How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Idaho

Written by Sam Medley

The Idaho Office of Drug Policy reported that close to 1,000 Idahoans died from alcohol-related issues between 2020 and 2021. In 2022, about 200 people died from fentanyl overdoses. When compared to other states, those may seem like relatively low numbers. But when compared to the Idaho of the not-too-distant past, those numbers set off major alarms.

Alcohol-related deaths in Idaho are up 41% from only five years ago. Fentanyl-related deaths are up 717% from only one year ago. But what’s perhaps most worrying is that Idaho doesn’t seem to be ready to turn the tide.

According to the Idaho Behavioral Health Alliance, every county in Idaho is a government-designated mental health professional shortage area. This means that many residents who need help navigating mental health issues, substance use disorders, and combinations of the two never receive adequate support.

Fortunately, Idaho has received more than $26 million in settlements from companies that fueled the nation’s opioid crisis by falsely marketing certain painkillers as non-addictive. As the state invests that money into prevention and recovery programs, thousands of Idaohoans stand to get their lives back.

If you’re interested in being a part of that process, there’s perhaps never been a better time to become a substance use disorder counselor in Idaho. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the application process, discuss potential employers and salaries, and introduce you to some colleges and universities that can prepare you to answer the call.

Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Idaho

If you want to become a substance abuse counselor in Idaho, you’ll have to be certified through the Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC). The IBADCC offers ten levels of certification:

Substance Use Disorders Associate (SUDA)
Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS)
Provisional Certified Recovery Coach (P-CRC)
Certified Recovery Coach (CRC)
Provisional Certified Peer Recovery Coach (P-CPRC)
Certified Peer Recovery Coach (CPRC)
Alcohol/Drug Counselor (ADC)
Advanced Alcohol/Drug Counselor (AADC)
SUDA, CADC, and ACDAC Supervisor
Recovery Coach Supervisor

While professionals at every level play an important role in recovery, becoming an Alcohol/Drug Counselor can be a great way to enter Idaho’s substance use disorder support network if you’re looking to establish a career in the field.

ADCs are trained to assess clients, counsel them individually and in groups, and collaborate with other professionals involved in their treatment. In this section, we’ll cover every step you need to take to become an ADC in Idaho.

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree and Fulfill Other Education Requirements

2. Complete Supervised Work Experience Hours

3. Complete 200 Supervised Clinical Hours

4. Submit Your ADC Application to the IBADCC

5. Pass the IC&RC’s Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree and Fulfill Other Education Requirements

Your first step in becoming a substance abuse counselor in Idaho is earning a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science field. This means you can get a degree in:

But no matter which path you choose, the IBADCC says your studies should cover clinical duties, as well. This includes assessment, treatment planning, and other duties related to client care.

In total, you’ll need at least 270 hours of education. You’ll need to spend at least 30 hours learning about each of the four domains of substance use disorder counseling:

270 hours may sound like a lot, but every semester hour of class you take through a college or university can count for up to 15 education hours. At the bachelor’s level, a single class is often worth two to three semester hours or 30 to 45 education hours.

Ethics Training Requirements

In addition to 270 education hours, you also need to spend six hours learning about your ethical and professional responsibilities as a substance use disorder counselor. These six hours should cover:

If you earn a degree in addiction studies or counseling, many if not all of these topics will likely be covered in class.

What To Do if You Need To Earn More Hours

While your college degree program might help you fulfill all of your education and ethics training hour requirements, some programs might not. In that case, you can earn hours through one of the many approved education providers listed on the IBADCC’s website.

Approved education providers include national organizations such as the American Counseling Association and state organizations such as the Idaho Psychological Association. Training should be face-to-face. The IBADCC defines face-to-face training as an in-person or online session where you can interact with your instructor in real time.

Step 2: Complete Supervised Work Experience Hours

One of the most important parts of becoming an ADC in Idaho is learning how to use what you learn in class to help real people. Over the course of 4,000 supervised work experience hours, you’ll do just that.

To add structure to this step of the process, the IBADCC requires ADC applicants to spend their 4,000 hours working on the 12 core functions of substance use disorder counselors:

Screening.
Intake.
Client orientation.
Assessment.
Treatment planning.
Counseling.
Case management.
Crisis intervention.
Client education.
Referral.
Report and record keeping.
Consulting with other professionals about client care.

Full-time, part-time, and volunteer work all count towards this requirement. If you complete an internship, practicum, or hands-on fieldwork experience while earning your degree, those hours may also count.

Finding a Supervisor

You won’t be alone in this step of the process. You’ll work with an experienced supervisor who can answer questions, help you hone your skills, and provide invaluable insights into your new calling.

According to the IBADCC, your supervisor should be one of the following:

An ADC who has held their license for three years and completed 15 hours of supervision training.
An Advanced Alcohol/Drug Counselor.
A Clinical Supervisor.
Someone with a master’s degree in a field related to addictions counseling and either a license or certification in addictions counseling.
A Health and Welfare Clinical Supervisor.

No matter which category your supervisor falls into, they should also be approved by the IBADCC. Fortunately, they maintain a database of approved supervisors across Idaho. Your college instructors or people you work with during an internship can make great supervisors.

Step 3: Complete 200 Supervised Clinical Hours

In addition to 4,000 general work hours, you’ll also need to complete 200 supervised clinical hours before becoming a substance use disorder counselor in Idaho. These are hours in which you work directly with your supervisor on improving your skills in the 12 core functions. You’ll have to spend at least 10 clinical hours on each of the functions.

