All candidates for attaining a NCC AP level credential or endorsement must first submit a completed application to be pre-approved for testing.

If you do not hold a current state issued credential/license, please contact your state certification/licensing board for information on testing. You will receive a special code from your state board that must be entered in the online testing application.

Use of NCC AP Test Products by State Boards

If you have passed your certification exam at the state level and if your state uses NCC AP’s exams, you may already have satisfied the NCC AP exam requirements.  Depending upon which state you hold a license or credential in, you may be eligible to submit the passing score from your state examination to apply to NCC AP for national certification without retesting.

Several state certifying boards use the NCC AP written examination as their own due to the high standards of knowledge and security of our tests. If you hold a state license or certification in any of these states, your passing score within the past four years is applicable to our national credentials, and you do not have to take the written examination again. 

Below is a complete listing of State Boards using NCC AP Examinations. If your credential is from one of the states listed below, then you can print and fill out the credential application equivalent to your level of examination. If you have passed your certification exam at the state level, but your certification board is not on this list, you will need to complete the initial credential/endorsement application first.  Passing of NCC AP’s credential/endorsement exam will be required upon approval of the initial credential/endorsement application. 

State Boards Using NCC AP Certification Examination(s)

Alabama

Alabama Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Certification Board
Exam use: NCAC I, NCAC II, and MAC

ALASKA

Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification
Exam use: NCAC I, NCAC II, MAC, NCSE

ARIZONA

State of Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
Exam use: NCAC I, NCAC II, and MAC

California

CADTP - California SUD Counselor Ceritifcation 
Exam use: NCPRSS

COLORADO

Colorado Association of Addiction Professionals
Exam use: NCAC I, NCAC II, and MAC

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

District of Columbia Department of Health - Health Professional Licensing Administration - Boards of Allied & Behavioral Health
Exam use: NCAC I and NCAC II

GEORGIA

Georgia Addiction Counselors Association 
Exam use: NCAC I, NCAC II, and NCSE

INDIANA

Indiana Association for Addiction Professionals 
Exam use: NCAC II and MAC

KANSAS 

Kansas Behavioral Services Regulatory Board 
Exam use: NCAC I, NCAC II, and MAC 

MARYLAND

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Exam use: NCAC I, NCAC II, and MAC

MINNESOTA 

Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy 
Exam use: NCAC I and NCAC II

MONTANA 

Chemical Dependency Certification 
Exam use: NCAC I and NCAC II 

NEW MEXICO 

New Mexico Counseling & Therapy Board 
Exam use: NCAC I

NORTH DAKOTA

North Dakota Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners
Exam use: NCAC I

OREGON 

Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon 
Exam use: NCAC I, NCAC II, and MAC 

SOUTH CAROLINA

SCAADAC Certification Commission 
Exam use: NCAC I  and NCAC II

TENNESSEE

Tennessee Department of Health/Health Related Boards Division 
Exam use: NCAC I and NCAC II

UTAH

Association of Utah Association of Substance Abuse Professionals 
Exam use: NCAC I and NCAC II

Utah Department of Commerce/Utah Division of Occupational Professional Licensing
Exam use: NCAC I and NCAC II

VIRGINIA

Virginia Department of Health Professions
Exam use: NCAC I 

WASHINGTON

Washington State Department of Health 
Exam use: NCAC I, NCAC II, and MAC 

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
Exam use: NCAC I and NCSE

WYOMING

Wyoming Board - Occupational Licensing 
Exam use: NCAC I, NCAC II, and MAC

International Boards Using NCC AP Certification Examination(s)

Colleges & Universities Using NCC AP Certification Examination(s)

National Boards Using NCC AP Certification Examination(s)

NCC AP Test Acceptance by State

STATES NCAC I NCAC II MAC NCPRSS
Alabama ADC ADC    
Alaska CDC II or higher CDC II or higher CDC II or higher Under Review
Arizona LSAT LASAC/LISAC/LSAT LASAC/LISAC/LSAT  
Arkansas       PR
Colorado CAC II CAC III LPC  
District of Columbia CAC I CAC II    
Georgia NCAC I NCAC II CCS  
Indiana   LAC LCAC  
Kansas   LAC LMAC & LCAC  
Maryland     LGADC & LCADC  
Minnesota LADC LADC    
Montana LAC LAC    
New Jersey       PR
New Mexico LADAC      
North Dakota   LAC LMAC  
Oregon   CDC II CDC III  
South Carolina        
Tennessee LADAC I LADAC II LADAC II  
Utah SUDC ASUDC    
Virginia CSAC CSAC LSAPT  
Washington CDP CDP CDP  
Wisconsin SAC, CSAC      
Wyoming CAPA CAP    
Last updated April 29, 2021

Page updated August 2021.