To become a substance abuse counselor in Louisiana, earn a bachelor’s degree in a human services field, complete 300 clock hours of addiction-specific education, gain 4,000 hours of supervised experience (including a 300-hour practicum) as a Counselor-in-Training (CIT), and pass the IC&RC ADC exam to earn your Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) credential through ADRA. The timeline varies based on when you start your supervised hours, but it typically takes 4-6 years from the beginning of your bachelor’s degree.
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In a hundred different ways, Louisiana stands alone as completely unique from any other part of the country. But there’s no sugar coating the fact that the grim reaper of fentanyl has visited the state, just like every other.
It doesn’t care about race, socio-economic status, or zip code. Opioid-related overdose is now listed among the top causes of untimely death in the state, alongside homicide, cardiac events, car accidents, and self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Community leaders, law enforcement, and the social services community here are reeling from the new reality opioid addiction has brought to the city streets and rural backwaters of Louisiana.
But there’s still a lot of hope here. There’s good reason to believe that with enough time and targeted effort, these trends can be reversed. The drive to want to effect that kind of change can come from many different places. It doesn’t matter where you find it. What’s important is that you’re ready and willing to dedicate yourself to a solution. In Louisiana, there’s no better way to do that than by becoming a substance abuse counselor.
Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Louisiana
To work in the field of addiction counseling here in Louisiana, you need a credential issued by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA).
The following is a full overview of the credentials offered by ADRA, so you can begin getting familiar with what’s available:
- Addiction Treatment Assistant (ATA) – This is the lowest entry-level credential for para-professionals who provide supervised support. To qualify, you’ll need to be at least 16 years old and complete training in ethics, confidentiality, and First Aid-CPR.
- Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC) – This entry-level credential comes with a scope of practice that is limited to providing substance abuse guidance and referrals only while under supervision. The education requirements can be met with or without a degree, and also include a period of supervised experience and an exam. RACs work under direct supervision and cannot provide clinical counseling services.
- Counselor-In-Training (CIT) – This credential is issued for no other reason than to authorize credential candidates to work with clients while getting the supervised experience required to become a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC), or RAC.
- Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) – This is the credential we’ll be focusing on in this guide. It’s a mid-level credential for bachelor’s-prepared, career-focused substance use treatment professionals. As a CAC, you can provide direct counseling services under general supervision, and there’s a straightforward path to earning more advanced credentials as you progress in your career.
- Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) – This is the highest credential available to frontline counselors. It’s reserved for master’s-prepared professionals authorized to work independently, provide counseling, diagnose substance use disorders, and make referrals without supervision.
- Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) – This optional credential can be added to the LAC, CAC, or RAC credential for those who wish to provide supervision to other professionals with lower-level credentials. To qualify, candidates need 10,000 hours of experience and a passing score on the IC&RC Clinical Supervisor Exam.
- Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor (CCGC) – This is a specialty add-on credential available for LACs, CACs, and RACs. It requires 30 hours of gambling addiction education.
ADRA also offers credentials for prevention specialists. Rather than focusing on individual or group counseling, therapy, and treatment, prevention specialists approach the issue of substance abuse from a perspective of education, community organizing, public policy, and advocacy. The three prevention specialist credentials issued by ADRA are:
- Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS)
- Registered Prevention Professional (RPP)
- Prevention Specialist-In-Training (PSIT)
Now that you’re familiar with the range of credentials available in Louisiana, we’ll focus on the steps to becoming a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC). Though your scope of practice as a CAC won’t include the ability to diagnose substance use disorders, you’ll be providing direct and group counseling services and making referrals while working under general supervision. An exception to the general supervision requirement is made for CACs who work in correctional facilities.
The path to becoming a CAC varies based on when you begin your supervised work experience. If you start accruing hours during your bachelor’s program (possible at age 18), the complete process can take 4-5 years. If you wait until after graduation to start supervised experience, expect 6-7 years total from the beginning of your bachelor’s degree.
