Chemical Dependency Counselor Requirements in Texas
To become a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in Texas, you’ll register as a Counselor Intern (270 classroom hours + 300-hour practicum), earn an associate degree, complete 4,000 supervised experience hours (approximately 2 years full-time), and pass the IC&RC ADC exam. Total timeline: 2-5 years. Fees: $400+ plus degree costs.
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.
Now you’re ready to turn that experience into purpose. Texas needs addiction counselors—over 30,000 Texans died from drug overdoses between 2019 and 2023, and the demand for qualified Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors continues to grow across the state.
Here’s what you need to know: In Texas, you don’t need a license just to work in substance use disorder (SUD) counseling. But if you want to diagnose clients, develop treatment plans independently, or run your own practice, you’ll need to become a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. By the end of this process, you’ll have the education, supervised experience, and credentials to serve clients across the full spectrum of addiction recovery.
Counselor Intern Requirements
Before becoming a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor in Texas, you’ll need to register as a Counselor Intern. Think of this as your entry point into the profession—a way to start gaining experience while you’re working toward full licensure.
To qualify for Counselor Intern registration, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. The core requirement is completing 270 classroom hours of chemical dependency education through a career school or accredited college or university. These hours break down into two categories: 135 hours focused specifically on substance use disorder treatment, and 135 hours covering related topics like counseling theory, psychology, mental health, and professional ethics.
Next comes your 300-hour supervised practicum, also completed through an accredited institution. During this hands-on training, you’ll work on what the Texas HHS calls the four Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSAs): understanding addiction, treatment knowledge, applying theory to practice, and professional readiness. These four areas form the foundation of your entire career as an addiction counselor.
If you’re coming to this field with life experience in recovery—either your own or a loved one’s—that personal understanding will inform everything you do, but Texas still requires the formal education to ensure you can translate compassion into effective clinical practice.
Degree Exemptions for Counselor Intern Requirements
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in chemical dependency counseling, you may be exempt from the 270 classroom hours and practicum requirements. You can also qualify for exemption with a degree in a related behavioral science field, including sociology, psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, counseling, education, or any mental health specialty involving human development and psychotherapeutic concepts.
Your Counselor Intern registration remains valid for five years. If you don’t complete all requirements for full LCDC licensure within that timeframe, you can apply for a three-year extension—giving you flexibility if life circumstances require you to slow down your progress.
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor: Education and Training Requirements
Once you’re registered as a Counselor Intern, you can begin working toward your Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor credential. At this stage, if you don’t already have one, you’ll need an associate degree or higher in any field to qualify for full licensure. The associate degree requirement makes Texas more accessible than many states that require bachelor’s degrees for independent practice.
Your primary focus during this phase is completing 4,000 hours of supervised experience working with people battling chemical dependency. That’s roughly two years of full-time work, though many counselors complete these hours over a longer period while balancing other responsibilities. Throughout your supervised experience, you’ll continue developing competency across all four KSA dimensions under the guidance of a Certified Clinical Supervisor or at a Clinical Training Institution (CTI).
CTIs are recovery treatment providers registered with the Texas HHS to train counselor interns. These can be detox facilities, hospitals, residential treatment centers, outpatient clinics, schools, correctional facilities, or even faith-based recovery programs. The variety of settings means you can gain experience in environments that align with the populations you’re most passionate about serving.
Graduate Degree Exemptions
If you hold a master’s degree or doctorate in social work, chemical dependency counseling, or another counseling-related field, the Texas HHS may exempt you from the 4,000-hour experience requirement. To be eligible for this exemption, you’ll need at least 48 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in relevant areas. This pathway recognizes that intensive graduate training provides much of the practical knowledge gained through supervised hours.
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor: Examination Requirement
Before you can sit for your licensing exam, you’ll need to submit two letters of recommendation from Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors. Your clinical supervisor is an obvious choice, but also consider asking other LCDCs you’ve worked alongside during your supervised hours—people who’ve seen your work with clients firsthand.
You won’t register for the exam through the Texas HHS. Instead, you’ll register through the Texas Certification Board (TCB), also known as the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals. The TCB is a local affiliate of the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), one of the world’s largest certification agencies for recovery professionals.
You’ll be taking the IC&RC’s Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Exam, which consists of 150 multiple-choice questions plus case study scenarios involving hypothetical clients. You can take the exam at an approved testing site or at home with an online proctor. The TCB provides exam preparation materials on their website, including study guides and practice questions.
