Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) Pathway
University of Montana BSW and MSW students can plan coursework that supports the educational requirements for Montana Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) licensure. The pathway combines required Social Work coursework, addiction-focused electives, and other qualifying education so students can make progress toward the state's educational requirements while completing their degree.
The University of Montana does not award the Licensed Addiction Counselor credential. Licensure is granted by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health. The Board determines whether an applicant has satisfied current education, supervision, examination, and other licensing requirements.
Addiction-focused education can strengthen social work practice with individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use disorders, including for students who do not plan to work primarily in addiction treatment.
How the LAC Pathway Works
Students can complete much of the required education while earning their BSW or MSW. The general pathway is:
- Complete the required degree and addiction-related education. Montana currently requires 285 hours of addiction coursework for the Licensed Addiction Counselor Candidate (ACLC) credential.
- Apply for the ACLC credential. After meeting the educational requirements, graduates apply to the Montana Board of Behavioral Health and meet the Board's current candidate and supervision requirements.
- Complete supervised post-degree work experience. After entering the candidate pathway, individuals complete the Board-required supervised experience.
- Complete the examination and full licensure requirements. Applicants then meet the Board's examination and other requirements for the full LAC credential.
Review current LAC and ACLC licensure checklists, applications, and forms.
Educational Requirements and Course Planning
The LAC pathway combines required Social Work coursework, addiction-focused electives, and other qualifying coursework or training to meet Montana's educational requirements. Students should start planning early so they can incorporate required and elective courses into their BSW or MSW degree plan.
The planning guides below were developed by School of Social Work faculty to help UM students identify combinations of coursework that address the state's addiction-counseling education requirements. They are intended as advising and course-planning tools. The Montana Board of Behavioral Health makes the final determination about whether an applicant's education satisfies licensure requirements.
Important: Numbers shown in parentheses in the BSW and MSW planning tables represent LAC contact hours allocated to that content area, not the academic credits assigned to the course.
Montana Addiction Coursework Requirements
Montana currently requires 285 hours of addiction coursework across the following content areas:
| Addiction content area | Required contact hours |
|---|---|
| Addiction assessment | 60 hours |
| Addiction counseling | 90 hours |
| Pharmacology | 15 hours |
| Ethics for counselors | 15 hours |
| Alcohol and drug studies | 30 hours |
| Addiction treatment planning and documentation | 30 hours |
| Multicultural competency | 15 hours |
| Co-occurring disorders | 15 hours |
| Gambling/gaming disorder assessment and counseling | 15 hours |
| Total | 285 hours |
Portions of a course may contribute education to one or more content areas. Students should use the planning guides with their advisor and retain documentation showing the content completed. Hours reported toward licensure cannot exceed the applicable instructional hours available from the course or other educational experience.
Key LAC Pathway Courses
The following courses are especially important when planning the UM LAC pathway:
- SW 423 Addiction Studies: 3 credits; available to undergraduate and graduate students
- SW 553 Social Work Addictions: 3 credits; available to MSW students
- SW 426 Substance Use Disorders and Social Work Skills Sets: 3 credits; SW 423 is the current prerequisite
- SW 427 Motivational Interviewing: 2 credits
- PHAR 110N Use & Abuse of Drugs: 3 credits
- CAS 231N Pharmacology and Addictions: 3 credits; offered through Missoula College
- Gambling/gaming disorder education: additional qualifying education or training may be needed to complete this content area
Review current Social Work course descriptions in the Academic Catalog.
BSW LAC-Candidate Planning Guide
The BSW planning guide identifies combinations of required BSW coursework, LAC-focused electives, and other coursework that can address Montana's addiction-coursework requirements. It can be used by students in both the In-Person BSW and BSW 2+2 Distance Learning pathways as a starting point for planning with an advisor.
Course titles are shortened in the table where needed for readability. The contact-hour allocations reflect the faculty-developed LAC planning guide.
| Addiction content area | Required hours | UM courses and planning options |
|---|---|---|
| Addiction assessment Includes assessment, biopsychosocial testing, diagnosis, referrals, and patient placement. |
60 hours |
|
| Addiction counseling | 90 hours |
|
| Pharmacology Includes drug classification, effects, detoxification, and withdrawal. |
15 hours |
|
| Ethics for counselors | 15 hours |
|
| Alcohol and drug studies | 30 hours |
|
| Addiction treatment planning and documentation | 30 hours |
|
| Multicultural competency Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural factors and the needs of diverse populations, including culturally responsive practice skills. |
15 hours |
|
| Co-occurring disorders | 15 hours |
Option 1:
Option 2:
|
| Gambling/gaming disorder assessment and counseling | 15 hours | Complete 15 hours of qualifying gambling/gaming disorder education or training. Students should consult the BSW LAC pathway advisor for current planning options. |
View the BSW LAC Pathway Planning Guide.
MSW LAC-Candidate Planning Guide
The MSW planning guide identifies combinations of MSW coursework, LAC-focused electives, and other coursework that can address Montana's addiction-coursework requirements.
