At a Glance
Substance abuse counselors in South Carolina earn certification through the Addiction Professionals of South Carolina (APSC), formerly known as SCAADAC. The two certification tiers are the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) and the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC). Requirements include a qualifying degree, 300 to 450 education hours, 4,000 to 8,000 supervised hours, and passage of the IC&RC exam.
South Carolina has seen a sharp rise in drug overdose deaths over the past decade. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), overdose deaths across the state increased by 75% between 2017 and 2021. The professionals on the front lines of that crisis hold certification through the Addiction Professionals of South Carolina (APSC), the state chapter of NAADAC, and the Association for Addiction Professionals. APSC offers two practitioner-level certifications: the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) and the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC).
ADC vs. AADC: Choosing Your Certification Tier
APSC offers two levels of certification for addiction counselors. The ADC is the entry-level credential, built for counselors with a bachelor’s degree who are entering the field. The AADC is the advanced credential, requiring a master’s degree and greater experience hours across the same four counseling domains. Both certifications use IC&RC exams and carry a two-year certification period.
| Requirement |
ADC |
AADC |
| Degree |
Bachelor’s in the human services field |
Master’s in the human services field |
| Education hours |
300 clock hours |
450 clock hours |
| Work experience |
4,000 hours within the previous 5 years |
8,000 hours within the previous 5 years |
| Clinical supervision hours |
200 hours (min. 10 per domain) |
200 hours (min. 10 per domain) |
| Exam |
IC&RC ADC Exam (+ oral interview for bachelor’s candidates) |
IC&RC AADC Exam |
| Certification period |
2 years |
2 years |
Source: APSC Certification Manual, revised September 2025.
Degree and Education Requirements
ADC applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in a human services field. For the AADC, a master’s degree in a human services field is required. Both degrees must be from an accredited institution. Education hours are organized around four counseling domains: Screening, Assessment, and Engagement; Treatment Planning, Collaboration, and Referral; Counseling; and Professional and Ethical Responsibilities.
ADC candidates must complete at least 300 clock hours of education within those domains. AADC candidates need 450 hours. These hours can come from college courses, seminars, and workshops. All new applicants must include at least 6 hours in Professional Ethics, 3 hours in HIV/AIDS, and 6 hours in ASAM coursework. Three college semester hours equal 30 clock hours. There is no cap on hours completed through distance learning.
Experience and Supervision Requirements
ADC certification requires 4,000 hours of work experience in the Alcohol and Drug Counseling Domains, completed within the previous five years. The AADC requires 8,000 hours, also within the previous five years. Both full-time and part-time employment count toward the total. To document your hours, current and previous employers must submit verification on official letterhead confirming the dates of employment, whether the position was full- or part-time, your job title, and the duties you performed within the counseling domains.
Both the ADC and AADC require 200 hours of direct clinical supervision by a certified addictions professional. Those 200 hours must include a minimum of 10 hours in each counseling domain. These clinical supervision hours are separate from the broader supervised work experience total.
Application Process
Applications are submitted online through Certemy, APSC’s certification management platform. Transcripts must be sent directly to the APSC office from the accredited institution or uploaded online through Certemy. All applicants must sign an affirmation of adherence to the APSC Code of Ethics.
ADC applicants with a bachelor’s degree must also submit a written case file demonstrating the full range of care from intake through continuing care and termination, including case notes. They must also provide a written philosophy of addiction treatment, no longer than one page. Once APSC reviews your complete in-process application through Certemy, an official in-process letter is uploaded to your digital wallet. You’ll then be eligible to schedule your exam. Applications expire after three years from the initial application date.
Application fees vary based on NAADAC or APSC membership status. APSC maintains a current fee schedule at addictionprofessionalsofsouthcarolina.org. ADC counselors can upgrade to the AADC credential by meeting the higher degree and experience requirements and paying the applicable upgrade fee.
Examination
APSC credentials exclusively through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). All applicants must pass the IC&RC ADC or AADC written exam for the credential they are seeking. No other written examinations are accepted. IC&RC offers candidate guides, practice exams, and study materials at internationalcredentialing.org/examprep. A counselor may take a written exam up to three times per calendar year, with a required 90-day waiting period before retesting.
ADC applicants with a bachelor’s degree must also complete an Oral Interview Exam, administered by APSC. Oral interviews are scheduled quarterly. To sit for a specific date, candidates must notify the APSC office at least 30 days in advance. The oral interview measures the ability to apply knowledge across the counseling domains. All interviews are recorded, and written results are provided within 21 business days of completion.
Recertification
Both the ADC and AADC certifications are valid for two years from the date of issue. Counselors are responsible for tracking their own certification expiration. APSC encourages submitting recertification materials at least 30 days before the expiration date to avoid a lapse. Late applications require an additional late fee.
Recertification requires 40 continuing education hours completed during the two-year certification period. At least 20 of those hours must be completed as an attendee (class, seminar, or workshop), and at least 6 hours must be in Professional Ethics. A maximum of 20 hours may be earned through home study or online education. Recertification applications are submitted through Certemy. Fees are posted on the APSC fee schedule page.
