Requirements depend on the credential and level. Every credential needs these four things:

1. Education: from a secondary school diploma (Treatment I, Recovery Support) up to a master's degree (Treatment IV).
2. Training hours: at least 100–120 contact hours in substance use subjects for entry-level credentials, rising to 500 for Treatment III and IV. This includes set hours in ethics and HIV/AIDS. For Prevention, the set hours are in ethics and physiology/pharmacology.
3. Supervised work experience: from 1 year full time (1,500 hours) for entry-level credentials up to 5 years (7,500 hours) for Treatment III and IV. Your supervisor must also verify your competencies.
4. Passing the exam for your credential. The pass mark is 70%.

ISSUP Academy courses count towards your training hours. Training from other accredited providers can be accepted if you have a certificate or other supporting documents.