How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Minnesota

Written by Sam Medley

Minnesota has a long tradition of providing cutting-edge substance use disorder treatment. One of the nation’s leading recovery service providers and research institutes, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, has called the state home since 1949. But Minnesotoans don’t always have to look to nonprofits for help. The state government is equally invested in their recovery.

Starting way back in 2012, the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) embarked on a massive campaign to improve recovery services everywhere by collaborating with tribal, county, and community-based providers. This effective model of care serves as a blueprint for other states as they battle rising overdose rates.

But despite a thoughtful approach, Minnesota isn’t invincible.

According to the DHS, 300,000 Minnesotans are in need of some form of substance use disorder treatment. While this issue affects everyone, the DHS also reports alarming disparities in care — Black residents are twice as likely to die from an overdose than white residents. Native Americans are five times as likely.

If you’re passionate about closing these gaps, here’s what you need to know about becoming a substance abuse counselor in Minnesota, starting your career, and finding the right college or university to help you prepare.

Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Minnesota

You can become a substance abuse counselor in Minnesota by applying for certifications through multiple agencies. Three of the most prominent agencies include the:

Minnesota Certification Board (MCB). This nonprofit agency offers certifications for multiple types of behavioral health professionals. Because the MCB is a member of the International Credentialing and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), their Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) credential can transfer to other states.
Upper Midwest Indian Council on Addictive Disorders (UMICAD). UMICAD offers substance use disorder counselor certifications at multiple levels. However, they focus on preparing counselors to meet the needs of Native American communities. They’re also a member of the IC&RC.
Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT). The BBHT is a government agency that licenses and oversees Minnesota’s substance use disorder counselors and similar professionals. They also inform state lawmakers about relevant policies.

Certification policies vary, but to become a substance use disorder counselor through any of these organizations, you’ll likely have to complete education hours, supervised work experience hours, and pass some sort of exam.

Members of each organization play important roles in Minnesota’s recovery community. But because the BBHT is the leading government agency, this guide will focus on earning their Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LDAC) license. As an LDAC, you can work in a variety of settings, run your own practice, and enhance your skills by earning other BBHT credentials.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

The first step to becoming an LADC is earning a bachelor’s degree. The BBHT doesn’t specify what type of degree you should have. However, they do say that applicants need to have 18 semester hours (or 270 total hours) of education in substance use disorder counseling. For that reason, earning a degree in addiction studies or a related field might help you fulfill this requirement.

Over those 270 hours, the BBHT says you should learn about four topics:

Theories behind substance use disorders, the continuum of client care, and the changes people undergo during treatment and addiction.
Pharmacology and medication-assisted treatment.
The professional and ethical responsibility of substance use disorder counselors.
Co-occurring disorders

Additionally, you’ll need to learn about the 12 core functions of substance use disorder counselors:

Client screening.
Intake and admissions.
Client orientation (discussing goals, conduct, costs, and other treatment basics).
Assessment.
Treatment planning.
Counseling.
Case management
Crisis intervention.
Client education.
Referrals to other professionals.
Record keeping.
Consulting with other professionals about treatment.

While a bachelor’s degree is required, you can also take seminars and classes outside of your studies to learn about these topics. But before doing so, you may have to get approval from the BBHT.

Step 2: Complete a Drug and Alcohol Counseling Practicum

Your next step is earning 880 hours of supervised work experience. During this stage, you’ll develop your skills, learn about common ethical issues, and actually counsel people battling substance use disorders. You’ll have a supervisor to guide you through it all.

According to Minnesota law, your supervisor needs to:

Similarly, the BBHT says your supervision experience should include training on specific topics:

Supervision can take place in-person or virtually as long as your supervisor can give you sufficient support and guidance. However, 75% of supervision must be in-person. 50% must be given on an individual basis.

Finding a Supervised Work Experience Site

If you pursue a bachelor’s degree in substance use disorder counseling or a similar field, a practicum, internship, or fieldwork experience will more than likely be included with your studies. These hands-on experiences count towards the supervised work experience requirement. Your school can help you find a work experience site and a supervisor.

But just like with the education requirement, the work experience requirement doesn’t have to be completed through a college or university. It can just as well come from employment in the field. It’s common to secure a position as a trainee with state and private organizations that hire full-time independent LADCs. In these arrangements, they will bring you in and facilitate your on-the-job learning through a combination of job shadowing and closely supervised contact hours with actual patients. In the end, you’ll have a full-time position waiting for you when you learn your LADC license and the employer will have an experienced employee familiar with the culture of the clinic and the types of clients it serves.

