Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners

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The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners governs substance abuse psychotherapy and counseling licensing requirements. For specific information including licensing application deadlines, please visit the AzBBHE website or call them at (602) 542-1882.

AzBBHE Provides 3 Levels of Licensure

  • Licensed Addiction Counselor Technician (LACT)

    Licensure requires an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Addictions and Substance Use Disorders with an emphasis on counseling, as determined by the AzBBHE substance abuse credentialing committee, from a regionally accredited college or university and passing the licensing exam.
    Rio Salado College offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Addictions and Substance Use Disorders.

  • Licensed Associate Addiction Counselor (LAAC)

    • Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health science with emphasis in counseling from a regionally accredited college or university
    • Minimum of 30 semester credit hours of counseling related coursework as determined by the substance abuse credentialing committee
    • Minimum of 3200 hours of supervised work experience in substance abuse counseling in no less than 24 months
    • 100 hours of clinical supervision
    • Passing the licensing exam
    • OR
    • Master’s degree or higher in a behavioral health science with emphasis in counseling from a regionally accredited college or university
    • Minimum of 24 semester credit hours of counseling related coursework as determined by the substance abuse credentialing committee
    • Passing the licensing exam

  • Licensed Independent Addiction Counselor (LIAC)

    • Master’s degree or higher in a behavioral health science with emphasis in counseling from a regionally accredited college or university
    • Minimum of 24 semester credit hours of counseling related coursework as determined by the substance abuse credentialing committee
    • Minimum of 3200 hours of supervised work experience in substance abuse counseling in no less than 24 months
    • 1600 hours of direct client contact
    • 100 hours of clinical supervision
    • Passing the licensing exam

Licensing Exams

The AzBBHE substance abuse counseling credentialing committee approves the following licensure examinations: ICRC exam and the NAADAC Level II or higher examination.

  • ICRC Exam

    • Administered by the Arizona Board of Certification for Addiction Counselors
    • Contact phone number: (602) 251-8548
    • OR
    • Administered by the Southwest Indian Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Board for individuals working within the Indian Health Service system
    • Contact phone number: (602) 254-3247

  • NAADAC Exam

    • Administered by the Association for Addiction Professionals (formerly the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors)
    • Contact phone number: (800) 548-0497
    • Address: 901 N. Washington St. Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314