Yes, paid clinical placements in addiction counseling exist, though they’re still less common than unpaid internships. Four main models are emerging: registered apprenticeships that hire you as an employee while you train, provider-based paid internships and fellowships, federal and state stipend programs layered onto traditional practicums, and paid entry-level roles that count toward certification. States with opioid settlement funding and workforce initiatives—including Washington, Oregon, New York, California, and North Carolina—are leading this shift.
If you’re looking into addiction counseling as a career path, you’ve probably already discovered a frustrating reality: most programs expect you to complete hundreds of clinical hours unpaid. We’re talking 600 to 700 hours, sometimes more, often while you’re still paying tuition for the privilege of working for free.
That’s the traditional model. But it’s not the only model anymore.
A growing number of programs are recognizing that unpaid internships create barriers for the very people the field needs most—those with lived experience, diverse backgrounds, and a genuine commitment to helping people recover. States flush with opioid settlement money and facing critical workforce shortages are experimenting with new approaches. Registered apprenticeships, paid fellowships, grant-funded stipends, and paid trainee roles are all becoming more common.
This article breaks down the four main “earn while you learn” models in addiction counseling, profiles real programs you can apply to, and shows you how to find similar opportunities in your state. We’ve focused on programs that offer verified paid compensation, accredited education, supervision that counts toward state credentials, and clear application pathways.
Why Paid Clinical Experience Matters in Addiction Counseling
The Financial Reality of Traditional Unpaid Practicums
Most counseling and addiction-focused master’s programs still expect students to complete hundreds of practicum and internship hours without compensation. You’re working 20 to 25 hours per week seeing clients, writing treatment plans, facilitating groups, and essentially doing the job of a counselor—except you’re not getting paid. In many cases, you’re paying the university tuition for those practicum credits on top of everything else.
This creates real hardship. Students work full-time jobs to cover rent and bills, attend classes in the evenings or weekends, and somehow squeeze in 20 hours of unpaid clinical work. Single parents, first-generation college students, and career changers who can’t afford to forgo income for a year or more are effectively locked out of the profession.
Some agencies even bill insurance or Medicaid for services provided by student interns, which raises questions about fairness and ethics when the person providing the service sees none of that reimbursement.
Workforce Demand and Salary Outlook for Addiction Counselors
Here’s the paradox: the field desperately needs more addiction counselors, yet the traditional training pathway makes it financially inaccessible for many qualified candidates.
Employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow about 17 to 18 percent through 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage nationally sits around $59,190, with experienced counselors in certain states and settings earning considerably more. Entry-level positions typically start in the $40,000 to $45,000 range, but the career trajectory is solid if you stick with it.
The demand is real. Treatment centers, community mental health agencies, hospitals, and MAT (medication-assisted treatment) clinics are all looking for qualified counselors. The barrier isn’t the lack of jobs—it’s the difficulty of surviving the unpaid training period required to get certified or licensed.
How Opioid Settlement Funds Are Changing the Landscape
One major reason paid clinical models are expanding is opioid settlement money. States and counties across the U.S. received billions in settlements from pharmaceutical companies and distributors. Much of that money is earmarked for prevention, treatment, and workforce development.
North Carolina, for example, is using opioid funds to fully cover tuition, fees, books, and quarterly stipends for students pursuing addiction counseling credentials. Washington State leveraged philanthropic and county funding to build out a statewide behavioral health apprenticeship system. New York has used state and federal grants to subsidize CASAC training and paid internships.
This influx of funding is creating opportunities that didn’t exist five years ago. If you’re strategic about where you apply and what programs you target, you can absolutely find ways to get paid while you complete your clinical training.
What “Paid Clinical Placement” Actually Means
The phrase “paid clinical placement” can mean different things depending on the program model. It’s important to understand the distinctions so you know what you’re looking for.
