Substance Abuse Counselor Requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee offers two licensure levels for addiction counselors. Level I requires a high school diploma, 270 education hours, and 6,000 supervised hours (about 3 years of full-time experience). Level II requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree, 270 education hours, and 2,000-4,000 supervised hours, depending on your degree. Both levels require passing state and national exams.
When it comes to substance use disorder (SUD) counselor licensing, Tennessee has a clear, accessible path forward. The Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, a division of the Department of Health, offers two levels of licensure that accommodate both entry-level support professionals and highly trained clinical experts. Learn more about the certification and licensure process for addiction counselors nationwide.
In a state where the opioid crisis transitioned into today’s fentanyl epidemic, Tennessee addiction counselors are on the frontlines every day—providing evidence-based treatment, supporting families in crisis, and helping people rebuild their lives. Whether you’re considering this career because you’ve seen addiction’s impact firsthand or because you want to serve your community in a meaningful way, Tennessee’s licensing structure makes it possible to enter the field and grow your expertise over time.
Level I Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor: Educational, Training, and Exam Requirements
The minimum requirements to become a Level I Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) in Tennessee are accessible to anyone committed to helping others recover from addiction. You need to be 21 or over and have a high school diploma or GED. You’ll also need 270 hours of alcohol and drug counselor education, with six of those hours focused on professional ethics.
Your education and training will center on eight domains of practice as outlined by the Board. These domains cover everything you’ll do as a working counselor:
- Client, family, and community education – Teaching people about addiction and recovery
- Clinical evaluation – Assessing substance use patterns and treatment needs
- Counseling practices – Applying evidence-based therapeutic approaches
- Referrals – Connecting clients to additional services and resources
- Service coordination – Working with other professionals to support recovery
- Documentation – Maintaining accurate, ethical client records
- Treatment planning – Developing individualized recovery strategies
- Ethics and professional responsibilities – Understanding your legal and ethical duties
You can earn your 270 education hours through workshops, continuing education programs, or accredited colleges and universities, including community colleges. Many counselors combine online courses with in-person training to fit education around work and family responsibilities.
Next, you’ll complete 6,000 supervised experience hours—roughly three years working full-time in the field. These hours focus on the exact eight domains and must be completed under the supervision of a licensed counselor who holds a Board-issued Certificate of Qualified Supervision (CQS). You’ll meet face-to-face with your supervisor for at least 100 of these hours. If you completed internship hours as part of a degree program, up to one year’s worth can count toward this requirement.
The final step involves passing two exams. First, you’ll take a Tennessee jurisprudence exam that tests your knowledge of state laws governing addiction counselors. Second, you’ll take the National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) Level I Exam—a 150-question multiple-choice test created by the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). This exam is used nationwide and covers core counseling competencies.
Level II Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor: Educational, Training, and Exam Requirements
You can pursue Level II licensure in Tennessee through one of two educational pathways, and the one you choose determines your supervised hour requirements.
If you hold a bachelor’s degree in addiction counseling or another behavioral health field—like psychology, social work, or counseling—or a higher-level degree in a non-behavioral health field, you’ll need 270 education hours covering the eight domains and 4,000 supervised experience hours (about two years full-time). Six of your education hours must focus on professional ethics.
If you hold a master’s degree in addiction counseling or another behavioral health field, you’ll still need the same 270 education hours, including six in ethics. Still, your supervised experience requirement drops to 2,000 hours (roughly one year full-time).
Whichever educational path you follow, you’ll take the Tennessee jurisprudence exam and the NAADAC Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) Exam. The MAC covers more advanced clinical topics than the NCAC Level I exam, but it’s still a 150-question multiple-choice format. It tests your ability to assess complex cases, design treatment plans, and apply advanced therapeutic techniques.
Level I vs Level II: Quick Comparison
| Requirement | Level I LADAC | Level II LADAC |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Education | High school diploma or GED | Bachelor’s or master’s in behavioral health |
| Education Hours | 270 hours (6 in ethics) | 270 hours (6 in ethics) |
| Supervised Experience | 6,000 hours (~3 years full-time) | 2,000-4,000 hours (1-2 years full-time) |
| National Exam | NCAC Level I (NAADAC) | MAC (NAADAC) |
| State Exam | Tennessee jurisprudence exam | Tennessee jurisprudence exam |
| Application Fee | $260 total | $260 total |
| Practice Level | Entry to intermediate counseling | Advanced clinical practice |
The Application Process
Whether you’re pursuing Level I or Level II licensure, you’ll need to pass a background check. When you submit your application, your background check must be less than six months old. You’ll also submit transcripts, certificates of completion for your education hours, and supervisor evaluations documenting your supervised experience.