MSW students enter with different educational backgrounds and may follow different program pathways. Undergraduate coursework that addresses required LAC content may also be relevant, particularly for students entering the MSW with a BSW. Students should review previously completed coursework and their current MSW plan with the MSW LAC pathway advisor.
Course titles are shortened in the table where needed for readability. The contact-hour allocations reflect the faculty-developed LAC planning guide.
| Addiction content area | Required hours | UM courses and planning options |
|---|---|---|
| Addiction assessment Includes assessment, biopsychosocial testing, diagnosis, referrals, and patient placement. |
60 hours |
|
| Addiction counseling | 90 hours |
|
| Pharmacology Includes drug classification, effects, detoxification, and withdrawal. |
15 hours |
|
| Ethics for counselors | 15 hours |
|
| Alcohol and drug studies | 30 hours |
|
| Addiction treatment planning and documentation | 30 hours |
|
| Multicultural competency Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural factors and the needs of diverse populations, including culturally responsive practice skills. |
15 hours |
|
| Co-occurring disorders | 15 hours |
Option 1:
Option 2:
|
| Gambling/gaming disorder assessment and counseling | 15 hours | Complete 15 hours of qualifying gambling/gaming disorder education or training. Students should consult the MSW LAC pathway advisor for current planning options. |
View the MSW LAC Pathway Planning Guide.
Additional Coursework for Applicants With a Bachelor's Degree or Higher
In addition to the 285 hours of addiction coursework above, the Montana Board of Behavioral Health currently requires applicants using a bachelor's degree or higher to have educational preparation in the following areas:
| Educational area | Required semester credits |
|---|---|
| Human behavior, sociology, psychology, or a similar emphasis | 6 credits |
| Psychopathology or coursework exploring patterns and courses of abnormal or deviant behavior | 3 credits |
| Group counseling | 3 credits |
| Theory of counseling | 3 credits |
Required BSW or MSW coursework may address some of these areas. Students should review their previous and current coursework with the appropriate LAC pathway advisor and retain supporting course documentation.
Other Coursework and Training
The BSW and MSW planning guides provide a starting point, not the only possible educational combination. Students may also have relevant coursework or documented education from UM, another institution, or another qualifying provider that could count toward the Board's requirements.
Depending on current Board requirements, relevant education may include coursework, approved online learning, webinars, or in-service training. Students should keep syllabi, transcripts, certificates of completion, and other education documentation they intend to use toward licensure.
Questions about whether a specific course, training, or other educational experience satisfies a licensing requirement should be directed to the Montana Board of Behavioral Health.
Planning While You Are a Student
Students interested in the LAC pathway should start planning early to incorporate required courses and other educational experiences into their degree plan.
- Discuss your interest in the LAC pathway with your academic or faculty advisor.
- Use the current BSW or MSW LAC planning guide when selecting courses.
- Let your advisor know that you are pursuing the pathway so relevant training opportunities, events, and licensure updates can be shared when available.
- Keep course syllabi, transcripts, certificates of completion, and other documentation that may be needed to demonstrate completion of required educational content.
- Review Montana Board of Behavioral Health requirements regularly because licensure requirements may change.
- Consider practicum opportunities involving substance use disorder treatment when they support your professional goals.
A practicum in a substance use disorder treatment setting can provide valuable professional experience, but social work practicum hours do not replace the supervised post-degree experience required for Montana LAC licensure.
After Graduation: From ACLC to LAC
Licensed Addiction Counselor Candidate (ACLC)
The ACLC credential allows qualified graduates to complete the supervised experience required for full LAC licensure. The Montana Board of Behavioral Health currently requires 285 hours of addiction coursework as part of the candidate's educational preparation.
Applicants with a bachelor's degree or higher must also meet the Board's additional educational requirements. Applicants must meet all current candidate, supervisor, and application requirements established by the Board.
Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
For full LAC licensure through the candidate pathway, the Board currently requires 1,000 hours of supervised work experience completed over a minimum of seven months in no more than two treatment programs, along with successful completion of a Board-approved examination and all other licensing requirements.
Visit the Montana Board of Behavioral Health.
Access current LAC and ACLC licensure forms and checklists.
Questions and Advising
Students interested in the LAC pathway are encouraged to discuss their interest with their academic or faculty advisor so the pathway can be considered as part of their overall degree planning.
BSW Students
For questions about the BSW LAC pathway, course planning, or how BSW coursework can support the pathway, contact:
Deanna Cooper
deanna.cooper@mso.umt.edu
MSW Students
For questions about the MSW LAC pathway, course planning, or how MSW coursework can support the pathway, contact:
Logan Cook
logan.cook@mso.umt.edu
Questions about whether coursework, supervised experience, examinations, or other qualifications satisfy Montana licensure requirements should be directed to the Montana Board of Behavioral Health.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Licensure requirements are established by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health and are subject to change.