Colorado Addiction Counselor Certification: CAT, CAS, and LAC Requirements
Colorado certifies addiction counselors at three levels: the Certified Addiction Technician (CAT), the Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS), and the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC). Each requires a combination of education, supervised clinical hours, and passing a national exam. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) administers all credentials.
Colorado continues to face significant substance use disorder challenges, and treatment programs across the state, from community health centers in Denver to rural outreach programs on the Western Slope, rely on certified counselors to do this work. If you’re considering this path, the first thing to know is that Colorado updated its credential system in 2021. The old CAC-I, CAC-II, and CAC-III designations have been replaced. What matters now is the CAT, CAS, and LAC, and understanding what each one requires.
Colorado’s Three-Level Credential System
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) oversees addiction counselor certification and licensure. The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) sets the training standards. Together, they maintain a structured three-level pathway designed to give counselors supervised experience at each stage before advancing to greater clinical responsibility.
| Credential | Education Required | Supervised Hours | National Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT (Certified Addiction Technician) | High school diploma or equivalent | 1,000 hours (minimum 6 months) | Qualifying national exam (such as NCAC I, NCAC II, or equivalent approved exam) |
| CAS (Certified Addiction Specialist) | Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health or related field | 3,000 hours total (1,000 CAT + 2,000 additional, minimum 12 months each stage) | Qualifying national exam (such as NCAC II or equivalent approved exam) |
| LAC (Licensed Addiction Counselor) | Master’s or doctoral degree in clinical behavioral health | 3,000 hours (or 5,000 total if beginning without a master’s) | Qualifying national exam (such as NCAC II or equivalent approved exam) |
The Colorado Jurisprudence Examination is required when applying for each credential level. It’s an open-book, online exam covering state laws and regulations governing addiction counseling practice in Colorado.
What Each Credential Allows You to Do
The CAT is an entry-level credential. CAT holders work under the direct supervision of a CAS or LAC and can co-facilitate individual and group counseling, assist with intake paperwork, document progress notes, and support crisis intervention. They don’t conduct independent counseling services.
The CAS is an advanced credential that allows for greater clinical responsibility, typically within structured or supervised settings. CAS counselors can conduct clinical assessments, develop treatment plans, provide counseling, coordinate care and referrals, and work with co-occurring disorders. It’s the credential most Colorado addiction counselors work toward as a primary goal.
The LAC is a licensed credential that allows independent addiction counseling practice within its scope. LACs can practice in a wider range of settings, including private practice, and can supervise lower-level counselors. It requires a master’s or doctorate and represents the highest tier of addiction counselor credentialing in the state. For a fuller picture of how addiction counselors compare to therapists and psychologists, our overview breaks down the key distinctions.
The Path to Certification
Meet the Education Requirements
For the CAT, you need a high school diploma or equivalent. For the CAS, you need a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health field. Acceptable disciplines include substance abuse and addiction, counseling, social work, mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, and psychology. For the LAC, a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical behavioral health is required. If you’re researching options, our guide to master’s programs in Colorado covers graduate programs in the state. DORA uses the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) to review education equivalency, so if your degree is in a related but non-standard field, contact CCE before assuming you qualify.
Log Your Supervised Clinical Hours
The supervised hours requirement is progressive. CAT candidates need 1,000 hours under a CAS or LAC, completed over at least six months. CAS candidates need an additional 2,000 hours beyond their CAT hours, again over a minimum of 12 months. Hours need to cover specific clinical competency areas: intake, assessment, treatment planning, case management, counseling co-facilitation, documentation, and client education. General work experience alone doesn’t satisfy the requirement. Your supervisor must complete a Work Verification Form (WVF), and documentation must meet DORA submission requirements (original or verified forms may be required).