If you have a lead on an organization you’d like to work for and know a counselor there who meets the BBHT’s requirements, you may be able to work with them after getting approval from the BBHT.

Step 3: Pass One of Four Exams

One of the last things you’ll have to do before becoming a substance abuse counselor in Minnesota is pass an exam. Fortunately, the BBHT accepts passing scores on four different exams.

However, the BBHT doesn’t administer the exams themselves. You’ll have to go through different organizations to register. Contact information for these organizations can be found on the BBHT’s exam information webpage.

Option 1: The IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam

This computer-based exam has a three hour time limit and is made up of 150 multiple questions. The questions cover four topics:

You can register for this exam through the Minnesota Certification Board or UMICAD. Fees, testing dates, and testing locations depend on which organization you take the test through. Prep materials can be found on the IC&RC’s website.

Option 2: The IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam

Like the standard version, the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam version is computer-based, made up of 150 multiple-choice questions, and has a three-hour time limit. In fact, the questions cover the same four topics as the standard exam.

However, questions on the advanced exam are often much more in-depth. For instance, while the standard exam might ask test-takers how to identify signs of co-occurring mental health disorders, the advanced exam may ask about individualizing treatment based on a client’s mental health diagnosis. Learning about these complex topics may help if you plan to pursue a more advanced license later in your career.

You can register for the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam through the Minnesota Certification Board with a $225 fee. There are testing locations in Bloomington, Duluth, Rochester, and Woodbury. You can choose the location and date that work best for you. Prep materials for this exam can also be found on the IC&RC website.

Option 3: The National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level II (NCAC II) Exam

Offered through the Association for Addiction Professionals, this written exam is made up of 150 multiple-choice questions and has a three-hour time limit. The subject matter is similar to the other exams but not entirely identical.

Questions on the NCAC II exam cover nine subjects:

Admissions, screening, intake, and orientation.
Clinical assessment.
Treatment planning.
Individual, family, and group counseling, crisis intervention, and client education.
Documentation.
Case management.
Continuing care and discharge planning.
Professional development and legal and ethical concerns.
The physiology and psychopharmacology of substance use disorders.

The exam fee is $150. You can choose between testing locations in Brainerd, Saint Paul, Eagan, and Rochester. Available dates may depend on which location you choose. You can find prep materials on the Association for Addiction Professionals website.

Option 4: A Non-comprehensive Written Exam and 2,000 Hours of Supervised Professional Practice

The BBHT defines the previous three options as comprehensive exams. This means they cover substance use disorder counseling in-depth and in detail. But if you don’t think a test alone is a good measure of your skills, there’s an alternative option.

LADC applicants can take a non-comprehensive test and also complete 2,000 hours of supervised professional practice. Supervised professional practice hours follow similar rules to work experience hours. The main difference is that you can’t start them until after you earn your degree.

Unfortunately, the BBHT doesn’t list any non-comprehensive exam options on their website. But if this seems like a more accessible option for you, you can contact the BBHT, talk to supervisors or instructors, or get input from other professionals.

Step 4: Submit Your LADC Application and Supporting Documents to the BBHT

Once you’ve fulfilled all requirements, you’re ready to submit an LADC application to the BBHT by mail.

The application asks for personal information such as tax information, whether you’ve been charged with a crime, and if you hold any similar credentials in other states. It’ll also ask you to include:

Details about your supervised work or practical experience. Your supervisor will sign this section.
Official school transcripts.
Completion certificates for any training you completed.
A copy of your exam results.
A $295 application fee.
A $33.25 background check fee.

After your application is processed, you’ll receive information from the Minnesota Criminal Background Check Program about finishing the background check. The BBHT doesn’t say how long it takes to process applications but the Application and Licensure Committee typically meets once a month.

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

The LDAC is the BBHT’s only addiction-focused license. But if you’re interested in helping a broader group of people or adding new skills to your toolkit, the BBHT offers a number of advanced licenses you may want to investigate:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). To become an LPC, you’ll have to earn a master’s or doctoral degree, complete more education and work hours, and pass another exam. But because LPCs are often experts in social and family dynamics, becoming one can help you better address certain issues your clients may encounter.
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCCs). LPCCs also need a master’s or doctoral degree, but with their advanced training comes the ability to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. Being able to do that can help you help others at a much higher level.
Board-approved Supervisor. After being a professional counselor for four years and completing 45 hours of supervision training, you can become an LADC, LPC, or LPCC supervisor. This could be a great option if you want to teach new counselors but still want to remain directly involved with clients.

