Addiction Counseling – Massachusetts

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor I (LADC I)

Massachusetts requires that applicants for this licensure have the following:

(1) A master’s or doctorate degree in behavioral sciences with a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in counseling or counseling-related subjects; and have completed an approved program of education consisting of a minimum of 270 hours that address the full range of knowledge, skills, and professional techniques related to alcohol and drug counseling. Minimum requirements are:

• 110 hours related to knowledge of alcoholism and drug abuse;
• 75 hours related to alcohol and drug abuse counseling; assessment; clinical evaluation; treatment planning and case management;
• 75 hours related to patient, family and community education (for alcohol and drugs, HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases, tobacco cessation, etc.); cultural competency and/or other co-existing issues;
• 10 hours related to professional and ethical responsibilities.

(2) 300 hours of supervised counseling practicum. Of the 300 hours, each of the 12 counselor core functions must be performed for a minimum of 10 hours. A minimum of one hour of direct face-to-face supervision to ten hours of practical experience must be documented.

Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC)

The education requirement is documentation of 300 clock hours of continuing education specifically related to the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the tasks within the following IC&RC performance domains for alcohol & other drug abuse: (1) Screening, Assessment, and Engagement; (2) Treatment Planning, Collaboration, and Referral; (3) Counseling; (4) Professional and Ethical Responsibilities. The 300 hours must be comprised of a minimum of 120 hours of alcohol/drug specific studies, 120 hours of counseling techniques, and 10 hours of ethics training related to the substance abuse field. The remaining 50 hours can fall within the behavioral sciences area. (NOTE:  Practicums/Field Placements are not considered in meeting the Education requirement; however, they will be considered under the sections of Experience and Supervision.)

For more information:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/information-for-licensed-alcohol-and-drug-counselors

https://www.mass.gov/doc/105-cmr-168-licensure-of-alcohol-and-drug-counselors/download

https://www.mbsacc.com/_files/ugd/d5f6ac_64f698e91d354025941e25dd88125f76.pdf