North Carolina

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


Substance abuse counselors are licensed professionals with special knowledge and skills that allow them to assist individuals who struggle with alcohol and drug abuse and/or addiction. Practicing substance abuse counselors must receive special training in a variety of areas, including patient assessment, diagnosis, and evaluation, as well as be able to conduct individual and group counseling sessions. Additionally, these professionals are familiar with the best practices in both the intervention and referral process.


North Carolina Licensing & Certifications for Associates & Independent Counselors


In order to ensure that all practicing substance abuse professionals in the state of North Carolina possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and ethical commitment, the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB) was established. The NCSAPPB is responsible for providing counseling credentials to qualified individuals within the state. As a member board of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), the NCSAPPB works to ensure substance abuse and/or addiction patients receive safe and competent services. To this end, they offer several different credentials. Those who have already received certification from another IC&RC member board can transfer their credentials to North Carolina through the reciprocity process.


Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC)


CSAC is the first of two counseling credentials offered by the NCSAPPB. A CSAC is certified to perform the 12 Core Functions including, but not limited to, screening, intake, referral, and counseling services. Those interested in becoming a CSAC must:


  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent

  • Have a clean conduct record

  • Upload a current resume, NCSAPPB’s Ethics Agreement, and current job description

  • Pay the non-refundable registration fee of $125

  • Complete a 300 hour supervised practicum

  • Complete a three hour ethics training course

  • Complete 6,000 hours of supervised practice

  • Complete 270 hours of NCSAPPB-approved education and training, including:


  • 190 hours of substance abuse education

  • Six hours of HIV/AIDS/STDS/TB/Blood-borne pathogens training and education

  • Six hours of professional ethics education

  • Six hours of education in nicotine dependence, psychopathology, evidence-based treatment approaches, substance abuse issues in older adults, substance abuse issues affecting veterans


  • Provide contact information for two professional references, either co-workers or colleagues

Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS)


An LCAS is certified to practice independently while performing the same tasks as a CSAC. Those with LCAS credentials are also qualified to supervise other substance abuse counselor candidates.


There are four ways to qualify to apply for licensure as an LCAS. It’s recommended that you contact the NCSAPPB prior to making your criteria selection to ensure the correct one is chosen:


  • Criteria A


  • For individuals with a master’s degree who have substance abuse training and supervision experience

  • Criteria B

  • For individuals with a master’s degree who already hold certification as a CSAC

  • Criteria C

  • For individuals with a master’s degree which includes a substance abuse specialty curriculum that was preapproved by the NCSAPPB

  • Criteria D


  • For individuals with a substance abuse specialty from an affiliated Deemed Status profession, such as Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, American Psychological Association, or Addiction Nursing Certification Board


While requirements vary depending on your selection, they generally include:


  • Master’s degree

  • 300 hours of supervised practical training

  • Three hour ethics training

  • 4,000 hours of supervised post-graduate substance abuse counseling experience

  • 180 hours of substance abuse training

  • Passing score on a master’s level IC&RC AADC written examination

  • Agreement to adhere to NCSAPPB’s Code of Ethical Conduct

  • Three letters of reference from other LCAS or CSAC professionals with master’s degrees

  • $125 non-refundable registration fee

Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Consultant (CSAPC)


This credential is ideal for those who intend to provide prevention education, including alternative activities, community networking, and referrals. Requirements include:


  • A high school diploma or equivalent

  • A clean conduct record

  • Uploading a resume, Ethics Agreement, and job description

  • Paying the non-refundable registration fee of $125

  • Completing a three hour ethics training

  • Completing a 300 hour supervised practicum, including the Prevention Performance Domains:

  • Planning and Evaluations

  • Education and Skill Development

  • Community Organization

  • Public and Organizational Policy

  • Professional Growth and Responsibility

  • Completing 270 hours of NCSAPPB-approved education including:


