An applicant must pass the appropriate written examination as approved by the board. A written examination may be taken after the completion of the required academic coursework.

1. Licensed addiction counselor. An applicant must pass the national certified addiction counselor level II examination or the master addiction counselor examination administered by the national association for alcoholism and drug abuse counselors or other equivalent examination as determined by the board.

2. Licensed master addiction counselor. An applicant must pass the master addiction counselor examination administered by the national association for alcoholism and drug abuse counselors or other equivalent examination as determined by the board.

3. Exemption. An individual licensed in North Dakota as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or physician who possess a doctorate degree in that field of licensure is not required to complete an examination to be eligible for licensure as a licensed addiction counselor or a licensed master addiction counselor.

History: Effective January 1, 2002; amended effective April 1, 2009; July 1, 2014; July 1, 2018; October 1, 2025.

General Authority: NDCC 43-45-04

Law Implemented: NDCC 43-45-04, 43-45-05.1