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ABOUT THE INFORMATION IN THIS REPORT

The information in this report was compiled through a survey of state counselor licensure boards
conducted in the fall of 2015. State-by-state analysis of laws and administrative rules was also
conducted to add to the survey data, especially for the jurisdictions that did not submit
information in response to our request.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented here, but, due to
the complexity of laws and regulations, and the frequency with which state regulations can and
do change, we cannot guarantee that this report is completely without error.
Readers are encouraged to bring any errors, omissions, or changes to our attention. For any
questions or corrections regarding this chart, please contact:
American Counseling Association
Ethics and Professional Standards
6101 Stevenson Avenue
Suite 600
Alexandria, VA 22304
Web site: www.counseling.org
U.S. toll-free: 800/347-6647, x314 / DC area: 703/823-9800, x314
Fax: 703/823-3760
E-mail: [email protected]
For additional information, clarification or interpretation of any of the laws and regulations
summarized in this report, please contact the appropriate state licensing board.
Editor: Erin T. Shifflett, MLA, M.Ed.
ACA Director, Ethics and Professional Standards
Special acknowledgement:
Debbie Johnson, Administrative Assistant, Professional Affairs
Eriq Ocampo, Research Specialist

Copyright2016 by the American Counseling Association.

American Counseling Association

6101 Stevenson AvenueSuite 600
Alexandria, VA 22304 (800) 347-6647
www.counseling.org

American Counseling Association

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Table of Contents
Introduction: State Licensing of Professional Counselors ..............................................................3
Whats New for 2016 .......................................................................................................................7
Distance Counseling, Technology, and Social Media .....................................................................9
Licensure Chart ..............................................................................................................................11
Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................70
Appendix A ....................................................................................................................................72
Clinical Supervisor Requirements
Appendix B ....................................................................................................................................83
Professional Associations
Regional Accrediting Organizations
Professional Accrediting Organizations
National Certification Organizations
International Counseling Associations
Appendix C ....................................................................................................................................87
Accreditation, Licensure, and Certification Defined
Confidentiality/Privileged Communication
Appendix D ....................................................................................................................................90
State Licensure Renewal Requirements
Appendix E ..................................................................................................................................101
Licensure by Endorsement, Licensure by Reciprocity, and Portability
State Requirements for Out-of-State Applicants
Appendix F...................................................................................................................................120
Practice Act / Title Act Chart
Year Original Certification/Licensure Law Passed
State Counselor Counts

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Appendix G ..................................................................................................................................125
States That Have Adopted the ACA Code of Ethics
Appendix H ..................................................................................................................................128
Scope of Practice

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

STATE LICENSING OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS

In order to protect public safety, states establish licensure or certification standards for health and
human services professionals. Professional counselors are required by law in every state, the
District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to be licensed in order to legally practice as a professional
counselor. Licensure laws establish minimum standards in the areas of education, examination,
and experience. Each state has established a board responsible for issuing licenses, handling
consumer and ethical complaints regarding counselors practice, and issuing and enforcing such
regulations as are necessary in overseeing the profession. In some cases, a single board is
responsible for overseeing the practice of counseling and one or more similar groups of
professionals (e.g., clinical social workers or marriage and family therapists).
Credential Titles and Levels
Within the United States, several different titles are used to identify professional
counselors. Though the counseling profession has endorsed LPC as the recommended title, the
following are the most common:
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensed
Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Licensed
Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor of Mental Health (LPCC)
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP)
Obtaining an Associate License (titles vary by state) is often required for applicants who have
met the education and exam requirements, but have not yet met the supervised experience
requirement. Examples of such titles include Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Licensed
Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA), Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor,
counselor-in-training, and Clinical Resident .
Groups Commonly Exempt From Licensure
All statutes establishing licensure or certification requirements for counselors provide exemption
from licensure for specific groups. Commonly exempted groups:
1. professionals licensed by other statutes
2. students in graduate programs working under supervision
3. members of the clergy in the performance of their religious duties in connection with a
religious denomination
4. employees of federal, state, and local agencies acting in an official capacity
5. attorneys
Also, it is important to note that licensure of LPCs is distinct and separate from licensure or
certification of school counselors or substance abuse counselors. For school counseling
credential information, contact either your state Department of Education, or call the American
3

