Substance Abuse Counselor Requirements in Arizona
Arizona’s substance abuse counselors are committed to providing guidance and support for people who have made the decision to wrestle their lives back from the grips of substance abuse disorder. Through counseling and advocacy, these professionals are helping transform lives and communities throughout Arizona.
Arizona substance abuse counselors are licensed by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners at three levels:
- Licensed Independent Addiction Counselor (LIAC)
- Licensed Associate Addiction Counselor (LAAC)
- Licensed Addiction Counselor Technician (LACT)
Each level of licensing requires specific education and supervised practice requirements.
Select an Arizona Substance Abuse Counselor Topic Below…
- Education Requirements: Licensed Independent Addiction Counselor
- Education Requirements: Licensed Associate Addiction Counselor
- Educational Requirements: Licensed Addiction Technician
- Required Examinations
- Background Checks
- Application Process
- Additional Information
Education and Training Requirements: Licensed Independent Addiction Counselor
The Licensed Independent Addiction Counselor (LIAC) credential is the highest level of licensure as a substance abuse counselor in Arizona. Applicants for licensure must have a master’s degree in a behavior health field that’s accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC).
You can view a list of accredited programs here.
The degree must include at least 24 semester hours of counseling-related coursework (identified as coursework that prepares a professional to deliver behavioral health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment services).
After you’ve earned your master’s degree, you must work under supervision for at least 24 months. During this time, you must spend at least 1,600 hours in direct client contact, with no more than 400 hours of psychoeducation. At least 100 hours of clinical supervision must be provided by an LIAC.
Education and Training Requirements: Licensed Associate Addiction Counselor
The Licensed Associate Addiction Counselor (LAAC) designation is for applicants with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science. The degree must include at least 30 semester hours of counseling-related coursework.
After you graduate, you must spend at least 1,600 hours in direct client contact, with no more than 400 hours of psychoeducation. At least 100 hours of clinical supervision must be provided by an LIAC.
Educational Requirements: Licensed Addiction Counselor Technician
The Licensed Addiction Counselor Technician (LACT) designation is for applicants with an associate’s degree in chemical dependency or related area. The degree must include at least 30 semester hours of counseling-related coursework, with at least 18 semester hours related specifically to chemical dependency.
Candidates with at least 6,400 hours of experience may be able to wave some of the educational requirements. The experience must have spanned at least four years and taken place during the prior seven years. At least 200 hours of supervision is also required.
Examination Requirements
All candidates must pass an approved examination.
Applicants for the Associate and Independent Addiction Counselor designations must take and pass one of the following examinations:
- Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examination offered by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium
- Level II or higher examinations offered by the NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals
- Examination for Master Addictions Counselors offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors
Applicants for the Addiction Counselor Technician license must take and pass one of the following examinations:
- Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examinations offered by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium
- Level I or higher examinations offered by the NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals
Exam information, including how to contact the above organizations to take an exam, is detailed on the Board’s Addiction Counselor Licensure Exam Information informational flyer.
Background Checks
The Arizona Board requires fingerprint-based criminal background checks. Candidates who do not have current fingerprint clearance cards will submit fingerprint cards directly to the Board. There is a $40 fee; this is to be paid separately from the application fee.
A candidate who has a clearance card will instead copy the front and back.
Candidates must complete a self-query through the National Practitioner Data Bank database. Once they receive the report, candidates must submit it to the Board in its original envelope. The Board will not accept self-queries that are more than 90 days old.
The Application Process
All applicants for licensure must be submitted through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Board online portal.
Other forms required for licensure, including the Verification of Supervised Work Experience the Verification of Clinical Supervision, can also be submitted online.
Additional Information
Contact the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners at 602-542-1882 with any questions. The Arizona Association of Addiction Professionals is also an excellent source of information.