Behavioral Health Careers by State
The SAMHSA Behavioral Health Career Navigator is a tool for those interested in a job or career in the fields of mental health and substance use. There are many options to start and grow a behavioral health career--all with varying requirements for entry and maintenance, which often varies by state. This guide can help you understand the basic requirements to enter the field in each state. You can also learn more about each role.
Connecticut Careers
Addiction Counselor
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Connecticut Department of Public 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? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3 years | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3 years (generally supervised); 300 hours (directly supervised) | |
| 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 |
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Connecticut Department of Public Health
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Yes for nurse licensure; no for APRN | |
| 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 | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Not specified | |
| 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, 50 hours during prior 24 months |
Clinical Social Worker
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Connecticut Department of Public Health
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, 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? | 12 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 15 hours |
Community Health Worker
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Connecticut Department of Public 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? | None |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 1000 hours in past 3 years or 2000 hours any period | |
| 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? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 30 hours |
Marriage and Family Therapist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Connecticut Department of Public 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? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 24 months | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 24 months (generally supervised); 100 hours (directly supervised) | |
| 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, 15 hours |
Mental Health Counselor
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Connecticut Department of Public Health
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 (generally supervised); 100 hours (directly supervised) | |
| 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, 15 hours |
Peer Recovery Support Specialist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (state currently revamping certification process)
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? | 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? | To be determined | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | To be determined |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | To be determined, To be determined |
Physician Assistant
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Connecticut Department of Public Health
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? | 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, Must meet NCCPA requirements |
Prevention Specialist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Connecticut Certification Board
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? | 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 (generally supervised); 120 hours (directly supervised) | |
| 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 |
Psychiatrist/Addiction Medicine Physician
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Connecticut Department of Public Health
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) - 24 months | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Not specified | |
| 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, 50 hours during prior 24 months |
Psychologist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Connecticut Department of Public Health
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, 1800 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 1800 hours (generally supervised); 135 hours (directly supervised) | |
| 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 |