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Substance Abuse Counselor
Substance abuse counselor licensing varies enormously by state. Credential titles include LCDC, CADC, CASAC, LAC, LADC, and more. Education requirements range from a high school diploma to a master's degree. Many states offer tiered licensing with expanded scopes of practice at each level.
51
Total States
8
Require Master's
7
Require Bachelor's
0
Accept HS Diploma
Substance abuse counselor licensing involves meeting education requirements, passing a certification exam, and completing supervised clinical experience in addiction treatment settings.
Education requirements for substance abuse counselors span the widest range of any licensed profession. Some states accept a high school diploma with specialized training, while others require an associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree. Higher education levels typically unlock advanced licensure tiers and broader practice scopes.
The International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) provides standardized certification for substance abuse counselors across participating jurisdictions. IC&RC certification facilitates reciprocity between states, allowing counselors to transfer credentials more easily. NAADAC also offers widely recognized national certifications.
Many states offer tiered licensing systems with multiple credential levels (e.g., Certified vs. Licensed, Associate vs. Independent). Each tier requires progressively more education, supervised experience, and examination. Higher tiers grant expanded practice privileges, including independent practice and supervision of others.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityLook up a license on the official state board — fast links to every state's verification portal.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Addiction Counselor Exam
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Click any state to see full requirements, costs, and step-by-step instructions →
| State | Credential | Education | Nat'l Cert | Supervised Hours | CE Hours | Total Fees | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | ADC | High school diploma or GED (minimum) | Yes | 2,000 | 40 | $550 | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | CDC II | High school diploma or GED (minimum) | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $500 | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | LISAC | Master's | Yes | 3,200 | 40 | $600 | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | LADAC | Bachelor's | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $500 | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | CADC-II | High school diploma or GED (minimum) | Yes | 2,080 | 40 | $550 | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | CAC III | Bachelor's (CAC III); Master's (LAC) | Yes | 5,000 | 40 | $525 | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | LADC | Master's (LADC); No degree (CADC) | Yes | 6,000 | 40 | $600 | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | CADC | Bachelor's (preferred); Associate's (considered) | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $600 | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | CAC II | Bachelor's | Yes | 2,000 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | CAP | Bachelor's | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $600 | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | CADC II | Bachelor's (CADC II); High school (CADC I) | Yes | 4 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | CSAC | High school diploma or GED (minimum) | Yes | 6,000 | 40 | $435 | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | CADC | Bachelor's (CADC) | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $395 | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | CADC | High school diploma or GED (minimum) | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | LCAC (Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor) — top-tier master's level credential. Also issues LAC (Licensed Addiction Counselor) at bachelor level. | Master's | Yes | 2,270 | 40 | $400 | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | IADC | High school diploma or GED (minimum) | Yes | 6,000 | 40 | $410 | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | LCAC | Master's | Yes | 3,000 | 30 | $500 | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | CADC | Bachelor's (preferred); reduced hours with degree | Yes | 6,000 | 60 | $435 | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | LAC | Master's | Yes | 2,000 | 48 | $500 | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | LADC | Associate's or 30 credits (CADC); advanced for LADC | Yes | 6,000 | 25 | $485 | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | CAC-AD | Bachelor's (CAC-AD); Associate's (CSC-AD) | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $450 | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | LADC I | Master's (LADC I); High school (LADC II) | Yes | 6,000 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | CADC | High school diploma (minimum) | Yes | 6,000 | 40 | $535 | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | LADC | Bachelor's | Yes | 2,000 | 40 | $535 | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | CADC | High school diploma (minimum) | Yes | 6,000 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | CADC | High school diploma (minimum) | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $635 | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | LAC | Associate's (minimum) | Yes | 1,000 | 20 | $500 | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor) | High school diploma or GED (minimum) | Yes | 6 | 40 | $460 | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | CADC | Bachelor's | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $600 | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | MLADC | Master's | Yes | 3,000 | 48 | $600 | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | LCADC (Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor) | Master's (LCADC); Bachelor's (CADC) | Yes | 3,000 | 40 | $505 | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | LADAC | Associate's (minimum) | Yes | 3,000 | 40 | $500 | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | CASAC | High school diploma or GED (minimum) | Yes | 6 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | CADC | High school diploma (minimum) | Yes | 2,000 | 60 | $485 | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | LAC | Bachelor's | Yes | 960 | 40 | $550 | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | LCDC III | Bachelor's (LCDC III); Associate's (LCDC II) | Yes | 2 | 40 | $435 | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | LADC | Master's | Yes | 2,000 | 20 | $475 | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | CADC I | No degree required | Yes | 1,000 | 40 | $435 | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | CADC | Bachelor's (CADC); HS diploma (CAAC) | Yes | 6,000 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | CADC | High school diploma (minimum) | Yes | 6,000 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | CAC II | Master's (CAC II); Bachelor's (CAC I) | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | LAC (Licensed Addiction Counselor) | Master's | Yes | 2,000 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | LADAC | High school diploma or GED (minimum) | Yes | 6,000 | 40 | $450 | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | LCDC | Associate's (minimum) | Yes | 4 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | SUDC | Associate's (minimum) | Yes | 2,000 | 40 | $170 | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | LADC | Master's | Yes | 2,000 | 40 | $510 | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | CSAC | Bachelor's | Yes | 2,000 | 10 | $480 | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | SUDP | Associate's (minimum) | Yes | 2,500 | 20 | $450 | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | ADC | High school diploma (minimum); degree substitutes for experience | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | SAC | High school diploma or GED (minimum) | Yes | 3,000 | 40 | $425 | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | CAP (Certified Addictions Practitioner) | Bachelor's (CAP) | Yes | 4,000 | 40 | $485 | March 2026 |
Substance abuse counselors often work alongside other licensed behavioral health professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.