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Behavioral Health Careers by State

The SAMHSA Behavioral Health Career Navigator is a tool for people who want a job or career in mental health and substance use disorder treatment and prevention. There are many ways to start and grow a career in behavioral health. Each path has its own requirements for getting and keeping a license or certification, and these requirements can be different depending on where you live. You can also learn more about each role.

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Louisiana Careers

Addiction Counselor

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High school/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? No
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? No
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months; cannot maintain CIT status longer than 72 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High school/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 10000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 14 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High school/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 6000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 6000 hours (general supervision), including 300 hours (direct supervision)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 48 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2000 hours (general supervision), including 300 hours (direct supervision)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 48 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Undergraduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 4000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 4000 hours (general supervision), including 300 hours (direct supervision)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 48 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? None
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? No
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? No
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana State Board of Nursing

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes for nurses; no for APRNs
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, Must be a licensed RN; 500 hours required for APRN prescribing authority
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, Must be a licensed RN
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 42 hours

Clinical Social Worker

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Undergraduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? No
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? No
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? No
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? No
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 3000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 3000 hours (general supervision), including 96 hours (direct supervision)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Marriage and Family Therapist

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Professional Counselors Board of Examiners

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 3000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 3000 hours (general supervision), including 200 hours (direct supervision)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 40 hours

Mental Health Counselor

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Professional Counselors Board of Examiners

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? No
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? No
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Professional Counselors Board of Examiners

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? No
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 3 years
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No, Yes
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 40 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Professional Counselors Board of Examiners

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 3000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 3000 hours (general supervision), including 100 hours (direct supervision)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 40 hours

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Department of Health

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High school/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? No
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? No
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 10 hours

Physician Assistant

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? No
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? No, Not applicable

Prevention Specialist

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High school/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 6000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 6000 hours (general supervision), including 120 hours (direct supervision)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 48 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2000 hours (general supervision), including 120 hours (direct supervision)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 48 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High school/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? No
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? No
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months; cannot maintain PSIT status longer than 72 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High school/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 5 years (high school/GED); 2000 hours (bachelor's degree)
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 5 years (high school/GED); 2000 hours (bachelor's degree) (general supervision)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 48 hours

Psychiatrist/Addiction Medicine Physician

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency)
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Psychologist

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 4000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 4000 hours (general supervision), including 1 hour per week (direct supervision)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 40 hours

Last Updated: 10/18/2024, 05/07/2025, 07/21/2025

Source: https://samhsa-main-prod-ext-alb-197684657.us-east-1.elb.amazonaws.com/about/careers/behavioral-health-workforce/careers-by-state?field_bwc_state_value=Louisiana