Substance Abuse Professional Requirements in Michigan
Michigan requires certification through MCBAP (Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals). Basic CADC certification needs 300 education hours plus 2,000-6,000 work hours, depending on your degree. A master’s-level CAADC requires a graduate degree, 2,000 supervised hours, and passing an IC&RC exam.
You’ve seen what addiction does—maybe you’ve carried that weight yourself, or watched someone you love struggle to break free. Now you’re ready to turn that pain into purpose by becoming a Michigan substance abuse counselor.
Michigan’s path to certification runs through the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP), a nonprofit organization recognized by the state as the primary credentialing body for addiction counselors. Unlike many states where licensing is handled directly by government agencies, Michigan delegates this authority to MCBAP, a member of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).
This means your Michigan certification can potentially transfer to other IC&RC states—one of the advantages of this approach. Whether you’re just starting or already have a degree in a related field, Michigan offers clear pathways to CADC (Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor) or advanced CAADC certification.
Development Plan While Completing Qualifications for MCBAP Certification
If you don’t yet hold MCBAP certification, Michigan allows you to work under a time-limited Development Plan while completing your qualifications. This applies under certain public funding arrangements, giving you a way to gain supervised experience as you build toward full certification.
Here’s what you need to know: a Development Plan isn’t a credential. You can’t list “DP-C” after your name or present yourself as certified. During this phase, you’re considered non-credentialed and must work under direct supervision—you can’t provide counseling or prevention services independently.
Some employers and nonprofits that contract with the state allow Development Plan participants to work in support roles. This gives you hands-on experience in the field while you complete your education hours, supervised training, and work experience requirements. Think of it as your entry point—a structured pathway that lets you start making a difference while you’re preparing for full certification.
Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) Certification
The CADC is Michigan’s foundational certification for substance abuse counselors. You can pursue this credential with a high school diploma or GED, though having a degree significantly reduces your supervision and experience requirements.
Education Requirements
Your degree type determines how much supervised training and work experience you’ll need. To qualify using education, you must have:
- An associate or bachelor’s degree in counseling, human services, or a related behavioral health field, OR
- A master’s degree or higher in counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, marriage and family therapy, or criminal justice
Regardless of your education level, you must complete at least 300 hours of addiction-specific education. This breaks down to:
- 180 hours focused on substance abuse counseling
- 6 hours dedicated to ethics
Supervised Training Hours
Your supervision requirements vary based on education:
- High school diploma/GED: 300 hours
- Associate’s degree: 250 hours
- Bachelor’s degree: 200 hours
- Master’s degree or higher: 100 hours
Work Experience Requirements
Here’s where your degree makes the most significant difference:
- High school diploma/GED: 6,000 hours
- Associate’s degree: 5,000 hours
- Bachelor’s degree: 4,000 hours
- Master’s degree or higher: 2,000 hours
Let’s put this in perspective. If you have a bachelor’s degree, those 4,000 work hours translate to roughly two years of full-time work. With a master’s degree, you’re looking at about one year. The requirements are designed to ensure you have substantial hands-on experience before working independently with clients.
| Education Level | Education Hours | Supervised Training | Work Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| High School Diploma/GED | 300 hours (180 SUD + 6 ethics) | 300 hours | 6,000 hours |
| Associate Degree | 300 hours (180 SUD + 6 ethics) | 250 hours | 5,000 hours |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 300 hours (180 SUD + 6 ethics) | 200 hours | 4,000 hours |
| Master’s Degree or Higher | 300 hours (180 SUD + 6 ethics) | 100 hours | 2,000 hours |
Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC) Certification
The CAADC represents Michigan’s master’s-level certification for substance abuse counselors. This advanced credential requires a graduate degree and positions you for clinical practice and leadership roles.
CAADC Requirements
To qualify for CAADC certification, you must have:
- A master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, art therapy, or marriage and family therapy
- At least 2,000 hours of experience providing direct counseling services to individuals with substance use disorders
- 100 hours of post-master’s supervised training
- 186 total education hours (180 hours in substance abuse counseling, 6 hours in ethics)
The CAADC opens doors to independent clinical practice, supervision of other counselors, and advanced roles in treatment facilities and recovery programs. If you’re planning to pursue a master’s degree specifically for this career, you’ll find comprehensive information in our guide to master’s degrees in addiction counseling.
Examination Requirements
Both CADC and CAADC certifications require passing an IC&RC examination. The International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium administers these standardized tests across multiple states, which is what makes reciprocity possible if you relocate.
Available Examinations
You’ll take one of these exams based on your credential level:
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (ADC) exam for CADC certification
- Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) exam for CAADC certification
How to Register
Complete the MCBAP examination registration form and submit it to the organization. Once MCBAP processes your registration, you’ll receive an email with instructions for scheduling your test location, date, and time.
