Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor Requirements in Nevada
Nevada offers three addiction counselor credentials: CADC (bachelor’s level requiring 4,000 supervised hours), LADC (master’s level requiring 3,000 supervised hours), and NACADC (for Native American counselors). All candidates must pass IC&RC examinations. Total timeline: 2-4 years after degree completion, depending on your education level and whether you work full-time in a supervised role.
If you’re researching how to become an addiction counselor in Nevada, you likely already understand the weight of addiction—maybe you’ve seen it affect your community, your family, or perhaps your own life. That lived experience is exactly what drives effective counselors. The challenge many face isn’t the motivation to help. It’s navigating Nevada’s specific credentialing requirements to turn that calling into a professional career.
Nevada’s counselor licensing landscape is more straightforward than many states. The Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drug, & Gambling Counselors oversees three primary credentials, each designed for different education levels and career goals. Whether you’re starting with a high school diploma or already hold a master’s degree, there’s a clear path forward.
Understanding Nevada’s Three Credential Levels
The Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drug, & Gambling Counselors credentials Nevada’s addiction counselors at three primary levels. Understanding which credential aligns with your education and career goals is your first decision point.
Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC) – This is Nevada’s bachelor’s level credential. You’ll need a four-year degree in an approved social science field and complete 4,000 hours of supervised counseling experience. CADCs work in treatment facilities, outpatient programs, and community organizations under clinical supervision. This credential allows you to conduct assessments, facilitate group therapy, and develop treatment plans, though you’ll work under the supervision of a licensed clinician.
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADC) – Nevada’s master’s level credential requires a graduate degree and 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience. LADCs have more clinical autonomy and can work independently in private practice settings. This is the credential you’ll need if you want to diagnose co-occurring mental health disorders or open your own practice.
Native American Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (NACADC) – This specialized credential serves tribal communities and counselors of Native American descent. It’s designed to honor traditional healing practices while meeting professional standards. You can qualify without a degree if you complete specific education and training requirements.
The practical difference between these levels matters for your daily work and career trajectory. A CADC typically works as part of a treatment team, while an LADC can function as the clinical director or operate an independent practice. Your choice depends on how far you want to advance in clinical leadership and whether you need independent practice authority.
CADC-Intern: Your Starting Point
Before you earn your CADC, you’ll be credentialed as a CADC-Intern. This isn’t just an administrative step. It’s your supervised training period where you’ll learn the practical skills that textbooks can’t teach.
To become a CADC-Intern, you need a high school diploma or GED, and you must be either working toward a college degree or already hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an approved social science field. If you’re still in school, you’ll need to complete at least 60 semester credits before you can register as an intern.
During your internship, you’ll enter into an Internship Supervision Agreement with a qualified supervisor—typically an LADC or similarly licensed clinician. Your supervisor will guide your clinical development and document your progress through bi-annual CADC-I Progress Report Forms. This relationship is crucial. A good supervisor doesn’t just sign off on hours. They teach you how to navigate difficult client situations, manage your own responses to trauma stories, and develop your therapeutic presence.
Finding a qualified supervisor can be one of the practical challenges in this process. Most treatment facilities in Nevada employ LADCs who can supervise interns, but you’ll want to ask about supervision availability during job interviews. Some agencies specifically hire interns, knowing they’ll provide structured supervision. Others expect you to find external supervision. The Nevada State Board maintains a list of approved supervisors, and networking through the State of Nevada Association of Addiction Professionals (SNAAP) can help you connect with potential supervisors.
CADC Requirements: The Bachelor’s Level Credential
To qualify for the CADC examination, you must meet Nevada’s education and experience requirements. The baseline is a bachelor’s degree in an approved social science field—this includes degrees in psychology, social work, counseling, sociology, human services, or closely related fields. You can verify whether your degree qualifies by reviewing Nevada Administrative Code 641C.070, which lists approved fields.
The experience requirement is where many aspiring counselors get concerned: 4,000 hours of supervised counseling work. Let’s put that in practical terms. If you work full-time (40 hours per week) in a qualified counseling position, you’ll accumulate 2,080 hours per year. That means 4,000 hours takes roughly two years of full-time work. If you work part-time while completing your degree, it’ll take longer.
