What happens if I fail the written exam or oral interview?

You can retake the written exam after a waiting period determined by IC&RC. For the oral interview (ADC level only), you can attempt it up to three times within the same calendar year. The APSC provides detailed feedback after each interview attempt to help you understand areas that need improvement before your next try.

Addiction Counselor Requirements in South Carolina

Q: How much does the entire certification process cost?

For ADC certification, expect $425-$575 in total fees (certification application, written exam, and oral interview), depending on whether you're a NAADAC/APSC member. For AADC certification, costs are $325-$400 (no oral interview required at this level). These fees don't include your education costs or the required training hours, which vary by program.

Q: Can I transfer my South Carolina certification to another state?

Yes. Because South Carolina uses IC&RC exams, your certification is portable to many other states through reciprocity agreements. Most states that use IC&RC or NAADAC credentials recognize South Carolina certification, though you'll need to verify specific requirements with your target state's licensing board and may need to complete additional steps or pay reciprocity fees.

Written by Marcus Delgado, Last Updated: January 5, 2026

To become an addiction counselor in South Carolina, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a human services field, 300 contact hours of training across four counseling domains, and 4,000 hours of supervised experience. After completing these requirements, you’ll pass the IC&RC exam to earn your Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) certification through the Addiction Professionals of South Carolina (APSC).

South Carolina has one of the most fragmented government agency structures in the country—a 2024 state report confirmed what many already knew. But when it comes to substance use disorder treatment, the Addiction Professionals of South Carolina (APSC) has built something straightforward and effective: a clear two-tier certification system that prepares counselors to meet the crisis head-on.

There’s a good chance you’re here because you know the weight of addiction—maybe you’ve carried it yourself, or watched someone you love struggle under it. That experience, that understanding of how addiction bears down on lives and families, is what will make you effective in this field. South Carolina needs counselors who bring both professional training and personal insight to the work.

Getting APSC-certified means joining a community of professionals working across the state—from Charleston to Columbia to Greenville—helping people reclaim their lives from substance use disorder.

Featured Programs:

Alcohol and Drug Counselor Requirements

The Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) certification is your entry point into professional addiction counseling in South Carolina. This credential qualifies you to work in treatment facilities, outpatient programs, and community health settings under clinical supervision.

To become an ADC, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a field related to human services from a regionally accredited college or university. Fields like psychology, social work, counseling, sociology, or criminal justice all qualify—what matters is that your education provides a foundation for understanding human behavior and building relationships. Other related degrees may also be eligible upon review by the APSC.

During your education, you’ll complete 300 contact hours of classes and training focused on the four domains of addiction counseling:

Screening, assessment, and engagement – Learning to identify substance use disorders and build rapport with clients
Treatment planning, collaboration, and referrals – Developing comprehensive care plans and working with other professionals
Counseling – Applying evidence-based counseling techniques and interventions
Ethical and professional duties – Understanding confidentiality, boundaries, and professional standards

You’ll also need six hours of training in professional ethics and addiction medicine, plus three hours focused on HIV/AIDS-related issues—critical knowledge when working with populations affected by substance use disorder.

Experience requirements are substantial but achievable. In the five years leading up to certification, you’ll need to accumulate 4,000 hours (roughly two years of full-time work) of experience across the four domains. This work must be completed under 200 hours of clinical supervision from an APSC-certified clinical supervisor. During supervision, you’ll work on each domain for at least ten hours to ensure broad competency.

Once you’ve fulfilled the APSC’s education and experience requirements, you’ll register for the ADC Exam. This 150-question multiple-choice test was developed by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), one of the nation’s leading organizations for substance use disorder counselors.

Note: The oral interview component previously required for ADC certification is currently suspended by the APSC. Requirements may be updated in the future, so verify current policies with the APSC when you’re ready to apply.

Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Requirements

The Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) certification represents the clinical level of practice in South Carolina. This credential allows you to take on more complex cases, work with greater independence, and eventually pursue clinical supervision roles.

