At a Glance
New Mexico licenses substance abuse counselors at two levels: the Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA) for supervised entry-level practice, and the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) for independent practice. Both require at least an associate’s degree. The LADAC also requires 276 training hours, supervised clinical experience, and passing the NCAC I exam.
New Mexico has had the highest alcohol-related death rate in the country every year since 1997, according to the New Mexico Department of Health, and fentanyl is now driving overdose deaths to crisis levels across the state. If you’re pursuing licensure as a substance abuse counselor here, you’re entering a field where demand is real, and the work is urgent. The Counseling and Therapy Practice Board (CTPB), which operates under the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, sets and enforces the licensing requirements for everyone who works in this field.
There are two credential levels: the Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA), which lets you begin supervised clinical work while you build toward full licensure, and the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC), which authorizes independent practice. You’ll typically need to hold an LSAA before applying for the LADAC. All applicants must be at least 21 years old, pass a criminal background check, and sign the board’s code of ethics. If you’re interested in mental health counseling licensure in New Mexico, rather than substance abuse, see our New Mexico counseling licensure guide.
LSAA vs. LADAC: What Each License Allows
The two licenses aren’t interchangeable. They authorize different scopes of practice, and understanding the distinction matters before you start planning your path.
The LSAA is a supervised trainee credential. Under New Mexico law (Section 61-9A-5 NMSA), the LSAA scope is limited to supervised work in a public or private institution. In that setting, you can provide generalist services, including basic problem-solving with clients, developing intervention plans, client education, and assisting a licensed counselor-therapist with group or individual counseling sessions. You can’t work independently as a private practitioner. The LSAA is designed as the on-ramp to the LADAC, not a destination in itself.
The LADAC is the full independent practice license. With a LADAC, you can assess clients, develop treatment plans, and provide counseling services without direct supervision. You can work for a public or private agency or establish your own practice. Since 2007, LADACs have also been authorized to provide services to clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in integrated behavioral health settings, provided a licensed counselor or therapist co-authorizes the treatment plan.
Education and Training Requirements
Both the LSAA and LADAC require at least an associate’s degree in a counseling, counseling-related, or substance abuse-related field from an accredited institution. If your degree is in an unrelated field, the CTPB reviews applications on a case-by-case basis. Contact the board directly if this applies to you.
Beyond the degree, each credential has its own clock hour requirements for specialized training, per NMAC 16.27.13 (LSAA) and 16.27.11 (LADAC).
LSAA Training Hours: 90 Clock Hours
LSAA applicants must document 90 clock hours of education and training specific to alcohol and drug abuse counseling. These hours can be completed through academic coursework, continuing education, or board-recognized training programs. One semester credit equals 15 clock hours, which works out to roughly six semester credits.
LADAC Training Hours: 276 Clock Hours
LADAC applicants must document 276 total clock hours distributed across four content areas: 90 hours in alcohol abuse, 90 hours in drug abuse, 90 hours in counseling, and 6 hours in substance abuse counseling ethics. These hours build on the LSAA requirement, not in addition to it. Completing all 276 hours satisfies both thresholds.
Supervised Experience Requirements
The LSAA does not require prior experience before you apply. Once approved, you’ll work under supervision and log client contact hours toward your LADAC application.
For the LADAC, the supervised experience requirement scales with your education level. The more advanced your degree, the fewer hours you need.
| Degree Level |
Total Hours Required |
Direct Supervision Hours |
Timeframe |
| Associate’s Degree |
3,000 |
200 |
3 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree |
2,000 |
100 |
2 years |
| Master’s Degree |
1,000 |
50 |
1 year |
All supervision must be provided by a qualified licensed professional with direct experience in alcohol and drug abuse counseling, as specified in NMAC 16.27.11. It’s your responsibility to verify that your supervisor meets the board’s requirements before you start logging hours. Per the LADAC regulation, a statement from each supervisor must be submitted in a sealed envelope on the board’s form (Attachment B) with your application.
Application Process
Both the LSAA and LADAC applications are available through the board’s online portal. Here’s what each application requires.
Step 1: Complete the Application
Applications can be completed online or printed and filled out in black ink. All applications must be signed, dated, and notarized. For the LSAA, you’ll need to identify a supervisor before applying, as the supervisor completes part of the application. The application fee is $75 for both the LSAA and LADAC, per NMAC 16.27.17 (effective July 30, 2024). Payment is accepted by check or money order payable to the Counseling and Therapy Practice Board. Verify current accepted payment methods on the board’s website, as these can change.
Step 2: Gather Supporting Documents
You’ll need to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Per the LSAA regulation (16.27.13 NMAC), transcripts must be sent directly to the board from the institution and may be submitted electronically. A recent passport-quality photo (2″ x 2″) must be attached to the application. You’ll also need to pass a criminal background check and sign the board’s code of ethics as part of the application packet.
Step 3: Submit to the Board
Send your completed application, fee, and all supporting documents to the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board. The supervisor’s experience verification (Attachment B/C) must be submitted by your supervisor in a sealed envelope. For current application forms, the board’s mailing address, and the online portal, visit the CTPB licensing page at rld.nm.gov.
