Substance Abuse Counselor Licensing in North Dakota: LAC and LMAC Requirements
North Dakota licenses addiction counselors at two levels: the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) and the Licensed Master Addiction Counselor (LMAC). The LAC requires a bachelor’s degree, supervised clinical training, and a passing score on the ADC exam. The LMAC builds on the LAC with post-licensure experience and a more advanced exam. Both credentials are issued by the North Dakota Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners (NDBACE).
North Dakota faces the same addiction challenges hitting rural states across the country: limited treatment infrastructure, high rates of opioid misuse, and a persistent shortage of trained counselors. The state’s licensing structure is designed to reflect that reality, offering a clear path from entry-level practice to advanced clinical work. If you’re looking to build a career in addiction counseling in North Dakota, there are two credentials to understand: the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) and the Licensed Master Addiction Counselor (LMAC).
North Dakota’s Two Levels of Addiction Counselor Licensure
The North Dakota Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners (NDBACE) oversees both credential levels. The LAC is the entry point. It’s what most people are working toward when they start a bachelor’s program in addiction studies or a related human services field. The LMAC is the advanced tier, available after you’ve built post-licensure clinical experience and passed a higher-level exam. Here’s how the two credentials compare at a glance.
| Credential | Minimum Education | Clinical Training | Exam Required | Post-Licensure Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) | Bachelor’s degree in addiction studies or related field | 960 hours board-approved supervised training | ADC (Alcohol and Drug Counselor) exam via NCC AP | None required for initial licensure |
| Licensed Master Addiction Counselor (LMAC) | Bachelor’s degree (LAC required first) | 700-hour clinical training program | MAC (Master Addiction Counselor) exam via NCC AP | 2,000 hours post-LAC supervised experience |
LAC Requirements
To qualify for the LAC, you need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Your degree must be in addiction counseling or a closely related human services field with a clinical focus. The NDBACE requires that your coursework cover a defined set of topic areas, including treatment methods and models, individual and group counseling, assessment and diagnosis (including DSM substance-related disorders and co-occurring mental illness), pharmacology, ethics and professional conduct, cultural competence, and the dynamics of addiction. The full list of required coursework components is detailed on the NDBACE licensing page.
Beyond your degree, you’ll need to complete a board-approved clinical training program of 960 supervised hours. This training includes supervised work across core clinical areas: screening, assessment, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, client and family education, and documentation.
Once you’ve finished your clinical training, you submit a Clinical Trainee Completion Form (signed by your supervisor) before you can apply to sit for the exam. The board then reviews your application and authorizes you to register. The exam required is the ADC (Alcohol and Drug Counselor) exam offered through the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP). After passing, you submit your full licensure application to the NDBACE, including official transcripts, your exam score, and two letters of recommendation.
North Dakota also accepts out-of-state applicants through reciprocity, provided your current license is in good standing, and your home state’s requirements are at least equivalent to North Dakota’s. Reciprocity applications require full board approval, and the process can take several months. If you’re also exploring other counseling credentials in the state, see our guide to becoming a licensed professional counselor in North Dakota.
LMAC Requirements
The Licensed Master Addiction Counselor credential is available to LACs who want to advance into supervisory or more complex clinical roles. To qualify, you must already hold an active LAC in good standing, complete an additional 2,000 hours of supervised addiction counseling experience after earning your LAC, and pass the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) exam through NCC AP. The LMAC also requires its own clinical training component of at least 700 supervised hours. Once you reach the LMAC level and have practiced for three years (roughly 6,000 hours), you may register as a clinical supervisor.
License Renewal
All NDBACE licenses expire on December 31 of every odd-numbered year. To renew, both LACs and LMACs must complete 40 hours of continuing education during each two-year cycle. Of those 40 hours, 3 must cover clinical supervision topics. Distance learning can satisfy up to 30 of your CE hours, but no single online course can count for more than 25 hours, and at least 10 hours must come from live instruction. CE hours can only be applied to the licensing period in which they were earned.
Salary and Job Outlook for Addiction Counselors in North Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in North Dakota earn a median annual salary of $66,450 as of May 2024. The mean salary for this group is $68,220. Entry-level counselors at the 10th percentile earn around $42,520, while experienced practitioners at the 90th percentile earn up to $86,550.
North Dakota employs approximately 1,180 counselors in this occupational category. Nationally, the BLS projects strong demand for this field through 2032, driven by continued recognition of addiction as a public health issue and expanded access to treatment services. Rural states like North Dakota often see particularly acute shortages, which can translate into strong hiring conditions for credentialed counselors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an LAC and an LMAC in North Dakota?
The LAC is the entry-level addiction counselor license in North Dakota, requiring a bachelor’s degree, supervised clinical training, and the ADC exam. The LMAC is the advanced credential, available after earning your LAC, completing 2,000 hours of post-licensure supervised experience, and passing the MAC exam. LMACs can eventually register as clinical supervisors after three years at that level.
How long does it take to become a Licensed Addiction Counselor in North Dakota?
Most people complete the process in four to six years. A bachelor’s degree typically takes four years, and the clinical training requirement adds additional supervised hours on top of that. The timeline can vary depending on whether you enter a board-approved clinical training program during or after your degree program.
What exam do I need to pass to become an LAC in North Dakota?
The required exam is the ADC (Alcohol and Drug Counselor) exam, administered through the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP). You must submit a Licensure Examination application and a signed Clinical Trainee Completion Form before you can register. Always verify current exam requirements directly with NDBACE, as these can change.
Can I get licensed in North Dakota if I’m already licensed in another state?
Yes. North Dakota offers reciprocity for out-of-state applicants whose licenses are in good standing and whose home state’s requirements are at least equivalent to North Dakota’s. Reciprocity applications require full board approval and can take several months to process. The NDBACE reviews each application individually.
How much do addiction counselors earn in North Dakota?
According to BLS data from May 2024, the median annual salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in North Dakota is $66,450. Salaries range from about $42,520 at the entry level to $86,550 for the most experienced counselors in the state.
Key Takeaways
- Two credential levels: North Dakota licenses addiction counselors as LACs (entry level) and LMACs (advanced), both overseen by the NDBACE.
- Bachelor’s degree required: LAC applicants need a degree in addiction counseling or a closely related human services field from an accredited institution.
- Clinical training is mandatory: Both the LAC and LMAC require board-approved supervised clinical training before you can sit for the licensure exam.
- Renewal is every two years: All licenses expire on December 31 of odd-numbered years and require 40 CE hours per cycle to renew.
- Median salary of $66,450: BLS May 2024 data shows North Dakota addiction counselors earn a median of $66,450 annually, with experienced practitioners approaching $86,550.
Ready to explore addiction counseling programs? Find schools offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in addiction studies and related human services fields that can put you on the path to LAC or LMAC licensure in North Dakota.
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.