NOTE: Unless exempted under section 6206, a person may not practice alcohol and drug counseling or begin an apprenticeship in this State unless that person has first obtained a license, certification or registration.

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC):

• At least 18 years of age with a copy of either birth certificate, drivers license or passport as documentation
• Taken and passed an exam as prescribed by the Board
• Paid an application and license fee
• Meets one of the following educational requirements:
  • High School diploma or its equivalent, course work as defined by Board rule and minimum of 6,000 hours documented supervised practice in alcohol and drug counseling or 2,000 hours if applicant holds a valid certified alcohol and drug counselor certification
  • Associate or Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in clinically based behavioral sciences or addiction counseling or related field as defined by Board rule, course work as defined by Board rule and minimum of 4,000 hours documented supervised practice in alcohol and drug counseling
  • Masters degree from an accredited college or university in clinically based behavioral sciences or addiction counseling or a related field as defined by Board rule and minimum of 2,000 hours documented supervised practice in alcohol and drug counseling

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC):

• At least 18 years of age with a copy of either birth certificate, drivers license or passport as documentation
• Taken and passed an exam as prescribed by the Board
• Paid an application and license fee
• Meets one of the following educational requirements:
• High School diploma or its equivalent and minimum of 4,000 hours documented clinically supervised work experience as an alcohol and drug counseling aide consisting of at least 3 of the following alcohol and drug treatment functions:
  a) Clinical evaluation consisting of intake screening and differential assessment
  b) Treatment planning, including initial, ongoing and discharge planning
  c) Counseling of individuals, groups, couples or families
  d) Case management -- meaning services that include, at a minimum, assessment of needs of client and clients family, service planning, referral and linkage to other services, advocacy, monitoring and crisis management
  e) Client and family education
  
• At a minimum, course work as defined by Board rule or an associate degree from an accredited college or university in behavioral sciences, addiction counseling or a related field as defined by Board rule

Alcohol and Drug Counseling Aide:

• At least 18 years of age
• High School diploma or its equivalent
• Employed at an agency
• Provide name of person who will be applicants certified clinical supervisor
• Paid an application and registration fee

Renewal:
Licenses expire biennially on December 31st or on such date as commissioner determines. Notice of expiration will be mailed to each licensees last known address at least 30 days in advance of license expiration. The notice will include any requests for information necessary for renewal.

Licenses may be renewed up to 90 days after the expiration date upon payment of a late fee of $10 in addition to renewal fee. Any person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the license renewal date shall be subject to all requirements governing new applicants, except that the board may, giving due consideration to the protection of the public, waive exam if renewal exam is made within 2 years from date of that expiration.

Licensee may renew license upon completion of required continuing education.