Here’s where Nevada offers flexibility: If you complete additional addiction-focused education, you can reduce the supervision requirement to just 1,500 hours. Specifically, you can achieve this reduction by completing either:
- A bachelor’s degree in a social science field AND at least 18 semester units specifically in addiction studies, or
- A master’s degree in a social science field AND at least 12 semester units in addiction coursework
This reduced pathway can save you nearly a year of supervised practice time, which translates to getting credentialed faster and advancing your career sooner. If you’re still in school or planning to pursue additional education, structuring your coursework to include addiction-specific classes is a smart move that saves you time and money.
Your supervised experience must be actual counseling work—conducting assessments, facilitating therapy sessions, developing treatment plans, case management, and client education. Administrative work, filing paperwork, or reception duties don’t count toward your hours. Most treatment facilities understand this requirement and will ensure your job duties qualify.
LADC Requirements: The Master’s Level Credential
If you’re aiming for the highest level of clinical authority in Nevada, the LADC is your goal. This credential requires a master’s degree in an approved social science field—typically an MSW, MA in Counseling, MA in Psychology, or similar graduate degree. Nevada recognizes that graduate education provides deeper clinical training, which is why the supervision requirement is lower: 3,000 hours of post-graduate counseling experience instead of 4,000.
The critical word here is “post-graduate.” Your 3,000 hours must be completed after you earn your master’s degree. Graduate internship hours don’t count. If you worked as a CADC before pursuing your master’s, those hours also don’t count toward your LADC supervision requirement. This is a fresh 3,000-hour commitment, which typically takes about 18 months of full-time counseling work.
Your supervisor for LADC hours must be either a professional qualified in psychiatric mental health or someone approved by the Board. In practice, this usually means an LADC, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed psychologist, or psychiatrist. The supervision must be clinical in nature—case consultation, treatment planning review, skill development, and ethical guidance.
The LADC credential opens doors that remain closed to CADCs. You can diagnose mental health conditions, which is essential for treating co-occurring disorders (the majority of addiction cases involve secondary mental health diagnoses). You can bill insurance independently. You can open a private practice. You can serve as a clinical supervisor for CADC-Interns and CADCs. And you can pursue clinical director positions that oversee entire treatment programs.
NACADC: Credentials for Native American Counselors
Nevada recognizes the unique cultural competence required to serve tribal communities through the Native American Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (NACADC) credential. This pathway honors traditional healing practices while ensuring professional standards.
To qualify for the NACADC, you must be at least 21 years old and of Native American descent. The education requirement is more flexible than CADC or LADC credentials: you must complete at least 270 hours of education covering assessments, counseling techniques, case management, client education, professional responsibilities, and ethics.
You’ll also need training in the 12 core functions of addiction counseling—at least 10 hours in each function. These cover screening, intake, assessment, treatment planning, counseling (individual and group), case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, consultation, and documentation.
The experience requirement mirrors the CADC: 4,000 hours of supervised alcohol and drug counseling practice. However, if you hold an associate’s degree in an approved social science field (addiction counseling, psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing, or related fields), you can substitute 1,000 hours of that requirement.
The NACADC credential specifically serves counselors working in tribal health programs, Indian Health Service facilities, and community organizations serving Native American populations. If you’re interested in this pathway, connecting with the Native American rehabilitation programs in Nevada can help you understand specific community needs and supervision opportunities.
The Nevada Examination Process
Once you’ve met the education and supervision requirements, you’ll face Nevada’s certification examinations. These aren’t administered by Nevada itself—the state uses examinations developed by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), an organization that maintains national standards for addiction counselor credentialing.
For CADC certification, you’ll take the IC&RC Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC) exam. For LADC certification, you’ll take the Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC) exam. These are comprehensive examinations testing your knowledge across all aspects of addiction counseling: assessment, treatment planning, counseling techniques, co-occurring disorders, ethics, pharmacology of addictive substances, and recovery support.
The examination process begins after you submit your application to the Nevada Board. Once they approve your education and experience documentation, they’ll pre-register you for the appropriate IC&RC exam. You’ll receive an email directly from IC&RC with instructions for scheduling your examination at a testing center.
