Alcohol and Drug Counselor Requirements in Connecticut
To become an alcohol and drug counselor in Connecticut, you’ll need 360 hours of education covering specific domains, including assessment, ethics, pharmacology, special populations, and HIV/AIDS education (with 240 hours focused specifically on substance abuse), complete 2-3 years of documented supervised experience depending on your credential level, and pass the IC&RC ADC examination. The state offers two paths: Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) for those without a master’s degree, or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) for those with a master’s degree in a related field.
Connecticut’s alcohol and drug counselors serve as advocates, coaches, and educators for people struggling with substance use disorder. You’ll find them in treatment facilities across Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and throughout the state, offering real, actionable guidance to individuals and families fighting to overcome addiction.
If you’re considering this career path, you’re likely here because you understand the weight of addiction. Maybe you’ve seen it affect someone close to you, or you’ve witnessed the devastating impact substance abuse has on communities. Whatever brought you here, Connecticut offers clear pathways to turn that experience into purpose through a well-defined certification process.
Connecticut credentials alcohol and drug counselors through the Connecticut Department of Public Health with two distinct credentials:
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) – For practitioners without a master’s degree
- Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) – For practitioners with a master’s degree or higher
Both credentials require substantial education, supervised experience, and examination, but the requirements differ based on your educational background and career goals.
Education Requirements: CADC vs LADC
The path you take in Connecticut depends largely on whether you hold a master’s degree. Both the CADC and LADC require 360 hours of education total, but they differ in how those hours are structured and what additional degrees you’ll need.
Here’s how the two credentials compare:
| Credential | Degree Required | Total Education Hours | Supervised Experience | Practical Training |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CADC | No degree required | 360 hours (240 substance-specific) | 3 years (6,000 hours) | 300 hours |
| LADC | Master’s degree or higher | 360 hours (240 substance-specific) | 2 years (4,000 hours) | 300 hours |
Note: While the CADC credential doesn’t formally require a degree, many candidates pursue an associate degree in addiction counseling to strengthen their qualifications, build foundational knowledge, and improve their competitiveness in the job market.
The key difference: if you invest in a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field, you’ll reduce your required supervised experience by a full year and earn the licensed designation rather than the certified designation.
CADC Educational Requirements
Total Hours and Focus Areas
The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) path is designed for those entering the field without a master’s degree. You’ll need to complete 360 hours of relevant education, with at least 240 hours focused specifically on drug and alcohol counseling as defined by Connecticut Certification Board (CCB) guidelines. The remaining 120 hours can address other areas of human behavior, like psychology, sociology, counseling theory, or related subjects that build your foundation for working with clients.
Required Course Content
Connecticut specifies exactly what your 240 substance-focused hours must cover. These aren’t just boxes to check—these hours give you the foundation to help people navigate what’s often the darkest period of their lives.
You’ll need 30 hours in assessment and treatment planning, where you’ll learn how to evaluate clients, identify their specific needs, and develop individualized treatment plans. This is where you build the clinical judgment to determine the appropriate level of care.
Special populations and ethnically diverse groups require 12 hours dedicated to understanding how addiction affects different communities. You’ll learn culturally competent approaches to treatment, recognizing that what works for one population may not work for another.
Pharmacology takes up 18 hours, covering how drugs and alcohol affect the body and brain. You’ll study everything from the neuroscience of addiction to medication-assisted treatment options.
Ethics requires 12 hours because this field puts you in challenging situations where the right choice isn’t always obvious. You’ll study confidentiality, boundaries, dual relationships, and the ethical frameworks that guide professional practice.
HIV/AIDS education requires 6 hours addressing the intersection of substance abuse and infectious disease—critical knowledge for harm reduction and comprehensive client care.
LADC Educational Requirements
Master’s Degree Requirements
The Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) designation requires a master’s degree or higher in a counseling-related field. Connecticut accepts degrees in counseling, psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work, or closely related disciplines.
Your degree must include at least 18 semester hours in counseling and related subjects. Most accredited master’s programs in these fields already meet this requirement, but you’ll want to verify with the Department of Public Health if your program structure was unconventional.
Additional Substance Abuse Education
Even with a master’s degree, you’ll still need the same 360 hours of substance abuse-specific education as CADC candidates. That’s 240 hours focused on drug and alcohol counseling covering the same CCB-defined domains: assessment, special populations, pharmacology, ethics, and HIV/AIDS education.
