Licensure
Counselors are licensed in Minnesota as Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs) by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT). Please visit their Web site at www.bbht.state.mn.us for a wealth of information, including downloadable forms and frequently asked questions.
NAADAC Test
MARRCH is hosting the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) written test in 2010 that can be used for licensure. Currently, applications are available at the MARRCH office. Testing dates are: September 11 – 18, 2010 (the deadline for exam applicaitons is July 12) and December 4 – 11, 2010 (the deadline for exam applicaitons is October 4). As your professional association, MARRCH strives to represent the chemical health field across the spectrum, and by hosting this test MARRCH is continuing its tradition of being available to support the field in as many ways as possible.
The Minnesota Certification Board also provides both an oral and written test that can be used for licensure. Visit www.mcboard.org for more information.
Download the application as a Word doc.
History
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs) observe, describe, evaluate, interpret, and modify human behavior as it relates to the harmful or pathological use or abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Work settings include private treatment facilities (inpatient and outpatient), detox facilities, half-way houses, correctional facilities, schools, hospitals, and government facilities. The Minnesota Department of Health has been licensing alcohol and drug counselors (LADCs) since 1998. Since then, over 1,500 individuals have applied for licensure.Until March, 2000 applicants could qualify for a license by documenting specific alcohol and drug counselor training and professional experience, and by passing the required written and oral examinations. The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy began licensing LADCs on July 1, 2005. |
Current Licensing Requirements
Current licensing requirements include obtaining a minimum of an associate degree or its equivalent number of credit hours, including a core requirement of 270 classroom hours (18 semester credits) in alcohol and drug counselor education. This core requirement may vary from school to school, but generally include an introductory course and courses in psychopharmacology, counseling skills, alcohol and drug use assessment, group counseling and case management. Students also must complete an 880-hour alcohol and drug counselor practicum as part of their degree requirement. Once the classroom education and practicum work has been completed, persons must pass both a written and an oral examination prior to applying for a license. A Temporary Permit allows new graduates to practice alcohol and drug counseling under a licensed alcohol and drug counselor while they are waiting to sit for the written and oral examinations. Temporary Permits must be renewed annually and may only be renewed up to five times.
Continuing Education
LADCs must document 40 clock hours of continuing education every two years. In addition to traditional topics, the requirements emphasize education in substance abuse issues as they affect members of ethnic and minority communities, including African Americans, Asian Americans, Chicano/Latinos, Native Americans, deaf or hard of hearing individuals, and persons with disabilities. |