The exams are computer-based and administered at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout Nevada and nationally. You’ll have up to four hours to complete the examination, and results are typically available within a few days. The pass rate varies, but thorough preparation is essential—these exams test not just textbook knowledge but also your clinical judgment in realistic scenarios.
IC&RC offers study guides and practice examinations. Many counselors also form study groups with colleagues who are testing at the same time. The Nevada Board doesn’t offer preparation courses, but professional organizations like SNAAP sometimes host examination preparation workshops.
Nevada Application Steps and Timeline
Nevada has streamlined the application process through an online Applicant Portal managed by the Board of Examiners. You’ll create an account and submit all required documentation electronically. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
Required Documentation:
- Completed online application form
- Official transcripts showing your degree(s)
- Completed and signed the Supervision Agreement from your supervisor
- Current professional resume detailing your counseling experience
- Three letters of recommendation (typically from supervisors, professors, or professional colleagues)
- Proof of completion of 12 continuing education units (CEUs): 6 hours in ethics and 6 hours in confidentiality/HIPAA, completed within 90 days before submitting your application
- Criminal background check authorization and fingerprinting
The background check requirement is straightforward but important to understand. Nevada requires all addiction counselors to undergo criminal background screening. A criminal history doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but you’ll need to disclose any convictions, and the Board will review them individually. Honesty in this process is essential—failure to disclose can result in denial even if the underlying conviction wouldn’t have been disqualifying.
Nevada also requires that you’ve had no alcohol, drug abuse, or gambling issues in the two years prior to application, and that you haven’t been on parole or probation during that time. If you’re in recovery yourself—which many addiction counselors are—you’ll need to demonstrate at least two years of stability before applying.
Timeline Expectations:
From the day you submit your complete application to receiving your credential typically takes 8-12 weeks. The Board reviews applications at regular meetings, so timing can vary. Once approved, you can schedule your examination, and once you pass, your credential is issued.
The realistic timeline from starting your education to practicing as a fully credentialed counselor looks like this:
Path 1: Starting with a Bachelor’s Degree (CADC route)
- Years 1-4: Complete bachelor’s degree in approved field
- Years 5-6: Accumulate 4,000 supervised hours (2 years full-time)
- Year 7: Application, examination, credentialing (6-8 months)
- Total: 6-7 years from starting college
Path 2: Already Have Bachelor’s, Pursuing CADC
- Years 1-2: 4,000 supervised hours (2 years full-time, or 3-4 years part-time)
- Application, exam, credential (6-8 months)
- Total: 2.5-3 years
Path 3: Master’s Degree to LADC
- Years 1-2 (if no prior master’s): Complete master’s degree
- Years 3-4: 3,000 supervised hours (1.5 years full-time)
- Application, exam, credential (6-8 months)
- Total: 4-5 years if starting graduate school, or 2 years if you already have your master’s
Reciprocity for Out-of-State Counselors
If you’re already credentialed as an addiction counselor in another state and you’re relocating to Nevada, reciprocity provisions can streamline your path to Nevada licensure. Nevada recognizes credentials from other states and territories if you’ve passed an equivalent examination and met comparable education and experience requirements.
The Board will review your out-of-state credential to verify that your education (degree level and field of study) and supervised experience hours meet Nevada’s standards. If you passed an IC&RC examination in your previous state, Nevada will typically accept that without requiring re-testing. However, if your credential was based on a state-specific exam rather than IC&RC, you may need to take Nevada’s examination.
For Native American counselors certified through Northwest or Southwest Indian Certification, Nevada offers reciprocity for the NACADC credential without additional examination, provided all other requirements are met.
The reciprocity process still requires you to submit a full application with transcripts, verification of your out-of-state credential, and documentation of your examination scores. Plan for 2-3 months to complete reciprocity credentialing.
Nevada Salary and Career Outlook
Understanding the financial realities of an addiction counseling career in Nevada helps you make informed decisions about the significant time and education investment required.