Think of your master’s degree as your foundation in counseling theory and practice, while the 360 additional hours are your specialization in addiction treatment. Both are essential for the LADC credential.
Supervised Experience and Training
Education gives you knowledge. Experience gives you the ability to actually use it when you’re sitting across from someone who needs help.
For CADC candidates, you’ll complete three years of supervised experience totaling 6,000 hours. This experience must involve direct work with individuals struggling with alcohol or drug dependency. At least 2,000 of those hours need to be spent in core counseling functions—the actual work of assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, and crisis intervention. All of your supervised experience must be clearly documented and verified by your clinical supervisors, as the Connecticut Department of Public Health emphasizes thorough verification of both the quantity and quality of your supervised hours.
For LADC candidates, the requirement drops to two years (4,000 hours) of supervised experience, reflecting the clinical foundation you’ve already built through your master’s program. The same documentation and verification requirements apply—your supervisors must verify your hours and attest to your competencies across all required areas.
The 300-Hour Practical Training Requirement
Both CADC and LADC candidates must also complete 300 hours of supervised practical training. This training can be earned as part of your work experience or through an internship, but it must include at least 10 hours in each of twelve core counseling functions.
These twelve functions represent the full scope of what you’ll do as an addiction counselor in Connecticut:
You’ll spend time in screening (determining if someone needs services), intake (gathering initial information), orientation (helping clients understand the treatment process), and referral (connecting clients to other needed services).
You’ll develop skills in assessment (evaluating the nature and extent of substance use), treatment planning (designing individualized interventions), counseling (providing individual and group therapy), and report and record keeping (documenting progress and maintaining required records).
You’ll learn case management (coordinating care across multiple services), client education (teaching clients about addiction and recovery), crisis intervention (responding to immediate safety concerns), and consultation (collaborating with other professionals and family members).
The 300-hour requirement ensures you’ve had hands-on practice in every critical area before you’re credentialed to work independently.
Examination Requirements
Both CADC and LADC candidates must pass the International Certification Examination for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselors—specifically the IC&RC ADC (Alcohol and Drug Counselor) exam—administered by the Connecticut Certification Board.
This is the IC&RC exam used in most states for addiction counselor certification. It’s a comprehensive test covering the knowledge and competencies you’ve developed through your education and supervised experience.
Here’s how the examination process works: After the Department of Public Health reviews and approves your application (verifying your education hours and supervised experience), they’ll notify the Connecticut Certification Board. You’ll then receive an email from CCB with instructions for registering and scheduling your exam.
The IC&RC ADC examination tests your knowledge across all twelve core counseling functions, ethical decision-making, treatment approaches, assessment skills, and professional practice standards. It’s a demanding exam, but if you’ve completed your education and supervised experience thoughtfully, you’ll have the knowledge base to pass.
Third-Party Certification Options
Beyond the state-issued CADC and LADC credentials, the Connecticut Certification Board offers additional voluntary certifications. These certifications are recognized by CCB but are not required by the Connecticut Department of Public Health for licensure or certification. They serve important purposes in your career development, but you can legally practice as a CADC or LADC without them.
Why pursue additional certifications? Some help you practice legally while completing the full requirements. Others demonstrate specialized expertise that can lead to higher salaries, leadership positions, or the ability to supervise other counselors. Think of them as career advancement tools rather than mandatory credentials.
The CCB offers:
Counselor in Training (CIT) for those who are in the early stages of completing their requirements. This credential allows you to practice under supervision while working toward your CADC or LADC—it’s essentially your “learner’s permit” for addiction counseling.
Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) serves as a mid-level credential for practitioners who have completed substantial education and experience but may not yet meet full CADC requirements. It recognizes your progress toward full certification.
Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) recognizes counselors with extensive experience and advanced training beyond the basic CADC level. This can open doors to senior clinical roles and higher compensation.
Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) designates counselors qualified to provide clinical supervision to others working toward their credentials. If you’re interested in training the next generation of counselors, this credential is essential.
The Connecticut Certification Board maintains reciprocity with International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (IC&RC/AODA) member boards throughout the United States and internationally. If you’re already certified through an IC&RC member board in another state, Connecticut will typically recognize your education and experience requirements, simplifying your path to Connecticut certification.