Becoming a CAC involves these steps:
1. Earn a Qualifying Bachelor’s Degree Related to Addictions Counseling
2. Complete 300 Clock Hours of Addiction-Specific Education
3. Become a Counselor-in-Training (CIT)
4. Gain 4,000 Hours of Supervised Work Experience (Including 300-Hour Practicum)
5. Apply for the CAC Credential with the Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA)
6. Pass the IC&RC ADC Exam
Step 1 – Earn a Qualifying Bachelor’s Degree Related to Addictions Counseling
To become a CAC, you must be at least 21 years old and clean for at least two years prior to applying, hold legal US residency status, meet ADRA ethics requirements, and have no felony convictions (though a felony waiver policy is available). If you’re under 21, don’t be discouraged: you can start accruing the supervised experience you’ll need for the CAC starting at age 18 as a CIT.
The first step to qualifying for the CAC is to earn a bachelor’s degree in a human services or behavioral sciences field, which would include:
- Substance abuse counseling
- Social work
- Psychology
- Counseling
- Sociology
- Human services
You can earn your degree in-state through a campus program or online via distance education. Both options are seen as equal in meeting ADRA requirements.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a field unrelated to human services or behavioral sciences, you can submit a degree waiver to ADRA. Waivers are only granted if you’ve been able to accrue and document at least 6,000 hours of work experience in the addictions field, so the exception is usually granted to those who have either practiced under lower-level credentials or in another state where a relevant bachelor’s isn’t required.
By planning ahead and earning your degree in a qualifying field, you’ll reduce the time it takes to earn the CAC credential while getting the kind of targeted education you need to be an effective substance use disorder counselor.
Step 2 – Complete 300 Clock Hours of Addiction-Specific Education
Before you can apply for the CAC credential, ADRA requires you to complete 300 clock hours of education specifically related to addiction counseling. This requirement includes:
- At least 180 clock hours in substance abuse-specific coursework
- 6 clock hours in ethics and professional standards
- Additional clock hours in related behavioral health topics
These educational hours are typically integrated into your bachelor’s degree program if you’re pursuing a degree in addiction counseling, substance abuse counseling, or a closely related field. One semester credit hour of college coursework equals 15 clock hours, so a standard 3-credit addiction counseling course provides 45 clock hours toward this requirement.
If your bachelor’s degree doesn’t include sufficient addiction-specific coursework, you can complete these hours through:
- Additional college courses in addiction studies
- Continuing education workshops and seminars
- Certificate programs in substance abuse counseling
- ADRA-approved training programs
Step 3 – Become a Counselor-in-Training (CIT)
Before you can begin accruing the 4,000 hours of supervised work experience needed for the CAC credential, you must first qualify as a Counselor-In-Training (CIT). The CIT credential authorizes you to work with clients in substance abuse treatment settings while under the supervision of a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS).
To establish your CIT status with ADRA, you’ll need to submit a CIT application via the Certemy online portal. This is the portal you’ll use to submit all application materials for credentialing through ADRA.
The requirements to become a CIT are:
- Be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have completed 180 clock hours of education specific to substance abuse counseling (this is part of the 300 total clock hours required for CAC)
- Establish a supervision relationship with a CCS before beginning clinical work
Your CIT credential is valid for one year and can be renewed annually for a maximum of 72 months (6 years). This gives you plenty of time to complete the required 4,000 hours of supervised experience.
Step 4 – Gain 4,000 Hours of Supervised Work Experience (Including 300-Hour Practicum)
You need 4,000 hours of supervised work experience under a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) before you can apply for the CAC credential. At full-time employment (40 hours per week), this equates to approximately two years of work experience.
Your supervisor needs to be a licensed mental health practitioner or substance abuse counselor credentialed as a CAC or LAC with a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) designation. ADRA maintains a database of all professionals in the state who hold the CCS designation with the express purpose of helping you find a qualified supervisor.
You can also find a supervisor by searching through job ads for CAC candidate positions or CIT positions. Employers will specify that they’re looking to hire CITs and foster their professional development to provide the documented supervision and guidance required to earn the CAC credential.
