Substance Abuse Counselor Certification in Maryland
Maryland certifies substance abuse counselors at five levels through the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists: ADT, CSC-AD, CAC-AD, LGADC, and LCADC. Requirements range from 15 credit hours and no degree for the entry-level ADT to a master’s degree with extensive supervised hours for the LCADC. All credentials except the ADT require passing a national exam and the Maryland Law Assessment.
Maryland’s opioid crisis is one of the worst in the country. The state has recorded thousands of overdose deaths in recent years, and the demand for trained addiction counselors has never been higher. If you’re considering this work, you’re entering a field where the need is urgent, and the career path is clear.
Maryland certifies and licenses substance abuse counselors through the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, part of the Maryland Department of Health. There are five credential levels, ranging from an entry-level trainee status to independent clinical licensure. You can work in the field at each stage while you build toward the next credential.
How the Maryland Credential Pathway Works
The five credentials build on each other in a logical sequence. You don’t have to earn every level in order. Many counselors skip straight to the CAC-AD after completing a bachelor’s degree. The pathway is designed so you can enter the field early and advance as your education and experience accumulate.
Here’s a side-by-side look at what each credential requires:
| Credential | Degree Required | AODA Coursework | Supervised Experience | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADT | Associate’s, or 15 AD credits without a degree | 1 credit AD ethics | None required | No exam |
| CSC-AD | Associate’s in human services or related field | 15 credit hours incl. 1 hr AD ethics | Supervised experience in AD treatment required | NCAC I + Maryland Law Assessment |
| CAC-AD | Bachelor’s in health/human services counseling or related field | 21 credit hours incl. 1 hr AD ethics | Supervised experience in AD treatment required | NCAC II + Maryland Law Assessment |
| LGADC | Master’s in the health/human services counseling field | Per Board requirements | Post-master’s supervised hours toward LCADC | MAC exam + Maryland Law Assessment |
| LCADC | Master’s in the health/human services counseling field | 39 semester credits incl. specific course areas | 2 years / 2,000 hours post-master’s incl. 1,500 face-to-face client hours and 100 hours of clinical supervision | MAC exam + Maryland Law Assessment |
The ADT: Where Many Counselors Start
The Alcohol and Drug Trainee (ADT) credential is the entry point for individuals still completing their education. It doesn’t require a degree. If you have at least 15 semester credits in alcohol and drug counseling coursework and one credit in AD ethics, you can apply. If you already hold an associate’s degree, the degree itself satisfies the educational requirement.
There’s no exam for the ADT, and no supervised experience requirement. It’s a credential that lets you begin working under a certified supervisor while you finish your degree. ADT status may be renewed in 2-year increments, but total trainee time cannot exceed 6 years. It’s meant to be a stepping stone, not a stopping point.
CSC-AD: The Associate’s Level Credential
The Certified Supervised Counselor-Alcohol and Drug (CSC-AD) is the first full certification in the Maryland system. To qualify, you need an associate’s degree in a human services-related field from an accredited institution, 15 Maryland-approved credit hours of alcohol and other drug (AODA) coursework, including one hour of AD ethics, and supervised experience in AD treatment.
To earn your certificate, you’ll need to pass two exams: the NCAC I, administered through NAADAC (the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors), and the Maryland Law Assessment (MLA). The MLA may be completed before you apply, and the certificate is valid for one year. All CSC-AD certificates must be renewed every 2 years.
CAC-AD: The Bachelor’s Level Credential
The Certified Associate Counselor-Alcohol and Drug (CAC-AD) is the credential most often associated with full-time practice in Maryland’s licensed treatment facilities. It requires a bachelor’s degree in a health and human services counseling field, or a related field the Board deems substantially equivalent, plus 21 Maryland-approved credit hours of AODA coursework, including one hour of AD ethics, and supervised experience in AD treatment.
The exam is the NCAC II through NAADAC, plus the Maryland Law Assessment. If you’re early in your education, it’s worth mapping your bachelor’s program to the Board’s coursework requirements before you enroll. Not all programs are automatically accepted, and verifying credits early prevents delays later.