  • 170 hours in primary prevention and life skills training

  • 100 hours in substance abuse, including six hours of infectious disease education and six hours of nicotine dependence, psychopathology, evidence-based treatment approaches, substance abuse issues in older adults, or substance abuse issues affecting veterans education

  • Paying the non-refundable examination fee of $125

  • Successfully passing the examination

Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP)


Individuals interested in addiction as it relates to criminal behavior may be interested in the NCSAPPB’s specialty credential of CCJP. This certification deals with legal, ethical, and professional responsibility, as well as the criminal justice system and processes. Candidates must:


  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent

  • Have a clean conduct record

  • Upload a resume, Ethics Agreement, and job description

  • Pay the non-refundable registration fee of $125

  • Complete a three hour ethics training

  • Complete a 300 hour supervised practicum

  • Complete 270 hours (or 180 hours if the candidate has a master’s) of NCSAPPB-approved education and training related to the IC&RC criminal justice addictions professional specifications

  • Pay the non-refundable examination fee of $125

  • Successfully pass the examination

Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)


The NCSAPPB also offers a specialty certification for individuals who want to train and identify substance abuse supervisors. Those with this credential often provide supervision to:


  • Individuals seeking certification in counseling, criminal justice addictions specialization, prevention counseling, and licensed clinical addiction specialists

  • LCAS seeking clinical supervision

  • CSACs and CCJPs who still require supervision


Those interested in becoming a CCS must:


  • Have a master’s degree

  • Pay the non-refundable application fee of $25

  • Upload a resume, Ethics Agreement, and job description

  • Pay the registration fee of $125

  • Complete 15 hours of:

  • Clinical supervision training

  • Substance abuse clinical supervision training

  • Complete 4,000 hours of clinically supervised practice

  • Submit three letters of reference, one from a substance abuse professional who can confirm the candidate’s supervisory competence

  • Pay the non-refundable examination fee of $125

  • Successfully pass the Supervision Examination


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 Licensed Professional Counselors (NCBLPC)


The mission of the NCBLPC is to regulate any persons offering counseling services in the state. The Board exists to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public and is responsible for administering and enforcing national standards of counselor preparation and ethical practices defined by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). NBCC testing, the National Counselor Examination (NCE), is used by North Carolina to determine the eligibility of licensure applicants. The Board also relies on standards set by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).


Address

P.O. Box 77819

Greensboro, NC 27417


Phone

(336) 217-6007


Website Address

http://www.ncblpc.org/


Licensure:

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

  • Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA)

  • Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPCS)


There are 2 degrees of credentials in North Carolina for Drug Abuse Counselors. One level is for training objectives as well as additionally is called the Product Misuse Specialist Student (SACI). The full degree of certification is called the Licensed Drug Abuse Specialist (CSAC). There are educational, monitored experiences in addition to screening demands to acquire these titles.


North Carolina material abuse therapists obtain their credentials from the North Carolina Chemical Abuse Specialist Technique Board. This business is officially recognized in state law. Professionals may be credentialed as Licensed Medical Dependencies Professionals.


Reliances counseling experts accredited at the LCAS degree may bag manager certification. Capella College utilizes an online MS in Dependency Research studies as well as a PhD in Addiction Psychology. Capella College likewise gives three on the web CACREP-accredited programs: MS in Expert Mental Health Therapy, MS in College Therapy, as well as PhD in Therapist Education And Learning As well as Knowing in addition to Supervision, along with a COAMFTE-accredited program, MS in Marital Relationship along with Household Members Therapy.


The Certified Substance abuse Counselor could be obtained by a graduate with any type of degree of education as well as learning from the high college level on. People that hold master's degrees yet do not accomplish needs for the medical certification can be certified at this degree. Prospects should have 270 hrs of considerable education and learning; at the very least 190 of these will especially address chemical abuse.


No greater than 20% of the needed education and learning human resources can be satisfied through in-service training. No more than half might get on the net or independent study. The prospect has to have 300 hours of practicum. A minimum of 10 hrs have to be purchased each of twelve core treatment features. Supervision is to be offered by a Licensed Medical Supervisor or Scientific Manager Intern at a 1:10 ratio.


