Qualifications for a Substance Abuse Counselor

The requirements for becoming an independent licensed or certified substance abuse counselor include educational requirements, work experience requirements, supervision requirements, exam requirements and the requirement of agreeing to practice ethical principles as a licensed or certified professional.

Education

Independent licensed or certified substance abuse counselors must have a master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, in the field of counseling, psychology or a closely related field of study.

Work Experience

Licensed substance abuse counselors are required to have 3,200 hours of supervised post master's degree substance-abuse related work, acquired in no less than 24 months.

Clinical Supervision

Licensed substance abuse counselors must have 100 documented face-to-face hours of clinical supervision by a qualified professional who is a licensed substance abuse counselor.

Examination

Licensed substance abuse counselors must successfully complete and pass an examination offered by either The International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC & RC) or level II or higher exams offered by The National Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).

Ethical Agreement

Licensed substance abuse counselors must agree to abide by all agreed upon ethical standards within the field, through the signing of a contract agreement.