In Montana, the escalating drug crisis is starkly evident with fentanyl rapidly becoming the top public safety threat. The state has witnessed a sharp increase in fentanyl-related overdose deaths, surging by over 1,100% since 2017, and opioid-related emergency services are up 57% over 2021​. This deadly trend underscores the urgent need for dedicated substance abuse counselors to combat the epidemic.
Montana also grapples with high rates of alcohol and methamphetamine abuse. The alcohol-induced death rate in Montana is significantly higher than the national average, and methamphetamine-related hospitalizations and crimes have risen sharply since 2015​. These alarming statistics highlight the critical role substance abuse counselors play in supporting affected individuals and families.
Becoming a substance abuse counselor in Montana involves a commitment to addressing these pressing issues through prevention, treatment, and recovery support. Whether working in urban centers or rural communities, counselors are essential in guiding Montanans struggling under the weight of addiction towards healthier futures.
Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Montana
The Montana Board of Behavioral Health is the state agency responsible for licensing substance abuse counselors in Montana. They offer the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential as the sole certification for substance abuse counselors in the state. For aspiring substance abuse counselors in Montana, obtaining this credential is the key step to entering the field. This guide will walk you through the process.
1. Earn an Associate Degree or Higher in a Relevant Field
2. Document 1,000 Hours of Supervised Treatment Experience
3. Take and Pass One of the Exams Recognized by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health
4. Apply to Become a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
The road to becoming a CADC in Montana just got a whole lot easier! We’ve broken down the certification process and provided you with clear, step-by-step instructions to help guide you through the certification process in Montana.
1. Earn an Associate Degree or Higher in a Relevant Field
To start your journey toward becoming a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in Montana, you need to earn a minimum of an associate degree. The degree must be in a relevant field from an accredited institution. Here are your options:
- Earn a Bachelor's or Advanced Degree in One of these Focus Areas:
- Alcohol and Drug Studies
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Social Work
- Counseling
- Human Services
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation
- Community Health
- Earn an Associate Degree or Post-Degree Certificate in One of these Focus Areas:
- Alcohol and Drug Studies
- Addiction
- Substance Abuse
Either as part of the formal education program or in addition to it, you’ll need at least 330 contact hours of addiction-specific education distributed as follows:
- Chemical Dependency Assessment and Patient Placement (60 hours)
- Counseling (90 hours)
- Pharmacology (30 hours)
- Ethics (10 hours)
- Alcohol and Drug Studies (30 hours)
- Treatment Planning and Documentation (30 hours)
- Multicultural Competency (20 hours)
- Co-occurring Disorders (30 hours)
- Gambling/Gaming Disorder Assessment and Counseling (30 hours)
2. Document 1,000 Hours of Supervised Treatment ExperienceÂ
Next, you need to complete a supervised training program to become a LAC in Montana. This involves accumulating a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised work experience in an addiction counseling qualified treatment program.
At least 500 of these hours must be in specific skill areas:
- Screening (30 hours)
- Assessment/patient placement (100 hours)
- Treatment planning (50 hours)
- Referrals (20 hours)
- Case management (50 hours)
- Individual counseling (60 hours)
- Group counseling (100 hours)
- Client education (35 hours)
- Documentation (35 hours)
- Professional and ethical responsibilities (10 hours)
- Multicultural competency (10 hours)
Supervision must be provided at a ratio of 20:1 client contact hours to supervision hours and must include group supervision, individual supervision, and 10 hours of direct observation. The 1,000 hours of supervised work experience must be completed in no more than two different qualified treatment programs.
4. Take One of the National Exams Recognized by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health
After completing your required education and supervised work experience, the next step to becoming a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in Montana is to take and pass a recognized exam. You need to pass one of the following exams: NAADAC Level 1 or Level 2, Northwest Certification Board’s Level II or III, Southwest Certification Board’s Level II, or IC&RC’s ADC or AADC exam.
Prepare for the exam by studying topics such as treatment admission, clinical assessment, treatment planning, counseling services, case management, discharge planning, legal and ethical issues, and physiology and psychopharmacology.
Submit your exam application to the chosen certification board and pay the necessary fee. Once approved, schedule your exam at a testing center or online. After taking the exam, you will typically receive your results immediately for computer-based tests or within a few weeks for paper-based tests.
5. Apply to Become a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
Congratulations on making it this far in your journey! The last step is to apply for the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential. Gather all necessary documents, including official transcripts, verification of addiction-specific courses, proof of 1,000 hours of supervised work experience in a qualified treatment program, and completed fingerprint and background check results from the Montana Department of Justice.
Additionally, you need to submit the Noncriminal Justice Applicant’s Rights form, the Training and Supervision Plan form, and proof of passing one of the required exams.
