How To Become an Addiction Counselor

If you are in high school and considering a career in the counseling field, talk to your guidance counselor about taking related subjects, such as psychology. You may also consider taking courses in life sciences as well as communication or language classes.

When choosing a bachelor’s program, make sure your degree provides a solid foundation in counseling so your skills may later be applied toward an advanced degree and licensure. While some states and employers require only a bachelor’s degree for addiction counselors, other states and positions require a master’s degree in order to practice.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

In graduate school, your master’s degree curriculum will typically involve a practicum and internship experiences to help you gain the supervised clinical hours you need for licensure. Licensure requirements vary by state, so be sure your intended master’s program meets your state’s requirements.

Occupations that have similar job responsibilities to an addiction counselor, but may not require a graduate degree or licensure, include:^{(See disclaimer 4)}

• Health education specialists 
• Correctional treatment specialists
• Social and community service managers 
• Social workers

Obtain your professional license and certification. Check with the licensing board for the state in which you plan to practice and evaluate its requirements. In general, the licensing board may require academic and clinical experience hours, a background check and a fingerprint clearance.

Aspiring addiction counselors may also research national certifications with organizations including the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). This organization, as well as state certification boards, offer a variety of certifications at different levels.^{(See disclaimer 5)}