Expansion of health insurance coverage is expected to increase the need for licensed addiction professionals. In the current federal legislation the expansion of Medicaid benefits in 2014 will provide insurance to new individual in need of addiction treatment services. In North Carolina, that will mean an increase in the need for the professionals who can bill Medicaid through both the Enhanced Services Definitions for Addiction – licensed professionals – Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialists (LCAS).

The quickest and least expensive route to preparing to become a LCAS is to attend one of the masters degree programs approved by the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board. These programs are listed on this site under the tab for masters degree programs.