Wisconsin requires aspiring substance abuse counselors to complete 360 hours of education, pass state law and national certification exams, and gain 3,000 hours of supervised experience after obtaining SAC-in-Training licensure. Most counselors start with an associate degree or certificate. Average salary for substance abuse counselors: $55,130.
Table of Contents
- Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Wisconsin
- Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Milwaukee, Madison, and Throughout Wisconsin
- Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and Throughout Wisconsin
- Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Wisconsin
- Frequently Asked Questions
Wisconsin has seen significant growth in its substance abuse counseling workforce in recent years, responding to a critical need. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and CDC data, drug overdose deaths in the state increased substantially between 2019 and 2022, reaching 1,828 deaths in 2022.
We haven’t turned the corner on this yet, but we’re getting closer. Like so many other rural states, opioid-related overdoses are the biggest contributor to the mortality statistics. There’s a glimmer of hope in the fact that it’s starting to level off. In significant part, we owe that to the tireless work of the dedicated substance use disorder counseling community here.
With hope on the horizon, now is the time to double down on the effort. From the Water Tower District in Milwaukee to the east side of Green Bay, Wisconsin needs compassionate and well-trained substance abuse counselors in the fight.
You can do something about it by learning how to become a Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) here in Wisconsin.
Steps to Becoming Certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Wisconsin
In this guide we’re focusing on the undergraduate-level Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) license issued by the state’s Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).
The SAC license is required in the state to engage in substance abuse counseling in any capacity or setting.
When looking at your options for getting into Wisconsin’s addiction treatment field, you’ll find a couple other credentials for support roles. We’re giving them a brief mention here so they’re on your radar.
- Prevention Specialist – This credential is also issued by the Wisconsin DSPS, designed for people who want to contribute to the solution through community organizing, community education, and public policy rather than direct counseling. 120 hours of education and training are required to qualify.
- Certified Peer Specialist and Certified Parent Peer Specialist – These certifications are offered through the Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative (WIPSEI), a non-profit that works with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. As the names imply, these credentials are geared towards people with lived experience with substance abuse, either directly or as the parent of a child experiencing substance use disorder. You become certified by completing a training session offered through WIPSEI and can then serve as peer-level support for people facing addiction challenges.
With those honorable mentions aside, this guide will focus on the steps to earning a Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) license through the DSPS, the professional credential for addiction counselors in Wisconsin.
There are three progressive levels to the Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) license hierarchy:
- SAC-in-training
- SAC
- Clinical SAC
In the steps that follow, we’ll walk you through the details of all three:
1. Complete a Certificate or Degree Program in Substance Abuse Counseling
2. Pass an Exam on State Laws and Gain Experience as an SAC-in-Training
3. Apply for an SAC License with the Wisconsin DSPS
4. Pass the National Certified Addiction Counselor Level 1 (NCAC I) Exam
Step 1 – Complete a Certificate or Degree Program in Substance Abuse Counseling
The SAC-in-Training license allows you to gain the supervised work experience you need to qualify for full SAC licensure. It’s valid for two years and can be renewed a maximum of two times.
The first thing you need to qualify for the SAC-in-Training license is 100 hours of formal classroom education in these areas:
- SA case management – 10 hours
- SA education – 15 hours
- SA counseling – 15 hours
- SA assessment – 15 hours
- SA professional responsibility – 20 hours
- SA electives – 25 hours
Full SAC licensure requires 360 hours of specialized education in substance use disorders covering these areas:
- Boundaries and ethics – 6 hours
- SA electives – 54 hours
- SA counseling – 60 hours
- SA assessment – 60 hours
- SA patient education – 60 hours
- SA case management – 60 hours
- SA professional responsibility – 60 hours
You have the option to complete just the hours required for the SAC-in-Training credential first, and begin gaining on-the-job and volunteer experience while completing a separate certificate or associate degree program that meets the requirements for full SAC licensure.
OR
You can also choose to simply complete the entire 360 hours before getting your SAC-in-Training credential. Most education programs cover the full 360 hours for SAC licensure. Only four programs are limited to just 100 hours to fulfill only the SAC-in-Training requirement.
The DSPS-approved education provider list includes qualifying training seminars, courses, presentations, and formal higher education programs, including undergraduate certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s, and even master’s programs if you already hold a bachelor’s degree.