Four Main Earn-While-You-Learn Models
Registered Apprenticeships: You are hired as an employee apprentice in a substance use disorder counseling or behavioral health role. You receive wages and benefits while completing formal classroom instruction and supervised on-the-job training. The apprenticeship is structured to meet your state’s certification or licensure requirements, often resulting in a credential at the end.
Provider-Based Paid Internships and Fellowships: You are a student enrolled in a counseling or addiction program, placed at a treatment agency or clinic that pays you an hourly wage or stipend while you fulfill practicum requirements. This is the closest to a traditional internship, except you’re compensated.
Grant-Funded Stipend Programs: Your university or a state/federal grant provides a stipend tied to your clinical placement, even if the site itself doesn’t pay you. HRSA’s Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) grants are the most common example. These stipends typically range from $5,000 to $10,000 over the course of your final practicum year.
Paid Trainee or Entry-Level Roles That Overlap with Supervised Hours: You work in a paid position such as a recovery technician, peer support specialist, counselor trainee, or substance use disorder professional trainee (SUDPT). Some or all of those work hours count toward your state’s supervised experience requirements for certification. You’re essentially getting paid to accumulate the hours you need while working in the field.
Important Terminology Note
“Paid” doesn’t always mean hourly wages. In apprenticeships, you typically receive regular employee wages and benefits. In provider-based internships, you may receive hourly pay ranging from $11 to $21 per hour depending on location. In grant-funded programs, you receive a stipend—a lump sum payment over several months—rather than an hourly wage. When evaluating programs, clarify whether they’re offering wages, stipends, or tuition coverage, and calculate whether that compensation is realistic for your cost of living.
Each model has trade-offs. Apprenticeships often require a commitment to work in a specific state or agency for a set period after completion. Stipends may be modest and may not cover all living expenses. Trainee roles might pay less than fully licensed positions, but they get your foot in the door with real income while you’re building credentials.
How Supervised Hours and State Requirements Connect
Every state has its own requirements for substance abuse counselor certification or licensure. Most require some combination of education (certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree) and supervised clinical experience (anywhere from 1,500 to 4,000 hours depending on the credential level).
The key question for any “earn while you learn” program is: Will these hours count toward my state’s supervised experience requirement?
In registered apprenticeships, the answer is almost always yes—that’s the whole point of the structure. In paid internships and fellowships, it depends on whether the site has qualified supervisors approved by your state’s licensing board. In trainee roles, you’ll need to register with your state board as a trainee or intern, and your employer’s supervision must meet specific requirements.
When evaluating any program, ask explicitly: “Will the supervision I receive meet the requirements for [your state’s specific credential]?” Don’t assume. Verify.
Critical Verification Step
Even when a program claims its supervision meets state requirements, confirm this directly with your state licensing board before committing. State boards can tell you whether a specific supervisor’s credentials qualify, whether the supervision format (individual vs. group, frequency, documentation) meets standards, and whether hours earned in paid positions count the same as unpaid practicum hours. Some states have different rules for paid versus unpaid supervised experience, so this verification step is essential.
Selection Criteria: How We Chose These Programs
We didn’t just compile a list of programs that mention “internships” on their websites. Every program included in this article meets specific criteria designed to ensure you’re looking at real, viable opportunities to earn income while completing clinical training.
Verified Paid Compensation: The program offers documented wages, stipends, or full tuition coverage tied directly to clinical work. We excluded unpaid placements, even if they’re at well-regarded agencies.
Accredited Education Component: The training includes coursework or structured instruction from an accredited institution or state-approved training provider. This ensures the education you’re receiving will count toward certification and is recognized by licensing boards.
Supervision That Counts Toward State Credentials: The supervised experience you gain through the program must meet state board requirements for certification or licensure in substance use disorder counseling or a related credential.
Geographic Diversity: We prioritized programs from different states and regions so readers across the country can see examples relevant to their location. If your state isn’t listed, the models described here can guide your search locally.
