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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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Georgia Careers

Addiction Counselor

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Georgia Addiction Counselors Association

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, 6000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 144 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? 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 Georgia Addiction Counselors Association

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, 4000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 220 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? 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 Georgia Addiction Counselors Association

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, 6000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 6000 hours generally 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? 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 Georgia Addiction Counselors Association

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? Must be a LCSW, LPC, LMFT, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist
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
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? 48 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 Georgia Addiction Counselors Association

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, 10000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 10000 hours generally 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? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 40 hours

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner

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

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, Must be a licensed RN
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, 30 hours

Clinical Social Worker

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists

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); 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? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 35 hours

Marriage and Family Therapist

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists

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, 2 years
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2 years (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? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 35 hours

Mental Health Counselor

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists

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, 750 hours to 4 years (depends on degree)
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 750 hours to 4 years (generally supervised) depending on degree; 600 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? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 35 hours

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

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 (but must be between age 18-26)
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 Georgia Parent Support Network

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 (but training required and current work in field given priority)
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 Georgia Council for Recovery

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 (in order to bill Medicaid)
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? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 12 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network

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 (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? 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, 12 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Georgia Council on Substance Abuse

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
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 12 hours

Physician Assistant

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Georgia Composite Medical Board

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? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 40 hours

Prevention Specialist

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Prevention Credentialing Consortium of Georgia (PCCG)

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? Yes, 4000 hours (fewer if more advanced degree)
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 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? 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 Prevention Credentialing Consortium of Georgia (PCCG)

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? Yes, 2000 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? 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

Psychiatrist/Addiction Medicine Physician

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Georgia Composite Medical Board

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? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 40 hours

Psychologist

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Georgia 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? 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, 1500 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 1500 hours (generally 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? 24 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://www.samhsa.gov/about/careers/behavioral-health-workforce/careers-by-state?field_bwc_state_value=Georgia