How to Become an Addiction Counselor

Addiction professionals in Louisiana are regulated by the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority (ADRA), which is a state agency headquartered in Baton Rouge. Below is a brief summary of the credentialing process. For more detail you can visit the ADRA's website or download a detailed description document of the process.

There are three levels of Addiction Counselor credentials, depending upon your current educational level. All three levels require completion of both educational and work experience hours. Candidates for credentialing must submit an application to the ADRA verifying completion of these requirements. When the application is approved, candidates are scheduled for testing. Once the test is passed, the appropriate credential is issued. These are the three levels of credentials: Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC), Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC)
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The entry status for all levels is Counselor in Training (CIT). A CIT applicant must have completed the required 180 hours of substance abuse specific education, have a high school diploma or GED, and have a job in the addiction field working under the supervision of a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS). CIT status must be renewed annually and can be held for a maximum of 72 months. The education requirement for credentialing at every level is 300 hours in addiction studies, of which 180 hours must be specific to substance abuse. LASACT operates a school called the Louisiana Addiction Counselor Training (LACT) Program to provide these 180 hours.

About our LACT Program

Great training for current and potential CIT’s! Classes are held one weekend per month, 12 months a year, where 3 months is a quarter.
‍Minimum enrollment fee of $185 must be paid before enrollment form is processed. The $185 includes annual LASACT Membership dues ($90) and LACT Materials Fee ($95). LASACT Membership dues must be paid yearly! LASACT membership must remain current while enrolled in LACT in order to qualify for the discounted tuition rate.
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Class is held from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays AND 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays one weekend a month via ZOOM. 15 hours per weekend; 45 hours per quarter; 180 hours per year. Mandatory Orientation Session for new students is held at 10 a.m. on the first day of class of each quarter, with a lunch break before class starts at 1 p.m.

Class Location: Via Zoom
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Class size is limited. Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Steps to properly enroll in our LACT program:

1. Review our Financial Aid and Scholarship Options

2. Download the Enrollment Packet

3. Complete each form listed in the Enrollment packet: Application forms, Membership Form, and Letter of Intent

4. Pay the minimum enrollment fee of $185 which inludes: LASACT Membership dues and LACT Materials fee

5. Submit your completed forms and payment for processing via online, mail, fax, or email

*Your enrollment forms will be NOT be processed if any of the listed forms or payment are missing. Missing forms and payments will delay your enrollment.

Scholarships and
Financial Aid

OBH Scholarship

To Qualify: The applicant must submit the completed LACT application and be accepted into the LACT Program.
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We are excited to announce that LASACT is the recipient of a contract for LACT funding through the Office of Behavioral Health. 42 scholarships are available for disbursement for the beginning of Quarter 1, January 2023. Students accepted into our LACT school automatically qualify for the scholarship which covers an entire year's worth of tuition. When students accept this scholarship, they must understand that the scholarship will only cover students that attend class. If a student misses a class date, they are responsible for paying the LACT Program back. It is $50 per day missed. Diplomas will be withheld until all LACT balances are fulfilled.

*The LACT Scholarship does NOT cover annual LASACT Membership dues ($90) or LACT Materials fee ($95)

To Accept: Download the OBH Scholarship Agreement Form. Complete and submit to LASACT along with a completed Enrollment Form.

LACT Enrollment FormsOBH Scholarship Agreement Form

LRS Financial Aid

To Qualify: The applicant must be in short term recovery from an addiction or have some other disabling condition.
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We suggest that you investigate the possibility of getting financial assistance from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) of the Louisiana Workforce Commissions it has more resources than our OBH scholarship. This route can pay for the LASACT conference and much more. It sometimes takes a few weeks to get an appointment with an LRS Counselor. If you decide to pursue that possibility, we recommend that you contact the office in your area as soon as possible. Your counselor may request an acceptance letter from the LACT Program. They may also request a breakdown of LACT Tuition cost.
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To Apply: Download the two-page document which you should print and to take to your LRS counselor if you decide to pursue this aid. Visit the LRS website to make an account and get a counselor.

LACT Enrollment FormLRS's WebsiteLRS Financial Aid Breakdown

Betty Breen Scholarship

To Qualify: The applicant must be registered as a Counselor in Training (CIT) with ADRA or actively working towards becoming a CIT.
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Promising students are awarded up to $1000.00 which can be used for LASACT continuing education at the annual conference, and to pay for other necessary items on the certification checklist.

To Apply: Download the application form and return to a Betty Breen Representative as listed on the form.

LACT Enrollment Form Betty Breen's WebsiteBetty Breen Application Form