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Counseling Association at 1-800-347-6647, X354 and request the publication A Guide to State
Laws & Regulations on Professional School Counseling. This publication is free for ACA
members and costs $10 for non-members. For certification requirements for substance abuse
counselors, please visit the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information Web site
at http://store.samhsa.gov/home to order a free copy of SAMHSAs A National Review of State
Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs and Certification Standards for Substance Abuse
Counselors and Prevention Professionals.
Practice Acts v. Title Acts
Counselor licensure laws can be divided into the categories of practice acts and title acts. Title
acts refer to those licensure laws that restrict the use of a specific title to only those individuals
meeting education, training, and examination standards. Under title acts, individuals may engage
in the practice of counseling without being licensed, but may not use the title of licensed
professional counselor (or related titles specified in the law). Practice acts refer to those
licensure laws that prohibit the practice of professional counseling without obtaining licensure.
Consequently, practice acts are considered to be more strongly protective of consumers than are
title acts. Almost all states have adopted practice acts for licensure of professional counselors.
Refer to Appendix H for a list of these states.
Education
States require applicants for licensure to obtain a masters degree in counseling; many require
specific coursework. The majority of states require individuals to complete 60 semester hours of
graduate study, including at least a 48-semester hour masters degree. All states require that
counseling graduate programs be accredited, either by a counseling-specific accrediting
organization or by a regional graduate education accrediting body.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is an
independent agency, recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, which
accredits masters degree programs in mental health counseling and other counseling specialties.
Many states require that licensure applicants counseling graduate degrees include a curriculum
based on the CACREP model, even if full accreditation by CACREP is not required. CACREPaccredited counseling programs require coursework in eight core areas and a supervised
practicum and internship.
For more information, or to view a listing of CACREP-accredited counseling graduate programs,
visit CACREP online at www.cacrep.org.
The Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) is an affiliate of CACREP, recognized by the
Council on Higher Education Accreditation, which accredits masters degree programs in
rehabilitation counseling. CORE accredits programs meeting criteria in providing graduates who
have the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to provide rehabilitation counseling services
to individuals with physical, mental, and/or emotional disabilities. At this time, it is anticipated
that CORE and CACREP will merge in 2017.
For more information, visit CORE online at www.core-rehab.org.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Experience
Applicants for licensure are required to obtain a minimum amount of supervised experience prior
to being licensed. Typically, states require individuals to accumulate between 2,000 and 3,000
hours of supervised experience within a certain time period, including a specific number of faceto-face supervision hours. Several states have established more than one level of licensure for
counselors in order to establish formal criteria both for full independent practice and for
counseling graduates in the process of accumulating supervision hours.
Examination
All states require licensure applicants to pass a comprehensive examination on counseling
practice. The tests recognized by states include the following:
NCE

National Counselor Examination: Administered by the National Board for

Certified Counselors (NBCC), this is the most common exam used by states in the
credentialing process.

NCMHCE

National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination: Also administered by

NBCC, this examination focuses more specifically on mental health practice, and
is used by a number of states for licensure.

CRCE

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination: Administered by the

Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC), passage of this
exam is also accepted in some states for meeting testing requirements for
licensure.

ECCP

Examination of Clinical Counselor Practice: Also administered by NBCC,

passage of the ECCP is required in order to obtain the Certified Clinical Mental
Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential issued by NBCC (passage of the
NCMHCE is also accepted). Some states consider the CCMHC credential to
meet all or part of the requirements for licensure, but may not accept passage of
the ECCP examination.

