At a Glance
To become a substance abuse counselor in Arkansas, you’ll need to navigate two separate credentialing systems. The Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board (ASACB) issues voluntary IC&RC certifications (the Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor), while the State Board of Examiners of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (SBEADAC) issues state licenses required to practice independently.
Arkansas consistently ranks among the states with the highest opioid prescribing rates in the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arkansas had an opioid dispensing rate of 68.8 prescriptions per 100 people in 2024, the highest in the nation, compared to a national average of 35.4 (Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, citing CDC data). That level of exposure drives real demand for qualified addiction counselors who know how to guide people through recovery. If you want to be one of them, understanding which credential you need and how to get it is the first step.
Two separate agencies issue credentials in Arkansas: the Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board (ASACB) and the State Board of Examiners of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (SBEADAC). Both use the term “AODA” (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) to describe the practice setting and client population. They operate independently, and the credentials they issue serve different purposes. Here’s how the two systems work and what each one requires.
Understanding the Two Credential Systems in Arkansas
Many states have a single licensing board for substance abuse counselors. Arkansas has two, and they operate in parallel. Knowing the difference matters before you start counting hours or filling out applications.
The SBEADAC is a state government agency that issues licenses required by law to practice as a substance abuse counselor in Arkansas. Counselors who want to work in this field with full licensure authority need an SBEADAC credential (Arkansas Department of Health, SBEADAC). The two license tiers are the Licensed Associate Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor (LAADAC) and the Licensed Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC).
The ASACB is a nonprofit professional association and Arkansas’s member board of the International Credentialing and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). It issues certifications that are voluntary but widely recognized. The two certification tiers are the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) and the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) (ASACB). The ASACB also administers the IC&RC exams that SBEADAC license applicants are required to pass.
In practice, counselors who want to practice with full state licensure typically pursue credentials through both systems. The ASACB certification helps you meet IC&RC exam requirements and signals professional competence. The SBEADAC license is what authorizes you to practice.
Note that the SBEADAC only covers substance abuse and counselors. Mental health counselors and others pursuing a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Arkansas work through a separate board. For a full overview of Arkansas counseling licensure, including LPC requirements, see our dedicated state page.
| Credential |
Issuing Board |
Type |
Min. Education |
| LAADAC |
SBEADAC |
State License |
Bachelor’s degree |
| LADAC |
SBEADAC |
State License |
Master’s degree |
| ADC (AODA) |
ASACB |
Certification |
High school diploma |
| AADC |
ASACB |
Certification |
Master’s degree |
SBEADAC Licensure: LAADAC and LADAC
The SBEADAC administers Arkansas’s two-tier state licensing system for substance abuse counselors. Both licenses require a qualifying degree, supervised experience, and a passing score on the IC&RC exam.
LAADAC: Licensed Associate Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor
The LAADAC is the entry-level state license and requires a baccalaureate degree in the health or behavioral sciences field, or another appropriate field, from an accredited college or university. Applicants must also be at least 21 years old.
LADAC: Licensed Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor
The LADAC requires a master’s degree in the health or behavioral sciences field, or another appropriate field, from an accredited institution. It is the higher-tier state license and is typically required for clinical director and supervisory roles in AODA treatment settings.
Experience and Exam Requirements (Both Licenses)
Both the LAADAC and LADAC require 6,000 hours (approximately three years) of supervised experience in an alcohol and drug counseling setting. This experience can be paid or volunteer work. All applicants must pass the IC&RC ADC exam, administered through the ASACB. Applications, background check requirements, and current fees are managed through the SBEADAC. The Arkansas Department of Health maintains current SBEADAC licensure information at healthy.arkansas.gov. Licenses are renewed on a two-year cycle.
ASACB Certification: ADC and AADC
The Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board issues two IC&RC-aligned certifications. These are voluntary credentials, but earning them demonstrates a defined level of education, supervised practice, and professional competency. Passing the ASACB-administered IC&RC exam is also required for SBEADAC licensure.
Education Requirements
The ADC does not require a college degree, but applicants must have at least a high school diploma. ADC applicants with an associate’s degree can count 1,000 hours toward the work experience requirement. A bachelor’s degree counts for 2,000 hours, and a master’s degree counts for 4,000 hours. The AADC requires a master’s degree in a behavioral health or human services field.
ADC applicants must complete 300 clock hours of ASACB-approved education in the substance use disorder field, including at least 6 hours in ethics. AADC applicants must complete 180 clock hours, with at least 6 hours focused on co-occurring disorders ethics. All education programs must be approved by the ASACB before hours are counted.
