Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Program

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Regulatory Services Division registers and regulates licensed chemical dependency counselors in Texas. This webpage contains information about these professionals including licensure requirements, how to file a complaint, how to contact our office, and more.

This program also registers counselor interns and clinical training institutions, which are facilities authorized to provide substance use treatment in which registered counselor interns gain the clinical experience needed to become licensed chemical dependency counselors.

HHSC Program Activities

  • Verify credentials
  • Issue initial and renewal licenses and registrations to qualified applicants
  • Investigate complaints
  • Deny, revoke or suspend licenses after opportunity for a hearing has been offered

For all other information related to substance use, refer to HHSC Mental Health and Substance Use.

Scope of Practice

A licensed chemical dependency counselor is licensed to provide chemical dependency counseling services involving the application of principles, methods and procedures of the chemical dependency profession as defined by the profession's ethical standards and the knowledge, skills and abilities as defined by rule in Texas Administrative Code Title 25 Chapter 140, Subchapter I. The license does not qualify a person to provide services outside this scope of practice.

The scope of practice for a licensed chemical dependency counselor includes services that address substance use or dependence and its impact on the service recipient subject to the following:

  • The counselor is prohibited from using techniques that exceed their professional competence.
  • The service recipient can only be the person involved with substance use, family member or any other person involved in a significant relationship with a person involved with substance use.
  • An LCDC can diagnose substance disorders.
  • An LCDC is not qualified to treat a person with a mental health disorder or provide family counseling to an individual presenting problems that do not include substance use.

The Practice of Chemical Dependency Counseling is defined by rule as "providing or offering to provide chemical dependency counseling services involving the application of the principles, methods and procedures of the chemical dependency counseling profession as defined by the activities listed in the domains of Technical Assistance Publication Series 21 "Addictions Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice" published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.

Find a Licensee/Registrant

Regulatory Services Online Licensing System

Rosters

View the accessible version of the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Roster (Excel) 
View the accessible version of the Licensed Chemical Dependency Clinical Training Institute Roster (Excel)

State Licensing Law

Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 504

State Licensing Rules

Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Chapter 140, Subchapter I

Enforcement Actions

Final Disciplinary Actions - License Denial, Surrender, Revocation, Probated Suspension, Reprimand and Administrative Penalty

HHSC posts a list of enforcement actions (PDF) on this website for a total of seven years from the date the licensed individual meets all the terms of the Order in accordance with our records retention schedule. Please note an individual on this list may now be currently licensed, in good standing, and practicing without any restrictions.

For Enforcement Inquiries, please contact:

Toll free: 888-973-0022 
Phone: 512-834-6634

Fax: 512-834-6623 
Email: Professional.Licensing.Enforcement@hhsc.state.tx.us

Mailing Address: 
Texas Health and Human Services 
Regulatory Services Division, Enforcement Unit 
Mail Code 1866 
P.O. Box 149347 
Austin, Texas 78714-9347

Open Records Requests

Texas Health and Human Services is committed to providing full access to public information. For information on how to submit an open records request, read the Open Records Policy and Procedures.

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Contact Us

Mailing address for forms and documents without fees:

Texas Health and Human Services 
Mail Code 1982 
P.O. Box 149347 
Austin, Texas 78714-9347 
Email: lcdc@hhs.texas.gov 
Telephone: 512-438-5446 
Fax: 512-438-5289