Of your 4,000 total hours, 300 hours must be completed as a practicum distributed among the 12 core functions of substance abuse counseling, with at least 20 hours in each function:
- Screening
- Intake
- Orientation
- Assessment
- Treatment planning
- Counseling
- Case management
- Crisis intervention
- Client education
- Referral
- Record keeping and reports
- Consultations
The remaining 3,700 hours can be general supervised work experience in a substance abuse treatment setting. Your CCS supervisor will document your hours and verify your competency in each of the 12 core functions.
Step 5 – Apply for the CAC Credential with the Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA)
When you’ve fulfilled the CAC requirements up to this point, you’re ready to apply for the CAC credential with ADRA via the Certemy online portal.
Your Certemy application packet will include instructions and forms for submitting:
- School transcripts showing you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree in a human services or behavioral sciences field
- Documentation of 300 clock hours of addiction-specific education
- Proof of completing 4,000 hours of supervised work experience, including the 300-hour practicum distributed among the 12 core functions
- Verification of supervision from your CCS
- Three letters of recommendation that attest to your competency to work as an addiction counselor
- Application fee (verify current fee schedule with ADRA as of 2025)
Step 6 – Pass the IC&RC ADC Exam
Your final step to becoming a CAC is passing the IC&RC’s (International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium) Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Exam.
Once ADRA approves your CAC application, it will send you the information you need to register for your exam. The ADC Exam is computer-based and offered at ISO-Quality Testing centers across the nation, including at sites in:
- Alexandria
- Baton Rouge
- Bossier City
- Lake Charles
- Metairie
Substantively, the ADC Exam is 150 multiple-choice questions that you’ll have three hours to complete. The exam fee is approximately $195-$225 (verify current pricing with IC&RC as of 2025). The content you’ll be evaluated on comes from these four domains:
- Evidence-based counseling, treatment, and referrals – 30%
- Legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities – 25%
- Scientific principles of substance abuse and co-occurring disorders – 25%
- Evidence-based assessment and screening – 20%
A scaled score of 500 is considered passing. Once ADRA receives notification that you’ve passed, it will issue your CAC credential!
With a Master’s Degree and More Experience Comes Advanced Certification Options
If your goal is to work in a facility leadership position or as an independent substance abuse counselor with full diagnostic authority, you’ll eventually go on to earn the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential through ADRA.
This requires at least a master’s degree in a human services field, such as:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling with addiction specialization
- Social Work (MSW)
- Psychology
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Addiction Counseling
If you already hold a master’s degree in a related field, there’s a pathway for direct entry at the LAC level by accruing 2,000 hours of supervised work experience and passing the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) Exam.
The key differences between CAC and LAC credentials:
- Education: CAC requires a bachelor’s degree; LAC requires a master’s degree
- Supervised Hours: CAC requires 4,000 hours; LAC requires 2,000 hours (if entering with master’s)
- Exam: CAC requires ADC exam; LAC requires AADC (advanced) exam
- Scope of Practice: CAC works under general supervision; LAC works independently
- Diagnostic Authority: CAC cannot diagnose; LAC has full diagnostic authority
- Salary: LACs typically earn in the 90th percentile range ($60,000-$67,000+)
If you want to go even further, you could add on a CCS credential to your CAC or LAC once you have 10,000 hours of experience in substance abuse counseling. This allows you to supervise other professionals and help develop the next generation of substance abuse counselors.
Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Throughout Louisiana
The US Department of Labor reports that the number of substance abuse counselor jobs in Louisiana has increased by 44% over just the past four years. Today, ADRA reports a total of 1,411 credentialed professionals working in the state, including 493 CITs, 417 LACs, and 130 CACs.
This increase of professionals is sorely needed and long overdue. In 2023, New Orleans’ WVUE-TV reported that 95% of drug overdose deaths in the city were caused by fentanyl, with a rate that’s approaching nearly one fatality per day. Most recently, doctors there have reported a recent uptick in overdoses caused by the horse tranquilizer xylazine.
