Nevada

What does an Addiction Counselor in Nevada do? What is Their Job Role?


If you’re considering a career as an alcohol and drug counselor in Nevada, you’ll need to know where to begin.


Nevada has three levels of licensure available to substance abuse counselors in the state, and each one has its own set of education and experience requirements. Prospective counselors will need to identify their goals before choosing the path that fits their career needs.


Keep reading to learn more about how to become a substance abuse counselor in Nevada.


Overview


Nevada requires all substance abuse counselors to be licensed or certified before they’re permitted to practice. The Nevada State Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drug, and Gambling Counselors certifies all the credentials available to counselors.


Before they’re eligible to obtain a full certification, all prospective counselors must earn a degree in social science, complete a predetermined number of supervised practice hours, and pass both a written and an oral exam.


Substance abuse counselors in Nevada may not have experienced any issues with alcohol, drug, or gambling addiction in the last two years. They must also have not been on probation or parole during that time. Counselors must be at least 21 years of age at the time of licensing.


It’s worth noting that Nevada uses a different certification process for Native American Alcohol and Drug Counselors (NACADCs). This involves a separate set of education requirements, but the basic eligibility factors remain the same.


Nevada Licensing & Certifications for Associates & Independent Counselors


Nevada offers three main types of licensure to counselors seeking a career path in the field of addiction counseling and recovery.


The first step for many prospective counselors is to begin at the CADC-Intern level. This involves integration of experience and education early on in a candidate’s career.


Individuals who already hold a college degree will be eligible for certification based on their level of education. Substance abuse counselors who hold a bachelor’s degree are known as Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC). Counselors with a master’s level degree may be eligible for licensure as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).


Counselors may also obtain the Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) credential by adding a comprehensive knowledge of mental health disorders to their clinical repertoire.


CADC-Intern Requirements


Prospective counselors who are still in the process of completing their education requirements are called Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Interns (CADC-Interns).This credential allows students to gain experience as an alcohol and drug counselor while still working toward their degree.


To qualify as a CADC-Intern, students must have a high school diploma or GED, and must be enrolled in college classes. (Students who aren’t currently in school must submit an affidavit stating their intent to enroll at the beginning of the next semester). The education requirement for non-degreed interns allows for a great deal of scheduling flexibility; students aren’t obligated to take more than one course per semester.


The CADC-Intern must enter a Supervision Agreement with a licensed and approved supervisor, with the intern being directly supervised for at least one hour per week. The supervisor themselves must observe the intern’s work for at least one hour per month. The agreement states that the intern should receive evaluations from their supervisor every six months.


Education Requirements


Each level of licensing for Nevada alcohol and drug counselors has different education requirements. Here’s a rundown of what’s needed before counselors can take the exam and obtain licensure in their desired area.


CADC Education Requirements


CADC candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in a social science subject. In this case, social sciences indicate a topic of study focusing on the human mind and/or mental illness. Examples of relevant social science concentrations include:


  • Counseling substance abusers

  • Counseling problem gamblers

  • Criminal justice

  • Marriage and family therapy

  • Medicine

  • Nursing

  • Psychiatry

  • Psychology

  • Social work


Other degree programs may also be considered for eligibility as long as it contains a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework related to counseling. Students who complete a minimum of 18 semester hours studying addiction topics may qualify for a drastically reduced practical experience requirement.

LADC and LCADC Education Requirements


A graduate degree in social science is required for prospective counselors to be eligible for both LADC and LCADC licensure. Approved topics of study include:


  • Alcohol and substance abuse or gambling counseling

  • Marriage and family therapy

  • Medicine

  • Nursing

  • Psychology


Master’s programs that include at least 24 hours of counseling related classwork may qualify as well. Contact the Nevada Board with questions about a specific degree.


Candidates who hold a master’s degree may be eligible for a reduced experience requirement if they’ve completed at least 12 semester hours covering addiction topics.


For individuals who wish to pursue their LCADC, the master’s degree must contain more clinical subjects than the LADC or CADC requires. Prospective LCADCs must complete courses covering a comprehensive study of mental health disorders, as well as the diagnosis of mental disorders.


CACREP Accredited Online Certification


Two types of accreditation are recognized in the United States; institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation takes the entire institution into account while the specialized focus on professional preparation programs. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is a specialized accreditation that focuses on master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling at colleges and universities worldwide. Only already-accredited institutions are eligible for CACREP review. The review for accreditation will center on programs offering graduate degrees in counseling.


Choosing a CACREP-accredited program ensures that the program meets the highest of quality standards. Many counseling specialties are accredited by the CACREP, including addiction counseling. Accredited addiction counseling programs prepare individuals to work with those affected by addictive behavior and their families. Addictive behaviors include alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex, and anything else that negatively affects your personal or work life by creating addiction behaviors.


