Addiction Counselor Requirements in Maryland
Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists oversees five alcohol and drug counselor levels: Alcohol and Drug Trainee (ADT) status, two certifications (CSC-AD and CAC-AD), and two licenses (LGADC and LCADC). You can start as a trainee with 15 college credits or an associate degree. Independent practice requires the LCADC, which takes a 60-credit master’s and 2,000 supervised hours.
There are no simple solutions to the complex, systemic problem that Maryland’s dual prescription opioid and street-grade fentanyl crises represent. But one thing you can be sure of is that the state’s substance use disorder professional community has a hand to play in it.
You’ll find Maryland’s addiction counselors in the heart of Baltimore, its surrounding communities, and every corner of the state that inpatient facilities and outpatient programs can reach. They work with people from every walk of life, including those living at the margins, and they provide life-changing resources and services every day. With the right credentials, you can become an addiction counselor who makes a real difference.
The Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, part of the Maryland Department of Health, regulates alcohol and drug counselors in Maryland. Its credential titles are specific to Maryland, so they won’t match the levels other states use. Since July 1, 2026, every application runs through the Board’s online portal.
Maryland Credential Pathways at a Glance
Maryland has three types of alcohol and drug credentials. ADT is a trainee status, the CSC-AD and CAC-AD are certifications, and the LGADC and LCADC are licenses.
You don’t have to earn every credential in order. The Board places you at the level your education and experience support. A master’s graduate who completed an alcohol and drug counseling internship, for example, can apply directly for the LGADC. Many counselors do move up over time, working at one level while they finish the education for the next.
| Credential | Education | Supervised Experience | Exams | Practice Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADT (trainee status) | Associate degree in a counseling field, or 15 credits of alcohol and drug coursework including ethics | None to start. You train under a Board-approved supervisor | None | Supervised trainee, 2-year term renewable up to 6 years |
| CSC-AD (certification) | Associate degree in a counseling field plus 24 credits of alcohol and drug coursework | 6-credit internship or 1,000 hours as an ADT | NCAC I + Maryland Law Assessment | Close supervision. Doesn’t supervise others or practice independently |
| CAC-AD (certification) | Bachelor’s degree in a counseling field plus 33 credits of alcohol and drug coursework | Internship or 1,000 hours, plus 1 year and 1,000 supervised hours as a CSC-AD or ADT | NCAC II + Maryland Law Assessment | Moderate supervision. Can supervise others after 3 years and Board approval |
| LGADC (license) | Master’s degree with 60+ graduate credits, including 39 alcohol and drug credits | Internship or 1,000 hours as an ADT, CSC-AD, or CAC-AD | MAC + Maryland Law Assessment | Clinical supervision while earning LCADC hours. Doesn’t supervise others |
| LCADC (license) | Same as LGADC | 2 years and 2,000 post-degree hours | MAC + Maryland Law Assessment | Independent practice. Can supervise with Board approval |
Alcohol and Drug Trainee (ADT)
ADT status is your entry point into Maryland’s addiction counseling field. It isn’t a certificate or a license. It’s a time-limited authorization that lets you train under a Board-approved alcohol and drug supervisor while you work toward the CSC-AD, CAC-AD, LGADC, or LCADC.
Who Qualifies for ADT Status
You can qualify through either of two routes:
- Degree route: An associate degree or higher in a health and human services counseling field, or a substantially equivalent program that includes 1 semester credit in alcohol and drug ethics
- Coursework route: 15 semester credits (25 quarter credits) in alcohol and drug counseling topics, including either 1 semester credit or 15 CEUs in alcohol and drug ethics
Either way, you’ll need a Board-approved supervisor lined up before you start training. If you already hold a clinical mental health license in Maryland, you’ll apply for a credential directly instead of ADT status.
Supervision and Where You Work
Your degree sets your supervision level. Trainees with a master’s degree work under clinical supervision, trainees with a bachelor’s work under moderate supervision, and trainees with an associate degree or high school diploma work under close supervision. You’ll work as an employee of a State-certified or State-licensed program, and you’ll notify the Board within 30 days if your employer or supervisor changes. Trainees don’t supervise others.
