Quick fix: Need your CASAC-T fast? Complete 350 hours of OASAS-approved training (yes, 350, not 120), log 2,000 supervised hours (or 1,800 if you’ve got a Master’s), then ace the IC&RC ADC exam. Don’t forget the $245 exam fee and Part A of the CASAC application.
What's Happening
The CASAC-T (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor-Trainee) is essentially a training wheels credential. It lets you work under supervision while you finish the full CASAC requirements. New York’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) wants 350 clock hours of training split across four domains, plus 2,000 hours of supervised experience. (If you’ve already got a qualifying Master’s, they’ll take 1,800 hours.) Once you’ve checked those boxes, you sit for the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam—$245 a pop—to earn the full CASAC. Honestly, this is the cleanest path if you need to start working right away.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Confirm eligibility. You’ll need at least a high-school diploma or GED. Got a Master’s in counseling? You may qualify for the shorter 1,800-hour supervised path. Otherwise, plan on 2,000 hours.
- Pick an OASAS-approved 350-hour training provider. Head to OASAS’s Training & Education portal and filter for live, online, or hybrid programs. In 2026, you’re looking at about $4,450 in tuition—plan accordingly.
- Finish the 350 hours. The curriculum has to hit four key areas: (1) knowledge of substance use disorders, (2) clinical evaluation, (3) treatment planning, and (4) counseling services. No shortcuts here.
- Document supervised hours. Trainees must log 2,000 hours (or 1,800 if you have a Master’s) under an approved supervisor. Grab OASAS Form C-2 for verification—it’s the official logbook.
- Apply for the CASAC-T credential. Send Part A of the CASAC application, your transcripts, training certificates, and the $115 fee to OASAS. Once they approve it, you’ll get your CASAC-T number and can start supervised practice immediately.
- Register for the IC&RC ADC exam. After OASAS gives the green light, register at IC&RC. The 2026 exam fee is $245. Fail twice? You can retake it once more. Fail a third time, and you’ll need an OASAS-approved “Ready to Test” course before you can register again.
If This Didn't Work
- Still missing hours? Can’t quite hit the 350-hour mark? Apply for the CASAC-A (Assistant) credential instead. It only requires 120 education hours plus 180 supervised hours, letting you work while you finish the full training.
- Exam stuck at three failures? OASAS won’t let you retake the IC&RC exam without jumping through a hoop first. You’ll need to complete an 8-hour “CASAC Foundations” or “Ready to Test” course from an OASAS-approved provider.
- Wrong jurisdiction? State rules vary wildly. In Virginia, for example, you only need 270 hours and 300 supervised hours. Hawaii? 270 hours spread across five domains. Always double-check your state board’s website for the exact breakdown.
Prevention Tips
- Audit your transcript early. OASAS publishes a handy domain checklist. Compare it to your school’s syllabus so you don’t realize halfway through that you missed a required topic.
- Lock in supervision now. Supervisors must be OASAS-approved, and they can’t just sign off on any old form. Reach out before you start logging hours to confirm they’ll handle the correct paperwork and frequency.
- Budget for retakes. The IC&RC exam fee isn’t refundable, and travel costs add up. Set aside $245 plus any potential travel expenses so a single failure doesn’t derail your entire timeline.
- Renew on time. CASAC credentials expire every two years. OASAS requires 40 hours of continuing education, with 6 of those in professional ethics. Mark your renewal date in your calendar 60 days early—trust me, you’ll forget otherwise.
