At a Glance
Louisiana credentials addiction counselors at three levels through the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA): Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC), Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC), and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC). Requirements vary by credential level, but all require completing approved education hours, supervised work experience, and passing an IC&RC examination.
Louisiana’s addiction counselor credentialing system is organized into multiple ADRA-recognized levels. The Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA) recognizes CIT status plus three main addiction counselor credentials: RAC, CAC, and LAC, each building toward the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), the state’s highest addiction counseling credential. If you’re considering this career path in Louisiana, here’s what each level requires and how to move through them. Related pathways in the state include Louisiana social work licensure for those pursuing an LCSW credential.
Louisiana Addiction Counselor Credential Levels
ADRA recognizes CIT status plus three main credentials: RAC, CAC, and LAC. The CIT isn’t a standalone practice credential. It’s an authorization that allows candidates to begin accumulating the supervised work experience required for the RAC, CAC, or LAC. The three full credentials differ primarily by education level and the number of supervised hours required.
| Credential |
Education Required |
Supervised Hours |
Minimum Age |
CE for Renewal |
| CIT (Counselor in Training) |
High school diploma or GED + 180 hours |
None required |
18 |
20 hrs/year |
| RAC (Registered Addiction Counselor) |
High school diploma or GED + 300 hours |
6,000 hrs |
21 |
48 hrs |
| CAC (Certified Addiction Counselor) |
Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health + 300 hours |
4,000 hrs |
21 |
48 hrs |
| LAC (Licensed Addiction Counselor) |
Master’s degree or higher in behavioral health + 300 hours |
2,000 hrs |
21 |
48 hrs |
Education Requirements
CIT and RAC applicants need at least a high school diploma or GED. CAC applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health field from a regionally accredited institution. LAC applicants must have completed a master’s degree or higher in behavioral health.
All education hours must be approved by ADRA. CIT applicants are required to complete 180 hours of education before applying. For the RAC, CAC, and LAC, the requirement is 300 hours total: 180 hours specific to substance abuse counseling, 114 hours in related topics approved by ADRA, and 6 hours in professional ethics.
The Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselors and Trainers (LASACT) operates the Louisiana Addiction Counselor Training (LACT) program, which provides the 180 substance-abuse-specific hours required to apply for CIT status. It’s one available route for meeting the state’s education requirements.
Experience Requirements
CIT applicants don’t need any supervised experience before applying. The CIT authorization is what allows you to start accumulating those hours. Once you’re working as a CIT, you must be supervised by a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) and renew your CIT credential annually. CIT status can be held for a maximum of six years.
The RAC requires 6,000 hours of supervised work experience. The CAC requires 4,000 hours. The LAC requires 2,000 hours. RAC, CAC, and LAC applicants must document 300 hours of direct clinical supervision with a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) in the required competencies. Those supervised hours must cover the 12 core functions of addiction counseling, with at least 20 hours in each function: Screening, Intake, Orientation, Assessment, Treatment Planning, Counseling (individual, group, and family), Case Management, Crisis Intervention, Client Education, Referral, Reports and Recordkeeping, and Consultation.
Application Process
Follow these steps to apply for an ADRA credential.
Step 1: Create a Certemy Account
All ADRA applications are submitted through Certemy, the state’s credentialing management platform. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to create one before you can access the application forms or submit payment. Applications for all credential levels are available on the ADRA forms and payment page.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Complete the appropriate application for your credential level through Certemy. You’ll need to document your education hours, submit transcripts, and verify your supervised experience hours. Applicants should review ADRA’s current sobriety and addiction-disorder attestations for their specific credential, as wording varies by credential level and may be updated.
Step 3: Complete a Background Check
All applicants must authorize ADRA to conduct a criminal background investigation through Southern Research Company, Inc. You’ll need to sign a Background Investigation Release Form. Applicants with a felony conviction are generally not eligible, though ADRA may grant a waiver depending on the circumstances.