The Licensed Addiction Counselor Pathway
APSC certification isn’t the only credential available to addiction counselors in South Carolina. The state’s Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (LLR) also issues a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential through the Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors, and Psycho-Educational Specialists.
The LAC is a state license, distinct from APSC certification. It requires a master’s degree, completion of post-master’s clinical experience hours under supervision, and passage of a required examination. Specifically, applicants for full LAC licensure must document at least 1,120 hours of post-master’s clinical experience over a minimum of two years, including at least 1,000 hours of direct client contact with clients presenting with addiction issues and at least 120 hours of supervision by a qualified licensed supervisor approved by the Board. Many counselors complete APSC certification first and then pursue the LAC as a separate credential. For a broader look at counseling licensure in South Carolina, see our guide to South Carolina Counseling Licensure Requirements. For full LAC requirements, see llr.sc.gov/cou/ac.aspx.
Reciprocity and Out-of-State Recognition
Because APSC credentials through IC&RC, South Carolina certification may be recognized in other IC&RC member states through reciprocity agreements. Individual state boards set their own requirements for reciprocity applications, so you’ll want to verify the process with the target state’s licensing body. APSC notes on its website that if you want to work in another state, you should contact the APSC administrative office to begin the reciprocity process.
If you’re already certified in another state and want to transfer your credentials to South Carolina, APSC reviews applications individually. You’ll still need to meet the applicable degree requirement (a bachelor’s for ADC, a master’s for AADC) and may be asked to provide supporting documentation to verify your training and experience. APSC’s reciprocity page has current guidance on the process.
Salary and Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earned a national median annual wage of $59,190 in May 2024. Employment in this field is projected to grow 17% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 48,300 job openings per year on average over that decade, driven by both new positions and the need to replace workers who leave the field.
| Percentile |
Annual Wage (National, May 2024) |
| 10th percentile |
$39,090 |
| Median (50th percentile) |
$59,190 |
| 90th percentile |
$98,210 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024 data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the ADC and AADC in South Carolina?
The ADC (Alcohol and Drug Counselor) is the entry-level APSC certification, requiring a bachelor’s degree, 300 education hours, and 4,000 hours of work experience within the previous five years. The AADC (Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor) requires a master’s degree, 450 education hours, and 8,000 hours of work experience within the previous five years. Both certifications require 200 clinical supervision hours, IC&RC written exam passage, and are valid for two years.
Is SCAADAC still the certifying body for addiction counselors in South Carolina?
No. SCAADAC (the South Carolina Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors) rebranded as the Addiction Professionals of South Carolina (APSC). The organization’s certification structure remains the same under the APSC name. All current applications, documentation, and communications use the APSC name, and the Certemy application platform is still accessible through the APSC website.
Which exam do I need to pass to get certified in South Carolina?
APSC accepts only IC&RC (International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium) written exams. ADC candidates take the IC&RC ADC Exam and AADC candidates take the IC&RC AADC Exam. No other written examinations are accepted. ADC applicants with a bachelor’s degree must also complete an Oral Interview Exam administered quarterly by APSC.
How long does it take to become a certified substance abuse counselor in South Carolina?
The minimum timeline is largely determined by the work experience requirement. The ADC requires 4,000 hours of experience within the previous five years, which generally takes at least two years of full-time work. The AADC requires 8,000 hours, or roughly four years. Most applicants accumulate their education hours concurrently with their work experience, so that portion of the requirement doesn’t typically extend the timeline.
What is a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), and how is it different from APSC certification?
The Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) is a state license issued by South Carolina’s Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (LLR), distinct from APSC certification. It requires a master’s degree and post-master’s supervised clinical experience. APSC certification is a voluntary professional credential issued by a private certifying body. Some counselors hold both. If you’re also weighing the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) pathway, that credential is governed by the same LLR board but follows different requirements. The LAC is administered by the SC Board of Examiners through LLR, and full requirements are posted at llr.sc.gov.
Can I use my South Carolina ADC or AADC in another state?
South Carolina certifications issued through IC&RC may be recognized in other IC&RC member states through reciprocity. Each state board sets its own reciprocity application process, so contact the licensing body in your target state to confirm eligibility and required steps. You can also reach out to the APSC administrative office, which can help initiate the reciprocity process for counselors moving to another state.
Key Takeaways
- Addiction counselor certification in South Carolina is issued by the Addiction Professionals of South Carolina (APSC), formerly known as SCAADAC.
- The ADC requires a bachelor’s degree, 300 education hours, and 4,000 hours of work experience within the previous five years. The AADC requires a master’s degree, 450 education hours, and 8,000 hours of experience.
- All candidates must pass the IC&RC written exams. No other written examinations are accepted by APSC.
- South Carolina also offers a state-issued Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential through LLR, which requires a master’s degree and post-master’s supervised clinical experience.
- IC&RC membership makes South Carolina credentials potentially portable to other IC&RC member states through reciprocity.
- The BLS reports a national median wage of $59,190 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (May 2024), with 17% projected job growth from 2024 to 2034.
Ready to take the next step toward APSC certification? Browse accredited degree programs in South Carolina that meet ADC and AADC education requirements.
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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 data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
