Addiction Counselor Licensing Guide

I. The Benefits of Licensure

Becoming an Addictions Counselor can be a rewarding career as you work with individuals who suffer from substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders and to help them understand that their disorder is a treatable disease. You will also help them understand that it is a disease of denial and relapse because of repetitive, compulsive use of substances (drugs, alcohol, food) and/or activities (sex, gambling, shopping), despite adverse consequences. You will partner with individuals as they identify and start their lifelong journey to recovery.

II. Entry Level Addictions Counselors: ADC and NCAC I

The Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) credential is the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium’s (IC&RC) most widely recognized credential. It is the basis of mandatory credentialling or licensing in many jurisdictions in the U.S. and is also considered the entry-level addictions counseling credential.

Another entry level certification for Addictions Counselor is the Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC) level I. This can be done at the state level and is a requirement if you decide to seek national certification. NAADAC offers the following national certifications: the National Certified Addictions Counselor I (NCAC I), and the National Certified Addictions Counselor II (NCAC II).

III. What’s on the ADC and NCAC I Exams

The ADC exam is a total of 150 multiple-choice questions and is three hours long. The content domains on the exam are similar to those on the MAC exam:

Screening, Assessment, and Engagement
Treatment Planning, Collaboration, and Referral
Counseling
Professional and Ethical Responsibilities

The NCAC I exam is 200 multiple-choice questions to be completed within three hours. It covers four domains:

Counseling practices
Pharmacology of psychoactive substances
Theoretical base of counseling; and
Professional issues related to substance use disorder treatment

IV. Advanced Level Addictions Counselor: NCAC II, MAC, eMAC and AADC

The Master Addictions Counselor credential can be obtained through the National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) or The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). NAADAC’s credential is the highest voluntary national and international addiction counselor certification offered by NAADAC. NBCC’s MAC certification is board certification. The MAC certification from either organization is the highest credential offered to an Addictions Counselor.

Becoming a MAC will show employers and insurance companies that you have obtained the necessary skills and competencies to assist individuals on their recovery journey. Advanced certification can also be earned with the NCAC II.

V. The MAC Exam

The MAC certification exam offered through NAADAC/NCC AP is a 150 multiple choice exam. The exam is timed, and the candidate has three hours to complete all questions. The Exam for Master Addictions Counselor offered through NBCC is a 200 multiple choice exam. The exam is also timed, and the candidate has three hours to complete all questions.

The exam tests the candidate’s knowledge of the core counselor skill groups. Those groups are treatment admission which includes screening, intake, and orientation; clinical assessment; treatment planning; counseling services which includes individual, family and group counseling, education, and crisis intervention; documentation; case management; discharge and continued care; legal, ethics and professional development; and physiology and psychopharmacology. The NAADAC exam is divided into the following areas: orientation to the treatment process (17 questions); assessment (34 questions); ongoing treatment planning and implementation (34 questions); addiction counseling practices and skills (34 questions); and professional practices (31 questions). These questions can be in many forms, such as asking for a definition, determining how drugs impact the body, and case scenarios, to name a few.

VI.   After Certification

After earning your entry level certification, depending on your state’s requirements, you can enjoy practicing as an entry-level Addictions Counselor and look towards earning higher credentials to expand your career options.

After successfully passing the MAC Exam, you have earned the highest credential that NAADAC or NBCC has to offer an Addictions Counselor. You are ready to show employers your specialized education and training. You will be able seek jobs in several areas such as inpatient programs, outpatient programs, clinics, hospitals, private practice, and MAT programs. The Master Addictions Counselor provided by NBCC also makes one eligible to seek Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) credentialling through the U.S. Department of Transportation.   This is an excellent benefit of NBCC’s MAC credential.