Out-of-State Endorsement
If you’re already credentialed as an alcohol and drug counselor in another state, Connecticut offers an endorsement pathway that may allow you to become credentialed without retaking the examination. However, endorsement is not guaranteed—the Connecticut Department of Public Health evaluates each out-of-state credential on a case-by-case basis against Connecticut’s specific standards.
To qualify for endorsement, you must be credentialed in another jurisdiction that has requirements similar to or higher than Connecticut’s standards. The Department of Public Health will review your out-of-state credentials, education, and experience to determine if you meet Connecticut’s requirements through equivalency. They’ll examine the specific education domains covered, supervised experience hours, and settings, and examination rigor to make their determination.
This pathway is particularly valuable if you’re relocating to Connecticut from another state and want to continue your addiction counseling practice without starting the credentialing process from scratch. Contact the Department of Public Health early in your relocation planning to understand how your specific credentials will be evaluated.
Application Process
Connecticut handles all credentialing applications through the State of Connecticut’s eLicense website. You’ll create an account and submit your application electronically, but you’ll also need to download, print, and mail several supplemental forms directly to the Department of Public Health.
The application fee is $190 for either CADC or LADC certification. Your application must be notarized, and you’ll need to attach a recent photograph.
One critical piece: Your clinical supervisors must complete verification forms and mail them separately and directly to the Department of Public Health—you cannot submit these forms yourself. You’ll fill out the top portion of each supervisor verification form (with your information), then give the form to your supervisor to complete and mail. This protects the integrity of the supervision verification process.
Stay organized during this step. Track down your supervisors early in the application process, give them the forms with plenty of time, and follow up to ensure they’ve sent them. A missing supervisor verification is one of the most common reasons for application delays.
Once your application is complete and approved, you’ll receive your authorization to take the IC&RC ADC examination. After passing the exam, Connecticut will issue your CADC or LADC credential.
Connecticut Salary Data
Connecticut addiction counselors earn competitive salaries that reflect the state’s higher cost of living and the critical nature of this work.
| Location | 10th Percentile | Median (50th) | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut (Statewide) | $38,170 | $53,490 | $75,920 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown | $39,330 | $54,360 | $76,890 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk | $41,850 | $56,420 | $80,120 |
| New Haven | $37,280 | $51,840 | $72,440 |
Entry-level counselors in Connecticut typically start in the $38,000-$42,000 range, depending on location and setting. With experience, specialized training, and clinical supervision credentials, you can advance toward the $70,000-$80,000+ range.
The Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk area offers the highest salaries in the state, reflecting the higher cost of living in southwestern Connecticut. Hartford and New Haven offer solid mid-range salaries with more affordable living costs.
Your actual earnings will depend on your credential level (CADC vs LADC), years of experience, employment setting (nonprofit vs private practice vs hospital), specializations, and willingness to pursue leadership roles.
For context on how education affects your earning potential, associate degree programs in addiction counseling can help you qualify for entry-level positions, while advanced credentials and continuing education open doors to higher compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a master’s degree to become an addiction counselor in Connecticut?
How long does it take to become certified as an addiction counselor in Connecticut?
What’s the difference between CADC and LADC in Connecticut?
Can I work as an addiction counselor while completing my certification requirements in Connecticut?
Does Connecticut recognize addiction counselor credentials from other states?
Key Takeaways
- Connecticut offers two addiction counselor credentials: CADC (Certified) for those without a master’s degree and LADC (Licensed) for those with a master’s degree or higher.
- Both credentials require 360 hours of education with 240 substance-specific hours covering CCB-defined domains: assessment, special populations, pharmacology, ethics, and HIV/AIDS education.
- CADC candidates need three years (6,000 hours) of documented and verified supervised experience, while LADC candidates need two years (4,000 hours)—both require 300 hours of practical training across twelve core counseling functions.
- All candidates must pass the IC&RC ADC examination administered by the Connecticut Certification Board after their application is approved by the Department of Public Health.
- Connecticut addiction counselors earn competitive salaries ranging from $38,000-$42,000 starting out to $70,000-$80,000+ with experience, with the highest salaries in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk area.
- Clinical supervisors must mail verification forms directly to CT DPH—applicants cannot submit these themselves. The application fee is $190, and applications are submitted through Connecticut’s eLicense system.
Ready to Start Your Addiction Counseling Career in Connecticut?
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Salary data sourced from the 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2025.