Clear Application Pathways: Each program has a functioning website, contact information, and documented application process. We’re not listing theoretical possibilities—these are real programs accepting applicants.
Registered Apprenticeships: Get Hired, Trained, and Licensed
Registered apprenticeships are formal earn-while-you-learn programs approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or state labor departments. In the addiction counseling space, these apprenticeships hire you as an employee, pay you wages and benefits, and combine structured classroom instruction with thousands of hours of supervised work experience. At the end, you walk away with both a paycheck history and a state-recognized credential.
Washington State Behavioral Health Apprenticeship (SUDP Track)
Program Overview: The Washington State Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Program, operated through the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund, offers three tracks: Behavioral Health Technician, Peer Support Specialist, and Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP). The SUDP track is specifically designed to prepare apprentices for Washington’s SUDP certification, which allows you to practice as a substance use disorder counselor in the state.
How It Works: Apprentices are hired as full-time employees by participating behavioral health agencies across Washington. You work four days per week on the job and attend one day per week of classroom instruction at a partner community college. The apprenticeship includes approximately 560 hours of classroom and lab instruction plus 4,000 hours of supervised work experience over about two years.
Compensation and Benefits: You receive full wages and benefits from your employer throughout the apprenticeship. Tuition and training costs are covered by the Training Fund, which is supported by the Ballmer Group, King County, state grants, and other philanthropic sources. This makes it essentially a tuition-free path into the profession.
Educational Credit: Classroom hours are delivered through community college partners and may carry transferable college credit depending on the partner institution, giving you a potentially transcriptable educational foundation that can be applied toward an associate or bachelor’s degree if you choose to continue.
Commitment Required: Apprentices sign a two-year post-graduation service commitment to work in Washington State. You can change employers within the state, but you’re agreeing to stay in Washington’s behavioral health workforce for that period.
Why This Matters: This is the first time Washington has allowed SUDP candidates to be paid while they train. Prior to this program, candidates had to complete all their supervised hours either unpaid or in entry-level roles with limited supervision. The apprenticeship model removes that financial barrier entirely.
How to Apply: Visit the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Training Fund website or contact participating behavioral health employers in Washington. The program recruits year-round, with cohorts starting at regular intervals.
Oregon CADC Apprenticeship Program
Program Overview: Oregon’s Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) Apprenticeship is explicitly marketed as an “earn while you learn” pathway into addiction counseling. It’s designed to meet all the education and experience requirements set by the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO).
How It Works: You’re hired as an apprentice by a participating treatment agency. The apprenticeship provides free education designed to satisfy MHACBO’s coursework requirements for CADC certification. You complete on-the-job training with free clinical supervision, allowing you to accumulate all required supervised work experience hours while employed.
Compensation and Benefits: Apprentices receive wages from their employer. The program also offers additional financial stipends based on individual need, acknowledging that many candidates face economic barriers to entering the field.
Educational Component: The education is provided through approved training partners and covers the 12 core functions of addiction counseling, ethics, cultural competency, and other topics required for CADC certification.
Why This Matters: Oregon has one of the more accessible certification pathways in the country, and the apprenticeship model makes it even more attainable. You’re not choosing between paying rent and pursuing a career—you can do both.
How to Apply: Contact the Oregon Consortium for Behavioral Health Workforce Development or reach out directly to treatment agencies that participate in the apprenticeship program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Outreach Training Institute Apprenticeship (New York)
Program Overview: Outreach Training Institute in New York operates one of the longest-running registered apprenticeships for addiction counseling in the country. Apprentices are hired under the trade title “Alcoholism and Substance Use Counselor Aide” and work in Outreach’s residential treatment programs while receiving free CASAC (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor) training.
How It Works: You’re hired as a full-time employee with benefits. While working at Outreach’s facilities, you attend CASAC training courses provided by the institute at no cost. The apprenticeship is approved by the New York State Department of Labor and is designed to meet most or all OASAS (Office of Addiction Services and Supports) requirements for CASAC certification. Verify specific hour and training requirements directly with OASAS to ensure your chosen track aligns with current certification standards.