Baton Rouge seems to be following suit. In 2023, fentanyl-related deaths surpassed homicides, suicides, and cancer as the number-one killer of those under 45 years old in East Baton Rouge Parish, according to a report from WAFB.
Fentanyl is everywhere. Some of the major employers throughout the state that are dealing with the fallout include:
- Metropolitan Human Services District in New Orleans operates five area behavioral health clinics. It runs a suboxone treatment program and offers addiction treatment services for drugs, alcohol, and gambling that include case management, individual therapy, and group therapy.
- Serenity Treatment Center serves the greater Baton Rouge area with a range of addiction recovery and treatment programs. Residential, inpatient, detox, outpatient, and family formats are all available, and the substance abuse counselors here have a wide breadth of specializations.
- The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse is a non-profit that’s been serving the wider Shreveport and Northern Louisiana community since 1958. This organization takes its mission of treating, counseling, and educating those who suffer from alcohol and other addictions seriously.
Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Throughout Louisiana
The high demand for substance abuse counselors across the state has an effect on salaries, with annual compensation increasing by 5% over the past four years. According to the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2024), substance abuse counselors in the “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors” occupational category earn an average of $40,410 annually statewide. This figure represents all credential levels, including RACs, CACs, and LACs.
Once you get beyond the entry level, substance abuse counselors at the mid-range earn $48,140, as represented by the 75th-percentile salary figure. At the top level, represented by the 90th percentile, that figure rises to $61,690.
How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Metro New Orleans
- Average – $43,000
- 75th percentile – $48,720
- 90th percentile – $62,410
How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Baton Rouge
- Average – $44,430
- 75th percentile – $49,760
- 90th percentile – $67,610
How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Shreveport-Bossier City
- Average – $42,280
- 75th percentile – $47,950
- 90th percentile – $60,480
How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Lafayette
- Average – $44,840
- 75th percentile – $50,950
- 90th percentile – $62,330
How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Lake Charles
- Average – $43,970
- 75th percentile – $49,910
- 90th percentile – $66,080
Higher-level salaries in the 90th percentile are representative of what LACs can expect to earn. CAC-level salaries typically fall in the average to 75th percentile range, while entry-level RACs earn below average. Individual salaries vary based on credential level, years of experience, work setting, and specializations.
Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Louisiana
You’ll find universities in Louisiana that offer degrees to meet ADRA certification requirements at every level, from undergraduate certificates and associate programs, to full bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fields related to addiction counseling. And that’s to say nothing about the options you’ll find online from exceptional schools across the country.
Northwestern State University
Gallaspy Family College of Education & Human Development (1)
Department of Psychology (2)
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Online
Bachelor’s Degrees
- BS in Addiction Studies (1)
- BS in Psychology with a concentration in Substance Abuse (2)
Southern University at New Orleans
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Social Sciences
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Campus
Associate Degrees
- AA in Addictive Behaviors Counseling and Prevention Program
Bachelor’s Degrees
- BS in Addictive Behaviors Counseling and Prevention Program
Southern University at Shreveport
Division of Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Campus
Associate Degrees
- Associate’s Degree in Human Services-Substance Abuse Counseling option
University of Holy Cross
College of Counseling Education and Business
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Campus, Online
Associate Degrees
- AS in Addictions Counseling
Bachelor’s Degrees
- BS in Addictions Counseling
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor in Louisiana
How long does it take to become a CAC in Louisiana?
The timeline varies based on when you start your supervised hours. Begin accruing supervised experience as a CIT during your bachelor’s program (possible at age 18 after completing 180 clock hours of education). The complete process can take 4-5 years from starting your bachelor’s degree. If you wait until after graduation to start supervised experience, expect 6-7 years total. The 4,000 hours of supervised experience typically takes 2 years at full-time employment.
Can I work as a substance abuse counselor in Louisiana without a bachelor’s degree?
