License Information

Per Wisconsin State Statutes 440.08 (2), the required renewal date for the Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor credential is 02/28/odd years.  Should you receive your initial credential in the months leading up to this date, you are still required to renew your license by the statutorily defined date.

Pursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 262, as of May 1, 2018, the requirements to obtain a Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor credential have changed.

Requirements

• Complete education requirements (see below).
• Complete and submit Application for Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor including all required documentation and pay required fee.
• DSPS reviews application and makes applicant eligible for the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) Examination.  Examinations may be taken after completion of education, before experience is completed.
• Successful completion of required examinations. 
• Completion of 5,000 hours of work experience performing the 8 practice dimensions as a Substance Abuse Counselor, supervised as described in (Form #2749), within 5 years immediately preceding the date of application.  The 5,000 hours may include any work experience hours obtained as a requirement of the substance abuse counselor credential.
  
  

Pre-Credential Education Information

• Must have graduated from an accredited university or college with an associate's degree or higher in a field of behavioral science (see SPS 160.02(3)).
• Complete 360 hours of Department approved specialized education in substance use disorder counseling within a department approved program.
• Current Pre-Certification Education - Current list of Approved Pre-Certification Courses. Additional programs will be added as programs apply and are approved.
• Former Pre-Certification Education - Formerly-Approved Pre-Certification Programs.
  

Educators: To apply for approval of a 360-hour comprehensive program, see application procedure:

• Form 2848 - Application Instructions
• Form 2784 - Course Application Information
• The training shall be in a comprehensive program or degree program approved by the Department, except for those having an accumulation of 100 or more hours as of March 1, 2007.  An applicant who previously held a certificate from the Wisconsin Certification Board and can provide documentation of accumulation of 100 or more hours of approved specialized education as of March 1, 2007, may submit proof of completion of the balance of the 360 hours from sources other than a comprehensive program.

Application for Licensure

Renewal Information

Requirements

• FEE (See Renewal Dates and Fees)
• SIG (Signature regarding the completion of Continuing Education in Chapter SPS 165.01, included in online renewal and paper form - see Continuing Education Information for details)
• If your legal status as a qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the United States has changed since the issuance of your credential or your last renewal, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services at (608) 266-2112 or dsps@wisconsin.gov.
  

Renewal Methods

• Online Log In: License Renewal Online
• Request a Paper Renewal Form: (888) 506‑4239 or (608) 261‑4460 for the Madison area

Wisconsin Act 210 (effective June 1, 2012)

This Act extends the license of a service member if the license expires while they are on active duty from 90 days to 180 days from the date of discharge. The same applies to a spouse of a service member if the spouse does not practice under their license while the service member is on active duty and does not practice because the service member is on active duty.

This Act repeals a provision of prior law that required a service member to meet all of the requirements for license extension or renewal, except for continuing education requirements, in order to have the license extended.

Service members and spouses may request extensions of licenses beyond 180 days from discharge and may request a waiver or extension of time to complete continuing education requirements due to hardship. Please view Active Duty/Discharge Renewal Extension Form #R210.