LCDC New License Registration | Texas Health and Human Services

To become a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, you must start the process as a counselor intern unless you are currently licensed in another state and applying for reciprocity.

You may not begin practicing or accumulating supervised work experience in Texas without a counselor intern registration from HHSC.

Counselor Intern Registration Eligibility

To be eligible for counselor intern registration, you must meet the following requirements per Texas Administrative Code Title 26 (26 TAC) Section 562.6:

Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Successfully complete 270 classroom hours of chemical dependency curricula as described in 26 TAC Section 562.7 or meet the educational waiver referenced in 26 TAC Section 562.6(b).
Complete 300 hours of approved supervised field work practicum as described in 26 TAC Section 562.8 or meet the educational waiver referenced in 26 TAC Section 562.6(b).
Pass the criminal history standards described in 26 TAC Section 562.31.
Sign the application form, which includes an attestation to abide by the ethical standards required by 26 TAC Section 562.23.
Be worthy of the public trust and confidence as determined by HHSC.

Note: Applicants with a bachelor's degree or higher in chemical dependency counseling, sociology, psychology, or a related field may be exempt from the 270 educational hours and 300-hour practicum requirements. An official college transcript is required to verify this exemption.

A related field as defined in 26 TAC Section 562.1(18) refers to:

A mental health discipline using human development, psychotherapeutic, and mental health principles including, but not limited to, psychology, psychiatry, social work, marriage and family therapy, and counseling and guidance.
Non-counseling related fields including, but not limited to, sociology, education, administration, dance therapy and theology.

Step One: Apply for Counselor Intern Registration

Applying for registration as a counselor intern is the first step toward becoming an LCDC.

Once you determine you are eligible for counselor intern registration follow the instructions for initial registration on Form 3248, Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern Registration Application and mail the application packet, the required fee and supporting documents to the address below:

Note: Your application packet must include everything listed in the Form 3248 Instructions.

HHSC Accounts Receivable Mail Code 1470
P.O. Box 149055
Austin, TX 78714-9055

Overnight Address:
HHSC Accounts Receivable Mail Code 1470
4601 W. Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78751

Note: Make checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders payable to HHSC.

Step Two: Application Review and Eligibility Determination

Upon approval, HHSC will issue your counselor intern registration. If your application packet is incomplete or you are ineligible for counselor intern registration, HHSC will notify you by mail.

HHSC issues a counselor intern registration for a term of five years. During the five-year term, you must complete all LCDC licensing requirements, including passing the required examination.

If you do not complete all counselor intern requirements during the five-year term, you may apply for a subsequent registration using Form 3248. The subsequent registration is valid for an additional three years or three additional examination attempts.

Step Three: Complete Requirements for LCDC Licensure

Once you receive your counselor intern registration, you may work towards meeting the requirements in 26 TAC Section 562.9:

Complete 4,000 hours of supervised work experience in chemical dependency counseling.
- Ensure supervision is provided by a qualified credentialed counselor in a registered clinical training institution (CTI).
- Complete all supervised work experience at a registered CTI or under the supervision of a CCS per 26 TAC Section 562.10(b).
- It is your responsibility to verify the CTI or CCS holds a valid registration or certification per 26 TAC Section 562.10(g).
Pass the licensing examination.
- Register for and pass the licensing examination administered by the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals.

Step Four: Upgrade to LCDC License

After completing the requirements for LCDC licensure under 26 TAC Section 562.9, you must email HHSC LCDC:

Form 3262 with documented supervised work experience
Two letters of recommendations from LCDCs

Once HHSC verifies you meet all requirements under 26 TAC Section 562.9, HHSC will mail a letter with instructions for submitting payment to obtain the full LCDC license.

Note: There is an $85 fee for upgrading to an LCDC license.

Apply for Chemical Dependency Counselor License by Reciprocity

To be eligible for an LCDC license by reciprocity, you must hold a chemical dependency counselor license or certification in another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for an LCDC license in Texas and meet the requirements under 26 TAC Section 562.15.

For more information and to apply for licensure by reciprocity, refer to Form 3236, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Licensure by Reciprocity Application.

Military Service Members, Military Spouses, and Veterans Seeking a Chemical Dependency Counselor License

Refer to Guidance Letter 24-5000 (PDF) and the Form 3242, Military Member, Military Spouse, and Military Veteran Supplemental for information regarding a military service member, military spouse and veteran seeking a chemical dependency counselor license.

Apply for Clinical Training Institute Registration

A clinical training institution (CTI) is a person or legal entity registered with the HHSC to supervise an LCDC counselor intern.

To be eligible for CTI registration, you must submit a completed Form 3244, Clinical Training Institution Application and meet the following requirements in accordance with 26 TAC Section 562.11:

Provide activities in an array of the knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA) dimensions, including assessment and counseling
Serve individuals with substance-related disorders as its primary population
Employ a full-time qualified credentialed counselor as the CTI coordinator
Be in good standing with applicable licensing and regulatory agencies
Agree to comply with applicable rules in 26 TAC Chapter 562
Submit a completed Form 3244, Clinical Training Institution Application.

To renew your CTI registration

Submit a completed Form 3244, Clinical Training Institution Application.

Training and Supervision Forms

Apply for Clinical Supervisor Certification

To be eligible for certified clinical supervisor (CCS) registration, you must submit a completed Form 3237, Certified Clinical Supervisor Application with the applicable fees and meet the following requirements in accordance with 26 TAC Section 562.12:

Be a QCC in accordance with the definition in 26 TAC Section 562.1(38).
Submit verification of current certification as a clinical supervisor from the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium or one of its member boards.
Submit a plan of activities to be implemented for any CI the CCS supervises.
Serve individuals with substance-related disorders as its primary population.
Provide confirmation of submission of fingerprints through the Texas Department of Public Safety via the FAST process.

To renew your CCS registration

Submit a completed Form 3237, Certified Clinical Supervisor Application with the applicable fees.

Training and Supervision Forms

Form 3262, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern Supervised Work Experience Documentation

The knowledge, skills and attitudes of addictions counseling as defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Technical Assistance Publication (TAP 21) "Addictions Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice."

Treatment facilities that can qualify as a clinical training institute include:

A public or private hospital
A detoxification facility
A primary care facility
An intensive care facility
A long-term care facility
An outpatient care facility
A community mental health center
A health maintenance organization
A recovery center
An ambulatory care facility
Any other facility that offers or purports to offer treatment

Other facilities that can qualify as a clinical training institute include:

A school
A federal facility
A criminal justice facility
A church

Register for the Licensing Examination

The Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals is responsible for administering the written examination in Texas. You can download the application form for testing and access examination scores from the TCBAP.