Credentials abide by 6,000 hrs of experience (the equivalent of 3 years of permanent task). The intern needs to have CCS or CSI advice at a 1:40 ratio while finishing the experience demand. Certified substance abuse counselors do not exercise separately. As soon as qualification has actually been authorized, however, LCAS guidance is adequate.


In order to qualify as a Qualified Scientific Dependencies Specialist, one should have a master's level that consists of clinical application. There are several paths, which are placed on different parts of prospects (for example, those that have actually currently been licensed as material abuse counselors). Specialists that already hold credentials from particular recognized organizations are considered to have actually fulfilled the education and learning experience (as well as also, most of the time, exam) requirements.


Chemical abuse specialists can additionally obtain a certification in criminal justice dependences or to work as a building facility director. The core credential, nonetheless, assesses efficiency in the twelve functions of a chemical abuse counselor. To obtain a compound misuse counselor certificate in North Carolina, look into the requirements, procedure, along with assumptions listed below.


The answer to how to become a drug counselor in North Carolina is a little bit more complicated than many people think. This is because many of the requirements that you will need to have for the job are quite a bit more involved than you may think.


The first thing you will need to do if you want to learn how to become an addiction counselor is to find a certified school to get your education. This will involve you in finding a school that offers both a Bachelor of Science in Counselor Education and a Masters in Counselor Education program.


After you have gotten your education you will need to take the NCLEX-PN examination in order to become a drug counselor. This exam is offered by the North Carolina Department of Health. This examination will get you ready for the state licensing test you will have to take in order to become a licensed counselor in North Carolina.


Once you have passed your NCLEX-PN exam, you can start learning how to become an addiction counselor in North Carolina. You will be responsible for training all of the staff in your care unit and for keeping them up to date on your daily practice sessions.


You will also be responsible for conducting all of your counselors' sessions as well as providing them with a complete written workbook for their practice sessions. This will help them to keep a record of your sessions so that they can review them at any time during the course of the year.


Once you have learned how to become an addiction counselor in North Carolina, you will need to find employment in that state. The State of North Carolina requires that you have at least two years of experience working in this field before you can apply for employment as a counselor.


Once you have completed the coursework necessary to get your degree and you have applied for employment as a drug counselor in North Carolina you can then be licensed and can work in the state. This will be your legal license in North Carolina and will provide you with a full range of responsibilities.


As long as you keep up your training and you are licensed you will have many opportunities to work in the field of drug counselors all around the country. You may even find that you have job openings in other states once you have achieved this level of education.


In the medical centers that hire drug counselors you will often have access to the medical center and other areas of the center that help patients who have drug addictions. These positions can be very rewarding and you may find that you enjoy working with people on a regular basis who have drug addictions.


As you finish your studies to learn how to become an addiction counselor, you will find that the training courses are very flexible and can help you obtain employment anywhere in the world. There are some areas of the country that are more challenging than others for your learning curve but once you finish your training you will have the skills necessary to become a very successful counselor in any area of the world.


You will find that NCRI is very flexible and allows you to take courses at the same time that you have time to spare. There are also courses that can be taken at night or on weekends and holidays that will allow you to make time to attend classes in the evening and fit them into your busy schedule.


When you want to know how to become a drug counselor in North Carolina, you will also be able to take the classes that are offered by a number of accredited universities. These courses are very affordable and they will prepare you for your future employment opportunities. You can attend these courses and become a drug counselor from the comfort of your own home and you can take them at your own pace.


The Internet is also a great resource for learning about how to become an addiction counselor. There are many resources available online that can help you with your coursework and you can review all of the course material that you need in the privacy of your own home.