CACREP-accredited programs will focus on treatment models and the phases of addiction including prevention, recovery, and relapse prevention. These 60-semester hour programs will include the application of interventions. When students choose a CACREP-accredited program they can be confident that:


  • the program meets or exceeds national standards

  • the program will focus on professional counseling rather than psychology or education

  • the program has an excellent reputation

  • CACREP graduates statistically receive higher scores on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE).

  • the requirements for licensure will be met.


Board of Examiners for Marriage & Family Therapists & Clinical Professional Counselors


The Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors was established to protect consumers when dealing with mental health professionals. The Board exists to ensure the ethical conduct of both therapists and licensed clinical counselors in the state of Nevada. Applicants requesting a license to practice clinical professional counseling in Nevada must present evidence to the Board that they have successfully completed the National Certified Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). This exam is given throughout the U.S. by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).


Address

7324 West Cheyenne

Suite #9

Las Vegas, Nevada 89129


Phone

(702) 486-7388


Website Address

marriage.nv.gov


Licensure:

  • Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC)


An individual may work as a CADC-Intern prior to level conclusion. The Board of Inspectors likewise accredits Indigenous American Alcohol and also Medicine Misuse Counselors (NAADCs). It is possible to make the credential without a level, however chemical abuse education and training is necessary. Capella College supplies an on the internet MS in Dependency Studies and a PhD in Addiction Psychology.


This overview covers crucial details on how to become a material abuse counselor in Nevada, including education and learning and also experience needs, accreditation as well as revival processes, and also on-line resources for counseling students as well as practicing experts. Nevada therapy demands differ by accreditation degree. The complying with areas lay out the education and learning and also experience needs for different certifications, including practicum and also material area requirements.


The number of needed hours varies by academic history. The Nevada therapist boards the Nevada Board of Inspectors for Alcohol, Drug, and also Gaming Counselors handles certification and also licensing for chemical abuse therapists throughout the state. Beyond education and experience, certification candidates have to efficiently complete exam demands. CADCI candidates are not required to finish a test, but they have to finish 12 hrs of training in HIPAA compliance, counselor confidentiality, as well as principles.


Prospects should send main university records, evidence of work experience, as well as a $495 charge. Nevada does not hold formal qualification or licensure reciprocity arrangements for substance misuse therapists. Nonetheless, the state may approve written and also oral evaluation waivers to applicants who satisfy academic as well as experience requirements and hold a present, legitimate license from an additional state.


Waivers are not guaranteed, and also prospects exempt from examinations must still give all suitable qualification charges. Out-of-state specialists that do not obtain a waiver and wish to exercise in Nevada should accomplish every one of the application as well as exam needs detailed in the previous areas. Nevada counseling specialists should renew their qualifications every 2 years.


Counselors should complete at the very least 3 hrs on principles, three hours on discretion criteria, and two hours on self-destruction prevention. Nevada therapy professionals have to restore their credentials every two years Renewal needs for qualified interns differ. Trainees should complete 25 continuing education hours throughout the very first year of accreditation as well as 20 hours throughout each succeeding year of CADCI accreditation.


Students as well as counselors can access info, research study, as well as resources on the NIDA website. SNAAP, an affiliate of NAADAC, works to progress addiction study and the specialist advancement of addiction experts. Members access to continuing education and learning opportunities, networking possibilities, and also appropriate publications. The state board for drug abuse therapists examines applications for accreditation and licensure throughout Nevada.


You have to possess a Master's level or Ph. D. in Behavioral Scientific research with a minimum of 30 hours at the graduate degree in Therapy classes or very relevant fields. You should have built up 2 years/4000 hours of expert scientific supervised experience If you have18 semester hours in AODA subjects you can decrease your supervised experience to 1500 hours.


If you are interested in becoming a drug counselor in Nevada, you must know that a number of requirements are required for admission. For admission into the substance abuse counselor program, you must complete a minimum of one year of education, pass a certification exam, be an American citizen, and be a resident of Nevada. Your education and certification will be reviewed by a committee prior to you being accepted for admission to the program.


Before you complete the requirements to become a substance abuse counselor in Nevada, you must complete a certification exam. The certification exam is a standardized exam designed to measure the counselor's knowledge of drug abuse, alcoholism, and addiction. The exam is a two-hour course and must be taken in person.


The certification exam is not the only thing that is required for admission into the program. In addition to the knowledge and certification, you will need to pass a written exam as well as meet other requirements to become a substance abuse counselor in Nevada.


To become a substance abuse counselor in Nevada, you must have completed a minimum of one year of education and a minimum of 100 hours of approved clinical work, which can be completed in a variety of settings. For instance, if you completed a two-year degree program in counseling, you will need to complete the clinical requirements to become a substance abuse counselor in Nevada. In addition to clinical work, you will need to complete at least one year of continuing education credits to be considered for re-certification.


If you have completed a two-year program in counseling, you will need to complete one year of clinical work and a minimum of 200 hours of approved clinical work. You will also need to complete the minimum amount of continuing education credits required by the state of Nevada.


