MAC (NBCRNA) study guide
MAC · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The MAC (Master Addiction Counselor) is a national advanced-practice credential for addiction counselors, administered by NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals. It is intended for experienced clinicians - typically those already licensed or certified at a state level - who want a portable, nationally recognized demonstration of mastery in addiction counseling. Candidates should treat the credential as an advanced step, not an entry point: the exam assumes working command of assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning and counseling practice, ethics and legal requirements, clinical supervision and practice management, and co-occurring disorders and special populations. Because the official MAC specification page could not be retrieved when this page was prepared, no verified item count, time limit, passing score, fee, eligibility requirements, retake policy, or validity period can be published here; those fields are marked for review and should be confirmed directly with NAADAC before you register or schedule. The MAC study guide has 5 sections and about 1,439 words.
01Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
This domain tests whether you can move from screening to a defensible diagnosis and initial level-of-care recommendation. Expect items on DSM-5-TR substance use disorder criteria, ASAM Criteria dimensions, differential diagnosis, standardized instruments, and documentation.
291 words, about 1 min02Treatment Planning and Counseling Practice
This domain tests collaborative treatment planning, level-of-care matching, evidence-based counseling, and progress documentation. Items often ask what to do next after assessment or how to revise a plan when goals are unmet.
292 words, about 1 min03Professional Ethics and Legal Requirements
This domain tests the NAADAC/NCC AP Code of Ethics, federal confidentiality rules, informed consent, boundary management, and mandated reporting. Expect scenarios on record requests, dual relationships, and duty to protect.
298 words, about 1 min04Clinical Supervision and Practice Management
This domain tests supervisory roles, documentation, regulatory compliance, billing integrity, and risk management. Items often present a supervisee dilemma or a practice-management decision.
269 words, about 1 min05Co-occurring Disorders and Special Populations
This domain tests integrated care for co-occurring mental and substance use disorders and culturally responsive practice with special populations. Expect items on trauma-informed care, medication interactions, adolescent and older-adult considerations, pregnancy, and justice involvement.
289 words, about 1 min