Title
Behavioral Health Careers by State
Body
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.
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, Must be a licensed RN; 2000 hours required for independent practice | |
| 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 |
| 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? | 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, 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 |
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? | 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, 500 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 25 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 |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Hartford Healthcare
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 (but training program required) |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | No (but training required) | |
| 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? | Not specified |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Not specified, Not applicable |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)
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 (but training program required) |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | No (but training required) | |
| 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? | 24 months (initial); 12 or 24 months (subsequent) |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 10 hours per year |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (new credential; as of June 2025, DMHSA still determining how to "grandparent in" individuals with RSS or RC certifications from state-endorsed training centers)
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? | Not specified to date (but training required) |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Not specified to date | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Not specified to date | |
| 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? | Not specified to date | |
| 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? | Not specified to date, Not applicable |
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, 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, 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 |