For general information on these examinations, contact the National Board for Certified
Counselors at 336-547-0607 or visit them online at www.nbcc.org. The Commission on
Rehabilitation Counselor Certification can be reached at 847-944-1325, or online at
www.crccertification.com. For state-specific information on examination requirements, please
contact the appropriate state board.
Jurisprudence Examination
Several states require licensees to pass a jurisprudence exam testing the applicants knowledge of
licensing board rules and operating procedures, and state laws affecting counselors practice.
Such an exam can be particularly important for counselors licensed in other states who may have
considerable professional expertise, but may lack familiarity with practice guidelines and
restrictions in their new state. States requiring passage of a jurisprudence exam for new
5

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

licensees include California, Colorado, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.

Licensure Renewal
Most states require professional counselors to earn continuing education credits on an annual or
biennial basis in order to renew their credentials. Refer to Appendix E for state continuing
education requirements.
Code of Ethics
All states require that counselors conduct themselves ethically, in accordance with generally
accepted standards of practice. Several states specifically require counselors to abide by the
American Counseling Associations Code of Ethics, as most recently revised and updated in
2014. Refer to Appendix I for a list of these states. For more information regarding the ACA
Code of Ethics, visit the ACA Web site at www.counseling.org/resources.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

WHATS NEW FOR 2016

Following are major licensure changes that have occurred since the 2014 edition of Licensure
Requirements for Professional Counselors: A State-by-State Report.
Educational Requirements
California, as of January 1st 2017, now requires that no applicant shall be deficient
(prohibits remediation outside of the applicants qualifying degree program) in the
required core content areas of: 1) Assessment, appraisal, and testing of individuals (3
semester units or 4.5 quarter units). 2) Principles of the diagnostic process and the use of
diagnostic tools (3 semester units or 4.5 quarter units). In addition to regional
accreditation, national accreditation agencies recognized by the United States
Department of Education (USDE) are now acceptable accreditors of qualifying degree
programs.
Kentucky requires applicants who enrolled in a graduate program after January 15, 2015
or those who receive a degree after May 31, 2020 to graduate from a CACREPaccredited program.
Louisiana, for degrees conferred after September 1, 2015, requires 60 semester hours.
Louisiana requires a grade of C or better in all post-masters courses; a grade of A,
B, or P, is required for all field experience.
New Hampshire requires applicants who receive a degree after January 1, 2022, to
graduate from a CACREP-accredited program.
North Dakota, for degrees conferred after January 1, 2017, requires 60 semester hours.
Ohio, for in-state applicants submitting after January 1, 2018, requires graduation from a
CACREP-accredited program.
Puerto Rico requires 45 semester hours (previously unspecified).
Texas, for degrees started after August 1, 2017, requires 60 semester hours.
Experience Requirements
California requires Professional Clinical Counselor interns to take the California Law
and Ethics Examination annually, beginning January 1, 2016.
Pennsylvania requires 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience (a decrease from
3,600).
7

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Virginia requires 3,400 hours of supervised clinical experience (a decrease from 4,000).
Examination Requirements
California will grant time-and-a-half (1.5x) on a Board-administered examination to an
applicant for whom English is their second language, if the applicant meets specific
criteria demonstrating limited English proficiency.
New York requires the successful completion of the NCMHCE without ESL
accommodations.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Licensure Renewal and Continuing Education

Kentucky requires annual continuing education credits in the areas of domestic violence
and suicide assessment.
New Hampshire requires 3 units of continuing education in suicide prevention.
Texas requires 4 units of continuing education in ethics and 6 units of supervision for
those acting in a supervisory capacity every 2 years.
Scope of Practice Changes
Californias scope of practice contains restrictions on assessment and treatment of
couples or families. Beginning January 1, 2017, LPCCs must demonstrate compliance
with this restriction by obtaining Board confirmation of qualifications to treat couples
and families, and must provide a copy of this confirmation to couple or family clients
prior to commencement of treatment, and to certain supervisees.
Nevada has expanded its scope of practice for LCPCs to include the assessment or
treatment of couples or families with demonstration of competence to work with them
through education, training and experience.