The educational requirements increase significantly: you’ll need a graduate degree (master’s or higher) in a human services field. Programs in clinical mental health counseling, social work, counseling psychology, or addiction counseling provide the advanced clinical training necessary at this level. Other related graduate degrees may also qualify upon review by the APSC.

Your training requirements increase to 450 contact hours across the four domains—150 more than the ADC level. You’ll also complete six hours in ethics and addiction medicine and three hours in HIV/AIDS-related issues, just like ADC candidates.

Experience requirements double at this level. AADC applicants need 8,000 hours (approximately four years) of work experience across the domains, plus 200 hours of clinical supervision. You’ll still need at least ten hours of work on each domain during supervision.

The written exam is similar in format—150 multiple-choice questions developed by the IC&RC—but covers more advanced clinical material. At the AADC level, you won’t need to complete an oral interview. Your graduate education and double experience hours demonstrate your clinical competency.

ADC vs AADC Comparison

Requirement	Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC)	Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC)
Education	Bachelor’s degree in human services field	Graduate degree (master’s or higher) in human services field
Training Hours	300 contact hours across four domains	450 contact hours across four domains
Experience Hours	4,000 hours (approximately 2 years)	8,000 hours (approximately 4 years)
Supervision Hours	200 hours with APSC-certified clinical supervisor	200 hours with APSC-certified clinical supervisor
Written Exam	150-question IC&RC ADC Exam	150-question IC&RC AADC Exam
Oral Interview	Currently suspended	Not required
Timeline	4-6 years total (including bachelor’s degree)	6-8 years total (including graduate degree)

The Application Process

All application materials for both certification levels are available online through the APSC website. The application process is straightforward, but attention to detail matters—incomplete applications slow down the timeline.

You’ll need to submit college transcripts showing your degree completion, clinical supervisor evaluations documenting your supervised hours, a signed copy of the APSC’s code of ethics, and verification of your training hours across all four domains.

After passing the written exam and meeting all other requirements, your certification will be processed. The oral interview component is currently suspended, though the APSC may reinstate it in the future. Check the APSC website for the most current application requirements before submitting your materials.

Fees vary based on NAADAC or APSC membership status:

Initial certification fee: $175 for members, $225 for non-members
Written exam fee: $150 for members, $175 for non-members

Membership in NAADAC or APSC isn’t required for certification, but the fee savings can be significant if you’re planning a long-term career in the field. Both organizations also offer continuing education, networking opportunities, and professional development resources.

FIND SCHOOLS

Reciprocity

If you’re already certified in another state and want to practice in South Carolina, the APSC has reciprocity policies that may recognize credentials from national certifying bodies.

You may be eligible for reciprocity if you hold any of these credentials:

Nationally Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) Level I through NAADAC
Nationally Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) Level II through NAADAC
Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) through NAADAC
Clinical Counselor through IC&RC
State certification from any state that uses NAADAC or IC&RC exams

You’ll still need to hold the appropriate degree level (bachelor’s for ADC, graduate degree for AADC). The APSC reviews reciprocity applications individually and may request supporting documentation to verify your training and experience. Individual state boards may require additional documentation or steps beyond fundamental reciprocity. The reciprocity application fee is $75.

Clinical Supervisor Requirements

Finding the right clinical supervisor is crucial—this person will guide your development during your supervised hours and sign off on your competency across the four domains.

APSC clinical supervisors must meet specific qualifications:

Hold Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) certification
Complete 30 hours of supervision training
Accumulate 24 hours of supervised experience, providing supervision
Document 10,000 hours (approximately five years) of addiction counseling experience
Spend at least two years working as a clinical supervisor candidate
Pass the IC&RC Clinical Supervisor Exam

To find a supervisor, check the APSC public registry. Keep in mind that not all supervisors listed have the capacity to take on new supervisees—many are already working with their maximum caseload.

If you’re having trouble finding a supervisor in your area, reach out directly to the APSC. They maintain relationships with supervisors throughout the state and can help connect you with someone who has availability and works in your geographic region or specialty area.