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Duluth, and Throughout Minnesota

After earning your license, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area is a great place to look for substance abuse counselor jobs in Minnesota. For instance, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation has multiple locations in the metro and surrounding areas. If you’re interested in jobs around Duluth, you may want to look into the Mash-ka-wisen Treatment Center (an organization devoted to supporting the Native American Community) and Duluth Bethel, a recovery community that has been in operation for over 150 years.

While you can find other substance abuse counselor job opportunities through smaller practices, you may also want to investigate some of the state’s larger providers:

Minnesota Recovery Connection. This recovery network supports local treatment providers, trains peer support providers, and advocates for positive systemic change.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services. The DHS runs multiple social service initiatives aimed at children,seniors, people battling substance use disorders, and other vulnerable populations.
Canvas Health. This mental healthcare and substance use disorder treatment provider has eight locations across Minnesota. Their mission is to bring hope and recovery to people through clinical services.
CentraCare. Headquartered at St. Cloud Hospital, one of the region’s largest hospitals, CentraCare offers recovery services at multiple locations in central Minnesota.

Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Duluth, and Throughout Minnesota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse counselors in Minnesota make a median wage of $51,130 as of May 2023. Early-career counselors often make closer to $41,060 while their more experienced colleagues can make $69,680 and up.

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington. As of May 2023, counselors in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro make a median salary of $52,370. New counselors in the area often make around $44,450. The highest-paid professionals in the metro make about $72,660.
Duluth. Substance abuse counselors in Duluth make a median yearly salary of $47,930. Entry-level counselors might expect to make closer to $40,390. Experienced ones often make around $66,860.

Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Minnesota

Minnesota is home to many colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees, certificates, and other programs in addiction studies and related fields. Many are even designed to prepare students specifically for LADC licensure.

Minnesota State University, Mankato offers a BS in Alcohol and Drug Studies that includes the classes LADC applicants need. They also offer a minor for students who want to apply recovery principles to other careers. Metropolitan State University in St. Paul offers a BS in Alcohol and Drug Counseling as well as a certificate.

If you don’t want to jump right into a bachelor’s program, you can start with a two-year associate degree instead. Minneapolis College, Minnesota North College, and Anoka-Ramsey Community College all offer associate degrees in addiction counseling and science. On this path, you can become a Temporary Alcohol and Drug Counselor through the BBHT, transfer to a bachelor’s program, then become an LADC whenever you’re ready.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Bemidji State University

Social Work Department
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Hybrid

Undergraduate Certificates

Bachelor's Degrees

Bethel University

College of Adult and Professional Studies
Accreditation: HLC
Online

Undergraduate Certificates

Capella University

Accreditation: HLC
Online

Master's Degrees

Graduate Certificates

Century College

Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Crown College

Graduate School of Counseling
Accreditation: HLC
Online

Associate Degrees

Bachelor's Degrees

Master's Degrees

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School

Accreditation: HLC
Online, Hybrid

Master's Degrees

Graduate Certificates

Metropolitan State University

College of Community Studies and Public Affairs
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Bachelor's Degrees

Master's Degrees

Minneapolis Community and Technical College

School of Education and Public and Human Service
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Minnesota North College

Accreditation: HLC
Online, Hybrid

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Minnesota State University-Moorhead

Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Online

Master's Degrees

Graduate Certificates

Minnesota State University-Mankato

College of Allied Health and Nursing
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Bachelor's Degrees

Oak Hills Christian College

Accreditation: ABHE
Campus

Bachelor's Degrees

Rochester Community and Technical College

Behavior, Education and Personal Services pathway
Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Undergraduate Certificates

Associate Degrees

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

Health and Human Services
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Online

Graduate Certificates

St. Cloud State University

College of Health and Wellness Professions
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Online

Bachelor's Degrees

Master's Degrees

Graduate Certificates

University of Minnesota

College of Continuing and Professional Studies
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Hybrid

Master's Degrees

Walden University

Accreditation: HLC
Online

Bachelor's Degrees

Master's Degrees

Graduate Degrees

Winona State University

College of Education, Counselor Education Department
Accreditation: HLC
Online

Graduate 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.