How Long ADT Status Lasts
ADT status lasts 2 years and renews in 2-year increments up to 6 years total. Renewal isn’t automatic. Each time, you’ll submit your supervisor’s verification of hours and a transcript showing progress toward your next credential. The Board recommends starting your renewal 6 months before your status expires. ADT status doesn’t require an exam.
Applying for ADT Status
You’ll apply through the Board’s online portal. The application fee is $150, plus a $100 trainee status fee. Every applicant, including trainees, completes a criminal history records check with fingerprints.
Certified Supervised Counselor-Alcohol and Drug (CSC-AD)
The CSC-AD is Maryland’s first full alcohol and drug counseling certification. At this level, you provide counseling services under the close supervision of a Board-approved supervisor.
CSC-AD Education Requirements
You’ll need an associate degree in a health and human services counseling field, or an associate degree plus a Board-approved equivalent program with at least 30 counseling credits. On top of that, you’ll complete at least 24 semester credits of alcohol and drug coursework. That must include 3 credits each in pharmacology, addictions treatment delivery, and ethics, plus three electives such as group counseling, co-occurring disorders, or family counseling.
CSC-AD Experience Requirements
You’ll complete either a 6-credit internship or at least 1,000 hours of work as an ADT under an approved supervisor.
CSC-AD Examination Requirements
Maryland’s regulations require a national alcohol and drug counselor exam approved by the Board. The Board uses NAADAC’s exams, which its credentialing arm, the NCC AP, administers. Other states set their own exam rules, so these requirements apply to Maryland only.
After the Board approves your application and background check, it authorizes you to sit for two assessments:
- National Certified Addiction Counselor I (NCAC I): NAADAC’s exam covering the fundamentals of addiction counseling, ethics, and practice
- Maryland Law Assessment: A 36-question open assessment through CCE Academy covering Maryland’s counseling laws and regulations. It has no passing score, and you’ll repeat items until you answer them all correctly. Your completion certificate stays valid for 1 year, so time it close to your application
Working as a CSC-AD
As a CSC-AD, you’ll counsel clients in treatment facilities, outpatient programs, and community organizations, all under close supervision at a State-certified or State-licensed program. You won’t supervise others or practice independently at this level. Your certification renews every 2 years.
Certified Associate Counselor-Alcohol and Drug (CAC-AD)
The CAC-AD is Maryland’s bachelor’s-level certification. You’ll work with more independence than a CSC-AD, and with enough experience and Board approval, you can supervise other counselors.
CAC-AD Education Requirements
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a health and human services counseling field, or a bachelor’s plus a Board-approved equivalent program with at least 45 counseling credits. You’ll also complete at least 33 semester credits of alcohol and drug coursework. Required courses cover pharmacology, group counseling, individual counseling, addictions treatment delivery, ethics, and abnormal psychology, plus three electives.
CAC-AD Experience Requirements
You’ll complete an internship or 1,000 hours of work, plus at least 1 year and 1,000 hours of clinically supervised experience as a CSC-AD or ADT.
CAC-AD Examination Requirements
- National Certified Addiction Counselor II (NCAC II): NAADAC’s intermediate exam covering assessment, treatment planning, case management, and professional development
- Maryland Law Assessment: The same CCE Academy assessment required for the CSC-AD
Working as a CAC-AD
CAC-ADs work under moderate supervision at State-certified or State-licensed programs, and they don’t practice independently. Once you have 3 years of documented alcohol and drug counseling experience, you can apply to become a Board-approved supervisor. You’ll also complete supervision training, such as a 3-credit supervision course, 18 CEUs in supervision, or an approved clinical supervisor credential. Approved CAC-ADs can supervise CAC-ADs, CSC-ADs, and ADTs, which opens doors to lead roles in larger treatment programs.
Licensed Graduate Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LGADC)
The LGADC is Maryland’s master’s-level license for counselors earning the supervised hours they need for the LCADC. You’ll practice under clinical supervision, and you won’t practice independently or supervise others.
