Certified Drug Addiction Counselor Requirements

Certified abuse and drug addiction counselors assist people who have problems with alcohol, drugs, eating disorders and other problems related to addiction, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They help people recognize behaviors and discover problems that may be contributing to the addiction. Education, licensing and other prerequisites are involved in becoming a certified drug addiction counselor.

Responsibilites

• Certified substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors frequently lead group therapy sessions, but can also provide one-on-one analysis. They often work with family members and loved ones whose lives are impacted by someone's addiction. Drug addiction counselors may also administer addiction prevention programs.

Eduation

• Although education requirements can differ, a bachelor or master's degree is usually required to become licensed as a counselor. Areas of study may include marriage and family therapy, substance abuse counseling and clinical mental health counseling as well as social and cultural diversity.

Licensure & Certification

• Licensing requirements for drug addiction counselors can vary significantly from state to state and the specific type of work setting. In general, to become certified, counselors must graduate from an accredited educational program, fulfill internship requirements and pass a written certification examination.

National Certification

• Some drug addiction counselors choose to be certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors Inc., which grants a general practice credential of National Certified Counselor. A candidate must have a master's degree, a minimum of two years supervised experience and supply two professional endorsements (former supervisor, passing board exam) in order to obtain certification.

  This voluntary certification is separate from state licensing. However, in some states, a passing score on the national exam negates the state certification requirement.

Earnings

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the median annual salary of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in 2006 was just over $34,000. The top 10 percent earned more than $52,000, while the lowest 10 percent were paid less than $23,000.

  Substance abuse counselors who have government employers generally earn the highest wages, followed by hospitals and social service agencies. Residential care facilities typically pay the lowest salary.

Advancement

• Drug addiction counselors may have the opportunity to be promoted to supervisory positions. Some move into research, consulting or college teaching or go into private or group practice. Others may strive to improve their opportunities for advancement by pursuing a doctoral degree.