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Nevada earn a median annual salary of $53,020. However, there’s substantial variation based on credential level, experience, and work setting:
Entry-level counselors (CADC-Interns, new CADCs): $38,000-$45,000 annually. These positions are typically in community treatment programs, outpatient facilities, or residential treatment centers. You’ll work as part of a clinical team under supervision.
Experienced CADCs: $48,000-$58,000 annually. With 3-5 years of experience, you can move into senior counselor roles, program coordinator positions, or specialized treatment tracks (adolescent services, co-occurring disorders, medication-assisted treatment programs).
LADCs and clinical supervisors: $60,000-$78,000 annually. Master’s level counselors with independent licensure can access clinical director positions, private practice income, and specialized clinical consultation roles. Private practice income varies significantly based on caseload and insurance contracting, with some established private practitioners earning $80,000-$100,000 annually.
Employment settings in Nevada include:
- Outpatient treatment programs (the highest volume of positions)
- Residential treatment facilities (often offering higher pay but requiring shift work)
- Hospital-based addiction services
- County and state government behavioral health programs (offering excellent benefits and job stability)
- Tribal health services (serving Native American communities)
- Private practice (requiring LADC credential)
- Correctional facilities (working with justice-involved populations)
- Employee assistance programs (corporate counseling services)
Job growth in Nevada reflects national trends: the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 22% growth in addiction counselor positions over the next decade, driven by the ongoing opioid crisis, increased insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and growing recognition of addiction as a treatable health condition rather than a moral failing.
Las Vegas and Reno offer the highest concentration of addiction counseling jobs, but rural Nevada faces significant counselor shortages. If you’re willing to work in communities like Elko, Ely, or Winnemucca, you’ll find strong demand and potentially higher starting salaries as facilities compete to recruit qualified professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a CADC in Nevada?
Can I practice as a counselor while completing my CADC-Intern requirements?
What’s the difference between CADC and LADC in Nevada?
Does Nevada accept out-of-state addiction counselor licenses?
How much does CADC certification cost in Nevada?
Can I get my CADC if I’m in recovery from addiction myself?
What happens if I fail the IC&RC examination?
Key Takeaways
- Nevada credentials addiction counselors at three levels: CADC (bachelor’s degree + 4,000 hours), LADC (master’s degree + 3,000 hours), and NACADC (Native American-specific credential).
- You’ll begin as a CADC-Intern once you have 60 college credits or a completed degree, allowing you to work in supervised counseling roles while accumulating required hours.
- CADC supervision requirements can be reduced from 4,000 to 1,500 hours if you complete 18 semester units in addiction studies with a bachelor’s, or 12 units with a master’s degree.
- All Nevada credentials require passing IC&RC national examinations (ADC exam for CADC, AADC exam for LADC).
- Realistic timeline: 6-7 years from high school to CADC if starting without a degree. 2-3 years if you already have a bachelor’s degree. 2 years from a master’s degree to LADC.
- Nevada addiction counselors earn median salaries of $53,020, with entry-level positions starting around $38,000-$45,000 and experienced LADCs reaching $60,000-$78,000 or higher in private practice.
- Out-of-state licensed counselors can pursue reciprocity without re-testing if they passed IC&RC examinations in their previous state.
- Apply online through the Nevada Board’s Applicant Portal with transcripts, supervision agreements, recommendations, proof of 12 CEUs, and background check authorization.
Ready to Start Your Addiction Counseling Career in Nevada?
Finding the right education program is your first step toward CADC or LADC certification. Nevada accepts degrees from accredited colleges nationwide, including online programs that let you complete coursework while working. Compare programs that meet Nevada’s approved social science fields and include addiction-focused coursework to reduce your supervision requirements.
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Nevada State Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drug, and Gambling Counselors can be reached at (775) 684-8922 or at [email protected]. Their website at alcohol.nv.gov provides current application forms, fee schedules, and regulatory updates.
The State of Nevada Association of Addiction Professionals (SNAAP) is your primary professional resource in Nevada. As the state’s NAADAC affiliate, SNAAP offers networking opportunities, continuing education, advocacy, and connections to potential supervisors. You can reach SNAAP through the NAADAC website’s Nevada chapter page.