At a Glance
Kansas substance abuse counselor licensing is issued at three levels through the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB): the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Licensed Master’s Addiction Counselor (LMAC), and Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC). Each requires a different level of educatio:m a bachelor’s degree for the LACando a master’s degree plus supervised clinical experience for the LCAC.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 17 percent job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors from 2024 to 2034, representing about 81,000 net additional jobs over the decade. Kansas employed roughly 2,600 counselors in this category as of May 2025, according to BLS state wage data. For anyone pursuing a Kansas substance abuse counselor license, the path forward isn’t a single credential. It’s a three-tier licensing structure that lets you enter with a bachelor’s degree and advance toward independent clinical practice over time.
The three licenses differ in more than just educational requirements. They also determine your scope of practice, who you can see, and whether you need supervision to do it. Understanding those distinctions early will help you choose the right degree and career track from the start.
The Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) administers all three levels of addiction counselor licensure in the state. Their website at ksbsrb.ks.gov is the primary source for current requirements, application forms, and licensee verification.
Understanding Kansas Addiction Counselor Licenses
The three Kansas addiction counselor credentials form a tiered system, each building on the one below it. Here’s how they compare:
| License |
Degree Required |
Scope of Practice |
| LAC |
Bachelor’s in behavioral health or related field |
Must practice under LCAC supervision |
| LMAC |
Master’s in behavioral health or related field |
Must practice under LCAC supervision |
| LCAC |
Master’s in behavioral health or related field |
Independent practice, including diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring disorders |
The most meaningful distinction is between the LCAC and the other two credentials. Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselors can diagnose and treat co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders without supervision. LACs and LMACs must practice under the direct oversight of an LCAC at all times. If your long-term goal is to run your own practice or work independently in a clinical setting, the LCAC is the credential you’re building toward. Confirm supervision and scope-of-practice requirements with the BSRB before beginning practice, as rules can be updated.
Some counselors in Kansas hold both an addiction counseling credential and a separate Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license to broaden their mental health practice. Our guide to Kansas counseling licensure requirements explains what that separate credential pathway involves.
Education and Course Requirements
All three licenses require at least 33 semester credits in addiction-related coursework within a qualifying behavioral health degree program. Each course must carry a minimum of 3 credit hours. The specific courses required differ by credential level.
LAC Course Requirements
The Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) requires a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health-related field. Required coursework includes:
- Introduction to Addiction
- Addiction Pharmacology
- Practicum (minimum 6 credit hours, totaling at least 400 hours of supervised practice, with a minimum of 40 hours under direct supervision)
LMAC Course Requirements
The Licensed Master’s Addiction Counselor (LMAC) requires a master’s degree in a behavioral health-related field. Required graduate coursework includes:
- Advanced Pharmacology and Substance Use Disorders
- Integrative Treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders
- Assessment and Diagnosis
- Professional Ethics and Practice
- Applied Research
- Additional elective coursework (minimum 6 credit hours)
LCAC Course Requirements
The Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC) shares the LMAC curriculum and adds several clinical-track courses. Required coursework includes:
- Addiction Recovery Services
- Advanced Methods of Individual and Group Counseling
- Clinical Supervision
- Advanced Pharmacology and Substance Use Disorders
- Integrative Treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders
- Assessment and Diagnosis
- Professional Ethics and Practice
- Applied Research
- Practicum (minimum 6 credit hours)
The LCAC also requires a period of post-degree supervised clinical experience. Contact the BSRB directly to confirm the current supervised hours requirement before applying. If you’re upgrading from an LAC to an LMAC, you’ll need to complete a master’s degree. Upgrade requirements and forms are available through the BSRB.
Reference Letters and Application
All three license levels require three professional reference letters submitted directly to the BSRB. At least one letter must come from a clinical supervisor who directly supervised you. Each letter must arrive in a sealed envelope signed by the reference across the seal, mailed directly from the reference to the Board. You can’t submit reference letters on a reference’s behalf.
Once you’ve met all educational and experience requirements, you can apply directly through the BSRB. Application forms for each license level are available at ksbsrb.ks.gov. LCAC applicants must also file a Clinical Supervised Training Plan before beginning their supervised clinical hours. Contact the BSRB to confirm current application fees before submitting, as these are subject to change.
The Board processes applications within approximately 30 days. You can track your application status through the BSRB website. If you meet the eligibility requirements, the Board may issue a temporary license that allows you to practice while your full application is pending and before you’ve passed the required exam.