LADAC Licensing Exam
The LSAA does not require a licensing exam. It’s a supervised trainee credential, so no examination is needed before you begin accumulating hours. The LADAC is different.
LADAC applicants must pass the National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) exam, administered by NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, per NMAC 16.27.11. The board also accepts the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) exam as an equivalent. Exam details, including fees, format, and scheduling, are managed directly by NAADAC. Verify current requirements with them before registering, as these details can change. Once you pass the exam, you’ll pay the initial LADAC licensure fee of $150 before your license is issued. The initial LSAA licensure fee is $75. Both fees are set in NMAC 16.27.17, effective July 30, 2024.
License Renewal
Both the LSAA and LADAC require renewal every two years. The renewal cycle runs from October 1 through September 30 of the following year, covering a two-year period. During each renewal cycle, you must complete 40 clock hours of continuing education approved by the CTPB, per NMAC 16.27.16.
Of those 40 hours, at least 12 must be in ethics, per NMAC 16.27.16. If you hold a supervisory designation and provide supervision to other licensees, you’ll also need to complete 9 additional hours focused on supervision practice each cycle. Renewal fees are $75 for the LSAA and $150 for the LADAC, per NMAC 16.27.17 (effective July 30, 2024). Renewal forms and the online portal are available through the CTPB continuing education page.
Out-of-State Licensure
If you hold an active LADAC or equivalent credential from another state, New Mexico may grant licensure by reciprocity under NMAC 16.27.11.10. You’ll need to provide verification that your out-of-state license is current and in good standing, and that you’ve passed the NCAC I exam or an exam administered by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). Contact the CTPB directly to confirm current reciprocity requirements before submitting an application.
Salary and Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program reports a median annual salary of $55,060 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in New Mexico as of May 2024. Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook reports the median at $59,190 for the same period. New Mexico’s figure reflects the state’s mix of public agency, nonprofit, and community health employment settings, which tend to pay below private practice rates.
| Geography |
Median Annual Salary |
| New Mexico |
$55,060 |
| National (U.S.) |
$59,190 |
Employment in this occupation is projected to grow 17 percent nationally from 2024 to 2034, according to the BLS, which is much faster than the average across all occupations. About 48,300 openings are projected per year over that decade. New Mexico’s need for trained addiction counselors is acute. According to the New Mexico Department of Health, the state has had the highest alcohol-related death rate in the country every year since 1997, and demand for qualified LADACs is not easing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to get my LSAA before applying for the LADAC?
Yes. In New Mexico, applicants typically must hold an LSAA (or have equivalent qualifying status) before applying for the LADAC. The LSAA is the supervised trainee credential you use to accumulate the clinical hours required for full licensure. Contact the CTPB if you have prior experience in another state that you want to apply toward this requirement.
Can I get licensed with just an associate’s degree?
Yes. Both the LSAA and LADAC are available to applicants with an associate’s degree in a counseling or related behavioral health field. A higher degree reduces the supervised experience hours required for the LADAC. A master’s degree holder needs 1,000 hours, compared to 3,000 for an associate’s degree holder.
What’s on the NCAC I exam?
The National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I) exam is administered by NAADAC and tests competencies in addiction counseling, including screening, assessment, treatment planning, case management, and ethics. Exam format details, fees, and pass score requirements are set by NAADAC and may change. Verify current exam requirements directly with NAADAC before registering.
How often do I need to renew my LADAC?
Both the LSAA and LADAC renew every two years, not annually. The renewal period runs from October 1 through September 30. You must complete 40 clock hours of continuing education per cycle, including at least 12 ethics hours per NMAC 16.27.16. If you provide supervision, add 9 hours of supervision-focused training.
Does New Mexico recognize out-of-state addiction counselor licenses?
New Mexico offers a reciprocity pathway under NMAC 16.27.11.10 for licensed counselors from other states. You’ll need to show proof of an active out-of-state license in good standing and documentation of passing the NCAC I or an IC&RC-recognized equivalent. Contact the CTPB directly to confirm current reciprocity requirements and any additional steps before applying. If you’re exploring social work credentials in New Mexico instead, see our New Mexico social work licensure guide.
Key Takeaways
- New Mexico issues two substance abuse counseling credentials: the LSAA for supervised entry-level practice and the LADAC for independent practice.
- Both licenses require at least an associate’s degree; the LADAC also requires 276 training hours, supervised clinical experience (1,000 to 3,000 hours depending on your degree), and passing the NCAC I exam.
- All applicants must be at least 21, pass a background check, and sign the board’s code of ethics.
- Both licenses renew every two years with 40 continuing education hours per cycle, including 12 ethics hours.
- The BLS reports a median annual salary of $55,060 for substance abuse counselors in New Mexico, with 17% national job growth projected through 2034.
Ready to start building toward your LSAA or LADAC? Browse accredited substance abuse counseling programs by degree level and find options that fit your 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 employment figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors represent national and state data, not school-specific information. State figures sourced from BLS OEWS state data. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2025.