To qualify, you’ll meet the same education standard as the LCADC: a master’s degree with at least 60 graduate credits, including 39 credits of alcohol and drug coursework. You’ll also complete an internship or 1,000 hours of work as an ADT, CSC-AD, or CAC-AD. You’ll pass the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) exam and the Maryland Law Assessment. The application fee is $200.
Your LGADC expires 2 years after the Board issues it. If you need more time to finish your LCADC hours, you can extend it in 2-year increments up to 6 years total.
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC)
The LCADC is Maryland’s highest alcohol and drug counseling license. It lets you practice independently, open a private practice, and qualify to supervise other counselors.
LCADC Education Requirements
You’ll need a master’s degree with at least 60 graduate semester credits, or a doctorate with at least 90. Your coursework must include 39 credits of alcohol and drug study with at least 3 credits in each of 11 areas: pharmacology, group counseling, individual counseling, addictions treatment delivery, ethics, human development, abnormal psychology, theories of counseling, co-occurring disorders, substance-related and addictive disorders, and family counseling. You’ll also complete graduate coursework in diagnosis and psychopathology and in psychotherapy and treatment.
LCADC Experience Requirements
After your master’s or doctorate, you’ll complete at least 2 years and 2,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, usually as an LGADC. At least 1,500 of those hours must be direct clinical counseling, including 100 hours of clinical supervision. At least 50 of those supervision hours must be individual and face-to-face.
Your supervisor must be an LCADC or another licensed clinical mental health provider with documented alcohol and drug expertise. Certified counselors don’t qualify as LCADC supervisors. On the standard route, the Board’s application requires you to earn these hours in Maryland. If you already hold a clinical alcohol and drug license in another state, you’ll apply by endorsement instead, and the Board evaluates your existing license and experience. If you’re already an LGADC, you’ll use the Board’s transfer application.
LCADC Examination Requirements
- Master Addiction Counselor (MAC): NAADAC’s most advanced exam, covering clinical practice, supervision, consultation, and professional development
- Maryland Law Assessment: The same CCE Academy assessment required at every credential level above trainee
Working as an LCADC
As an LCADC, you can practice independently, open a private practice, lead treatment programs, and take on senior clinical and administrative roles. You can also supervise other counselors once you complete supervision training and the Board approves you as a supervisor.
Application Process and Fees
Maryland moved every counselor application online in 2026. The Board launched its online application portal on July 1, 2026, and it has rejected paper and emailed applications since June 20, 2026.
What You’ll Submit
- Your completed online application and fees
- A criminal history records check with fingerprints
- Official transcripts
- Supervisor forms documenting your experience
- Your exam results and Maryland Law Assessment certificate, where required
- A passport-style photo, where the application asks for one
Not sure your coursework qualifies? You can request a pre-application credential evaluation for $50 before you apply. Find the forms on the Board’s alcohol and drug counselor page.
Fees
| Fee | Certificates and Trainee Status (ADT, CSC-AD, CAC-AD) | Licenses (LGADC, LCADC) |
|---|---|---|
| Application | $150 | $200 |
| Initial certificate, status, or license | $100 | $200 |
| Renewal | $200 | $301 for the LCADC ($275 plus a $26 Maryland Health Care Commission fee). The LGADC extends rather than renews, so check with the Board for the extension fee |
NAADAC’s base exam fee is $150, and some states add an administrative fee. CCE sets the Maryland Law Assessment fee at checkout. Fees can change, so check the Board’s current fee schedule before you pay.
Processing Timeline
The Board processes complete applications in 30 to 45 business days. If your application goes to compliance review, expect at least 90 business days. If the Board asks for a missing item, you’ll have 15 calendar days to send it, or the Board denies the application without a refund.
Questions? Call the Board at 410-764-4732 or email [email protected]. The Board doesn’t accept walk-ins.
Renewal and Continuing Education
How you renew depends on your level:
- ADT: Renew every 2 years, up to 6 years total, by showing progress toward your next credential. You’ll submit your supervisor’s verification of hours and a transcript instead of CEUs.
- CSC-AD, CAC-AD, and LCADC: Renew every 2 years and complete 40 continuing education units (CEUs) each renewal period. At least 30 must be Category A, and up to 10 can be Category B.
