At a Glance
Montana issues one addiction counseling credential: the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), regulated by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health. To qualify, you’ll need a qualifying degree, 285 hours of addiction-specific coursework, 1,000 supervised clinical hours, and a passing score on a national certification exam. Most candidates complete the process in two to four years.
Montana has long contended with above-average rates of substance use. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has consistently ranked Montana among states with higher rates of alcohol and drug use disorders among adults. That demand has made licensed addiction counselors some of the most needed behavioral health professionals in the state, from Billings and Missoula to the rural communities and tribal lands that make up much of Montana’s geography.
If you want to work in this field in Montana, the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) is the credential you’re working toward. There’s only one level of independent licensure, and the Montana Board of Behavioral Health (BBH), housed within the Department of Labor and Industry, oversees the entire process, from candidate approval through renewal. The same Board also issues Montana social work licenses, so professionals pursuing dual credentials work with a single licensing authority.
What the LAC Credential Allows You to Do
The LAC authorizes you to work with individuals struggling with substance use disorders. In practice, that means conducting biopsychosocial evaluations, developing treatment plans, providing individual and group counseling, managing cases, and coordinating care across settings. Montana is among a relatively small number of states that accept an associate’s degree as the minimum education threshold for this credential, though most applicants hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
The credential covers work across a range of treatment environments, including inpatient and outpatient programs, community mental health centers, tribal health organizations, and private practice. The LAC is also the gateway to the clinical supervisor credential if you later want to supervise other counselors working toward licensure.
Degree and Education Requirements
The Board recognizes four qualifying degree pathways. Each requires a specific combination of degree level and addiction-focused coursework. The table below shows how each pathway is structured.
| Degree Pathway |
Degree Required |
Additional Coursework Required |
| Pathway 1 |
Associate’s degree or certificate in alcohol and drug studies, addiction, or substance abuse from an accredited institution |
None beyond the degree |
| Pathway 2 |
Associate’s degree in any other field from an accredited institution |
6 credit hours in human behavior/sociology/psychology; 3 hours in psychopathology; 9 hours in counseling (6 in group counseling, 3 in counseling theory) |
| Pathway 3 |
Bachelor’s or higher in alcohol/drug studies, psychology, sociology, social work, or counseling from an accredited institution |
None beyond the degree |
| Pathway 4 |
Bachelor’s or higher in any other field from an accredited institution |
6 credit hours in human behavior/sociology/psychology; 3 hours in psychopathology; 9 hours in counseling (6 in group counseling, 3 in counseling theory) |
Addiction-Specific Contact Hours
Regardless of which pathway you follow, all LAC applicants must complete 285 contact hours of addiction-specific coursework. One semester credit equals 15 contact hours (one quarter credit equals 10 hours). Those hours must be distributed across the following areas:
- 60 hours: chemical dependency assessment and patient placement (must include biopsychosocial testing, diagnosis, referrals, and patient placement)
- 90 hours: counseling
- 15 hours: pharmacology (drug classification, effects, detoxification, and withdrawal)
- 15 hours: ethics
- 30 hours: alcohol and drug studies
- 30 hours: treatment planning and documentation
- 15 hours: multicultural competency
- 15 hours: co-occurring disorders
- 15 hours: gambling/gaming disorder assessment and counseling
All educational requirements must be completed before you begin accumulating supervised work experience. The Board verifies coursework at the LAC-Candidate application stage, so make sure your transcripts clearly document each required area before you apply.
Steps to Becoming a Licensed Addiction Counselor in Montana
Montana’s LAC process runs in a specific sequence. You can’t start your supervised hours until the Board approves your LAC-Candidate status, which means the order of steps matters.
Step 1: Complete Your Degree and Coursework
Finish whichever of the four degree pathways applies to your background. Confirm that your transcripts document all required coursework areas, including the 285 addiction-specific contact hours across nine subject areas. The Board reviews this documentation when you apply for LAC-Candidate status, so gaps in your transcript record can delay the process.
Step 2: Apply for LAC-Candidate Status
Before you can accumulate supervised hours, you need formal approval from the Board. Submit your LAC-Candidate application along with official transcripts and documentation of your completed coursework. Once approved, you’ll receive your candidate status and can begin working toward the required supervised hours.
Step 3: Complete 1,000 Hours of Supervised Experience
As an LAC-Candidate, you must complete 1,000 hours of supervised work experience over a minimum of seven months, in no more than two qualified treatment settings. Supervision must occur at a 20:1 ratio of client contact hours to supervision and must include group supervision, individual supervision, and 10 hours of direct observation. Your supervisor must hold an active license in good standing and meet the Board’s qualifications under ARM 24.219.421. Both you and your supervisor must sign the Supervision Attestation and Supervised Work Experience Evaluation forms available through the Montana Board of Behavioral Health.