Compensation and Benefits: Full-time wages, health insurance, paid time off, and retirement benefits. Essentially, you’re treated as a regular employee while also being trained for your credential.
Educational Component: Outreach Training Institute is an approved CASAC training provider. The coursework covers assessment, counseling techniques, group facilitation, ethics, pharmacology, and other core competencies.
Why This Matters: New York’s CASAC is one of the most recognized addiction counseling credentials in the northeastern U.S. This apprenticeship gives you a direct path into the credential without paying tuition or sacrificing income.
How to Apply: Visit Outreach Training Institute’s website or contact their human resources department. They recruit regularly for both apprentice and counselor aide positions.
Other State and Regional Apprenticeship Models
Several other apprenticeship programs are worth mentioning, even if they’re not as geographically accessible:
FHI 360’s Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Counselor Apprenticeship partners with community colleges and treatment agencies across multiple states to create alternative career pathways into behavioral health. The structure combines college coursework with on-the-job learning and leads to state credentials.
HealthRIGHT 360 in California offers a five-month, 20-hour-per-week paid Training and Apprenticeship Program designed for people with lived experience or early addiction studies students. It’s a shorter, more intensive model aimed at rapid entry into the field.
Peer Support Specialist Apprenticeships exist in several states, including Washington, and provide paid training for people in recovery. While peer support is distinct from clinical counseling, many peer specialists use it as a stepping stone into more formal counseling roles.
Provider-Based Paid Internships and Fellowships
These programs look more like traditional clinical internships—students enrolled in counseling or addiction programs complete required hours—but with wages or stipends attached. They’re less common than unpaid placements, but they exist, and they’re worth seeking out.
Prevention and Recovery Center (PaRC) Fellowship – Houston, TX
Program Overview: PaRC in Houston offers both unpaid practicum placements and a paid Addiction Counselor Fellowship Program. The fellowship is designed for candidates pursuing licensure as an LCDC (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor), LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), or LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) in Texas.
How It Works: Fellows work in addiction treatment settings under the supervision of licensed clinicians qualified to supervise LCDC, LPC, and LMFT interns. The program is structured around 250-hour blocks of supervised work experience over 12 to 24 months.
Compensation: Fellows receive a modest stipend upon completion of each 250-hour block. While this isn’t a full salary, it provides meaningful financial support that traditional unpaid internships don’t offer.
Supervision Provided: PaRC’s supervisors are approved by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council and meet all state requirements for clinical supervision. The supervision you receive counts directly toward your licensure hours.
Why This Matters: Texas is a large state with significant need for addiction counselors, but it also has strict supervised experience requirements. PaRC’s model acknowledges that financial support during the internship period helps candidates stay in the field rather than dropping out due to economic pressure.
How to Apply: Contact PaRC directly through their website. Fellowship positions are posted on a rolling basis, and they accept applicants from accredited counseling and social work programs in Texas.
Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) – Denver, CO
Program Overview: ARTS, affiliated with the University of Colorado, provides both paid and unpaid clinical internship opportunities for graduate students in social work, psychology, counseling, and addiction counseling programs.
How It Works: Interns work in ARTS’ adult residential, outpatient, and adolescent services programs. You provide assessment, individual and group counseling, case management, and crisis intervention to clients with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. The experience is comprehensive and aligns with practicum requirements for most Colorado-based graduate programs.
Compensation: ARTS explicitly advertises that some internship positions are paid. The hourly rate varies depending on the role and funding availability, but the fact that they offer paid options at all sets them apart from most treatment providers.
Supervision Provided: Licensed clinicians on staff provide individual and group supervision meeting Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) requirements for addiction counselor and clinical licensure.
