Addiction Counselor Requirements in Mississippi
Mississippi requires addiction counselors to earn certification through the Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals (MAAP), a member of the IC&RC consortium. Four credential levels are available—CADC, CADC-I, CADC-II, and CAADC—based on your education level, from a high school diploma to a master’s degree. All require 270+ hours of training, supervised work experience (ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 hours depending on education), and passing an IC&RC examination.
Mississippi’s alcohol and drug counselors are compassionate advocates for every client they work with, struggling under the weight of substance use disorder. These professionals apply evidence-based counseling services that help transform people’s relationships with addictive substances and behaviors, and with themselves. It’s a life-affirming process that brings lives, families, and communities back from the brink.
The Mississippi state government doesn’t regulate addiction counselors through direct licensure. Instead, like many other states, employers and the public rely on a nonprofit organization to vet and certify qualified counselors. This means you’ll work with MAAP (Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals) rather than a state licensing board—but the credentials you earn are nationally recognized through IC&RC standards.
Whether you’re just starting with a high school diploma or bringing a master’s degree to the table, Mississippi has a certification pathway that fits your situation. The key is understanding which credential level aligns with your education and career goals.
Mississippi Addiction Counselor Credentials Overview
Mississippi offers four primary certification levels through MAAP, each designed for different education levels and career stages. All credentials are recognized through the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), which means your certification can open doors beyond Mississippi’s borders.
Here’s how the credentials break down:
| Credential | Minimum Education | Supervised Experience Hours | Training Hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CADC | High school diploma/GED | 6,000 hours (less with degree) | 270 hours | IC&RC ADC |
| CADC-I | Bachelor’s degree | 8,000 hours | 270 hours | IC&RC ADC |
| CADC-II | Master’s degree | 10,000 hours | 270 hours | IC&RC ADC |
| CAADC | Master’s degree (clinical) | 4,000 hours | 270 hours | IC&RC AADC |
Separately, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health offers the Certified Addictions Therapist (CAT) credential specifically for counselors working within the state mental health system. This requires a master’s or doctoral degree and is covered in detail below.
MAAP Certification Requirements by Level
The Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals (MAAP) certifies counselors at four levels. All share some standard requirements—270 hours of training, supervised work experience, and passing an IC&RC exam—but the specifics vary based on your education level.
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
The CADC is your entry point if you’re starting with a high school diploma or GED. But here’s what most Mississippi counselors discover: earning a degree dramatically reduces your required supervised hours. That’s the difference between six years and two years of supervised experience.
Education Requirement: High school diploma or GED minimum (degree reduces experience hours)
Supervised Work Experience Hours Required:
- No degree: 6,000 hours
- Associate’s degree: 5,000 hours
- Bachelor’s degree: 4,000 hours
- Master’s degree: 2,000 hours
Training Requirements: At least 270 hours of education and training that meet IC&RC domains (Screening, Assessment, and Engagement; Treatment Planning, Collaboration, and Referral; Counseling; and Professional & Ethical Responsibilities). Six hours must cover alcohol and drug counseling ethics, and six hours must address HIV/AIDS training.
Supervised Work Hours: You’ll need supervised hours that demonstrate competency in the 12 core functions and IC&RC domains:
- No degree: 300 hours
- Associate’s degree: 250 hours
- Bachelor’s degree: 200 hours
- Master’s degree: 120 hours
Examination: Pass the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) examination
CADC-I Requirements
Coming in with a bachelor’s degree? The CADC-I credential opens doors to more advanced positions. You’ll complete the exact 270-hour training requirement as other credentials, but with a different balance of supervised experience.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field (behavioral science, psychology, social work, counseling, or similar)
- 270 hours of education and training meeting IC&RC domains (including six hours of ethics, six hours HIV/AIDS training)
- 200 hours of supervised work meeting the 12 core functions
- 8,000 hours of supervised work experience
- Passing score on the IC&RC ADC examination
CADC-II Requirements
The CADC-II is designed for counselors with master’s degrees who want to build extensive supervised experience. It requires the most supervised hours of any credential—10,000 hours—but opens doors to clinical leadership roles.