You’ll find plenty of approved colleges offering certificate and associate degree programs that fulfill the minimum requirements for in-training and full SAC licensure. But you’ll also notice there are qualifying bachelor’s programs that go beyond just the bare minimum. You’ll also find that later when it comes to documenting supervised experience, the internships and practicums that are often included in a bachelor’s program count toward your training hour requirements.
Step 2 – Pass an Exam on State Laws and Gain Experience as an SAC-in-Training
At this point you have just two more hurdles between you and becoming an SAC-in-Training.
First, you’ll need to begin the process of finding a job. With the scourge of addiction ravaging the state, you might find it isn’t hard to find a job ad looking for aspiring SACs who need to complete the supervised in-training segment.
Your employer will assign you a supervisor and submit the Employment/Volunteer Verification Form For Supervised Substance Abuse Counselor Practice available on the DSPS website. This formalizes your supervisee-supervisor relationship.
Your supervisor must be licensed as one of the following and work in the substance abuse field:
- Clinical supervisor
- Physician
- Psychologist
- Professional counselor
- Marriage and family therapist
- Clinical, advanced practice, or independent social worker
After submitting your supervisory agreement, you’ll be eligible to submit an application for the SAC-in-Training credential through the LicensE portal.
State Laws Exam
Once DSPS approves your application it will send you information on how to log in to take the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code (WSAC) Examination.
It’s a mouthful but don’t panic. It’s open book and you can re-take it as needed for an extra $75. The passing score is 76%, and the time limit is three months. That’s right: you can log out and log back in to resume the exam at any time over a three-month period.
This exam covers the laws, codes, and statutes that pertain to substance abuse counseling. Specifically, the exam covers:
- SPS: 7, 164, 165, 166, and 167
- Chapters: 48, 51, 146, and 440
Supervised Work Experience as an SAC-in-Training
Once you pass the exam the DSPS will issue your SAC-in-Training license. You can then start earning hours to fulfill the supervised work experience requirement for full SAC licensure.
You must accumulate 3,000 hours of supervised experience after receiving your SAC-in-Training license. This experience must be completed within five years prior to submitting your application for full SAC licensure. Your supervised experience must be within these eight subject category areas:
- Clinical evaluation
- Referral
- Counseling
- Documentation
- Treatment planning
- Service coordination
- Patient, family and community education
- Professional and ethical responsibilities
Of your supervised experience in these areas:
- At least 1,000 hours must be in substance use disorder counseling, with 200 hours obtained within the 12 months immediately prior to submitting your SAC license application
- At least 500 hours must involve one-on-one substance use disorder counseling, with 100 hours obtained within the 12 months immediately prior to submitting your SAC license application
Other than these two stipulations, you can mix and match the rest of your supervised experience hours among any of the eight categories.
Step 3 – Apply for an SAC License with the Wisconsin DSPS
Fast forward 3,000 hours of experience into the future and you’re ready to apply for full SAC licensure online through the state’s LicensE portal. All the forms you’ll need are on the SAC section of the DSPS website.
You and your supervisor will need to fill out Form #2749-SAC, an affidavit that confirms you’ve fulfilled the SAC supervised experience requirements.
You’ll also need to submit forms that confirm you’ve met the 360-hour education requirement: Form #3079 if your education was from a DSPS-approved education program, or Form #2841 if your education was from an equivalent program.
Once the DSPS confirms your application is complete it will send you the information you need to register for the national exam.
Step 4 – Pass a National Certification Exam
Wisconsin accepts several national certification exams for SAC licensure. The most common options are the NAADAC National Certified Addiction Counselor Level 1 (NCAC I) exam and the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam. We’ll focus on the NCAC I here, as it’s widely available throughout Wisconsin.
Sponsored by the NAADAC – Association for Addiction Professionals, the NCAC I is offered at Kryterion testing sites, including locations in:
- Oshkosh
- Appleton
- Madison
- Waukesha
- Green Bay
- Milwaukee
- Wisconsin Rapids
- Wausau
To prepare for the NCAC I you should familiarize yourself with these 10 topics as they relate to substance abuse counseling:
- Professional development
- Addiction pharmacology
- Treatment orientation
- Assessment and screening
- Treatment planning
- Evaluation
- Referral
- Case management and documentation
- Ethics
- Counseling theory and practice, including suicide and intervention
Exam questions are distributed as follows:
- 25% cover ongoing treatment and planning implementation
- 23% cover assessment
- 21% cover addiction counseling practices and skills
- 17% cover professional practices
- 14% cover orientation to the treatment process
You can find additional resources for preparing for the NCAC I on the NAADAC’s website. For a comprehensive overview of national certification requirements, see our guide to state and national substance abuse counselor certification.