A Word About CACREP Accreditation Requirements

State licensure boards receiving the questionnaire for this report had an opportunity to comment
on any current, future or emerging plans regarding the implementation of CACREP accreditation
requirements within their educational conditions for licensure. All plans that were specified have
been included in this report. Some licensure boards indicated that definitive plans for
transitioning to CACREP accreditation requirements would be forthcoming, some indicated that
no such plans were currently in discussion while others indicated that a final decision had been
made not to transition to requiring CACREP accreditation. As more information becomes
available, this report will be updated accordingly.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Distance Counseling, Technology, and Social Media Information

In response to the increased use of social media and technology within the counseling profession,
state licensure boards continue to develop rules and regulations regarding distance counseling. It
should be noted, however, that these guidelines are in their initial stages of development and are
therefore changing rapidly; always check with your specific state for comprehensive guidelines
before engaging in any distance counseling activities.
Nineteen (19) states (Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South
Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia) do regulate electronic communications
for counselors, but only within their particular state. The general rule is that to practice
distance counseling in these states, the counselor must be licensed and follow the
regulations of that state. Colorado makes the recommendation that the first session should
be face-to-face and to meet periodically face-to-face with the client.
Nineteen (19) state counseling boards (Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida,
Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington and
Wyoming) and the District of Columbia report an absence of any law, rule, or regulation
addressing the use of the internet with clients. It is therefore assumed that these states
treat electronic messages between counselor and client the same way that they treat faceto-face communication.
One (1) state, Arkansas, has an addendum to its licensure requirements specifically
geared towards technology assisted therapy: The Technology Assisted Counseling
Specialization license requires additional education and supervision.
Six (6) states (Maryland, New Mexico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Indiana)
specifically state that they do not support electronic communications under their scope of
practice for professional counselors.
One (1) state (Kansas) allows distance supervision provided that the supervision is
conducted via confidential electronic communications.
One (1) state (Louisiana) allows for 25 of the required 100 clinical supervision hours to
be conducted via videoconferencing.
One (1) state (North Carolina) allows video supervision as long as it is synchronous.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

One (1) state (Indiana) allows at least half of their continuing education hours to be taken
online and/or through distance learning.
One (1) state (Idaho) proposed to change their board duties to include: proposed - To
establish by rule the standards and requirements for the use of communication technology
in the practice of counseling and marriage and family therapy, including supervision;
interactive webinars permitted.
Iowa, Ohio, and South Carolina consider distance learning continuing education hours as
live continuing education hours if they are interactive (Iowa requires a
certificate/verification that the CE is offered by NBCC, CRCC, AAMT as well).
As of July 20, 2012, Colorado allows electronic supervision. The initial two hour
supervision meeting must be face-to-face and supervisor and supervisee must meet faceto-face every 6 months. Electronic supervision must be audio and visual in nature.

10

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

LICENSURE
CHART

11

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
ALABAMA
AL Board of Examiners in Counseling
950 22nd Street North
Suite 765
Birmingham, AL 35203
800/822-3307
205/458-8716
205/458-8718 (fax)
Executive Officer Walter H. Cox
[email protected]
Executive Assistant Florence J.
Hemphill

[email protected]

WEBSITE:
www.abec.alabama.gov

Credential Title(s)
Licensed
Professional
Counselor (LPC)
A person licensed to
render professional
counseling services
in private practice for
a fee.

Educational
Requirements
Master's degree or higher in
counseling from a CACREP or
CORE
accredited
program,
the
content
equivalent,
with aor
minimum of 48 graduate
semester hours (or 72
graduate quarter hours) from a
regionally accredited academic
institution.

Associate
Licensed
Counselor (ALC)
A person licensed to
render professional
counseling services
in private practice for
a fee while under
board approved
supervision.

