How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in North Dakota

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Burgum made a monumental step toward fighting substance use disorder and the stigma and shame often associated with addiction through the creation of a statewide initiative. Since its inception seven years ago, the Recovery Reinvented initiative, as it’s known, has reached more than 20,000 people in the state through events and programs like the Innovate Recovery Competition and the Youth Ending Stigma Challenge.

Through partnerships with federal agencies like the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Surgeon General, North Dakota’s landmark initiative has become a national model of what an effective approach to substance use disorder should look like.

But there’s still more work to be done. According to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, North Dakota has seen an increase in the number of unintentional overdose deaths between 2019 and 2022. Tragically, the Department reports that an average of two North Dakota residents die each week from a drug overdose.

From hospitals to neighborhood clinics to inpatient rehab facilities, substance abuse counselors in North Dakota are hard at work, offering the resources and services that are giving those with substance use disorder hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in North Dakota

The North Dakota State Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners (NDBACE) is the state agency that licenses substance abuse counselors in North Dakota. On the basis of experience and education, counselors in the state can earn one of two designations:

For aspiring professionals at the beginning of their journey, becoming a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) is the goal. This guide will walk you through the steps you’ll need to take to earn that credential.

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Addiction Counseling or a Related Field

2. Complete a Clinical Training Program

3. Take and Pass the NCAC II Exam

4. Apply to Become a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

We’ve mapped out the journey to becoming a substance abuse counselor in North Dakota. Our guide simplifies the process into four easy-to-manage steps, ensuring you have a clear path to success.

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Addiction Counseling or a Related Field

To start working towards earning your LAC credential in North Dakota, you’ll need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in addiction counseling or in a related field like psychology, social work, or human services.

Under the current guidelines, your education should include:

Addiction treatment theory and techniques, including evidence-based methods and ASAM criteria (3 credits)
Group counseling and individual counseling techniques (3 credits)
Psychopharmacology, focusing on substance effects and medication-assisted treatment (3 credits)
Dynamics of addiction or alcohol use/abuse studies (3 credits)
Co-occurring disorders, abnormal psychology, and psychopathology (3 credits)
Professional ethics, covering regulations, standards, and ethical decision-making (3 credits)
Human development across the lifespan (3 credits)
Family systems, exploring family dynamics and addiction impacts (3 credits)
Cultural competence and counseling, emphasizing multicultural diversity (3 credits)

Fortunately, along with campus locations in North Dakota, there are online options widely available that offer bachelor’s degree programs that meet the requirements for licensure as an LAC.

2. Complete a Clinical Training Program

You’ll need to complete a minimum of 960 hours of clinical training that includes:

Screening and ASAM assessment
Treatment planning
Counseling
Client/family/community education

You must complete your clinical training program through an NDBACE-approved consortium or an individualized training plan through an ND agency.

Before you begin your clinical training program, you’ll need to complete the Clinical Trainee Registration form that includes the details of your clinical training program. Your clinical training supervisor must also complete the required section and sign the form. You’ll need to return the form, along with your bachelor’s degree transcript, to the Board office. You will also need to submit two reference forms to apply for clinical training (one must be a person with whom you have an academic relationship and the other who has worked with you in a paid or unpaid capacity).

3. Take and Pass the NCAC II Exam

After you’ve satisfied the clinical experience requirements, you’ll need to apply to take the National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level II (NCAC II) exam offered through the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP).

To qualify to take the exam, you’ll need to submit two forms to the Board: the Licensure Examination application and the Clinical Trainee Completion form (completed and signed by your clinical supervisor).

The exam fee is $150, which you’ll need to pay when you apply to take the exam. The fee can typically be paid using a credit card online through the NDBACE website or by mailing a check or money order.

The NCAC II exam consists of 150 multiple-choice, objective questions with a total testing time of three hours. You will be tested on the following subjects:

Treatment admission (screening, intake and orientation)
Clinical assessment
Ongoing treatment planning
Counseling services (individual, group, family, crisis intervention and client education)
Documentation
Case management
Discharge and continuing care
Legal, ethical and professional growth issues
Physiology and psychopharmacology

nce you pass the exam, you’ll be ready to apply for the LAC credential.

4. Apply to Become a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

Upon meeting all licensure requirements, including passing the NCAC II exam, you’ll head over to the North Dakota Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners (NDBACE) website and download the LAC- Application for License. You’ll need to gather three professional references using the form provided by the Board. Make sure one of these references is from a current or former clinical supervisor. Then, ask your university to send your official transcripts directly to the NDBACE. Don’t forget to read and sign the North Dakota Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners code of ethics.

Once you’ve got all that sorted, you can submit your application either electronically or by mail to the NDBACE. There’s a non-refundable application fee of $50, so be sure to include that with your application.

After you’ve sent everything in, you can expect to hear back within 4-6 weeks with approval and instructions on scheduling your exam.

LACs in North Dakota must renew their licenses every two years (January 1 on even-numbered years) upon the completion of at least 40 contact hours of continuing education, six of which must be in professional ethics. You can find a list of continuing education providers here.

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

When you’re ready to take your career to the next level, the NDBACE offers the Licensed Master Addiction Counselor (LMAC) credential. To earn the LMAC license, you’ll need to:

Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Fargo, Bismarck, and Throughout North Dakota

North Dakota offers a variety of settings where substance abuse counselors can make a meaningful impact. In Fargo, facilities like Prairie St. John’s provides comprehensive treatment programs, while Heartview Foundation in Bismarck offers both inpatient and outpatient care. Other notable facilities include:

Centre Inc., Fargo: Specializing in addiction treatment and community reentry services.
North Dakota State Hospital, Jamestown: Offering a range of behavioral health services.
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Minot: Providing residential and outpatient treatment services.
ShareHouse, Fargo: Offering outpatient services and recovery support.
West Central Human Service Center, Bismarck: Providing mental health and addiction treatment services.

Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Fargo, Bismarck and Throughout North Dakota

Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, substance abuse counselors in North Dakota earned a median salary of $61,240 as of May 2023. Entry-level counselors here earned about $37,770, while those with significant experience earned about $82,680.

Fargo: As of May 2023, substance abuse counselors in Fargo earned a median salary of $59,480. Early-career counselors earned about $43,360, and the most experienced earned about $84,300.
Bismarck: Substance abuse counselors in Bismarck earned a median salary of $62,110 as of May 2023. Entry-level counselors earned approximately $52,300 during this time, while highly experienced counselors earned around $82,810.

Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in North Dakota

North Dakota offers several pathways to pursue a degree for those interested in becoming a substance abuse counselor. For example, Minot State University offers a BS in Addiction Counseling, while the University of Mary offers a BS in Addiction Counseling.

Additionally, many accredited programs that meet state requirements for licensure are available through convenient, online formats. For example, the BS in Addiction Counseling through the University of St. Mary can be completed online. This flexibility allows you to earn your degree from the comfort of your home, making it easier to balance your studies with other commitments.

Minot State University

College of Education and Health Sciences, Department of Addiction Studies Psychology and Social Work
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Online

Bachelor's Degrees

Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College

Accreditation: HLC
Campus

Associate Degrees

University of Mary

Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Accreditation: HLC
Online

Undergraduate Certificates

Bachelor's Degrees

Master's Degrees

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.