Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Requirements in Massachusetts
Massachusetts LADC requirements depend on the license level. The LADC II needs a high school diploma, 270 training hours, a 300-hour practicum and 6,000 hours of supervised work (4,000 with a bachelor’s). The LADC I requires a master’s degree and the full 6,000 hours, and allows independent practice. Every level, including the LADC Assistant, requires passing the IC&RC ADC exam.
If you’re drawn to addiction counseling, there’s a good chance it’s personal. Maybe you’ve watched addiction affect someone you love, or you’ve lived through recovery yourself. Massachusetts gives you a clear path to turn that experience into a licensed career.
An LADC is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, the state license for addiction counselors in Massachusetts. The Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) issues it at three levels: LADC Assistant, LADC II and LADC I. You’ll find LADCs in settings from harm reduction programs in Boston to medication-assisted treatment centers in Worcester and Springfield.
If you’re wondering how to become a substance abuse counselor in Massachusetts, start by deciding which level fits your education and goals. The LADC II lets you practice under supervision with a high school diploma. The LADC I requires a master’s degree and lets you practice independently and supervise other counselors. Here’s what each level asks of you, what the exam involves and what the work pays.
Massachusetts LADC Levels at a Glance
BSAS sets the requirements for each level in the state regulation, 105 CMR 168.000. BSAS issues the state license. The Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification (MBSACC) is a separate board that issues certifications such as the CADC. You’ll need to be at least 18 to apply at any level, and you’ll find the official requirements and forms on the BSAS information page for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors.
| Requirement | LADC Assistant | LADC II | LADC I |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | High school diploma or GED | High school diploma or GED | Master’s or doctoral degree in a behavioral science, with 18 graduate semester hours in counseling |
| Training | 50 hours | 270 hours | 270 hours |
| Supervised practicum | Not required | 300 hours | 300 hours |
| Supervised work experience | 2,000 hours | 6,000 hours (4,000 with a bachelor’s or higher) | 6,000 hours |
| Exam | IC&RC ADC exam (current BSAS requirement) | IC&RC ADC exam (current BSAS requirement) | IC&RC ADC exam (current BSAS requirement) |
| How you practice | Under direct clinical and administrative supervision | Under clinical supervision, and can supervise LADC Assistants | Independently, and can supervise LADC II counselors and LADC Assistants |
Proposed Changes to Massachusetts LADC Rules
The Department of Public Health has proposed the first rewrite of 105 CMR 168.000 since the regulation began in 2004. The draft would accept master’s degrees in fields closely related to behavioral health or human services for the LADC I, expand the exams BSAS accepts, and extend exam waivers to more licensed health professionals. DPH held a public hearing on April 27, 2026. As of October 2026, the changes aren’t final, so this page follows the current rule. Check the BSAS page for updates before you apply.
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor I Requirements
The LADC I is the highest level of alcohol and drug counselor licensure in Massachusetts. If you want to practice independently or supervise other counselors, this is the license you’ll work toward.
You’ll need a master’s degree in behavioral sciences or a doctoral degree from an accredited school, including at least 18 graduate semester hours in counseling or counseling-related subjects. The regulation defines behavioral sciences with a set list of fields, including counseling, psychology, social work, chemical dependence, human services, nursing, criminal justice, and education.
Beyond your degree, you’ll complete:
- 270 hours of training in alcohol and drug counseling: BSAS-approved education providers offer this training. It covers 110 hours on alcoholism and drug abuse, 75 hours on counseling, assessment, treatment planning, and case management, 75 hours on client, family, and community education and cultural competency, and 10 hours on professional ethics.
- 300 hours of supervised practical training: Massachusetts requires at least 10 hours in each of the 12 core functions of counseling the state regulation defines, such as screening, intake, assessment, and treatment planning, with one hour of face-to-face supervision for every 10 hours of practice.
- 6,000 hours of supervised work experience: That’s about three years of full-time work, earned within the past 10 years, with weekly on-site clinical supervision. A master’s degree doesn’t reduce this number.
- A passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam: The same exam applies at every LADC level.
Already an LADC II? Your documented hours can count toward the LADC I, as long as they fall within the 10 years before you apply. According to BSAS, if you qualified with 4,000 hours through the bachelor’s route, you’ll need 2,000 more hours to reach the LADC I total. If you documented the full 6,000 hours, you won’t need more.
