The Master Addiction Counselor Exam is a national certification for Substance Abuse Counselors. It combines stringent education, examination, supervision, experience and ethical requirements for addiction counselors.
The MAC exam is three hours long with 200 multiple choice questions. The exam is available at many Kryterion Testing Network locations worldwide and year-round.
Addiction specialists earn a median yearly salary of $47,660, according to the BLS. Professionals with a master’s degree in addiction therapy may have access to employment paying the highest earnings in the industry, such as those in the government, where the typical annual salary is $54,070. Try our NCLEX practice test. Try our TEAS practice test.
– Obtain a bachelor’s degree in an area related to behavioral, social, or psychological studies.
– Obtain a master’s degree in addiction counseling or substance abuse counseling.
– Obtain the necessary graduate and postgraduate internships to meet the requirements for certification and licensing
– Pass any tests for certification and licensing in substance counseling that are necessary.
– Obtain additional counseling certificates by applying for them.
– Maintain your knowledge and remain current on advances in substance abuse and addiction counseling
– Education approved for 315 hours.
– Field practicum of 255 hours.
– ICRC written exam passing score.
– 3,00 hours of supervised employment (1,000 hours may be replaced by an AA in SUD/AMHP).
– Twice-yearly renewal (continuing education required)
After earning this degree and becoming licensed, you can work in hospitals, drug abuse treatment facilities, community mental health organizations, integrated health-primary care settings, criminal justice, high school and university counseling centers, and hospitals for military affairs.
The right licensure credentials and a master’s degree in addiction therapy will assist open up more advanced employment options in the industry. Counseling persons with co-occurring mental health illnesses is a common aspect of these possibilities.
6,000 hours under supervision, or at least three years, of full-time work experience as a counselor for substance use disorders or addiction. A minimum of 500 contact hours of education and training in addiction and substance use disorders. Must contain at least six hours of ethics instruction over the previous six years.
Expert in Addiction Counseling (MAC) An optional national and worldwide certification designed for professionals in areas connected to substance use disorders and addiction who want to demonstrate the abilities they have learned through supervised work experience and particular graduate-level coursework.
CASAC candidates often combine their prep with our Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam practice test to reinforce the addiction and mental health counseling competencies both exams share.
Chemical dependency counselor candidates often also prepare with our CASAC practice test — both cover addiction counseling credentialing with overlapping ethical and clinical content.
CDCP candidates often also prepare with our CASAC practice test since both cover addiction counseling and chemical dependency support worker competencies.
Counselors preparing for the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam may also benefit from the CASAC Practice Test 2026, which covers similar addiction counseling competency standards.
Prepare for the Master Addiction Counselor Exam exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
Prepairing for the Master Addiction Counselor Exam is crucial for any candidate hoping to earn a license. This national certification is developed and maintained by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) on behalf of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). It tests the skills, knowledge, and abilities of counselors working in substance use disorder/addiction-related disciplines to determine if the counselor has the requisite credentials to practice professionally. Try our CASAC practice test. Try our NCLEX practice test.
The exam is offered three times a year by many state boards. The test typically takes 3 hours to complete and is given online or at a testing center. You can find out about testing locations and scheduling through the state board website. In some cases, you can preregister and schedule your exam at a later date.
The Addiction Counselor Study Guide is designed to give you all of the information you need to know in order to pass the test. It contains specific and detailed information on the concepts, procedures, principles, and vocabulary that will be expected of you by NAADAC when you take the exam. You will also learn how to study effectively in order to maximize your chances of passing the test.
Disclaimer: This practice test is for educational and preparatory purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any state certification board or official credentialing authority that administers addiction counselor certification exams. For official Master Addiction Counselor certification, testing requirements, and registration information, please contact your state's addiction counselor certification board or visit the appropriate credentialing organization's website.