Why This Matters: Colorado has a growing behavioral health workforce shortage, particularly in rural areas. ARTS’ willingness to pay interns signals a recognition that traditional unpaid models aren’t sustainable.
How to Apply: Check ARTS’ careers page or contact their training coordinator. Internship availability fluctuates based on grant funding and agency capacity, so apply early in your program.
New Season Counselor Internship Program – Multi-State
Program Overview: New Season operates a national network of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) offering medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Their paid Counselor Internship Program is designed to prepare the next generation of substance abuse counselors for work in MAT settings.
How It Works: Interns work with a multidisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, counselors, and case managers. The internship covers the full scope of addiction counseling: screening, intake, assessment, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, case management, crisis intervention, and discharge planning.
Compensation: New Season pays interns an hourly wage. The exact rate depends on location and your level of education, but the program is structured as a paid opportunity from the start.
Supervision Provided: Clinical supervisors are licensed addiction counselors or licensed clinical social workers. Supervision meets state requirements for counseling certification in the states where New Season operates.
Why This Matters: MAT is one of the most evidence-based approaches to opioid use disorder treatment, but there’s a shortage of counselors trained to work in these settings. New Season’s internship pipeline addresses that gap while also providing income to students.
How to Apply: Visit New Season’s website and navigate to the careers section. Internship postings appear under “Clinical Training” or “Student Opportunities.”
San Diego Workforce Partnership SUD Training
Program Overview: The San Diego Workforce Partnership, in collaboration with UC San Diego Extension and San Diego City College, offers a fully subsidized Substance Use Counselor Training pathway that blends education with paid hands-on experience.
How It Works: The program provides free tuition for a 9- to 18-month SUD counseling curriculum approved by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). Students complete 255 hours of paid hands-on internship (as of the most recent cohort data) at behavioral health facilities in San Diego County. The program also covers registration and certification fees.
Compensation: The 255-hour internship is paid, meaning you earn income while completing this critical part of your training. Additionally, the program offers supportive services like transportation assistance, childcare support, and supplies.
Supervision Provided: Internship sites are vetted by the Workforce Partnership and include community mental health agencies, residential treatment centers, and outpatient programs. Supervision meets CCAPP requirements for California SUD counselor registration and certification.
Why This Matters: California’s SUD counselor certification requires 2,080 hours of supervised work experience. The Workforce Partnership model jumpstarts that requirement with 255 paid hours, then connects you with job placement assistance to continue accumulating hours in permanent positions.
How to Apply: Contact the San Diego Workforce Partnership and ask about the Substance Use Counselor Training program. Eligibility is based on income and residency, and the program recruits multiple cohorts each year.
Grant-Funded Stipend Programs
Federal and state grants are increasingly funding stipends for students in counseling, social work, and related fields. While not addiction-only, many of these programs include addiction counseling concentrations or specializations, and the stipends can make a real difference in your ability to complete unpaid (or low-paid) clinical placements.
HRSA BHWET Programs at Addiction-Focused Universities
What BHWET Is: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) program provides grants to universities to enhance behavioral health training in high-need areas. One of the program’s core requirements is that grantees must provide stipend support to students during their final experiential training—typically the practicum or internship period.
How Stipends Work: BHWET stipends are not wages, but they function as direct financial support. Typical stipend amounts referenced in HRSA guidance include around $10,000 for master’s-level counseling students and $25,000 for doctoral-level psychology students. These stipends are usually paid over 6 to 12 months during your final clinical placement.
Why This Matters: If you’re enrolled in a counseling program with a BHWET grant, you may be eligible for a $10,000 stipend during your internship year. That’s enough to cover rent, groceries, and basic expenses while you’re completing 600 to 700 hours of clinical work. It’s not a salary, but it’s far better than nothing.
Examples of Programs:
- Thomas University (Georgia): Their online Master of Science in Counseling includes an Addiction Counseling specialization and has received two HRSA BHWET grants totaling nearly $3 million. The grants fund monthly stipends for about 18 fieldwork students per year while they complete clinical placements in underserved areas.