How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Massachusetts: LADC II Requirements
The LADC II is the most common starting point for counselors without a graduate degree. You’ll work directly with clients under clinical supervision, and once you hold the license, you can supervise LADC Assistants.
You need a high school diploma or GED to begin. A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited school cuts 2,000 hours from your experience requirement, and the regulation doesn’t limit this to a particular field. It isn’t required, and an associate’s degree doesn’t reduce the hours.
Here’s what you’ll complete:
- 270 hours of training in alcohol and drug counseling: It’s the same training requirement as the LADC I. Many counselors complete it through certificate programs at community colleges or training institutes on the BSAS-approved list.
- 300 hours of supervised practical training: Massachusetts requires direct client work across the 12 core functions, usually completed during your training program or early employment.
- 6,000 hours of supervised work experience: A bachelor’s degree or higher drops this to 4,000 hours, which takes about a year off your timeline. Your hours need to fall within the past 10 years.
- A passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam: It’s the same exam LADC I candidates take.
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Assistant
The LADC Assistant is the entry-level license. It lets you work in treatment settings while you build hours toward the LADC II or LADC I.
The requirements are lighter:
- High school diploma or GED
- 2,000 hours of supervised work experience: That’s about one year of full-time work.
- 50 hours of training: You’ll complete 10 hours in each of five areas: assessment, counseling, case management, professional responsibility (including ethics), and client, family, and community education.
- A passing score on the IC&RC ADC exam: The Assistant level requires the same exam as the other two.
- Three letters of recommendation
As an Assistant, you’ll provide recovery-based services under direct clinical and administrative supervision. It’s a good fit if you’re exploring the field, finishing school or moving over from a related profession.
The IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Exam
Every LADC level requires a passing score on a written exam that the Department prescribes, and BSAS currently uses the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam. You may see it called the CADC exam, but CADC is a certification that MBSACC awards. The licensing exam itself is the ADC.
Here’s what to expect:
- Massachusetts registration: BSAS links to an online Massachusetts IC&RC ADC exam registration form with a $300 fee. After you pay, IC&RC sends you scheduling details, and you’ll have 12 months to test.
- National exam format: IC&RC sets the same format for every jurisdiction that uses the ADC: 150 questions over three hours, with 125 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions.
- National exam content: IC&RC’s four domains are scientific principles of substance use and co-occurring disorders (25%), evidence-based screening and assessment (20%), evidence-based treatment, counseling and referral (30%), and professional, ethical and legal responsibilities (25%).
BSAS opens the online license application only after you’ve passed the exam, so plan your test date around finishing your hours. IC&RC’s ADC candidate guide walks through each domain, and your training coursework covers the same ground.
The Application Process
You’ll apply after you’ve finished your education, practicum, work hours, and exam. BSAS handles applications through its online eLicensing system, and you’ll need to request access first.
Contact the LADC Coordinator at BSAS to get access. As of October 2026, that’s Ian Bain, at [email protected] or (781) 774-6627. The coordinator can also answer questions about your specific situation.
Your application will include:
- Three letters of recommendation: Ask people who’ve known your work for at least six months, including your current or most recent supervisor.
- Practicum Experience Form: This documents your 300 hours of supervised practical training.
- Work Experience Form: This documents your supervised work hours (6,000, or 4,000 with a bachelor’s degree, or 2,000 for the Assistant level).
- CORI authorization: You’ll authorize a Massachusetts criminal record (CORI) check.
Your clinical supervisors sign both forms, so keep careful records of your hours as you go.
Here’s some good news on cost. BSAS has waived application and licensing fees for new and renewal applications at every level since May 9, 2022, and the waiver stays in place until the Department rescinds it. The waiver doesn’t cover the $300 exam fee, which you pay when you register for the exam.
Keeping Your License Active
Your LADC renews every two years from the date BSAS issued it. Each renewal cycle requires 40 hours of continuing education. Your hours need to come from Department-approved training in the counselor core function areas, and you have to earn them within the two-year cycle you’re claiming. BSAS audits a random sample of renewals, so keep your certificates. The eLicensing system sends you a reminder three months before your license expires.
Reciprocity and Examination Waivers
Already licensed or certified somewhere else? Massachusetts offers two routes that can let you skip the exam.
License reciprocity: If you hold a current, valid alcohol and drug counselor license, or a license in a comparable field, from a state whose requirements BSAS considers equal to or greater than Massachusetts’, you may qualify without a written or oral exam. Your other state’s licensing board will need to send BSAS written verification that you’re in good standing.