Licensing Exams
The LAC requires passing the National Certified Addiction Counselor Level II (NCAC II) exam, administered by the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). The LCAC requires the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) exam, also through NAADAC. Verify the current exam requirement for the LMAC level directly with the BSRB before registering, as requirements for that credential level may have changed.
The BSRB may also accept equivalent exams from the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) if they’re determined to be comparable in scope and difficulty. Confirm what the Board will accept for your specific credential level before registering for any exam.
License Renewal
Kansas addiction counselor licenses renew every 24 months. To renew, all license holders must complete 30 clock hours of continuing education during the licensure period, including at least 3 hours focused on ethics. LMACs and LCACs must also complete 6 of their 30 hours in diagnosis and substance abuse disorder treatment. Continuing education hours completed beyond the 30-hour requirement can’t be carried over to the next renewal cycle. Current renewal forms and approved continuing education providers are listed on the BSRB website.
Salary and Career Outlook
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Kansas earned a median annual wage of $59,470 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. That’s close to the national median of $59,190 reported for May 2024. The table below shows the Kansas wage distribution.
| Wage Percentile |
Annual Wage (Kansas, May 2025) |
| 25th percentile |
$44,370 |
| Median |
$59,470 |
| Mean (average) |
$61,820 |
| 75th percentile |
$73,630 |
Nationally, employment in this occupation is projected to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, which the BLS classifies as much faster than average. About 48,300 job openings are projected each year over that decade, driven by both new positions and the need to replace workers who retire or change fields.
Out-of-State Counselors
Out-of-state addiction counselors may qualify for Kansas licensure through the BSRB’s reciprocity process if their credentials meet current equivalency and documentation requirements. Contact the BSRB directly to confirm current reciprocity criteria, required documentation, and whether your out-of-state credential qualifies. The Board has discretion over equivalency determinations, and requirements for reciprocity applicants can differ from the standard application path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an LAC, LMAC, and LCAC in Kansas?
The three credentials represent different levels of education and practice authority. The LAC requires a bachelor’s degree and allows supervised practice. The LMAC requires a master’s degre,e but still requires supervision. The LCAC requires a master’s degree plus supervised clinical experience and is the only Kansas addiction counselor credential that allows independent practice and diagnosis of co-occurring disorders.
How long does it take to become a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor in Kansas?
The timeline depends on your starting point. A bachelor’s degree takes about four years, and a master’s degree typically adds two more. After that, you’ll need to complete supervised post-degree clinical hours before qualifying for the LCAC. Many counselors work at the LAC or LMAC level while completing that experience. Contact the BSRB for the current supervised hours requirement to estimate the full timeline.
Do I need a master’s degree to become a substance abuse counselor in Kansas?
Not to start. The Licensed Addiction Counselor (LACmust haveth a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health-related field. If you want to practice independently or advance to the LCAC level eventually, you’ll need a master’s degree. Many counselors begin their careers at the LAC level and pursue graduate education while gaining field experience.
Who administers addiction counselor licensing in Kansas?
The Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) issues all three levels of addiction counselor licensure in the state. The BSRB also handles applications, license renewals, and complaints against licensees. Their website at ksbsrb.ks.gov is the most current source for application forms, fee schedules, and approved continuing education providers.
Can an out-of-state addiction counselor get licensed in Kansas?
Possibly, depending on the credentials you hold and the state you’re coming from. Kansas allows the BSRB to grant licensure through reciprocity for counselors with equivalent credentials from other states. Contact the BSRB directly to find out whether your credential qualifies and what documentation you’d need to submit.
Key Takeaways
- Kansas offers three addiction counselor credentials: the LAC (bachelor’s level), LMAC (master’s level), and LCAC (master’s level with independent practice authority).
- Only the LCAC can practice independently and diagnose co-occurring disorders. LACs and LMACs must work under LCAC supervision.
- All three licenses require at least 33 semester credits in addiction-related coursework within a qualifying behavioral health degree program.
- Kansas addiction counselors earned a median annual wage of $59,470 as of May 2025, according to BLS state data.
- Employment in this occupation is projected to grow 17 percent nationally from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations.
- The BSRB is the authoritative source for current application fees, exam requirements, and supervised hours for each credential level.Both thee LMAC andthe LCACh require a master’s degree in behavioral health. Browse accredited degree programs in Kansas and find options that fit your timeline and goals.
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
2025 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. Kansas state wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
