BY STATE · MICHIGAN · 49 CFR §40.281

How to Become a DOT SAP in Michigan

Becoming a DOT Substance Abuse Professional is one uniform federal pathway, set in 49 CFR §40.281 and applied the same way in every state. What is specific to Michigan is the underlying clinical credential — the license or certification you earn through the boards below to satisfy the §40.281(a) requirement before you complete SAP qualification training and pass the national exam.

TRACK A

Addiction-counselor certification (the DOT counselor path)

This is the path that satisfies the §40.281(a) “drug and alcohol counselor” category, which DOT accepts only through a NAADAC-, IC&RC-, or NBCC-affiliated board. In Michigan that credential is:

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC); Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC)

IC&RC-affiliated: Yes

Issuing board: Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP)
Education requirement: CADC: reported 300 education hours (≥180 substance-abuse-specific, ≥6 ethics); CAADC requires a graduate degree. See MCBAP for current requirements.
Supervised hours: Reported 2,000–6,000 supervised work hours depending on degree level; see MCBAP CADC/CAADC manuals for current requirements.
Required exam: IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam for CADC; IC&RC Advanced (AADC) exam for CAADC.
Also accepted: IC&RC path — MCBAP is an IC&RC member board; CADC uses the IC&RC ADC exam and CAADC uses the IC&RC AADC (Advanced) exam. (MCBAP also recognizes NAADAC-affiliated routes for some credentials.)

TRACK B

State clinical license

Addiction-counselor certification runs through MCBAP, a confirmed IC&RC member board (CADC via IC&RC ADC exam; CAADC via IC&RC AADC exam). Michigan has no separate state-issued addiction-counselor license distinct from MCBAP certification. Social work, psychology, MFT/counseling, and medicine are ordinary state licenses under LARA.

OTHER PATHS

Other SAP-eligible boards in Michigan

You do not have to be an addiction counselor. Any one of these Michigan boards licenses a profession that satisfies one of the other five §40.281(a) SAP credential categories — physician, social worker, psychologist, employee assistance professional, or marriage and family therapist.

Social worker Michigan Board of Social Work (LARA, Bureau of Professional Licensing) — LMSW

Psychologist Michigan Board of Psychology (LARA BPL)

Marriage & family therapist Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy / Board of Counseling (LARA BPL)

Physician Michigan Board of Medicine (LARA BPL)

THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

The federal steps are the same in every state

Once you hold a qualifying Michigan credential above, the rest of the SAP pathway is set by federal rule and does not change by state. See the full federal requirements →

1 What credential do you need to become a DOT SAP?
2 What knowledge does a SAP need?
3 What qualification training and exam are required?
4 What continuing education must a SAP maintain?
5 What documentation must a SAP keep?
6 What does a DOT SAP actually do?

Sources

Last reviewed: 2026-07-07

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