Requirements:
- Master’s degree in a related field (addiction counseling, clinical mental health counseling, social work, psychology, or similar)
- 270 hours of education and training meeting IC&RC domains (including six hours of ethics, six hours HIV/AIDS training)
- 120 hours of supervised work meeting the 12 core functions
- 10,000 hours of supervised work experience
- Passing score on the IC&RC ADC examination
Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC)
The CAADC is Mississippi’s advanced credential for master’s-level counselors. It requires fewer supervised hours than the CADC-II (4,000 vs. 10,000) but demands a clinically focused master’s degree and a more advanced examination.
Requirements:
- Master’s degree in a related field with clinical application (clinical mental health counseling, clinical social work, clinical psychology)
- 270 hours of education and training meeting IC&RC domains (including six hours of ethics, six hours of HIV/AIDS training)
- 300 hours of supervised work meeting the 12 core functions
- 4,000 hours of supervised work experience
- Passing score on the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) examination
Choosing Your Certification Path
The proper credential depends on where you are now and where you want to go. Here’s how most Mississippi counselors make the decision:
If you have a high school diploma or GED: Start with the CADC credential. Yes, you’ll need 6,000 supervised hours (roughly three years full-time), but you can work in addiction treatment facilities while accumulating these hours. Many counselors use this time to pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, which reduces future credential requirements.
If you have an associate’s degree: The CADC is still your path, but your required supervised hours drop to 5,000. Consider whether pursuing a bachelor’s degree would benefit your career timeline—it would reduce your hours to 4,000 and open doors to the CADC-I later.
If you have a bachelor’s degree: You can choose between the CADC (4,000 supervised hours) or CADC-I (8,000 supervised hours). Most counselors start with the CADC to enter the field faster, then upgrade their credentials as they gain experience. The CADC-I requires more hours but may be preferred by some employers.
If you have a master’s degree: You’re choosing between CADC-II (10,000 hours), CADC (2,000 hours), or CAADC (4,000 hours). The CAADC is generally the most direct path for master’s-level clinicians. The CADC with master’s-level hours (2,000) gets you certified fastest, while the CADC-II’s 10,000 hours positions you for advanced clinical roles.
Most Mississippi counselors follow this progression: earn the CADC to start working, gain experience and potentially additional education, then upgrade to higher credentials as career opportunities emerge.
The MAAP Application Process
Ready to apply? You’ll start by downloading the appropriate application packet from MAAP’s website. The packet includes everything you need—application forms, portfolio templates, and detailed instructions for the required case study.
What You’ll Need to Submit:
- Completed application and portfolio forms (signed by both you and your clinical supervisor)
- Your resume documenting prior work experience in addiction treatment or related fields
- Official transcripts sent directly from your school(s) to MAAP
- Education resume (detailed breakdown of your training hours and how they meet IC&RC domains)
- Written case study demonstrating your counseling knowledge and approach (instructions provided in application packet)
Submission Process: If you’re an MAAP member, upload all documents to your Member Portal. If you’re not a member, email materials to [email protected].
What Happens Next: MAAP reviews your application to verify you’ve met all requirements. This typically takes 4-6 weeks. Once approved, you’ll receive instructions for registering and scheduling your IC&RC examination. After passing the exam, your certification is issued, and you can begin practicing at your credential level.
Mississippi Department of Mental Health (PLACE) Addictions Therapist Certification
If you’re planning to work specifically within Mississippi’s state mental health system, you’ll pursue certification through the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s Division of Professional Licensure and Certification (PLACE) instead of MAAP. This pathway is separate and serves a specialized population of counselors.
Who PLACE Certification Is For
The PLACE offers two credentials:
- Provisionally Certified Addictions Therapist (PCAT) – Entry-level credential valid for two years while gaining experience
- Certified Addictions Therapist (CAT) – Full certification for experienced counselors
Both credentials require employment within the state mental health system. You can’t earn or maintain these certifications if you’re working in private practice or non-state facilities.
Education Requirements
PLACE certification requires graduate-level education—either a doctoral degree or a master’s degree that meets board requirements. The master’s degree should focus on addiction studies or a related mental health or human services field.
Qualifying master’s degree fields include:
- Behavioral science
- Counseling and guidance
- Family and child studies
- Family and consumer studies
- Health science
- Healthcare administration
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Psychometry
- Rehabilitation services
- Social sciences
- Social work
Pastoral ministries qualify if the focus was on counseling or addictions. Sociology or interdisciplinary studies programs qualify if they include an addictions focus.
Alternative Path: If your degree isn’t on this list, you can still qualify by completing five additional graduate courses in areas the Board considers relevant. These might include abnormal psychology, addiction studies, behavior modification, counseling theory, cultural sensitivity, developmental psychology, group processes, professional ethics, and similar topics. The Board evaluates these on a case-by-case basis.
