Licensed Addiction Counselor Indiana: LAC and LCAC Certification Guide
Indiana licenses addiction counselors at four levels: LACA, LAC, LCACA, and LCAC. The LAC requires a bachelor’s degree and the LCAC requires a master’s. Both full licenses require a national exam, post-degree supervised hours, and passing the Indiana Jurisprudence examination. Applications are managed through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Indiana has a serious addiction crisis. The state has consistently ranked among the hardest hit by opioid overdoses, and that reality drives steady demand for trained addiction counselors across many regions of the state. If you’re thinking about this career, the path to licensure runs through one of four state-issued credentials. Knowing which one fits your education level and career goals is the first decision you’ll make.
Indiana licenses addiction counselors through the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board, part of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA). There are four credential tiers. The Licensed Addiction Counselor Associate (LACA) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor Associate (LCACA) are entry-level credentials for counselors still completing their supervised experience hours. The Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC) are full, independent licenses.
LAC vs. LCAC: What’s the Difference?
The LAC requires a bachelor’s degree in addiction counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, or a closely related field. The LCAC requires a master’s degree in a behavioral science discipline. That distinction matters for the scope of practice. An LCAC is qualified to assess and may diagnose co-occurring disorders within their scope of practice, develop independent treatment plans, and may be eligible to open private practices, subject to additional legal and business requirements. An LAC works under more structured supervision and typically operates in agency or clinic environments.
If you’re early in your education, the bachelor’s-level LAC is the more accessible starting point. If you’re interested in clinical work, private practice, or supervising others down the road, the LCAC is worth building toward.
Requirements for the LAC
To earn the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential in Indiana, you’ll need to meet all of the following:
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in addiction counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, or a closely related field.
- Complete coursework in the following areas: Family Education, Ethics and Professional Development, Cultural Competency, Treatment Planning, Addictions Theory, Psychoactive Drugs, Addictions Counseling Skills, Theories of Personality, Developmental Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology.
- Complete a practicum or internship with a minimum of 350 hours of AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) counseling experience.
- Accumulate two years of post-degree supervised experience providing AODA counseling.
- Complete 150 hours of face-to-face supervision. At least 100 hours must be individual supervision, with up to 50 hours in a group format. Requirements may be subject to board updates; verify with the Indiana PLA.
- Work with a board-approved supervisor.
- Pass either the ADC (Alcohol and Drug Counselor) exam administered by IC&RC (International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium), or the NCAC II (National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level II) exam administered by NAADAC.
- Pass the Indiana Jurisprudence examination.
- Submit your application through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Requirements for the LCAC
The Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC) is Indiana’s highest-tier addiction counseling credential. Requirements include:
- Hold a master’s degree in a behavioral science discipline.
- Complete the same core coursework areas as the LAC: Family Education, Ethics and Professional Development, Cultural Competency, Treatment Planning, Addictions Theory, Psychoactive Drugs, Addictions Counseling Skills, Theories of Personality, Developmental Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology.
- Complete a clinical component (practicum, internship, or fieldwork) with a minimum of 350 hours of supervised AODA counseling experience.
- Accumulate two years of post-degree supervised experience.
- Complete 200 hours of direct face-to-face supervision, with at least 100 hours as individual supervision and up to 100 hours in a group format. Requirements may be subject to board updates; verify with the Indiana PLA.
- Work with a board-approved supervisor.
- Pass either the IC&RC/AADC (Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor) exam or the MAC (Master Addiction Counselor) exam administered by NAADAC.
- Pass the Indiana Jurisprudence examination.
- Submit your application through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Salary for Addiction Counselors in Indiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Indiana earned a median annual salary of $49,280 as of May 2024. The 25th percentile wage was $41,860 and the 75th percentile reached $62,780, meaning higher-earning counselors with clinical credentials and more experience tend to earn significantly above the median. Nationally, the median for this occupation was $59,190.
The BLS projects growth in substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor positions over the 2022 to 2032 decade, with steady annual job openings driven by replacement needs and workforce growth. Demand in Indiana is supported by both population need and ongoing state investment in behavioral health infrastructure.
License Renewal
Indiana addiction counseling licenses are renewed biannually. License holders must complete 40 hours of continuing education during each renewal period, including required ethics hours and other board-specified categories. Renewal deadlines and CE category specifics are set by the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board. Check the Indiana PLA website for current renewal requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a LACA and a LAC in Indiana?
The LACA (Licensed Addiction Counselor Associate) is an entry-level credential for counselors working toward full LAC licensure. You can hold a LACA while completing your supervised post-degree hours. Once you’ve met all experience, supervision, and exam requirements, you apply for the full LAC.
Do I need a master’s degree to become an addiction counselor in Indiana?
No. The LAC credential requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. You’ll need a master’s degree only if you’re pursuing the LCAC, Indiana’s clinical-level license that allows for more independent practice.
What exam do I need to take for the LAC?
You have two options: the ADC (Alcohol and Drug Counselor) exam administered by IC&RC, or the NCAC II exam administered by NAADAC. Both are accepted by the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board for LAC applicants.
How long does it take to become a licensed addiction counselor in Indiana?
The LAC path typically takes about six years, depending on program pace and supervision completion. That’s four years of undergraduate study plus two years of post-degree supervised experience. The LCAC path generally takes seven or more years, including a two- to three-year master’s program followed by two years of supervised hours.
Where do addiction counselors work in Indiana?
LACs and LCACs work in outpatient treatment clinics, residential facilities, community mental health centers, hospital behavioral health units, correctional facilities, and veterans’ services. LCAC holders who meet additional requirements may be eligible to open private practices, subject to additional legal and business requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Indiana has four addiction counseling credentials. LACA and LCACA are associate-level. LAC and LCAC are full licenses requiring a passed exam and post-degree supervised hours.
- The LAC requires a bachelor’s degree and the LCAC requires a master’s. The LCAC allows for more independent clinical practice and may qualify holders to open private practices.
- Both paths require a national exam. LAC candidates take the IC&RC ADC or NAADAC NCAC II. LCAC candidates take the IC&RC AADC or NAADAC MAC.
- Indiana’s median salary for this occupation was $49,280 as of May 2024, per BLS data, with experienced clinical counselors earning significantly more.
- Licenses renew every two years with a 40-hour continuing education requirement, including required ethics hours and board-specified categories.
Ready to find programs that prepare you for LAC or LCAC licensure in Indiana? Explore your options by state and see which degrees align with your career goals.
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.