The NAADAC will send your exam results to the Wisconsin DSPS, and if you pass then the DSPS will issue your SAC license. Congratulations are in order!
Even though you’ll be busy on the front lines of the fight, don’t forget to renew your SAC license by the end of February in odd-numbered years.
If you ever want to step your credential up to the top notch you can think about applying for the Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor license with DSPS. To qualify you need 5,000 hours of experience as an SAC and at least an associate degree in a behavioral health field.
Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Milwaukee, Madison, and Throughout Wisconsin
As of 2023 there are approximately 8,060 substance abuse counselors working throughout Wisconsin. Nearly half work in the Milwaukee and Madison areas.
Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Milwaukee
There are 2,660 substance abuse counselors working throughout the greater Milwaukee area according to the most recent count.
Although that’s higher than any other area in Wisconsin, it’s still not enough. A 2022 local news report quoted a manager with Milwaukee for Community Medical Services, a medication-assisted treatment center, as saying the caseload-counselor ratio was 55 to one. The timing couldn’t be better for the $70 million awarded to Milwaukee County from the recent national settlement with opioid manufacturers.
Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Madison
Madison is home to approximately 1,280 substance abuse counselors.
Tellurian Behavioral Health is one organization looking to make an impact in the community, connecting over 8,000 people each year with vital services. It participates in the Madison Area Recovery Initiative in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance program, in addition to operating adult residential programs, a community intervention team, transitional housing, and an outpatient clinic.
Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and Throughout Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Wisconsin earn an average annual salary of $55,130. The state offers competitive compensation within this broader counseling category, which has seen substantial growth in recent years.
Among rural areas nationally, northeastern Wisconsin offers strong salary potential for substance abuse counselors, with the region consistently ranking in the top tier for compensation.
The 75th percentile salary statewide is $66,430, while the 90th percentile salary is $81,650. For a comprehensive breakdown of earnings across the country, check out our substance abuse counselor salary guide.
How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Greater Milwaukee
- Average – $56,840
- 75th percentile – $68,920
- 90th percentile – $83,450
How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Madison
- Average – $55,680
- 75th percentile – $67,340
- 90th percentile – $81,200
How Much Do Substance Abuse Counselors Make in Green Bay
- Average – $52,440
- 75th percentile – $63,180
- 90th percentile – $76,520
Substance Abuse Counselor Degree Options in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s colleges and universities are well aware of the state’s licensing requirements for becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC). At least 14 institutions are on the DSPS list of approved education providers for SAC-in-Training and full SAC licensure.
When choosing a program, consider whether you want the flexibility of online learning or the structure of campus-based education. Most of these programs offer certificate options that fulfill the 360-hour requirement, while others provide full associate degrees that can count toward your supervised experience hours through included internships.
Blackhawk Technical College
Human Services and Education
Accreditation: HLC
Online
Undergraduate Certificates
- Embedded Technical Diploma in Substance Abuse Education
Associate Degrees
- AAS-Substance Use Disorder Counselor
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Accreditation: HLC
Campus
Associate Degrees
- Associate Degree in Substance Use Disorder Counseling
College of Menominee Nation
Accreditation: HLC
Campus
Associate Degrees
- AAS-Substance Abuse Counselor
Fox Valley Technical College
Education and Human Services
Accreditation: HLC
Campus
Undergraduate Certificates
- Certificate-Substance Abuse Counselor in Training
- Certificate-Substance Abuse Counselor Education 360 Hr Comprehensive Program
Associate Degrees
- AAS-Substance Use Disorder Counseling
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University
Human Services
Accreditation: HLC
Campus
Undergraduate Certificates
- Certificate in AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse)
Madison Area Technical College
School of Human and Protective Services
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Hybrid
Undergraduate Certificates
- Technical Diploma in Addiction Studies
Associate Degrees
- Associate’s Degree-Human Services Associate with a Technical Diploma in Addiction Studies included
Moraine Park Technical College
Accreditation: HLC
Campus
Undergraduate Certificates
- Substance Use Disorders Counseling Certificate
Associate Degrees
- Associate Degree in Substance Use Disorders Counseling
Nicolet College
Human Services
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Hybrid
Associate Degrees
- AAS-Substance Use Disorder Counselor
Northcentral Technical College
Human Services
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Online
Undergraduate Certificates
- Technical Diploma in Substance Abuse Counselor Education
Associate Degrees
- Associate Degree in Substance Use Disorder Counseling
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Human Services and Education
Accreditation: HLC
Campus
Undergraduate Certificates
- Technical Diploma in Substance Abuse Counselor Education
- Certificate-Substance Abuse Specialty
Associate Degrees
- Associate Degree-Substance Use Disorders Counseling
Northwood Technical College
Human Services
Accreditation: HLC
Campus, Hybrid
Undergraduate Certificates
- Technical Diploma in Substance Abuse Counselor Education
Associate Degrees
- Human Services Associate with a Technical Diploma in Substance Abuse Counselor Education included
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a substance abuse counselor in Wisconsin?