Once your documentation is ready, submit your application online through Montana eBiz or download a paper application from the Montana Board of Behavioral Health’s website. The application fee is $250, payable by credit card, e-check, or check. Ensure you provide a valid email address for communication.
Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Billings, Missoula, and Throughout Montana
Montana offers a variety of settings where substance abuse counselors can make a meaningful impact. In Billings, facilities like Rimrock provide comprehensive treatment programs, including inpatient, outpatient, and detox services. Rimrock is one of the largest addiction treatment centers in the region, focusing on holistic care that addresses emotional, physical, spiritual, and social well-being. Another notable facility in Billings is Billings Addiction Counseling, which offers outpatient treatment and specializes in individualized care for those affected by addiction.
Other notable facilities throughout Montana include:
- Cedar Creek Integrated Health: Located in multiple locations, including Billings, this facility offers a variety of services aimed at treating addiction and promoting overall wellness.
- Western Montana Mental Health Center (WMMHC): This center provides comprehensive behavioral health services across 15 counties, ensuring access to essential mental health and addiction treatment services.
- Crosswinds Recovery: Based in Missoula, Crosswinds provides supportive housing and outpatient treatment, focusing on helping individuals stabilize in early recovery and access necessary resources.
As a substance abuse counselor in Montana, you’ll be at the forefront of helping individuals and families overcome addiction, contributing to healthier communities throughout the state. With a variety of job settings and a strong demand for services, this is a rewarding career path for those committed to making a difference.
Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Billings, Missoula, and Throughout Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse counselors in Montana earned a median salary of $52,490 as of May 2023. Entry-level professionals in this field earned approximately $33,600 annually, while highly experienced substance abuse counselors earned closer to $75,800.
- Billings: As of May 2023, the BLS reported a median salary of $52,490 for substance abuse counselors in Billings. Less experienced counselors earned about $34,650 during this time, while the top counselors earned about $75,020.
- Missoula: According to the BLS, substance abuse counselors in Missoula earned a median salary of $56,040 as of May 2023. Those with less experience earned around $35,030, while more experienced counselors earned about $69,990.
Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Montana
Montana colleges and universities offer various programs that meet the requirements for substance abuse counselor certification. For example, Great Falls College MSU provides an Associate of Arts in Substance Abuse & Addictions Counseling. This hybrid program prepares students for entry into the addiction counseling field by combining general education with specialized coursework in addiction studies.
Additionally, the University of Montana offers a Chemical Addiction Studies Certificate through Missoula College. This 25-credit program can be completed entirely online and equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) license​.
These programs offer flexible and accessible options for those looking to pursue a career in substance abuse counseling in Montana, whether through on-campus, hybrid, or fully online formats.
Aaniiih Nakoda College
Accreditation: NWCCU
Campus
Associate Degrees
- AA in Human Services with an option in Chemical Dependency Counseling
Blackfeet Community College
Division of Human Services
Accreditation: NWCCU
Campus
Associate Degrees
- AA in Addiction Studies
Chief Dull Knife College
Accreditation: NWCCU
Campus
Associate Degrees
- AA in Addiction Studies
Dawson Community College
Accreditation: NWCCU
Online
Associate Degrees
- AA in Chemical Dependency Counseling
Flathead Valley Community College
Social Science Division
Accreditation: NWCCU
Campus
Associate Degrees
- AA in Substance Abuse Counseling
Fort Peck Community College
Accreditation: NWCCU
Campus
Associate Degrees
- AA in Chemical Addiction Studies
Little Big Horn College
Accreditation: NWCCU
Campus
Associate Degrees
- AA in Human Services-Addiction Studies option
Montana State University
Department of Counseling
Accreditation: NWCCU
Campus, Online
Master's Degrees
- MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Graduate Certificate in Addiction Counseling included
Graduate Certificates
- Graduate Certificate in Addiction Counseling
Salish Kootenai College
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Division
Accreditation: NWCCU
Campus
Associate Degrees
- AA in Chemical Dependency Counseling
Stone Child College
Accreditation: NWCCU
Campus
Associate Degrees
- AS in Addiction Studies
University of Montana
Missoula College, Department of Applied Arts and Sciences
Accreditation: NWCCU
Online
Undergraduate Certificates
- Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS) in Addiction Studies
University of Providence
School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Accreditation: NWCCU
Online
Undergraduate Certificates
- Post-Bac Addictions Counseling Certificate
Associate Degrees
- AA in Addictions Counseling
Bachelor's Degrees
- Minor in Addiction Counseling
Master's Degrees
- MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Addiction Counseling concentration
Graduate Certificates
- Graduate Certificate in Addiction Counseling
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.