If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam after 90 days. The IC&RC credential is valuable beyond Texas—it’s recognized through reciprocity agreements in many other states, which means your Texas LCDC can potentially transfer if you relocate.
Background Checks and Criminal History Evaluations
During the Counselor Intern registration stage, you’ll complete a background check through the Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) system. You can schedule an appointment through the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Fingerprinting Service.
The Texas HHS doesn’t maintain a published list of automatically disqualifying criminal offenses. If you have past charges or convictions, the HHS reviews each case individually to determine eligibility. This case-by-case approach recognizes that many excellent counselors come from backgrounds that include their own recovery journeys—and that past mistakes don’t necessarily disqualify someone from helping others.
The Application Process
Throughout your journey to LCDC licensure, you’ll submit various forms documenting your progress. You’ll need official transcripts proving completion of your education hours, signed supervision forms verifying your 4,000 experience hours, your exam results, and background check clearance. All required forms can be found on the Texas HHS LCDC New License Registration webpage.
Here’s a breakdown of the fees you’ll encounter:
| Stage | Fee | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| Counselor Intern Application | $25 | Texas HHS |
| Background Check (FAST) | $40 | Texas DPS |
| ADC Exam Registration | $250 | Texas Certification Board |
| LCDC License Upgrade | $85 | Texas HHS |
| Total Fees | $400 | Various |
Keep in mind this doesn’t include the cost of your degree or the 270 hours of required coursework if you’re completing those through a certificate program. The total investment will depend on whether you’re starting from scratch or bringing previous education with you.
Salary and Career Outlook in Texas
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors in Texas earn competitive salaries, particularly as they gain experience and build their clinical expertise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Texas earn a median annual salary of $48,220. Entry-level counselors typically start around $35,000 annually, while experienced LCDCs in clinical or supervisory roles can earn $70,000 or more.
Major metropolitan areas like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio offer higher salary ranges due to increased demand and cost of living. Rural areas and smaller cities may offer lower salaries but often provide opportunities to make significant community impact in underserved regions.
The job outlook for addiction counselors in Texas is strong. The state’s ongoing challenges with opioid addiction, methamphetamine use, and alcohol dependence ensure consistent demand for qualified professionals. Many LCDCs find employment in residential treatment facilities, outpatient clinics, hospitals, correctional facilities, mental health centers, and private practices.
Additional Resources and Professional Organizations
If you have specific questions about your application or unique circumstances, you can reach out to the Texas HHS Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Program by email or phone at 512-438-5446. They maintain an up-to-date database of laws and regulations.
Questions about the licensing exam can be directed to the Texas Certification Board. The TCB also offers continuing education resources and optional advanced certifications that can help you demonstrate specialized expertise.
To connect with Texas’s larger addiction counseling community, consider joining the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP). As the state chapter of the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), TAAP hosts conferences, provides networking opportunities, offers professional development resources, and keeps members informed about legislative developments affecting the profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an LCDC in Texas?
What degree do I need to become an LCDC in Texas?
Can I work as a counselor while earning my supervised hours?
How much does it cost to become an LCDC in Texas?
Can I transfer my license from another state to Texas?
What’s the difference between a Counselor Intern and an LCDC?
Do I need a bachelor’s degree if I already have an associate degree?
What jobs can I get with just Counselor Intern registration?
Key Takeaways
- Texas requires Counselor Intern registration (270 education hours + 300-hour practicum) before you can begin earning supervised experience hours toward full LCDC licensure.
- An associate degree or higher in any field is required for LCDC licensure, making Texas more accessible than states requiring bachelor’s degrees for independent practice.
- The 4,000 supervised experience hours take approximately 2 years working full-time, though many counselors complete them over a longer period while balancing other responsibilities.
- Total licensing fees are approximately $400, not including the cost of your degree or required coursework.
- Bachelor’s or graduate degrees in related fields may qualify you for exemptions from education hours, practicum, or supervised experience requirements.
- The IC&RC ADC exam provides reciprocity with many other states, giving you potential career mobility beyond Texas.
- Once registered as a Counselor Intern, you can work in paid counseling positions while earning your supervised hours toward full licensure.
- Texas’s ongoing struggles with opioid addiction and other substance use disorders ensure strong, consistent demand for qualified LCDCs across the state.
Ready to Start Your Path to LCDC Licensure?
Texas needs compassionate, qualified addiction counselors. Whether you’re exploring degree programs, looking for Clinical Training Institutions, or planning your path from Counselor Intern to full licensure, the first step is understanding your education options.
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.