- Molloy University (New York): Advertises BHWET-funded benefits including a $10,000 stipend for interns at HRSA-approved sites, along with special trainings and symposia for master’s-level counseling students in addiction tracks.
How to Identify BHWET Programs: When researching counseling programs, look for mentions of “HRSA BHWET grant,” “federally funded stipends,” or “financial support for internships” in program descriptions. You can also check HRSA’s website for a list of current BHWET grantees and contact those schools directly to ask about stipend availability for addiction counseling students.
State-Funded Scholarship and Stipend Models
Several states use opioid settlement funds, workforce development grants, or other state resources to subsidize addiction counseling training and provide stipends for students.
Forsyth Technical Community College (North Carolina): Forsyth Tech uses county opioid settlement funds to offer fully funded pathways into addiction counseling. The program includes two tracks—Certified Peer Support Specialist and Clinical Addictions Counselor—both tied to an accelerated addictions certificate.
For eligible students, the program covers tuition, books, and fees, plus a quarterly stipend of $750 (up to $3,000 total over four quarters). It also covers malpractice insurance during internships and certification exam fees. While $750 per quarter isn’t a full income replacement, it helps students survive the internship period without taking on additional debt.
OASAS Addiction Professionals Scholarship and Paid Internships (New York): New York’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) funds multiple workforce initiatives tied to CASAC training. The Addiction Professionals Scholarship Program (APSP) at Outreach Training Institute covers full CASAC tuition and requires 120 hours of internship at an OASAS-approved SUD treatment facility. Qualified recipients also receive a stipend for those 120 internship hours, along with reimbursement for CASAC application and exam fees.
OASAS separately runs a Paid Prevention Internship Program and regularly publishes lists of paid internship awardees, showing that state-level investment in paid clinical experience is a real and growing trend.
How to Find Grant-Funded Stipends
- Search your state’s behavioral health or addiction services agency website for “workforce development,” “scholarships,” or “training grants.” Many states publish notices about available funding.
- Ask admissions counselors at addiction counseling programs whether they have HRSA BHWET grants or other sources of student stipends. If they do, ask what the stipend amount is and what the eligibility requirements are.
- Check community college continuing education and workforce training pages. These often list shorter-term certificate programs with full funding, stipends, or supportive services included.
Paid Trainee and Entry-Level Roles That Build Toward Licensure
A major strategy that working counselors recommend is to get hired in a paid entry-level role that allows you to accumulate supervised hours while you’re earning income. This isn’t technically an “internship,” but it functions as earn-while-you-learn if structured correctly.
Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee (SUDPT) Roles
In Washington State, for example, you can register as a Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee (SUDPT) once you’ve completed some basic education requirements. As an SUDPT, you’re legally allowed to work in addiction treatment settings under supervision while you accumulate the 1,500 to 2,500 hours needed for full SUDP certification.
Many students complete their degree program’s practicum (which might be unpaid or minimally paid), then immediately transition into a paid SUDPT role at the same agency or a different employer. You’re working 40 hours per week, earning a salary, and every hour counts toward your certification. Other states have similar trainee or intern registrations—Oregon has CADC-R, Texas has TCADC, and so on.
Recovery Technicians and Peer Support Positions
Entry-level roles like recovery counselor, residential technician, behavioral health aide, and certified peer support specialist often serve as stepping stones into formal counseling positions.
One counselor described starting as a “recovery counselor” at a residential treatment center, working directly with clients under the supervision of licensed staff. After proving themselves, the agency promoted them into a counseling role with full supervision and tuition reimbursement for their master’s degree. This is a common progression in community mental health and addiction treatment settings.
