💪 Substance Abuse Counselor License Requirements by State

Compare substance abuse counselor license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level substance abuse counselor license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $200–$200. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$200	$46,727
AKAlaska	Required	—	$200	$66,600
AZArizona	Required	—	$200	$52,098
ARArkansas	Required	—	$200	$45,116
CACalifornia	Required	—	$200	$74,119
COColorado	Required	—	$200	$58,006
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$200	$61,766
DEDelaware	Required	—	$200	$53,710
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$200	$68,748
FLFlorida	Required	—	$200	$51,561
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$200	$49,950
HIHawaii	Required	—	$200	$72,508
IDIdaho	Required	—	$200	$50,487
ILIllinois	Required	—	$200	$56,395
INIndiana	Required	—	$200	$48,876
IAIowa	Required	—	$200	$47,801
KSKansas	Required	—	$200	$47,801
KYKentucky	Required	—	$200	$47,801
LALouisiana	Required	—	$200	$48,339
MEMaine	Required	—	$200	$52,098
MDMaryland	Required	—	$200	$58,543
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$200	$65,526
MIMichigan	Required	—	$200	$50,487
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$200	$55,858
MSMississippi	Required	—	$200	$44,579
MOMissouri	Required	—	$200	$48,339
MTMontana	Required	—	$200	$51,561
NENebraska	Required	—	$200	$48,339
NVNevada	Required	—	$200	$54,784
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$200	$55,858
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$200	$63,377
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$200	$48,876
NYNew York	Required	—	$200	$69,823
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$200	$49,413
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$200	$51,024
OHOhio	Required	—	$200	$49,413
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$200	$46,727
OROregon	Required	—	$200	$59,081
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$200	$52,635
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$200	$55,321
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$200	$48,876
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$200	$47,264
TNTennessee	Required	—	$200	$48,339
TXTexas	Required	—	$200	$50,487
UTUtah	Required	—	$200	$52,098
VTVermont	Required	—	$200	$54,247
VAVirginia	Required	—	$200	$54,784
WAWashington	Required	—	$200	$63,377
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$200	$46,190
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$200	$50,487
WYWyoming	Required	—	$200	$51,024

Common questions about substance abuse counselor licensing

Do all states require a substance abuse counselor license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level substance abuse counselor license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a substance abuse counselor license?

Application fees across the states range $200–$200. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a substance abuse counselor license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.