Substance Abuse Counselor Requirements in Arkansas
Arkansas substance abuse counselors play a vital role in helping individuals break from the grips of addiction and find their own path to recovery. Their work in individual and group counseling, education and prevention, crisis intervention, and advocacy make them an essential component of the state’s drug addiction prevention and recovery community.
Arkansas’ substance abuse counselors are licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Examiners of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (SBEADAC). The Board has a two-tier licensing system:
- Licensed Associate Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor (LAADAC) – bachelor’s educated professionals
- Licensed Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) – master’s educated professionals
Select an Arkansas Substance Abuse Counselor Topic Below…
- General Requirements for Licensure
- Examination Requirements
- LADAC and LAADAC Requirements
- Clinical Supervisor Requirements
- Reciprocity Information
- Adjunct Certifications
- Additional Information
General Requirements for Licensure
All applicants for licensure through the SBEADAC must be at least 21 years old and must complete at least three years (6,000 hours) of supervised experience (either paid or volunteer) under an approved supervisor. The Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board is an excellent resource for locating a qualified supervisor.
The Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board also issues a Counselor in Training (CIT) credential for individuals working toward meeting requirements. The application process includes undergoing a background check.
General Requirements: Examination
All applicants must pass the an exam through the Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board.
LADAC and LAADAC Requirements
The LADAC and LAADAC licenses are awarded only to individuals with qualifying degrees. The degree may be in health, behavioral science, or another related area deemed acceptable by the Board.
Applicants must request an application from the SBEADAC. Along with the completed application, applicants must submit:
- Proof of the completion of at least six hours of education in ethics within the last two years
- Three letters of reference
- License fee of $265
- Proof of a passing exam score
- Copy of a birth certificate or driver’s license
- Completed supervision form signed by the applicant and supervisor
- Official transcripts (sent directly to the Board from the institution)
The application must be notarized and sent to:
Arkansas Department of Health
STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF
ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE COUNSELORS
4815 West Markham Street, Box 42A
Little Rock, AR 72205
Clinical Supervisor Requirements
In order to be registered as a supervisor, a counselor must be a Licensed Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor; this is the master’s level designation. The LADAC must meet experience requirements set by the Board.
Clinical supervisors must have at least six hours of training in each of the following domains:
- Counselor development
- Treatment knowledge
- Program development and quality assurance
- Performance evaluation
- Professional and ethical standards
- Administration
Clinical supervisors must do six hours of supervision training during each renewal cycle in order to renew their status.
Reciprocity
Arkansas has provisions for substance abuse counselors who have met substantially similar requirements.
The Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board directs candidates seeking certification reciprocity through their organization to contact the organizational administrator.
Adjunct Certifications
An Arkansas substance abuse counselor may pursue other voluntary certifications through the Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board. ASACB offers substance abuse counseling credentials at multiple levels; it also offers certification for clinical supervisors and peer recovery specialists.
Additional Information
Licenses are renewed on a two-year basis. Continuing education not provided by one of the nine approved sponsors must have prior approval. No more than half of the required hours may be completed through online learning.
Contact the Board at (501) 295-1100 or at [email protected] with any questions.