Pass the Required Exams
Colorado requires a qualifying national exam at each credential level, such as the National Certified Addiction Counselor Level I (NCAC I), Level II (NCAC II), or another approved equivalent. Exams are administered through the Colorado Association for Addiction Professionals (CAAP). One practical tip: if you pass the NCAC II from the start, you satisfy the exam requirement for both the CAT and CAS levels, saving you from taking and paying for two separate exams. The Colorado Jurisprudence Examination is required when applying for each credential level.
Apply Through DORA
Once you’ve met the education, hours, and exam requirements for your credential level, you apply through the Colorado State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners via DORA. Applications typically take six to twelve weeks to process after submission. Application fees vary, so check current amounts with DORA before applying. You can find current applications and forms at DORA’s addiction counselor applications page.
Salary and Career Outlook in Colorado
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Colorado earned a median annual salary of $59,190 as of May 2024. The middle range runs from $47,750 at the 25th percentile to $78,350 at the 75th percentile, with the top 10% of earners in the state reaching $98,030. Colorado’s mean wage of $66,280 runs slightly above the national mean of $65,100, reflecting the demand for qualified counselors across the state’s expanding behavioral health system.
Setting, credential level, and experience all move the needle significantly on pay. LACs in independent practice or leadership roles typically earn above the median. Community health and nonprofit settings tend to pay less than hospital systems or state-funded treatment programs, though some nonprofits offer loan forgiveness programs that offset the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the CAC-I, CAC-II, and CAC-III credentials?
Colorado replaced the old CAC system in 2021 through state legislation (HB20-1206). No new applications are accepted under the CAC-I, CAC-II, or CAC-III framework. Current counselors who held those credentials were transitioned to the new CAT, CAS, and LAC structure. If you’re starting out now, you’ll work toward the CAT, CAS, or LAC, not the old CAC designations.
Can I transfer my addiction counselor credential from another state?
Yes, Colorado allows endorsement for out-of-state counselors who hold equivalent credentials through IC&RC or NAADAC certification. The Colorado Jurisprudence Examination is required when applying for endorsement, and DORA will evaluate whether your existing credential is substantially equivalent to the Colorado level you’re seeking. Contact DORA directly at 303-894-7800 to discuss your specific situation before applying.
How long does it take to become a CAS in Colorado?
The minimum timeline is roughly two to four years beyond your bachelor’s degree, but many counselors take longer. The CAT requires at least six months of supervised hours, and the CAS requires at least 12 additional months. Factoring in time to complete required training courses, prepare for exams, and move through DORA’s application process, most people complete the full CAS pathway in three to five years.
What is the Colorado Jurisprudence Examination?
It’s an open-book, online exam covering Colorado laws and regulations that govern addiction counseling practice, including confidentiality rules, scope of practice boundaries, reporting requirements, and ethical standards specific to the state. The jurisprudence exam is required when applying for each credential level and again whenever you advance from CAT to CAS or CAS to LAC.
Do I need continuing education to renew my certification?
Yes. CAT, CAS, and LAC credentials must be renewed periodically, and renewal requires completing a set number of professional development hours. DORA’s website has current CE requirements and renewal deadlines for each credential level.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado updated its credential system in 2021. The old CAC-I, CAC-II, and CAC-III are no longer accepting applications. The current credentials are the CAT, CAS, and LAC.
- All three levels require a qualifying national exam and the Colorado Jurisprudence Exam. Both are required as part of the credentialing process.
- The CAS allows for greater clinical responsibility, typically within structured or supervised settings. It requires a bachelor’s degree plus 3,000 total supervised hours.
- Colorado counselors earn a median salary of $59,190, with the top 10% reaching $98,030, according to BLS May 2024 data.
- DORA processes all applications. Expect six to twelve weeks after submission, and check current fees directly with DORA before applying.
Ready to explore programs that prepare you for Colorado addiction counselor certification? Browse counseling and behavioral health degrees that align with CAT, CAS, and LAC requirements.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers, Social and Human Services Assistants, Social and Community Service Managers, and 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 April 2026.