Supervised Practicum
Both the ADC and AADC require a 300-hour supervised practicum completed in an AODA treatment setting. The practicum must cover all 12 IC&RC core functions: screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling (individual, group, and family), case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports and recordkeeping, and consultation. Supervision must be provided by a Clinical Supervisor (CS) registered with the ASACB, either one-on-one or in a group setting. Practicum hours count toward the required work experience total.
Work Experience
ADC applicants need 6,000 hours of experience in an addictions counseling environment (reduced by any degree credit as described above). AADC applicants need 2,000 hours of post-master’s experience in the addictions field. Both paid and volunteer work qualify, and the supervising professional must hold a master’s-level certification, an AADC credential, or a CS designation.
Background Check and Application
All applicants must pass a criminal background check. Once you’re ready to apply, contact the ASACB directly to receive credentials for the Certemy online portal, where applications are completed and submitted. The background check form must be notarized and submitted with a fee payable to the Arkansas State Police. Confirm the current amount directly with the ASACB, as fees are subject to change.
Exam
ADC applicants take the IC&RC ADC exam; AADC applicants take the AADC exam. The testing fee is $250. Study materials, candidate guides, and online practice exams are available through the IC&RC Exam Prep page. Contact the ASACB directly to confirm current fees before applying.
Continuing Education and Renewal
ASACB certifications renew every two years. ADC holders need 14 hours of continuing education per cycle. AADC holders need 20 hours. All CE courses must be a minimum of 3 credit hours and must be approved by the ASACB. Up to 20 hours may be completed through distance learning for renewal. Initial certification hours must be completed through approved in-person instruction.
Salary and Job Outlook for Arkansas Substance Abuse Counselors
Substance abuse counselors in Arkansas earn less than the national median, but job growth projections are strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Arkansas earned a median annual salary of $49,990 as of May 2024. Nationally, the median was $59,190 for the same period.
| Geography |
Median Annual Salary |
| Arkansas |
$49,990 |
| National median |
$59,190 |
The BLS projects 17% employment growth for this occupation nationally from 2024 to 2034, well above the average for all occupations. Arkansas’s rural counties have some of the state’s highest opioid dispensing rates — individual counties ranged from 26.0 to 128.7 prescriptions per 100 people in 2023, according to the Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program 2023 Annual Report — and state-funded treatment programs continue to expand services across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the ASACB and the SBEADAC?
The ASACB is a nonprofit professional association that issues IC&RC certifications (ADC and AADC) recognized across member states. The SBEADAC is a state government agency that issues Arkansas state licenses (LAADAC and LADAC) required to practice as a substance abuse counselor in the state. Counselors pursuing state licensure typically work through both systems: the ASACB for professional certification and IC&RC exam access, and the SBEADAC for the license required to practice.
Do I need a degree to become a substance abuse counselor in Arkansas?
It depends on which credential you’re pursuing. The ASACB’s entry-level ADC certification requires only a high school diploma, though a degree reduces the supervised experience hours required. State licensure through the SBEADAC requires at least a bachelor’s degree for the LAADAC and a master’s degree for the LADAC.
What is an AODA credential in Arkansas?
AODA stands for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse. In Arkansas, the term is used to describe both the practice setting (AODA treatment facility) and, informally, the ADC certification itself, which is sometimes called the ADC/AODA credential. The ASACB issues the ADC credential, and the IC&RC exam applicants sit for is aligned to AODA counseling competencies.
How long does it take to become a licensed substance abuse counselor in Arkansas?
For the LAADAC (bachelor’s level), expect at least three to four years, including the time to complete your degree, plus 6,000 hours of supervised experience. The LADAC adds a master’s program on top of that. The ADC certification path can move faster if you have relevant experience and a degree that reduces your required hours.
How much do substance abuse counselors earn in Arkansas?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Arkansas was $49,990 as of May 2024. Earnings vary by credential level, employer type, and location within the state.
Key Takeaways
- Arkansas has two credentialing systems: the SBEADAC issues state licenses (LAADAC, LADAC) and the ASACB issues IC&RC certifications (ADC, AADC). Counselors pursuing state licensure typically engage with both.
- State licensure through the SBEADAC requires at least a bachelor’s degree and 6,000 hours of supervised experience for the LAADAC, and a master’s degree for the LADAC.
- The ASACB ADC/AODA certification can be pursued with a high school diploma, but a degree reduces the experience hours required and opens more practice opportunities.
- Both the ADC and AADC require a 300-hour supervised practicum completed in an AODA treatment setting under a Clinical Supervisor registered with the ASACB.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary of $49,990 for this occupation in Arkansas as of May 2024, with 17% national job growth projected through 2034.
Looking for degree programs that meet ASACB education requirements and prepare you for ADC or LADAC credentials? Browse accredited options by state.
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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
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors represent state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