Step 4: Pass the Required Examination
RAC, CAC, and LAC applicants must meet ADRA examination requirements. LASACT describes the exam as provided by IC&RC and administered by LASACT. Candidate guides, study materials, and practice exams are available through the IC&RC exam prep resources page.
Renewal Requirements
CIT credentials must be renewed annually. Each renewal requires 20 hours of continuing education and a new application submitted through Certemy, along with documentation of the completed hours.
RAC, CAC, and LAC credentials each require 48 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. Renewal applications and fees are submitted through Certemy. Continuing education requirements and current fees are listed on the ADRA continuing education and fees page.
Salary and Career Outlook
National demand for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow faster than average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national median annual wage for this occupational category was $59,190 in May 2024, per the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Employment is projected to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, with approximately 48,300 job openings projected per year on average over that decade.
Education, credential level, employer type, location, and scope of practice may all affect earnings. Louisiana-specific earnings by credential level are not broken out separately within the BLS occupational category cited here. Some Louisiana counselors pursue both the LAC and a counseling license; for a broader picture of counseling career options, see our guide to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) careers. Verify current Louisiana figures against the latest BLS OEWS state tables before publication, as May 2025 OEWS data was released in May 2026.
| Occupation |
National Median Annual Wage (BLS OOH, May 2024) |
Projected Growth (2024–2034) |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors |
$59,190 |
17% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a CIT and a RAC in Louisiana?
The CIT (Counselor in Training) is an authorization, not a full credential. It allows you to work under supervision and accumulate the hours needed to apply for the RAC, CAC, or LAC. The RAC is the first full credential, requiring 6,000 supervised hours and passage of the IC&RC exam. CIT status can be held for up to six years.
Do I need a degree to become a licensed addiction counselor in Louisiana?
It depends on the credential level you’re pursuing. The RAC requires only a high school diploma or GED. The CAC requires a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health field. The LAC, the highest credential issued by ADRA, requires a master’s degree or higher in behavioral health. If you’re also considering a counseling license in Louisiana, see our overview of Louisiana counseling licensure requirements.
Who administers addiction counselor exams in Louisiana?
RAC, CAC, and LAC applicants must meet ADRA examination requirements. LASACT describes the exam as provided by IC&RC and administered by LASACT. Candidates can find study guides, candidate handbooks, and practice exams through the IC&RC website before registering through ADRA.
Can someone with a felony conviction become an addiction counselor in Louisiana?
Generally, applicants with a felony conviction are not eligible for ADRA credentials. However, ADRA may review and waive this requirement depending on the nature of the conviction and other circumstances. Applicants can contact ADRA directly to discuss their situation before applying.
How long does it take to become a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in Louisiana?
The timeline varies depending on when you complete your education and how quickly you accumulate supervised hours. The LAC requires a master’s degree and 2,000 supervised hours. If you complete a two-year master’s program and work full-time in a clinical setting afterward, you could meet the experience requirement in roughly one to two additional years.
Key Takeaways
- Louisiana credentials addiction counselors through ADRA at four levels: CIT, RAC, CAC, and LAC. The CIT is an authorization to accumulate supervised hours, not a standalone practice credential.
- All three full credentials require 300 hours of ADRA-approved education and passage of the ADRA examination. Education requirements increase with credential level, from a high school diploma (RAC) to a master’s degree (LAC).
- Supervised experience requirements are highest at the entry level: RAC requires 6,000 hours, CAC requires 4,000, and LAC requires 2,000. All three require a 300-hour practicum covering 12 core functions.
- Applications and renewals are processed through Certemy. All applicants must pass a background check through Southern Research Company.
- Nationally, employment of substance abuse and mental health counselors is projected to grow 17% from 2024 to 2034, according to the BLS, with a national median annual wage of $59,190 as of May 2024.
Looking for degree programs that meet ADRA education requirements? Browse accredited options in Louisiana and find a program that fits your credential goals.
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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 national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026; verify against May 2025 OEWS state tables before publication.