Yes, you can work in entry-level positions with lower credentials, like the Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC) or Addiction Treatment Assistant (ATA), without a bachelor’s degree. RACs provide guidance and referrals under direct supervision but cannot provide clinical counseling services. To earn the CAC credential and advance to providing direct counseling services, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a human services or behavioral sciences field.
What’s the difference between RAC, CAC, and LAC credentials in Louisiana?
The RAC is entry-level and can be obtained without a bachelor’s degree, with limited scope to provide guidance and referrals under direct supervision. The CAC requires a bachelor’s degree and 4,000 supervised hours, allowing you to provide direct counseling services under general supervision. The LAC requires a master’s degree and 2,000 supervised hours, and allows independent practice with full diagnostic authority. LACs typically earn 90th percentile salaries ($60,000-$67,000+), while CACs earn average to 75th percentile salaries.
Do Louisiana substance abuse counselor credentials transfer to other states?
Louisiana is a member of the IC&RC (International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium), which facilitates credential recognition across member states. Your CAC or LAC credential may be recognized in other IC&RC member states through reciprocity agreements. However, reciprocity is not automatic, and each state has its own endorsement requirements and procedures. You’ll need to apply for endorsement in the receiving state and may need to meet additional requirements such as state-specific exams, ethics training, or jurisprudence tests. Check with the specific state’s credentialing board for their exact reciprocity requirements.
How much does it cost to become a CAC in Louisiana?
The costs include your bachelor’s degree tuition (varies by institution), ADRA application fees (verify current fees with ADRA as of 2025), CIT credential fees and annual renewals (approximately 6 years), supervision costs (if not provided by employer), and the IC&RC ADC exam fee (approximately $195-$225 as of 2025). Total education costs can range from $20,000-$60,000+, depending on whether you attend in-state public universities, private institutions, or online programs. Many substance abuse counseling positions offer supervision as part of employment, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.
What are the 300 clock hours of addiction-specific education?
ADRA requires 300 clock hours of education specifically related to addiction counseling before you can apply for the CAC credential. This includes at least 180 clock hours in substance abuse-specific coursework, six clock hours in ethics and professional standards, and additional hours in related behavioral health topics. These hours are typically integrated into bachelor’s degree programs in addiction counseling or related fields. One semester credit hour equals 15 clock hours, so a 3-credit addiction counseling course provides 45 clock hours. If your bachelor’s degree lacks sufficient addiction-specific coursework, you can complete these hours through additional college courses, continuing education workshops, or ADRA-approved training programs.
Key Takeaways
- Louisiana’s Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) credential requires a bachelor’s degree in human services, 300 clock hours of addiction-specific education, 4,000 supervised hours (including a 300-hour practicum in 12 core functions), and passing the IC&RC ADC exam
- You must become a Counselor-In-Training (CIT) before starting supervised experience, which can begin at age 18 after completing 180 clock hours of education
- The complete CAC pathway typically takes 4-6 years, depending on when you start supervised hours, with the 4,000 hours requiring approximately 2 years at full-time employment
- CACs work under general supervision and provide direct counseling services, but cannot diagnose substance use disorders
- The Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) is the highest frontline credential, requiring a master’s degree and 2,000 supervised hours, and offers independent practice with full diagnostic authority
- Average salary for substance abuse counselors in Louisiana is $40,410 statewide (all levels), with CACs typically earning in the average to 75th percentile range and LACs earning 90th percentile salaries ($60,000-$67,000+)
- Louisiana participates in IC&RC reciprocity, but credential transfer to other states requires applying for endorsement and meeting each state’s specific requirements
Ready to Start Your Louisiana Substance Abuse Counseling Career?
Explore bachelor’s and master’s degree programs that meet ADRA requirements and prepare you for the CAC or LAC credential. Find the right educational path for your goals.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors; Psychiatric Technicians (proxy for Substance Use Disorder Technicians); and Social and Human Service Assistants (proxy for Peer Recovery Specialists) reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2025.