Salary and Career Outlook in South Carolina

Addiction counseling isn’t the highest-paying field in healthcare—we know you’re not in this for the money. But you deserve to understand the financial reality so you can plan accordingly.

According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in South Carolina earn competitive salaries that reflect the importance of this work:

Location	10th Percentile	Median Salary	90th Percentile
South Carolina (Statewide)	$32,870	$48,350	$73,600
Charleston-North Charleston	$35,240	$51,180	$76,890
Columbia	$34,560	$50,240	$72,450
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin	$31,890	$47,210	$71,330

Entry-level positions (ADC level) typically start toward the lower end of the range. At the same time, experienced AADC-certified counselors with clinical supervisor status can reach the higher percentiles, especially in private practice or specialized treatment settings.

Career advancement opportunities include moving into clinical supervision, program management, agency leadership, or private practice. Many counselors also pursue additional certifications in specialized areas like co-occurring disorders, trauma-informed care, or medication-assisted treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become certified as an addiction counselor in South Carolina?

For ADC certification with a bachelor’s degree, expect 4-6 years total—4 years for your degree, then 2-3 years to accumulate the required 4,000 supervised hours in the field. For AADC certification with a master’s degree, plan for 6-8 years total, including your graduate education and the 8,000 hours of supervised experience.

Can I work as an addiction counselor while completing my certification requirements?

Yes. Most people work in addiction treatment settings under supervision while accumulating their required hours. You can work full-time or part-time in treatment facilities, outpatient programs, or community health centers. Your supervisor will verify your hours across the four domains as you progress toward certification.

What happens if I fail the written exam?

You can retake the written exam after a waiting period determined by IC&RC. The APSC and IC&RC provide study materials and resources to help you prepare for your next attempt. Many candidates pass on their second try after identifying areas that need additional study.

Does my bachelor’s degree have to be specifically in addiction counseling?

No. The APSC accepts bachelor’s degrees in any human services field, including psychology, social work, counseling, sociology, criminal justice, and related areas. Other associated degrees may also qualify upon review. What matters is that your education provides a foundation in understanding human behavior and helping relationships. You’ll gain your specific addiction counseling training through your 300 required contact hours.

How much does the entire certification process cost?

For ADC certification, expect $325-$400 in total fees (certification application and written exam), depending on whether you’re a NAADAC/APSC member. For AADC certification, costs are similar at $325-$400. These fees don’t include your education costs or the required training hours, which vary by program.

Can I transfer my South Carolina certification to another state?

Your credentials may be eligible for reciprocity in other states. Because South Carolina uses IC&RC exams, many states recognize South Carolina certification through reciprocity agreements. However, individual state boards may require additional documentation or steps. You’ll need to verify specific requirements with your target state’s licensing board and may need to pay reciprocity fees.

Key Takeaways

South Carolina offers two certification levels through the Addiction Professionals of South Carolina (APSC): ADC requires a bachelor’s degree and 4,000 supervised hours, while AADC requires a graduate degree and 8,000 supervised hours.
Both levels require extensive training across four counseling domains: screening and assessment, treatment planning, counseling, and ethical duties, plus specialized training in ethics, addiction medicine, and HIV/AIDS issues.
The certification process includes passing IC&RC written exams. The oral interview component for ADC certification is currently suspended but may be reinstated in the future.
Finding a qualified APSC-certified clinical supervisor is essential—contact the APSC directly if you need help locating a supervisor with availability in your area.
South Carolina addiction counselors earn median salaries around $48,350 statewide, with higher earnings in Charleston, Columbia, and other metro areas, plus opportunities for advancement into clinical supervision and leadership roles.
Credentials may be eligible for reciprocity in other states through APSC’s recognition of NAADAC and IC&RC certifications, though additional requirements may apply in some states.

Featured Programs:

Ready to Start Your Path to Addiction Counselor Certification?

Find accredited degree programs in South Carolina that will prepare you for APSC certification and connect you with the training, supervision, and support you need.

Find Schools in South Carolina

FIND SCHOOLS