Peer support roles are particularly accessible if you have lived experience with recovery. Many states offer short-term peer support training (often 40 to 80 hours) and certification. While peer support is distinct from clinical counseling, it gets you into the treatment environment, exposes you to clinical workflows, and can lead to opportunities for additional training and advancement.
Case Managers and Behavioral Health Aides
Case management positions in addiction treatment agencies often require less formal education than counseling roles but provide valuable exposure to treatment planning, care coordination, and client interaction. Some agencies will allow case management hours to count toward supervised experience requirements if you’re simultaneously enrolled in a counseling program and working with an approved clinical supervisor.
Behavioral health aide roles function similarly—you’re assisting licensed counselors, facilitating groups, conducting intake screenings, and learning the mechanics of treatment delivery, all while getting paid.
How to Make This Work
To turn an entry-level job into supervised experience that counts toward certification:
- Register with your state board as a trainee or intern if that registration exists in your state.
- Ensure your employer has a qualified clinical supervisor on staff who meets your state board’s requirements for providing supervision.
- Clarify in writing with your employer and supervisor that your work hours will count toward your supervised experience and that documentation will be maintained according to state board standards.
- If you’re also completing a university practicum, ask your program director whether some of your paid work hours can count toward practicum requirements. Some programs allow this if the employer provides a letter and the supervision meets academic standards.
One Reddit user described working as a paid substance abuse counselor while their employer allowed the hours to count as their university internship, backed by a supervisor’s letter. This kind of arrangement isn’t automatic, but it’s worth asking about.
Program Comparison Table
| Program/Model | Location | Compensation | Target Credential | Duration | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WA Behavioral Health Apprenticeship (SUDP) | Washington State | Full-time wages + benefits; tuition covered | SUDP certification | ~2 years (4,000 hours + 560 classroom hours) | Work 4 days/week, class 1 day/week; possible college credit; 2-year service commitment |
| Oregon CADC Apprenticeship | Oregon | Wages + need-based stipends; free education | CADC | Varies by employer | Free supervision, designed to cover MHACBO requirements |
| Outreach Training Institute Apprenticeship | New York | Full-time wages + benefits; free CASAC training | CASAC | Varies (typically 2-3 years) | Work in residential programs; longest-running registered apprenticeship |
| PaRC Fellowship | Houston, TX | Stipend per 250-hour block | LCDC, LPC, LMFT hours | 12-24 months | Supervision meets Texas board requirements |
| ARTS Paid Internships | Denver, CO | Hourly wage (amount varies) | Practicum hours for grad programs | Varies by program | Work in residential, outpatient, adolescent services |
| New Season Internship | Multi-state (OTP locations) | Hourly wage | State-specific SUD credentials | Varies | MAT/OTP focus; multidisciplinary team experience |
| San Diego Workforce SUD Training | San Diego, CA | 255 paid internship hours; free tuition & fees | CA SUD counselor certification | 9-18 months | Includes supportive services (transportation, childcare) |
| HRSA BHWET Stipends | National (university-dependent) | $10,000 stipend (typical for master’s level) | Practicum hours for counseling programs | 6-12 months | Must be enrolled in BHWET-funded program |
| Forsyth Tech Addictions Pathway | North Carolina | Quarterly stipends ($750/quarter, up to $3,000); full tuition | Peer support or clinical addictions cert | Accelerated certificate | Covers tuition, books, fees, malpractice, exam costs |
| OASAS Scholarship + Internship Stipend | New York | Internship stipend for 120 hours; full tuition | CASAC | Training period + 120-hour internship | Reimburses application and exam fees |
How to Find Earn-While-You-Learn Opportunities in Your State
Finding paid clinical placements requires more active research than just scrolling through university websites. Here’s a strategic approach.