In addition to the clinical work, you must also complete an internship or placement in a substance abuse or alcohol treatment facility within the state of Nevada. The internship must be completed in the state where you received your degree from the University of Nevada. This is an important requirement if you want to become a counselor in the state.


The certification exam is an important part of the process but is not the only thing that is required to become a counselor in Nevada. You must complete an application for licensure in the state as well as pass an exam to become certified by the state board of counselors of alcohol and drug abuse.


Once you have passed the state board of counselors, you must complete at least one year of continuing education credits to be considered for re-certification. If you have completed a two-year program in counseling, you must complete a minimum of two years of continuing education before you can reapply for recertification. Finally, you must pass the state exam.


Once you have completed all of the clinical work and the continuing education credits, you will be required to take an exam for state board certification. You will be required to pass the exam if you want to become a certified counselor in Nevada.


To become a certified counselor, you must first enroll in a program approved by the NAACDA (National Association of Clinical Drug Diversion Investigators). NAACDA approved programs are the only ones recognized by the state of Nevada to become certified counselors.


Once you become a certified counselor in Nevada, you will be required to attend a one-month orientation program before you can take the state board of counselors exam. As a certified counselor in Nevada, you will then need to complete two years of continuing education credits in order to reapply for recertification with the state board.


Becoming a drug counselor in Nevada is one of the most challenging yet rewarding careers in the world today. There are a variety of jobs that are available and each one of them offer a wonderful opportunity to meet and interact with people who are going through similar issues as you.


Supervised Experience Requirements


In order to advance beyond the intern level, substance abuse counselors seeking licensure will need to complete a predetermined number of experience hours. The specifics of this requirement vary greatly based on prospective counselors’ education levels.


Candidates without any post-secondary education in addiction topics will need to complete at least 4,000 hours of practical training to achieve the CADC or LADC credentials. Candidates whose bachelor's or master's degree involved an understanding of addiction topics may be eligible for a reduced experience requirement of 1,500 hours.


Individuals pursuing a career as a clinical alcohol and drug counselor are obligated to complete just 2,000 hours of experience. However, these hours must take place following graduation from an accredited degree program. The experience must include substance abuse treatment of clients with co-occurring mental disorders, and the diagnosis of such disorders.


Some social science professions allow for easy transition into the field of substance abuse counseling. Candidates who hold a graduate degree and are working as a social worker, nurse, or family therapist, for example, may be eligible to receive licensure as a clinical addiction counselor following six months of supervised experience.


Examination Requirements


After completing the experience requirement, prospective counselors must take both an oral and written examination. The exams for the CADC and LADC credentials are administered by the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).


Candidates working toward a CADC will need to take the Level II written exam. Upon passing with a 70% or higher, they will be eligible to take the oral exam.


Prospective LADCs will need to take the Master Addiction Counselors (MAC) exam. After passing with a 70% or higher, they can move on to the oral exam.


Individuals seeking licensure as a clinical alcohol and drug counselor will need to take the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling (NCMHC) exam. This is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).


Testing dates and locations can be found on the Board's website. Candidates who have completed all of the requirements for the exam but have yet to take the test can practice under a provisional license from the state of Nevada.


The exam is not required for those already holding the Licensed Clinical Social Work credential, as well as psychologists and marriage and family therapists.


After passing both the written and oral exams (if required), candidates should be eligible to submit an application for licensure to the Board, as well as copies of fingerprints for a background check and an application fee of $150.


In total, prospective counselors can expect to pay $480. This includes a fee of $170 for the written exam, $100 for the oral exam, the $150 application fee, and a $60 processing fee.


Renewal and Continuing Education


A substance abuse counselor license in Nevada must be renewed every two years.


In that time, counselors are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of continued education. Three of these hours must be spent in ethics training. An additional three hours must be spent reviewing confidentiality standards and HIPAA laws.


Unlike some states, Nevada allows for 100 percent of continued education hours to be completed online.


In order to count toward the 40-hour requirement, continued education classes must be provided by an approved source. Credit hours may not already count toward an ongoing degree or on-the-job training.


Counselors must submit an affidavit describing the nature of their continued education hours. The Board advises that counselors hold on to records of hours for three years following the submission of each affidavit.


Potential Counselor Career Path Options


  • Addiction Counselor

  • Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor

  • Behavioral Health Specialist

  • Certified Addiction Drug and Alcohol Counselor

  • Chemical Dependency Counselor

  • Mental Health Counselor

  • School Counselor

  • Substance Abuse Counselor


Associations & Organizations


Drug and alcohol counselors in Nevada may join industry associations to stay on top of rules and regulations in a frequently changing field.


The State of Nevada Association for Addiction Professionals (SNAAP) is a great resource for substance abuse counselors in the state. Membership in this association also grants counselors membership in the NAADAC.