The Board became a duly chartered corporation in August 1984, and was granted statutory status by N.C.G.S. 90-113.30 of 1994:

• To establish standards for professional practice in the alcoholism and addiction service delivery systems, 
• To provide a means by which individuals certified under these standards may be recognized and identified as possessing the necessary competencies as professionals in the field of alcoholism and addictions counseling, 
• To establish a means by which alcoholism and addiction professionals may demonstrate their integrity and credibility to the general public and to other health care professionals, 
• On August 28, 1997, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed Senate Bill # 712, the "Certified Clinical Addictions Specialist Bill" which added to the 1994 statute, and specifically established the The North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board as the credentialing body in the state for all substance abuse professionals.
• On September 2, 2005, Governor Easley signs Senate Bill 705 which makes the substance abuse credential mandatory for all substance abuse professionals.