Check State Addiction Agencies and Workforce Boards
Most states have an office of addiction services, behavioral health department, or similar agency. These agencies often post information about workforce initiatives, scholarships, and training grants. Search for:
- [Your state name] + “office of addiction services”
- [Your state name] + “behavioral health workforce development”
- [Your state name] + “SUD counselor scholarship”
- [Your state name] + “opioid settlement workforce programs”
Many states publish announcements about paid internships, apprenticeships, and stipend programs on these sites. If you don’t see anything obvious, call or email the workforce development contact listed on the site and ask directly.
Search for Behavioral Health Apprenticeships
Registered apprenticeships are listed through state labor departments and the U.S. Department of Labor’s apprenticeship database. Try these searches:
- [Your state name] + “behavioral health apprenticeship”
- [Your state name] + “SUD counselor apprenticeship”
- [Your state name] + “addiction counselor apprenticeship”
- [Your state name] + “CASAC apprenticeship” (or substitute your state’s specific credential acronym)
Even if your state doesn’t have a statewide program like Washington’s, individual employers or training institutes might run smaller-scale apprenticeships.
Questions to Ask Treatment Centers
If you’re interested in working at a specific treatment agency, call or email their human resources or clinical training department and ask:
- “Do you host paid interns or fellows?”
- “Do you hire trainees and provide clinical supervision for state certification?”
- “Do you participate in any state or federal grant programs that fund internship stipends?”
- “Are there entry-level roles where I could work toward certification while employed?”
Many agencies won’t advertise these opportunities on job boards, but they’ll tell you if you ask. Agencies that receive HRSA grants, SAMHSA grants, or state opioid settlement funds are more likely to have paid placement options.
What to Look for in University Program Descriptions
When researching counseling or addiction programs, scan for these phrases:
- “HRSA BHWET grant”
- “Stipend support during internship”
- “Paid clinical placements”
- “Tuition assistance for practicum students”
- “Federal or state grant funding for fieldwork”
- “Partnerships with community treatment agencies”
If you see any of these, contact the program’s admissions or fieldwork coordinator and ask for specifics:
- What’s the stipend amount?
- Are all students eligible, or is it competitive?
- Which clinical sites offer paid placements?
- Are students allowed to be paid by their practicum site?
Some programs forbid students from being paid during practicum even when sites offer it, so it’s critical to ask this upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are paid addiction counseling internships common?
Is it legal to pay counseling interns?
How much do paid counseling interns typically earn?
Can I realistically earn while I learn all the way to full licensure?
Do I need a master’s degree for paid clinical placements?
Will paid hours count toward my state’s licensure requirements?
Key Takeaways
- Paid clinical placements in addiction counseling are still less common than unpaid internships, but they’re expanding rapidly due to workforce shortages and opioid settlement funding.
- Four main models exist: registered apprenticeships (hire you as an employee while you train), provider-based paid internships and fellowships, grant-funded stipends (HRSA BHWET and state programs), and paid entry-level roles that count toward certification.
- Washington, Oregon, New York, California, and North Carolina have some of the most established earn-while-you-learn programs, but opportunities exist in other states if you know what to search for.
- HRSA BHWET grants can provide $10,000 stipends during your final practicum year if you’re enrolled in a funded counseling program. Always ask admissions counselors whether the school has BHWET or similar grants.
- Registered apprenticeships like Washington’s SUDP program and Oregon’s CADC program pay full-time wages, cover tuition, and lead directly to state certification—making them the most financially accessible pathway for many students.
- Paid trainee and entry-level roles (SUDPT, recovery counselor, peer support specialist) can serve as stepping stones into clinical counseling while you earn income and accumulate supervised hours.
- You’ll need to be proactive in your search. Contact state addiction agencies, call treatment centers directly, and ask university programs specific questions about stipend availability and paid placement options.
- Verify that any paid placement will count toward your state’s supervised experience requirements before committing. Get written confirmation from your employer, supervisor, and academic program if applicable. Even when programs claim to meet state standards, confirm directly with your state licensing board.
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Use our state-by-state guides to understand your local requirements and start identifying programs and employers that align with your financial needs and career goals.