Licensed Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors Requirements in New Mexico
If you have a passion for helping others and a desire to make a difference in the lives of those affected by substance use disorder, a career as a New Mexico alcohol and drug counselor should be squarely in your sights. Substance abuse counseling is not for everyone; but for the inspired few, it can prove to be a truly rewarding profession that’s solely focused on changing lives and transforming communities.
The New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board regulates and credentials substance abuse professionals as Licensed Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors (LADACs). Licensure is based on education, supervised practice, and examination. While working under supervision, an addiction counselor is credentialed as a Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA).
Select a New Mexico Licensed Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor Topic Below…
- Licensed Substance Abuse Associate Requirements
- Licensed Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor Requirements
- Application and Examination Process
- Out-of-State Addiction Counselors
- Additional Information
Licensed Substance Abuse Associate Requirements
The first step in the licensure process in New Mexico requires earning the Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA) credential.
To become an LSAA, you must be at least 21 years old and have an associate’s degree in counseling, substance abuse counseling, or a related field, along with at least 90 clock hours of education and training in alcohol and drug abuse counseling.
You’ll apply for the LSAA credential online through the New Mexico Professional Licensing User System. The application process includes submitting the following:
- Verification of Education and Training form
- Experience Plan (outlining your supervision plan and qualified supervisor)
- Three letters of recommendation
You must complete all experience requirements under an approved supervisor. You can view a list of approved supervisors here.
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor Requirements
Before you can become an LADAC, you must have a minimum of an associate’s degree in counseling or in a counseling or substance abuse counseling-related field, along with at least 276 clock hours in education and training, which must include at least 90 hours in education and training specific to alcohol and substance counseling and at least 6 hours in professional ethics.
You must also complete at least 3,000 hours (three years) of experience in alcohol and drug abuse counseling, which must include at least 200 hours of supervised experience.
However, if you earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a counseling or substance abuse counseling related field, you won’t need to complete as many hours of experience:
- Bachelor’s degree: 2,000 hours (two years), with 100 hours of supervised client contact hours
- Master’s degree: 1,000 hours (one year), with 50 hours of supervised client contact hours
The Application and Examination Process
You must apply for the LADAC online through the New Mexico Professional Licensing User System. The application process includes submitting the following:
- LADAC Verification of Education and Training Hours (Attachment D)
- Statement of Verification of Postgraduate Supervised Hours (Attachment B)
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive notice of your approval, along with instructions for registering for the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) exam. Once you take and pass the exam, you’ll receive your LADAC credential.
Out-of-State Addiction Counselors
Candidates who are licensed/certified by an IC&RC member board may have their Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential transferred to New Mexico. Learn more about reciprocity here.
Additional Information
The New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board can be reached at (505) 476-4622 or at [email protected]. You can also schedule an appointment to speak with the Boards and Commission Division (either in-person or over the phone) by completing the online appointment scheduling form.