The timeline varies based on your education path and ability to accumulate supervised hours. If you complete a full 360-hour program upfront, obtain your SAC-in-Training license, and then work full-time accumulating the required 3,000 supervised hours, you can complete the process in approximately 18-24 months. Part-time work or starting with just the 100-hour requirement will extend this timeline to 3-4 years.
Can I work as a substance abuse counselor while completing my training?
Yes. Once you obtain your SAC-in-Training license, you can work in substance abuse counseling under supervision. This is actually the required pathway, as you need 3,000 hours of supervised experience after obtaining SAC-in-Training licensure to qualify for full SAC licensure. Many employers specifically hire SAC-in-Training candidates to fill these supervised positions.
What’s the difference between SAC and Clinical SAC in Wisconsin?
The SAC license is the standard credential for substance abuse counselors in Wisconsin, requiring 360 hours of education, 3,000 supervised hours after SAC-in-Training licensure, and passing a national certification exam. The Clinical SAC is an advanced credential requiring 5,000 hours of experience as an SAC and at least an associate degree in a behavioral health field. Clinical SACs can provide supervision to SAC-in-Training candidates.
Do I need a bachelor’s degree to become a SAC in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin does not require a bachelor’s degree for SAC licensure. You can qualify with certificate programs or associate degrees that meet the 360-hour education requirement. Many counselors start with an associate degree or certificate, though a bachelor’s degree can provide additional career advancement opportunities and may count toward supervised experience hours through internships.
What national exams does Wisconsin accept for SAC licensure?
Wisconsin accepts multiple national certification exams, including the NAADAC National Certified Addiction Counselor Level 1 (NCAC I) exam and the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam. Both are widely recognized and available at testing centers throughout Wisconsin. Check with the Wisconsin DSPS for the current list of accepted national certifications.
How much does it cost to become a substance abuse counselor in Wisconsin?
Costs vary by program. Certificate programs range from $3,000-$8,000, while associate degree programs typically cost $8,000-$15,000 for in-state students at technical colleges. Additional costs include application fees (approximately $150 for SAC-in-Training, $150 for SAC), exam fees (WSAC exam $75, national certification exam approximately $250-$350), and renewal fees every two years ($150).
Key Takeaways
- Wisconsin requires 360 hours of specialized education, 3,000 supervised hours after SAC-in-Training licensure, and two exams (WSAC and a national certification exam) for SAC licensure
- You can begin working as an SAC-in-Training after completing 100 hours of education and passing the state laws exam
- Wisconsin has at least 14 DSPS-approved education providers, including online and campus-based options ranging from certificates to associate degrees
- Average salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Wisconsin is $55,130, with Milwaukee and Madison offering the highest concentrations of jobs
- The SAC-in-Training license is valid for two years and can be renewed twice, giving you up to six years to complete your supervised experience
- Clinical SAC is an advanced credential requiring 5,000 hours as a SAC and opens opportunities for supervision and higher-level clinical work
Ready to Start Your Substance Abuse Counseling Career in Wisconsin?
Explore comprehensive education pathways, compare degree options, and find the program that fits your goals. Wisconsin needs compassionate counselors like you.
Explore Degree Programs2024 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.