Counselor Testing & Examination Process


Individuals seeking any of the above-mentioned credentials must complete and submit an application through the NCSAPPB website. This process is completely digital and requires internet access, electronic copies of all required documentation, familiarity with digital file uploading, and a credit card to pay the non-refundable $25 application fee. Regardless of your intended credential, follow this application procedure:


  1. Create an account using the NCSAPPB’s Credentialing System online at http://ncsappb.learningbuilder.com. Be prepared to provide basic demographic information, such as your address, phone number, email, date of birth, and the last four digits of your social security number. After your account has been created, this is where you will be able to access and view any uploaded documents and staff communications.


  1. Read the provided information about each offered credential to help you identify the one(s) that best fit your career goals and qualifications. If you need assistance selecting your credential, contact the NCSAPPB.


  • Please note that LCAS applicants must have their official transcript(s) sent before proceeding with the application process.

  1. Select your desired credential from the provided “Learning Plans.”


  1. Designate whether you’re applying for credentials via a new application or are already certified in another state and wish to apply via reciprocity.


  1. Pay the required $25 fee.


  1. Complete the registration process for your desired credential. Once all of the required documentation has been submitted, the “Submit Application” button will turn orange. Click this button to complete the submission process.


Additionally, applicants are required to agree to a criminal background investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation. You’ll need to grant this permission by uploading a signed Release of Information form and submit the non-refundable processing fee of $38. As part of this process, you will need a LIVESCAN of your fingerprints. This can be obtained through your local law enforcement agency, which will require photo identification and, in some cases, an associated fee.


Candidates seeking credentials in North Carolina are also required to take the IC&RC examination, as designated by their intended credential. If you fail to receive a passing score on this computer-based, multiple-choice exam, you can retake it every three months after paying a re-examination fee of $150.


For most of the North Carolina credentials, the process for registering for the exam is as follows:


  1. Log into your online account once your registration process is complete


  1. Select the orange “Continue” button and select “Exam Forms”


  1. Pay the non-refundable examination fee of $125


  1. Request to take the examination; remember to request any needed testing accommodations


  1. Wait to hear from the NCSAPPB via email and then click the included test link to register


  1. Take the examination


Clinical Supervision Explained


Supervised practicums are required for CSAC, LCAS candidates with Criteria A, LCAS candidates with Criteria C, CCS, CCJP, and CSAPC credentials in order to achieve registered Intern Status. Candidates must complete a total of 300 hours of supervised work within the twelve core functions. In general, you must have one hour of supervision for every 10 hours of practice. Once this hour requirement is complete, you will need to return to your online portal and request evaluation. An online form will be sent to your supervisor(s) and he/she must complete and submit it.


In order to achieve full certification, most candidates will also need to practice under supervision for at least 2,000 to 6,000 hours, depending on the credentials being sought. In general, you must have one hour of supervision for every 40 hours of practice. Once this hour requirement is complete, you will need to return to your online portal and request evaluation. An online form will be sent to your supervisor(s) and he/she must complete and submit it.


Renewal and Continuing Education


Credentials received through the NCSAPPB must be renewed every two years. Continuing education and training vary depending on the certification in question. At most, those seeking renewal will need to complete the following:


  • Complete 60 hours of NCSAPPB-approved education within the two-year certification period, including:


  • 30 hours of substance abuse education

  • Three hours of HIV/AIDS/STDS/TB/Blood-borne pathogens training and education

  • Three hours of professional ethics education

  • Three hours of education in nicotine dependence, psychopathology, evidence-based treatment approaches, substance abuse issues in older adults, and substance abuse issues affecting veterans

  • Submit the renewal application

  • Pay the non-refundable renewal fee of $125

  • Establish a supervision contract with a clinical supervisor


  • One hour of supervision for every 40 hours of practice for 4,000 hours

  • One hour of supervision for every 80 hours of practice for the next 4,000 hours

  • One hour of supervision for every 160 hours of practice afterward


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


The Association for Addiction Professionals of North Carolina (APNC) is the state affiliate of NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, which represents over 100,000 addiction professionals in the United States.