Experience and Training Requirements
Beyond education, you’ll need:
- Background clearance: Documentation showing you’ve passed background checks, including Motor Vehicle Registry, Child Abuse Registry, and criminal history screening
- Web-based training: Complete the Department of Mental Health Addictions Therapist Training Component online courses with built-in examinations
- Two years of experience: Document two years of full-time experience in addiction counseling or related work
- Employment verification: Proof of current employment within the state mental health system
The PCAT certification is issued for only two years and isn’t renewable in the traditional sense. It’s designed as a provisional credential while you complete your two years of experience. After meeting the full requirements, you upgrade to the CAT credential. The Board rarely issues more than two PCAT certifications to the same person, though exceptions exist for extenuating circumstances.
The CAT Application Process
Most applicants start with PCAT status and upgrade to CAT after completing the experience requirement. Some counselors qualify immediately for CAT if they’ve already accumulated the necessary experience.
Application Steps:
- Download the application from the back of the DMH Addictions Therapist Standards and Requirements handbook.
- Complete all sections and have the application notarized
- Gather employment verification documentation
- Compile official transcripts (can be in a sealed envelope within the application packet or sent separately)
- Submit everything together with a $75 application fee
There’s no fee to upgrade from PCAT to CAT—you’re simply demonstrating you’ve completed the additional experience requirement. Note that active CAT status is only maintained while you’re employed within the state system. If you leave state employment, your credential becomes inactive.
Mississippi Addiction Counselor Salary and Job Outlook
Mississippi addiction counselors earn competitive salaries that reflect their education level, credentials, and experience. According to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Mississippi earn a median annual wage of $45,470.
Mississippi Salary Range:
- Entry-level (25th percentile): $35,710 annually
- Median (50th percentile): $45,470 annually
- Experienced (75th percentile): $54,850 annually
- Top earners (90th percentile): $65,350 annually
These figures represent the full spectrum from entry-level CADC counselors to advanced CAADC clinicians in supervisory or specialized roles. Your credential level, work setting (state facility vs. private practice), and years of experience all influence where you fall in this range.
Job Growth: The addiction counseling field continues to expand as Mississippi addresses ongoing substance use challenges. Between 2022 and 2032, the state projects steady demand for qualified counselors, particularly those with master’s-level credentials and specialized training in evidence-based treatment approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a degree to become an addiction counselor in Mississippi?
What’s the difference between CADC, CADC-I, CADC-II, and CAADC certifications?
How long does it take to become certified as an addiction counselor in Mississippi?
Does Mississippi accept addiction counselor certifications from other states?
Can I work as an addiction counselor in Mississippi while completing my certification requirements?
What’s the difference between MAAP certification and PLACE certification?
Do I have to renew my Mississippi addiction counselor certification?
Which credential should I pursue if I have a master’s degree?
Key Takeaways
- Mississippi requires addiction counselor certification through MAAP (Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals), not state licensure, and credentials are recognized nationally under IC&RC standards.
- Four MAAP credential levels exist (CADC, CADC-I, CADC-II, CAADC) based on education level, with supervised experience requirements ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 hours depending on your degree.
- All MAAP credentials require 270 hours of training that meet IC&RC domains, including mandatory ethics and HIV/AIDS training, and passing an IC&RC examination.
- You can work in supervised positions at treatment facilities while accumulating your required supervised hours, meaning you’re gaining paid experience during the certification process.
- A separate PLACE certification pathway exists exclusively for counselors working within Mississippi’s state mental health system and requires a master’s or doctoral degree.
- Mississippi addiction counselors earn a median annual salary of $45,470, with experienced counselors and those in specialized roles earning up to $65,350.
- Higher education levels significantly reduce required supervised hours—a master’s degree drops the requirement from 6,000 hours to 2,000 hours for the CADC credential.
- IC&RC membership provides reciprocity with other states, making it easier to transfer credentials if you relocate or practice across state lines.
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Contact Information
Contact the Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals (MAAP) at 601-228-1858 or [email protected] with questions about MAAP certification requirements, application process, or exam scheduling.
Contact the Mississippi Department of Mental Health Division of Professional Licensure & Certification at 601-359-5360 or [email protected] concerning PCAT and CAT certification for state system positions.
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.