LGADC: The Graduate Bridge Credential
The Licensed Graduate Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LGADC) is Maryland’s supervised graduate-level credential. It’s designed for counselors who have completed a master’s degree and are accumulating the post-degree supervised hours required for full LCADC licensure. The LGADC lets you practice legally while you work toward independent licensure. You’re not waiting on the sidelines while building your hours.
The LGADC requires a master’s degree in a health or human services counseling field, as well as the MAC exam and the Maryland Law Assessment. If you’re pursuing the LCADC, the LGADC is the credential you hold during that post-degree supervised period.
LCADC: Independent Clinical Licensure
The Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) is Maryland’s highest credential for addiction counselors. It requires a master’s degree in a health or human services counseling field and 39 semester credits of alcohol and drug coursework, structured across specific course areas as required by the Board, including internship and practicum credits.
On the experience side, the Board requires 2 years and 2,000 hours of supervised experience after the master’s degree, including at least 1,500 face-to-face client contact hours and 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision. The exam consists of the MAC exam and the Maryland Law Assessment. With an LCADC, you can practice independently, supervise other counselors, and access practice settings not available at lower credential levels. If you’re also considering the broader mental health counseling path, Maryland’s LPGC and LCPC licensure requirements cover the parallel track for professional counselors.
What Substance Abuse Counselors Earn in Maryland
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Maryland earn a median annual salary of $57,820 as of May 2024. The lower end of the range comes in around $41,160, while counselors in the upper tier earn $97,050 or more.
Job growth projections for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Maryland show a 14% increase between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 190 job openings per year. That growth rate reflects continued state investment in addiction services and the ongoing demand created by Maryland’s opioid crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a substance abuse counselor in Maryland without a degree?
Yes, at the entry level. The ADT (Alcohol and Drug Trainee) credential allows you to work under a certified supervisor if you have at least 15 semester credits in AD counseling coursework and one credit in AD ethics, even without a completed degree. This is designed to allow people to enter the field while completing their education.
How long does it take to become a certified substance abuse counselor in Maryland?
It depends on your starting point and the credential level you’re targeting. The CSC-AD is achievable with an associate’s degree and supervised experience. The CAC-AD requires a bachelor’s degree plus additional supervised hours. Reaching the LCADC level typically takes six to seven years from the start of a bachelor’s program, including graduate school and post-degree supervised practice.
Do Maryland substance abuse counseling credentials transfer to other states?
Some do. Maryland’s NCAC I and NCAC II credentials are administered by NAADAC and carry national recognition that can facilitate reciprocity in certain states. If you’re planning to practice in another state, contact that state’s licensing board and Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists to understand the specific reciprocity process.
How often do I need to renew my Maryland substance abuse counseling credential?
All Maryland substance abuse counseling credentials must be renewed every two years. Renewals are completed online through the Board’s website. The ADT is an exception: status may be renewed in 2-year increments, but total trainee time cannot exceed 6 years.
What’s the difference between the LGADC and the LCADC?
The LGADC is the supervised graduate-level credential you hold while completing post-master’s hours toward full licensure. The LCADC is a fully independent license. Both require a master’s degree and the MAC exam, but the LCADC requires 2,000 hours of supervised post-degree experience, including specific face-to-face client and supervision hours. The LGADC is the bridge credential you carry during that period.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland has five credential levels: ADT, CSC-AD, CAC-AD, LGADC, and LCADC, each requiring progressively higher education, more coursework, and additional supervised experience.
- You can enter the field without a completed degree through the ADT credential, which requires 15 credits in AD counseling and allows supervised work experience to accumulate while you finish school.
- All credentials except the ADT require two exams: a national addiction counseling exam through NAADAC and the Maryland Law Assessment, which may be completed before you apply.
- The CAC-AD is the standard practice credential for counselors working in Maryland’s licensed treatment facilities at the bachelor’s level.
- Maryland counselors earn a median salary of $57,820, with job growth projected at 14% through 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Ready to find programs that meet Maryland’s coursework requirements for substance abuse counselor certification? Explore degree options in your area.
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.