- LGADC: Extend every 2 years, up to 6 years total. You won’t need CEUs for your first extension, but later extensions follow the same CEU rules as other credentials.
If your first renewal period as a CSC-AD, CAC-AD, or LCADC is shorter than 2 years, you’ll need 20 Category A CEUs. Extra CEUs don’t carry over, and you’ll keep your records for 4 years. ADTs and LGADCs don’t use the standard online renewal, so follow the Board’s instructions for your status.
For CSC-AD, CAC-AD, and LCADC credentials expiring January 31, 2027, the renewal window runs from November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. Certificate and license holders also attest once to completing an implicit bias training approved by Maryland’s Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities. If 6 or more years have passed since your last criminal history records check, you’ll complete a new one at renewal.
Salary and Job Outlook in Maryland
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Maryland earned a median annual wage of $59,530 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Counselors at the 10th percentile earned $44,050, and those at the 90th percentile earned $91,980.
Where you work makes a real difference. Counselors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, which includes Maryland’s D.C. suburbs, earned a median of $65,270. The Baltimore-Columbia-Towson median was $57,750.
| Area | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $44,050 | $50,030 | $59,530 | $73,220 | $91,980 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $43,530 | $48,670 | $57,750 | $71,770 | $86,280 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,520 | $50,870 | $65,270 | $83,370 | $104,170 |
| United States | $38,940 | $47,100 | $59,350 | $76,530 | $97,590 |
Your pay also depends on things the BLS data doesn’t break out:
- Credential level: Higher credentials open clinical, supervisory, and private practice roles
- Work setting: Hospitals, private practices, and community agencies set pay differently
- Experience and specialized training: Years of practice and added certifications strengthen your position when you negotiate
Job Market Outlook
ProjectionsCentral’s 2024-34 projections show Maryland employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors growing from 10,460 jobs in 2024 to 12,500 in 2034. That’s 19.4% growth, ahead of the 16.8% projected nationally, with about 1,080 openings a year. Openings span urban treatment centers in Baltimore, the D.C. suburbs, and community programs in rural counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an addiction counselor in Maryland?
Do I need a master’s degree to work as an addiction counselor in Maryland?
Can a CAC-AD supervise an Alcohol and Drug Trainee?
What exams do Maryland addiction counselors need to pass?
Can I work as an addiction counselor while completing my education?
How much does it cost to get certified in Maryland?
Does Maryland have reciprocity with other states?
What are the continuing education requirements for Maryland addiction counselors?
What’s the difference between CSC-AD, CAC-AD, LGADC, and LCADC?
Key Takeaways
- Maryland’s five alcohol and drug counselor levels include ADT trainee status, two certifications (CSC-AD and CAC-AD), and two licenses (LGADC and LCADC).
- You don’t have to earn every level in order. The Board places you at the level your education and experience support.
- You can start as an ADT with 15 qualifying credits or an associate degree and a Board-approved supervisor, and keep that status for up to 6 years.
- Every level above trainee requires a Board-approved NAADAC exam (NCAC I, NCAC II, or MAC) plus the Maryland Law Assessment.
- The LCADC requires a master’s with at least 60 graduate credits and 2,000 supervised post-degree hours, and it’s the only one of the five that allows independent practice.
- Applications have gone through the Board’s online portal since July 1, 2026, and complete applications take 30 to 45 business days.
- Maryland counselors earned a median of $59,530 in May 2025, and ProjectionsCentral projects 19.4% job growth from 2024 to 2034.
- CSC-ADs, CAC-ADs, and LCADCs renew every 2 years with 40 CEUs, while ADTs and LGADCs follow their own renewal rules.
Ready to Start Your Addiction Counseling Career in Maryland?
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Salary figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, Social and Human Services Assistants (Peer Recovery Specialists), and Psychiatric Technicians and Aides (Substance Use Disorder Technicians) come from May 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics city, state, and national data. 2024-34 job growth projections come from ProjectionsCentral state and national data. These figures are not school-specific, and conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2026.