status, practice setting, or supervision arrangement since your last certification period.

Conditional
💳

Renewal Fee Payment

Paid securely via Stripe at submission. Refer to the current ACBHC Fee Schedule on the Forms page for renewal amounts by credential level.

Required
⬆️

Upgrading Your Credential?

Applying for a higher level (e.g., CT → CDC I) requires additional documents — new transcripts, updated hours log, and a fresh supervisor verification letter. Contact ACBHC staff before submitting to confirm exactly what you'll need.

Application Process

Six Steps to Your Credential

The ACBHC application process is fully digital — no paper forms, no mailing anything. Here's exactly what to expect.

📋

Complete Your Form on the Portal

Log in to your ACBHC portal account and fill out the application form for your credential level directly online.

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Gather Supporting Documents

Collect transcripts, hours log, supervisor letter, CEU certificates, and barrier crime acknowledgment.

☁️

Upload via the Portal

Log in and upload all documents through your secure ACBHC dashboard. No mail accepted.

💳

Pay Application Fee

Submit your fee securely via Stripe. Your application isn't complete until payment is confirmed.

🔍

Staff Review & Commissioner Approval

Staff review your packet and route it to a Commissioner. Track status live in your portal.

🎖️

Receive Your Digital Certificate

Upon approval, your official certificate is delivered via Adobe Express to download or share.

Ready to start your application?

Create a free ACBHC portal account to access forms, upload documents, and track your application status in real time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About
the CD Track

How long does the application review process take?

Review timelines depend on application volume and completeness of your packet. Complete applications are typically reviewed within 4–6 weeks. Incomplete submissions are returned with notes, which may extend the timeline. Track your status in real time through your portal account.

Can I apply without a degree if I have extensive experience?

Yes — the CT (Chemical Dependency Technician) credential is available to applicants without a college degree. For CDC I and above, a degree in a related behavioral health field is required. Use the CD Requirements Matrix (non-degree track version) when applicable. Contact acbhc@akcertification.org for guidance on your specific situation.

Does ACBHC accept out-of-state credentials or national certifications?

ACBHC evaluates out-of-state and national certifications (such as NAADAC credentials) on a case-by-case basis. In many cases, existing credentials can fulfill portions of the ACBHC requirements. Contact staff to discuss reciprocity options before applying.

What if my supervised hours were completed a long time ago?

Hours completed in the past may still be accepted, provided they were supervised by a qualified clinical supervisor and documentation is available. Older hours may require additional verification. ACBHC staff can advise on acceptable documentation for your specific circumstances.

How and when do I renew my certification?

Your renewal window opens 90 days before your certification expiration date. You will receive email reminders through your portal account. Log in, navigate to your certification dashboard, and follow the renewal prompts. All CEU certificates must be logged and uploaded before your renewal is considered complete.

What happens if my certification lapses?

If your certification expires, you may no longer use your credential title until reinstated. You may apply for reinstatement within a grace period by submitting a renewal application, required CEUs, and any applicable late fees. After an extended lapse, you may be required to reapply as a new applicant. Contact ACBHC as soon as possible if your credential has lapsed.

Still have questions? Our assistant can answer most common inquiries instantly.

🏛️
ACBHC Assistant
Online
Hi! I can help you with the Chemical Dependency certification track — requirements, CEUs, documents, or how to apply. What questions do you have?