At a Glance
Maryland substance abuse counselors are credentialed through the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists (BOPC), which offers five credentials ranging from the entry-level Alcohol and Drug Trainee (ADT) to the Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC). Requirements vary by level, from 15 college credits and no experience at the ADT level to a master’s degree and 2,000 supervised hours for the LCADC.
Maryland has one of the highest drug overdose death rates in the country. In 2024, the state recorded 1,747 overdose deaths, with fentanyl involved in approximately 75 percent of them, according to the Maryland Department of Health Overdose Data Dashboard. That ongoing crisis has driven steady demand for trained addiction counselors across Baltimore and throughout every county in the state. If you’re considering this career, here’s what it takes to get credentialed and start working in the field.
Maryland Substance Abuse Counselor Credentials at a Glance
The Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists (BOPC), part of the Maryland Department of Health, issues three certifications and two licenses to substance abuse counselors practicing in the state. The five credentials form a progression ladder, with each level building on the previous and allowing you to take on greater responsibility in the field.
The three certifications are the Alcohol and Drug Trainee (ADT), the Certified Supervised Counselor-Alcohol and Drug (CSC-AD), and the Certified Associate Counselor-Alcohol and Drug (CAC-AD). The two licenses are the Licensed Graduate Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LGADC) and the Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC).
The table below shows the key requirements for each credential side by side.
| Credential |
Minimum Education |
Experience Required |
| ADT |
15 credits in AD counseling (no degree required), or an Associate degree |
None |
| CSC-AD |
Associate’s degree in human services |
1,000-hour supervised internship |
| CAC-AD |
Bachelor’s degree in counseling or related field |
2,000 hours supervised work experience |
| LGADC* |
Master’s degree or higher |
Post-master’s supervised hours toward LCADC licensure |
| LCADC |
Master’s degree or higher |
2,000 hours post-degree supervised work |
| Credential |
Exam Required |
Application Fee |
| ADT |
None |
$150 |
| CSC-AD |
NCAC I + Maryland Law Assessment |
$150 |
| CAC-AD |
NCAC II + Maryland Law Assessment |
$150 |
| LGADC* |
MAC + Maryland Law Assessment |
$200 |
| LCADC |
MAC + Maryland Law Assessment |
$200 |
*LGADC status should be verified with the BOPC prior to application.
Degree and Education Requirements
What you need depends entirely on which credential you’re targeting. The BOPC has distinct education thresholds for each level, and the requirements escalate meaningfully as you move up the ladder.
The ADT is the most accessible entry point. If you don’t hold an Associate’s degree, you need at least 15 semester credits in alcohol and drug counseling coursework plus at least 1 credit in alcohol and drug ethics. If you already hold an Associate’s degree, that degree plus the 1-credit ethics course satisfies the education requirement. The ADT isn’t a terminal credential. It’s a supervised training status that lets you begin working in the field while you complete requirements for a higher certification.
The CSC-AD requires an Associate’s degree in a human services-related field from a regionally accredited institution. To qualify for the CAC-AD, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in substance use disorder, counseling, or a related field that the Board has approved. The Board also accepts fields deemed “substantially equivalent” on a case-by-case basis.
Both the LGADC and LCADC require a Master’s degree or higher in a health or human services counseling field. If you’re starting from scratch and targeting the LCADC, the highest license Maryland issues, plan for roughly six to seven years from the start of a bachelor’s program, including graduate school and the post-degree supervised experience period. If you’re also weighing the broader professional counseling path, our guide to Maryland’s counseling licensure requirements covers the LPC and LCPC credentials in detail.
Supervised Experience Requirements
The ADT certification has no experience requirement. Once you have it, you can start accumulating the supervised hours you’ll need to advance. The CSC-AD requires completing a supervised internship in AD treatment under a Board-approved supervisor. For the CAC-AD and LCADC, the bar is higher: 2,000 hours of supervised work experience, with the LCADC requiring that those hours occur after you’ve received your Master’s degree. The LGADC is a bridge license for master’s-level counselors who are actively accumulating the post-degree supervised hours required for full LCADC licensure.
All supervision must be completed under a supervisor approved by the BOPC. Verify your supervisor’s current approval status with the Board before you begin logging hours.
Certification Exams
The ADT has no exam requirement. For every other credential, you’ll need to pass both a national exam and the Maryland Law Assessment (MLA).
The national exams are administered by the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). The CSC-AD uses the NCAC I exam. The CAC-AD uses the NCAC II. Both the LGADC and LCADC use the Master Addiction Counseling (MAC) exam. The NCAC I and NCAC II exams carry national recognition, which may help with reciprocity if you plan to practice in another state, though you’ll want to confirm reciprocity details with any other state’s licensing board directly.
The Maryland Law Assessment is a separate online exam covering Maryland-specific addiction counseling law. You can take the MLA through the CCE Academy before submitting your application to the Board. The MLA certificate is valid for one year from the date you pass, so time your exam to ensure it’s still current when your application is submitted.
How to Apply
Applications for all BOPC credentials are now submitted online through the Board’s Smartsheet portal. Each credential has its own application form, available through the BOPC Alcohol and Drug Counselors page on the Maryland Department of Health website. A pre-application credential evaluation form is also available if you want the Board to review your qualifications before you submit a full application.
Every application requires a copy of the receipt from your criminal background check, which you must register for before submitting. After the Board approves your application and background check, it will issue a letter authorizing you to sit for the required exams. Once the Board receives official notification that you passed, your certificate or license will be issued.
The Board typically takes longer to process incomplete applications, so review your specific credentials’ requirements carefully before submitting. For questions, contact the BOPC directly at [email protected] or 410-764-4732.