Exam Preparation
IC&RC provides study guides and additional resources on its website. You can also request study materials directly from MCBAP by emailing [email protected]. Don’t underestimate these exams—they’re comprehensive assessments covering everything from assessment and diagnosis to treatment planning, counseling techniques, and professional ethics.
Michigan Addiction Counselor Salary Data
Understanding the financial reality of addiction counseling helps you plan your career path. Here’s what substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors earn in Michigan based on 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
| Location | Employment | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan (Statewide) | 5,590 | $49,230 | $53,640 | $75,400 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 2,380 | $50,660 | $54,980 | $77,360 |
| Grand Rapids-Kentwood | 620 | $44,820 | $48,530 | $63,900 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 230 | $47,420 | $50,150 | $65,320 |
These numbers represent real earning potential in Michigan’s addiction counseling field. The Detroit metro area offers the highest salaries and most employment opportunities, though you’ll find positions throughout the state. Keep in mind that CAADC certification and specialized skills can position you toward the higher end of these ranges.
Other MCBAP Credentials: Prevention Specialist Certification, Supervisor, and Criminal Justice Specialist
Beyond the core CADC and CAADC certifications, MCBAP offers specialized credentials for specific roles in Michigan’s substance abuse treatment system.
Additional MCBAP Credentials
Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) requires a master’s degree in an approved discipline plus at least 6,000 hours of experience, including 4,000 hours specifically focused on clinical supervision. You must already hold a current CADC or CAADC certification to apply.
Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) focuses on prevention rather than treatment. This credential is based on work experience, training, education hours, and examination. You’ll need a total of 2,000 hours of prevention-focused experience.
Certified Prevention Consultant (CPC) represents an advanced prevention credential with higher requirements than CPS.
Certified Peer Recovery Mentor (CPRM) allows individuals in recovery to support others through their journey. If you’re interested in peer support work, our guide to becoming a certified peer support specialist explains this rewarding career path.
Certified Criminal Justice Professional Michigan (CCJP-M) is designed for professionals applying substance abuse counseling in criminal justice settings. Experience requirements range from 1,000 to 6,000 hours, depending on your academic degree.
Visit MCBAP’s website for detailed requirements for each of these specialized credentials.
The Application Process
All MCBAP certification applications are processed through Certemy, an online credentialing platform. Visit MCBAP’s website and find the links under each specific credential type—these will take you directly to the appropriate Certemy application portal.
The application process includes:
- Creating a Certemy account
- Submitting official transcripts
- Documenting your supervised training hours
- Verifying your work experience
- Providing proof of education hours
- Paying applicable fees
- Scheduling your IC&RC examination
MCBAP reviews applications on a rolling basis. Once you’ve submitted everything, you’ll receive confirmation and instructions for the next steps. Don’t wait until you’ve completed all requirements to start your application—you can begin the process while you’re still accumulating hours, which helps you track your progress and identify any documentation gaps early.
Reciprocity
One significant advantage of Michigan’s MCBAP system is reciprocity through IC&RC membership. If you hold certification through another IC&RC member board in a different state, you can potentially transfer that certification to Michigan.
The reciprocity process varies depending on your current credential and its alignment with Michigan’s requirements. Contact your current state’s IC&RC member board for a reciprocity application—they’ll work with MCBAP to facilitate the transfer.
Keep in mind that reciprocity isn’t automatic. MCBAP reviews each application individually to ensure your out-of-state credential meets Michigan’s standards. If there are gaps, you may need to complete additional training or education hours. This process is still typically faster and less demanding than starting certification from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a degree to become a substance abuse counselor in Michigan?
What’s the difference between CADC and CAADC certification?
How long does Michigan certification take?
Can I work as an addiction counselor while completing certification requirements?
Does Michigan accept certifications from other states?
What does the IC&RC exam cover?
How much does CADC certification cost in Michigan?
What continuing education is required to maintain Michigan certification?
Key Takeaways
- Michigan’s substance abuse counselors are certified through MCBAP, a nonprofit member of IC&RC, which allows for potential certification reciprocity with other states.
- CADC certification requires 300 education hours and 2,000-6,000 work hours, depending on your degree level, while master’s-level CAADC requires a graduate degree plus 2,000 supervised hours.
- You can work under a Development Plan while completing certification requirements, gaining paid experience under supervision at employers who accept this arrangement.
- Both CADC and CAADC require passing IC&RC examinations (ADC or AADC) that comprehensively test addiction counseling competencies.
- Michigan addiction counselors earn a median salary of $49,230 statewide, with the Detroit metro area offering the highest median salary at around $50,660.
- MCBAP offers specialized credentials beyond CADC/CAADC, including prevention specialist, clinical supervisor, peer recovery mentor, and criminal justice professional certifications.
Ready to Start Your Michigan Addiction Counseling Career?
Find accredited addiction counseling programs in Michigan and take the first step toward CADC or CAADC certification. Whether you’re pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, you’ll find programs designed to meet MCBAP 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.