Certification-based exam waiver: If you hold a current certification from one of these organizations, BSAS may waive the written exam. You’ll still need to meet the education, training, and experience requirements for the level you’re applying for.
- Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification (MBSACC)
- International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC)
- National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)
- Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP)
- Certified Alcohol Counselor (CAC)
- Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS), which BSAS lists on its application page
MBSACC is the IC&RC member board for Massachusetts, so its CADC and related certifications transfer to other IC&RC jurisdictions. That reciprocity applies to certification. It doesn’t transfer an LADC license from one state to another.
Salary Expectations in Massachusetts
You’re probably not in this for the money. Most people who choose addiction counseling have deeper reasons. You still need to pay bills and plan ahead, though, so here’s what the numbers show.
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Massachusetts earned a median annual wage of $59,890 in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s slightly above the national median of $59,350. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned $43,180 or less, and the top 10 percent earned $96,200 or more.
| Measure | Massachusetts | National |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | 18,190 | 491,930 |
| 10th percentile | $43,180 | $38,940 |
| 25th percentile | $47,540 | $47,100 |
| Median | $59,890 | $59,350 |
| 75th percentile | $76,950 | $76,530 |
| 90th percentile | $96,200 | $97,590 |
| Mean | $65,380 | $64,440 |
Pay by Region
The Boston area has the highest median among Massachusetts metro areas, while Barnstable and Amherst reach the highest pay at the 90th percentile.
| Metro Area | Employment | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 11,150 | $45,450 | $62,130 | $98,210 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 440 | $43,180 | $61,880 | $103,260 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 3,850 | $40,840 | $59,120 | $95,780 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | 590 | $44,030 | $58,810 | $98,610 |
| Springfield, MA | 1,790 | $41,330 | $58,750 | $96,330 |
| Worcester, MA | 2,460 | $41,630 | $57,950 | $88,840 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 440 | $42,390 | $55,100 | $91,980 |
The Boston and Providence areas cross state lines, so their figures include some workers in New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
Related Roles
If you start as an LADC Assistant, you might work in roles BLS doesn’t track as separate job titles. The closest wage data comes from two broader BLS occupations, so treat these figures as estimates for those roles.
| Broader BLS Occupation | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants (closest category for peer recovery specialists) | $39,440 | $47,130 | $63,670 |
| Psychiatric Technicians (closest category for substance use disorder technicians) | $40,140 | $52,000 | $66,330 |
Your own pay will depend on a few factors:
- Location: Boston-area counselors earn a higher median than the statewide figure.
- Credential level: An LADC I can practice independently, which opens the door to private practice and supervisory roles.
- Setting: Pay varies between hospitals, private practices, community health centers, and nonprofit organizations.
Demand looks steady. ProjectionsCentral, which publishes state and national employment projections, expects employment for these counselors in Massachusetts to grow 14 percent from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,830 openings a year. The national projection is 16.8 percent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become fully licensed as an LADC in Massachusetts?
Can I work as an addiction counselor while I’m accumulating my supervised hours?
What’s the practical difference between LADC I and LADC II in day-to-day work?
How much does the LADC exam cost, and how do I prepare for it?
Will Massachusetts accept my addiction counselor license from another state?
Do I need a master’s degree to be an effective addiction counselor?
What if I have a criminal record? Can I still become licensed?
Where can I complete the required 270 hours of training?
Key Takeaways
- Massachusetts licenses addiction counselors at three levels, LADC Assistant, LADC II and LADC I, and BSAS issues all three.
- The LADC II requires a high school diploma, 270 training hours, a 300-hour practicum and 6,000 supervised hours, or 4,000 with a bachelor’s degree.
- The LADC I requires a master’s or doctoral degree in a behavioral science plus the full 6,000 hours, and it allows independent practice and supervision of other counselors.
- Every level requires passing the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam, and BSAS currently waives application and licensing fees.
- Counselors in Massachusetts earned a median of $59,890 in May 2025, and the top 10 percent earned $96,200 or more.
- Proposed changes to the state’s LADC regulation could broaden degree and exam options, so check BSAS for updates before you apply.
Ready to Start Your Path to Becoming a Licensed Addiction Counselor in Massachusetts?
Find accredited programs that meet BSAS requirements and take your first step toward helping people build lasting recovery.
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.