Application fees are $150 for certifications (ADT, CSC-AD, CAC-AD) and $200 for licenses (LGADC, LCADC). A separate credential issuance fee applies after approval: $100 for certifications and $200 for licenses. The Board’s published fee schedule is dated 2017, and the note states fees may be less than what is currently authorized by law. Confirm current fees with the BOPC before applying.
Maryland’s Second Credentialing Path: The MABPCB
The BOPC isn’t the only board issuing substance use disorder credentials in Maryland. The Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-Health Professionals Certification Board (MABPCB) offers two additional credentials: the Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor (CCDC) and the Certified Clinical Supervision (CCS) certification.
The MABPCB operates separately from the BOPC and has different education and experience requirements. Coursework approved by the MABPCB doesn’t automatically count toward BOPC credentials like the CSC-AD or CAC-AD. The two boards have distinct requirements. If you’re weighing which credential path to pursue, review both boards’ requirements carefully. The BOPC credentials (ADT through LCADC) are the more widely recognized path for counselors working in licensed Maryland facilities, but the CCDC may be a better fit depending on your background and career goals. If you’re also considering a social work route, see our guide to Maryland social work licensure requirements.
Renewal
All BOPC certifications and licenses must be renewed every two years. The BOPC recommends submitting renewal paperwork at least six months before your credential’s expiration date to avoid any lapse in status. Renewals for most credentials are now completed online through the Board’s website.
The ADT works differently from the other credentials. It can only be renewed three times, which means ADT status expires permanently after six years. It’s designed as a stepping stone, not a permanent credential. The ADT renewal fee is $200. If you hold ADT status, make sure you’re progressing toward the CSC-AD or a higher credential within that window.
Salary and Job Outlook
Demand for substance abuse counselors in Maryland reflects the state’s ongoing response to its opioid crisis. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland employed 8,180 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors as of May 2024. Nationally, this occupation is projected to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 48,300 job openings expected each year across the country.
In Maryland specifically, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earned a median annual wage of $57,820 as of May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics state data. The lower end of the range comes in around $41,160, while counselors in the upper tier earn $97,050 or more. Nationally, the median is $59,190. Credential level is one of the biggest drivers of where you land in that range. LCADC holders with independent practice authority consistently earn more than counselors working under supervision at lower credential levels.
| Salary Percentile |
Maryland (May 2024) |
National (May 2024) |
| Bottom 10% |
~$41,160 |
Less than $39,090 |
| Median |
$57,820 |
$59,190 |
| Top 10% |
$97,050+ |
More than $98,210 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the CAC-AD and the LCADC in Maryland?
The CAC-AD is a bachelor’s-level certification that allows you to practice substance abuse counseling in licensed Maryland facilities under a Board-approved supervisor. With Board approval, CAC-ADs can also supervise other CAC-ADs, CSC-ADs, and ADTs. The LCADC is a master’s-level license that allows independent practice and full supervisory authority. Reaching the LCADC typically takes six to seven years from the start of a bachelor’s degree program. Many counselors earn the CAC-AD first and continue working while completing graduate school and post-degree hours.
Can I work as a substance abuse counselor in Maryland without a degree?
Yes, at the entry level. The ADT certification allows you to work under a Board-approved supervisor if you have at least 15 semester credits in alcohol and drug counseling coursework and one credit in AD ethics, with no degree required. ADT status is a supervised training credential that expires after six years, so it’s designed for people who are actively working toward a higher certification, not as a permanent credential.
Do Maryland substance abuse counselor certifications transfer to other states?
The NCAC I and NCAC II national exams administered by NAADAC can support reciprocity in some states. Maryland’s MAC exam credential may also facilitate the process. That said, every state has its own requirements, and reciprocity isn’t automatic. If you’re planning to practice in another state, contact that state’s licensing board and the BOPC directly to understand what the transfer process looks like for your specific credential.
What is the Maryland Law Assessment, and when do I take it?
The Maryland Law Assessment (MLA) is a state-specific online exam covering Maryland addiction counseling law. It’s required for all credentials except the ADT. You can take it through the CCE Academy at any time, including before you submit your application to the BOPC. Keep in mind that the passing certificate is only valid for one year, so don’t take it too far in advance of your application date.
What is the MABPCB, and how does it differ from the BOPC?
The Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-Health Professionals Certification Board (MABPCB) is a separate credentialing body that issues the Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor (CCDC) and Certified Clinical Supervision (CCS) credentials. Unlike the BOPC, which requires university-based coursework for initial certifications, the MABPCB’s approved training can include certain online providers. The two boards have distinct requirements, so coursework approved by one doesn’t automatically satisfy the other’s requirements. Review both boards if you’re deciding which credential path fits your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland substance abuse counselors are credentialed by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists (BOPC), which issues five credentials from the entry-level ADT to the LCADC license.
- You don’t need a degree to start. The ADT requires only 15 credits in AD counseling and lets you work under supervision while completing requirements for higher credentials.
- The CAC-AD (bachelor’s level) and LCADC (master’s level) are the most pursued credentials, with the LCADC offering independent practice authority and the highest earning potential.
- All credentials except the ADT require passing a NAADAC national exam and the Maryland Law Assessment (MLA), which is valid for one year from the test date.
- Maryland also has a second credentialing board, the MABPCB, which offers the CCDC and CCS credentials on a separate track with different education requirements.
- The field is growing fast nationally. The BLS projects 17% job growth for this occupation from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average.
Ready to find a degree program that meets Maryland’s coursework requirements? Browse accredited programs in counseling, human services, and related fields 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 national and Maryland state data, not school-specific information. Maryland figures are from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics state data. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
