Louisiana Licensing & Certifications for Associates & Independent Counselors
Licensure in Louisiana is overseen by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA) and follows the standards of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (IC&RC). There are three credentials you can earn as a substance abuse counselor, and each requires specific coursework and experience. All three types of certification applicants must meet the following criteria:
- At least 21 years old
- Is a legal resident of the U.S.
- Is not in violation of any ethical standard set forth by the ADRA
- Has not been a substance abuser or compulsive gambler for a minimum of two years prior to application
- Has not been convicted of a felony (requirement may be waived by review)
- Has completed 270 clock hours of approved substance abuse education as outlined by ADRA
- Has completed specific work hour requirements which must include a 300 hour practicum on 12 core functions and global criteria with at least 10 hours in each core function
- Pass a written exam
The 12 core functions are:
- Screening
- Intake
- Orientation
- Assessment
- Treatment Planning
- Counseling
- Case Management
- Crisis Intervention
- Client Education
- Referral
- Reports and Record Keeping
- Consultation.
In addition, the following applies specifically to each level of certification:
Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC)
An RAC must have at least high school diploma as well as 6,000 hours of supervised work experience in substance abuse counseling, which is the equivalent of three full-time years. The supervisor must be a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) or meet the criteria of the ADRA board.
Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC)
An CAC must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in human services or behavioral science and complete 4,000 hours of supervised work experience in the treatment of substance abuse.
Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
An LAC must hold at least a master’s degree in a human services or behavioral science field and complete 2,000 hours of supervised work experience in substance abuse counseling.
Education Requirements
Louisiana requires all formal substance abuse education to be from an accredited school. Educational criteria for each type of certification require 270 clock hours, 180 of which must be specific to substance abuse treatment as well as six hours in professional ethics. The remaining 84 hours can be in any related subject as approved by ADRA. Education is based on clock hours in order to allow those working towards their higher credential to include education outside the classroom. Certification clock hours are counted as follows:
- One college credit hour equals 15 clock hours
- One continuing education hour equals 10 clock hours
- One hour of professional conference or workshop equals one clock hour
Because of the clock hour credit system, it's important that you validate and track your educational experience both inside and outside the classroom.
The following are examples of degree fields accepted as human services or behavior science by the ADRA:
- Addiction studies
- Behavioral health
- Counseling
- Criminal justice
- Psychology
- Public health
- Rehabilitation counseling
- Social work
- Sociology
It's a good idea to combine fields of study to get a broader education on substance abuse; for example, if you plan to be a prevention professional and provide therapy for drug abuse, you may benefit from majoring in addiction studies with a minor in criminal justice.
Because the field is paperwork intensive your degree should also include computer courses geared towards patient recordkeeping and maintenance. You can save time accumulating the required experience hours by doing your degree internship under an approved clinical supervisor.
CACREP Accredited Online Certification
Two types of accreditation are recognized in the United States; institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation takes the entire institution into account while the specialized focus on professional preparation programs. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is a specialized accreditation that focuses on master’s degree and doctoral degree programs in counseling at colleges and universities worldwide. Only already-accredited institutions are eligible for CACREP review. The review for accreditation will center on programs offering graduate degrees in counseling.
Choosing a CACREP-accredited program ensures that the program meets the highest of quality standards. Many counseling specialties are accredited bythe CACREP, including addiction counseling. Accredited addiction counseling programs prepares a prevention professional to work with those affected by addictive behavior and their families. Addictive behaviors include alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex, and anything else that negatively affects your personal or work life by creating addiction behaviors.
CACREP-accredited programs will focus on treatment models and the phases of addiction including prevention, recovery, and relapse prevention. These 60-semester hour programs will include the application of interventions. When students choose a CACREP-accredited program they can be confident that:
- the program meets or exceeds national standards
- the program will focus on professional counseling rather than psychology oreducation
- the program has an excellent reputation
- CACREP graduates statistically receive higher scores on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE).
- the requirements for licensure will be met.
Counselor Testing & Examination Process
Once you've met the educational and experience criteria you will be eligible for certification. The first step is to apply to the ADRA to verify both your education and work experience are acceptable. You'll be required to pay a fee of $186 and pass a background check when you apply and will also need to submit your documents regarding education and experience. Your application may take up to four weeks to be reviewed.
Once your application is reviewed you'll receive a notice of approval via email with a testing payment form attached. The fee for each credential is $285 and should be submitted promptly. Once your payment is processed you'll be contacted by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) through the Louisiana Substance Abuse Counselors and Trainers (LASACT) office with test scheduling instructions. Testing centers are located in LaPlace and Baton Rouge.
LASACT uses Computer Based Testing (CBT) and your test results will be available immediately. Your new credentials will be made available after the next formal ADRA board meeting.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Your substance abuse counselor certification must be renewed every two years. During the two years prior to renewal you will be required to complete 48 hours of continuing education including at least six hours in professional ethics.
Continuing education verification also uses clock hours; one semester credit hour equals 15 clock hours. The following forms are also acceptable types of continuing education:
- Workshops
- Courses
- Seminars
- Other educational programs offered by the ADRA
- Education provided by a counselor's own agency with prior ADRA approval is accepted; in-service training is not acceptable.
You will be responsible for providing proof of completed continuing education when you submit your renewal form so it's vital that you track and document all CE during the two years your license is in effect.