According to the IBADCC, there’s a wide range of ways to complete supervised clinical hours:

Having one-on-one meetings with your supervisor.
Reviewing recorded counseling sessions together.
Doing behavior rehearsals and role-playing exercises.
Your supervisor observing you counsel clients then giving feedback.
Skill demonstration sessions.
Group activities such as peer support meetings, treatment review sessions, and collaboration exercises.

You may have done some of these exercises as part of a class. However, classroom exercises don’t typically count towards this requirement. Clinical supervision must generally take place where you work or volunteer.

Step 4: Submit Your ADC Application to the IBADCC

Once you’ve completed all requirements, you can submit an ADC application to the IBADCC online. The application fee is $80. There’s also a $235 fee for the exam in the next step.

Along with basic personal information, the ADC application also asks for:

Official college transcripts.
Certificates of completion for any training sessions you’ve attended.
Three letters of reference from people who can speak to your substance use disorder counseling skills. One letter should be from your supervisor.
An Idaho Health and Welfare Background Check. Your background check should be from sometime in the last three years.The IBADCC can help you get one done if you haven’t already had one.
An employment verification form filled out by the employer you worked for to complete experience hours.
A signed copy of the Code of Ethics agreement form.

The IBADCC doesn’t say how long it typically takes to process applications, but they typically meet once a month to discuss new business including applications.

Step 5: Pass the IC&RC’s Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam

After your application is approved, the IBADCC will send you instructions about registering for the International Credentialing and Reciprocity Consoritum’s (IC&RC) Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam. Idaho is one of many states that looks to the IC&RC for guidance about professional counselor certification.

The Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam is a computer-based test made up of 150 multiple choice questions. Questions cover four topics:

You’ll have three hours to complete the exam. While you can schedule the test for a day that works best for you, you need to schedule it within one year of getting your application approved. As of July 2024, the IBADCC lists testing sites in Meridian, Moscow, Pocatello, and Post Falls.

To prepare, you can use the resources found on the IBADCC’s test preparation webpage. Once you pass, they’ll send your new certification by mail. Then, you’ll be ready to embark on a journey of helping people find recovery and hope as a full-fledged Alcohol/Drug Counselor.

With a Master’s Degree and More Experience Comes Advanced Certification in Idaho

One of the most exciting things about becoming an ADC in Idaho is that your professional development doesn’t have to end there. If you go on to earn a master’s degree in a behavioral science like addiction science or counseling, you can apply for two more advanced counseling certifications in Idaho:

Advanced Alcohol/Drug Counselor. As an AADC, you’ll be equipped to handle more complex cases and serve a wider range of people battling substance use disorders. Many AADCs also supervise entire recovery programs, conduct life-saving research, and operate their own recovery practices.
Certified Clinical Supervisor. CCSs aren’t just experts in counseling. They’re also adept at training and mentoring new counselors. These professionals are integral to making substance use disorder recovery accessible to more people across the state.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Boise, Idaho Falls, and Throughout Idaho

As Idaho’s capital and its biggest city, Boise may make a great place to look for substance abuse counselor jobs. For instance, Boise is home to Ashwood Recovery, one of the state’s largest recovery centers that also offers comprehensive mental health services. In the eastern part of the state, you may want to look for opportunities around Idaho Falls. The city is home to providers like Stewards of Recovery that operate multiple centers in the city and nearby Blackfoot.

Some other organizations and initiatives to explore include:

Brick House Recovery. With locations across the state, this faith-based, family-centered organization provides substance use disorder treatment services and education to multiple communities.
Northpoint Recovery. Northpoint has specialized programs for men, women, youth, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. They have locations in Boise and Meridian as well as Colorado, Nebraska, and Washington.
The Division of Behavioral Health. This government agency provides substance use disorder treatment to people all over Idaho. They offer outpatient and residential services and assist the state’s other human services agencies.
BPA Health. Headquartered in Boise, BPA Health offers mental health and substance use disorder treatment services all over the state. They also help schools, community organizations, and employers design and run their own behavioral health initiatives.

Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Boise, Idaho Falls, and Throughout Idaho

As of May 2023, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median salary for substance abuse counselors in Idaho is $58,360. Entry-level salaries are often closer to $39,290 while the top-earning counselors make around $79,120.

Boise. The median substance abuse counselor salary in Boise as of May 2023 is $58,310. While salaries for new counselors are often around $39,300, more experienced professionals make close to $79,400 and up.
Idaho Falls. The BLS reports that the median salary for substance abuse counselors in Idaho Falls is $58,280 as of May 2023. Early-career counselors often make about $40,710 while their more experienced colleagues make $76,760 and up.

Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Idaho

Because you can become an ADC in Idaho by earning a bachelor’s in multiple fields of behavioral science, you’ll find plenty of degree options around the state.

For example, Idaho State University in Pocatello offers a 25-credit Addiction Studies Certificate. If you combine it with a bachelor’s degree and a 300-hour internship, you’ll meet most if not all requirements for becoming an ADC. ISU also offers a Bachelor’s in Community and Public Health with a concentration in Addiction Studies.

The University of Idaho in Moscow offers an addiction studies minor that can be paired with a major in psychology. This program’s curriculum is approved by the IBADCC and can help you become a counselor in both Idaho and Washington.

Boise State University in Idaho’s capital offers both a minor and a certificate in addiction studies. While many of the school’s Bachelor of Social Work students take on the minor, the certificate program was designed to allow more students to include addiction studies into their schedules.

Boise State University

College of Health Sciences, School of Social Work
Accreditation: NWCCU
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures shown here for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. Job growth projections are from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, CareerOneStop. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2024.