Step 4: Pass a National Certification Exam
Montana accepts a range of national exams for LAC licensure. Qualifying exams include the IC&RC Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC) exam, the Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC) exam, the NAADAC Certification Commission (NCC) Level I or II exam, Northwest Certified II or III, and Southwest Certification II. Applicants who are not already licensed in another jurisdiction must have passed their exam within four years of the application date. The IC&RC offers online study materials, candidate guides, and practice tests at internationalcredentialing.org/examprep.
Step 5: Complete a Background Check
You’ll need to submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check through the Montana Department of Justice before your application can be processed. Instructions for obtaining your fingerprint card are included in the application packet, available through the Montana Board of Behavioral Health. Background check results must be sent directly to the Department from the Montana Department of Justice, not submitted by the applicant.
Step 6: Submit Your LAC Application
The application fee is $250. The Board recommends applying online, where you can pay by e-check or credit card. Mail-in applications accept checks only (no cash). You’ll need to include official transcripts, verification of your addiction-specific coursework, proof of your 1,000 supervised hours, a completed fingerprint card, the Noncriminal Justice Applicant’s Rights form, and your Supervision Attestation form. Online and downloadable application forms are available through the Montana Board of Behavioral Health.
License Renewal
The LAC is renewed annually. The renewal window runs from May 2 through June 30 each year. Licenses that aren’t renewed by June 30 expire, though late renewal remains possible for 45 days after that date with a late fee. Renewal requires completing 20 hours of continuing education annually, which can be earned entirely online. At least two of those hours must address suicide prevention (required for first renewal and every two years thereafter). Confirm current renewal fees directly with the Montana Board of Behavioral Health, as fees are subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed addiction counselor in Montana?
Most candidates complete the process in two to four years, depending on their starting education level and whether they’re studying full-time or part-time. The degree and coursework phase typically takes the longest. Once you have LAC-Candidate status, the supervised hours requirement adds several months to a year of work experience before you’re eligible to apply for full licensure.
What exam do I need to pass for the Montana LAC?
Montana accepts several national exams, including the IC&RC Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC) and Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC) exams, the NAADAC Certification Commission (NCC) Level I or II, Northwest Certified II or III, and Southwest Certification II. You’ll submit proof of passing your chosen exam as part of the LAC application. Applicants not already licensed in another state must have passed the exam within four years of their application date.
Can I become a licensed addiction counselor in Montana with an associate’s degree?
Yes. Montana is among a relatively small number of states that accept an associate’s degree for this credential. You can qualify with an associate’s degree in alcohol and drug studies or substance abuse from an accredited institution, or with an associate’s degree in another field if you’ve completed the required supplemental coursework in human behavior, psychopathology, and counseling theory.
What is LAC-Candidate status in Montana?
LAC-Candidate is an intermediate status granted by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health after you’ve completed your education requirements. You must apply for and receive candidate approval before you can start accumulating supervised work experience. Think of it as the Board verifying that your education is in order before the clinical phase begins.
Who oversees addiction counselor licensing in Montana?
The Montana Board of Behavioral Health (BBH), which operates under the Department of Labor and Industry, issues and regulates the Licensed Addiction Counselor credential. The BBH also oversees clinical supervisor credentials and handles renewals, background checks, and application processing. If you’re researching substance abuse counselor requirements in other states, licensing structures and credential names vary significantly from state to state.
Key Takeaways
- Montana issues one independent addiction counseling credential, the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), regulated by the Board of Behavioral Health under the Department of Labor and Industry.
- The LAC requires a qualifying degree (associate’s or higher), 285 hours of addiction-specific coursework across nine subject areas, 1,000 supervised clinical hours as an LAC-Candidate, a passing national exam score, and a background check.
- You must receive formal LAC-Candidate approval from the Board before you can begin your supervised hours. This is a required intermediate step that many applicants overlook.
- Montana accepts an associate’s degree for this license, making it more accessible than most states, though most applicants hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- The LAC renews annually between May 2 and June 30, with 20 hours of continuing education required each year (including 2 hours of suicide prevention training). Confirm current fees with the Board directly.
Ready to take the next step toward LAC licensure? Explore accredited degree programs in addiction counseling and behavioral health.
Find Schools Near You
Laura Bennett, MPH is a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in community health education and program coordination. She specializes in helping aspiring professionals explore flexible education pathways, including online and hybrid public health degree programs. Laura is passionate about making public health careers more accessible through practical, accredited training