Both levels require you to write a three-page paper on your philosophy of treatment. The Board provides 10 guiding questions—like “What is your definition of addiction?” and “What are your treatment goals in working with clients?”—to help you structure your response. You’ll need to include real-life case examples that illustrate how your philosophy translates into practice.
The application fee is $250, plus a $10 state regulatory fee for a total of $260. You can apply online or through the mail. Find all application materials on the Tennessee Department of Health website.
How Long Does It Really Take?
The timeline from starting your education to receiving your license depends on whether you’re working full-time in a counseling role or balancing hours with another job.
Level I timeline (full-time): If you’re working full-time in a supervised position—40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year—you’ll complete 6,000 supervised hours in about three years. Add 3-6 months for completing education hours and exam preparation, and you’re looking at roughly 3.5-4 years total.
Level I timeline (part-time): If you’re working 20 hours per week while maintaining another job, you’ll need about six years to complete supervised hours. Many counselors start part-time and transition to full-time as they gain experience.
Level II timeline (full-time): With a bachelor’s degree, expect about 2.5 years total (2 years for 4,000 supervised hours plus education and exam prep). With a master’s degree, you’re looking at about 1.5 years (1 year for 2,000 supervised hours plus education and exam prep).
Application processing typically takes 4-8 weeks once you submit complete documentation.
Tennessee Addiction Counselor Salaries
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $48,330. The middle 50% of counselors earn between $39,570 and $60,150 annually. The top 10% of earners make $77,130 or more per year.
Starting salaries for newly licensed Level I counselors typically range from $35,000 to $42,000 annually. Level II counselors with clinical expertise and several years of experience often earn $50,000 to $65,000. Counselors in private practice, supervisory roles, or specialized settings like hospitals can earn significantly more.
Metropolitan areas tend to offer higher salaries. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville generally provide more employment opportunities and higher average wages than rural regions, though many counselors choose to work in underserved communities where the need is greatest.
Reciprocity Candidates
If you’re already licensed in another state, Tennessee offers a streamlined reciprocity process. You’ll submit an application to the Board for review. If your home state’s requirements are substantially similar to Tennessee’s—meaning you completed comparable education hours, supervised experience, and examinations—the Board typically approves your application.
You’ll still need to pass the Tennessee jurisprudence exam to demonstrate knowledge of state-specific laws and regulations. You’ll also pay the same $260 in application and regulatory fees that in-state applicants pay.
If your home state’s requirements don’t align closely with Tennessee’s, the Board will identify which additional requirements you need to fulfill before it can issue your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a counselor while completing my supervised hours?
What happens if I fail the NCAC Level I or MAC exam?
Do I need a degree to become a Level I counselor in Tennessee?
How much do the education hours and exams cost?
Can I transfer supervised hours from another state?
Is there a difference between LADAC and LADC in Tennessee?
What’s the job outlook for addiction counselors in Tennessee?
Do I need to renew my license, and how often?
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee offers two accessible paths to addiction counselor licensure: Level I requires only a high school diploma plus training, while Level II requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- Level I requires 6,000 supervised hours (about 3 years full-time) and the NCAC Level I exam. Level II requires 2,000-4,000 supervised hours (1-2 years of full-time experience) and the MAC exam.
- Both levels require 270 education hours covering eight core counseling domains, with 6 hours dedicated to professional ethics.
- Tennessee addiction counselors earn a median salary of $48,330, with experienced Level II counselors often earning $50,000-$65,000 or more.
- You can work in a supervised counseling position while completing your required hours, making licensure accessible even if you need to maintain employment.
- The job outlook is strong—Tennessee needs qualified counselors to address the ongoing opioid and fentanyl crises affecting communities statewide.
Ready to Start Your Path to Tennessee Licensure?
Find accredited education programs and degree options that fulfill Tennessee’s 270-hour education requirement and prepare you for the NCAC or MAC exams.
Additional Resources
If you have questions about the application process or requirements, contact the Tennessee Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors by email or phone at 615-741-5735 or 1-800-778-4123.
For legislative advocacy and policy work, join the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug & other Addiction Services (TAADAS). For education, training, and professional development, the Tennessee Association for Addiction Professionals is Tennessee’s NAADAC chapter and offers resources for counselors at every stage of their career.
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.