Application packet (if mailed): $25

Application fee: $200
LPC License fee: $300
ALC License fee: $150

12

Experiential
Requirements
3,000 hours of supervised
experience in professional
counseling with board
approved supervision. 2,250 of
the 3000 must be direct
counseling services
An applicant may subtract
1,000 hours of the required
professional experience for
every 15 graduate semester
hours (or 22.5 quarter hours)
obtained beyond the master's
degree from a regionally
accredited academic
institution, provided that the
coursework is clearly related to
the field of professional
counseling. This formula may
be used for up to 2,000 hours.
1500 of the 2000 must be
direct counseling services

Exam
Required
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
ALASKA
AK Board of Professional
Counselors
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806
907/465-2694
907/465-2974 (fax)
Licensing Examiner:
Renee Hoffard
[email protected]
WEBSITE:
www.commerce.state.ak.us/cbpl

Application fee: $200.00

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
counseling or a related
professional field from a
regionally or nationally
accredited institution of higher
education approved by the
board, with at least 60
graduate semester hours in
counseling.
The degree must include
coursework in 8 core areas.
Related professional field
includes psychology, marital
and family therapy, social
work, and applied behavioral
science.

Initial Licensure fee: $650.00

*NOTICE: AS OF JANUARY 29,

2009 ALL APPLICANTS MUST

SUBMIT A REPORT OF
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
INFORMATION.

13

Experiential
Requirements
2 years/3,000 hours of postmaster's supervised
experience in professional
counseling, including 1,000
hours of direct client contact
and 100 hours of face-to-face
supervision.

Exam
Required
NCE

The face-to-face supervision

can be by telephone or
electronic means because of
the remote location of the
counselor, if approved by the
board.

Successful
completion of
another
nationally
recognized
examination
for
professional
counselors
that is
equivalent to
the NCE
and/or
NCMHCE.

Supervision must be under an

LPC or other licensed mental
health professional approved
by the board. The supervisor
must be approved prior to the
beginning of the supervision.

OR
NCMHCE
OR

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
ARIZONA
AZ Board of Behavioral
Health Examiners
3443 N. Central Avenue
Suite 1700
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602/542-1864
602/364-0890 (fax)
Executive Director
Tobi Zavala
CONTACT:
[email protected]

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Associate
Counselor (LAC)
LACs shall practice only under
direct supervision as
prescribed by the board and
shall not engage in
independent practice.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
counseling or a related field
from a program that is either
CACREP or CORE accredited
or equivalent or includes a
minimum of 60 semester hours
and completion of coursework
in 14 content areas.
As of October 31, 2015: If a
program is not accredited by
CACREP or CORE, it must
require 700 clinical supervision
hours and a minimum of 24
semester hours in 8 content
areas.

WEBSITE:
www.azbbhe.us
Application fee: $250
LPC License fee: $250
LAC License fee: $100
Temporary License fee: $50
Fingerprint Background
Check: $29

14

Experiential
Requirements
2
years/3,200
hours of full-time
post-masters supervised
work
experience in psychotherapy,
including assessment,
diagnosis, and treatment.
100 hours of clinical
supervision and 1,600 hours of
direct client contact are
required. No more than 400 of
the additional hours can be
psychoeducational.
Applicant must receive a
minimum of 10 hours of clinical
supervision obtained during
direct observation or a review
of audiotapes/videotapes by
the clinical supervisor while
applicant is providing treatment
and evaluation services to a
client.

Exam
Required
NCE,
NCMHCE or
CRCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
ARKANSAS
AR Board of Examiners in
Counseling
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 989
Little Rock, AR 72201
Physical Address:
101 East Capitol, Suite 104
Little Rock, AR 72201

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Associate
Counselor (LAC)
An
applicant
with less than
years
of post-masters
level3
supervision experience, if all
other requirements have been
met.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
counseling from a program
that reflects the CACREP or
CORE curriculum and consists
of 60 semester hours from a
regionally accredited
institution.

Experiential
Requirements
3 years/3,000 hours of postmasters supervised
counseling experience (1 year
= 1,000 hours). 50% of the
hours have to be Client
Contact Hours
One year of experience may
be gained for each 30
semester hours earned
beyond masters degree (up to
2 years) provided the hours
are clearly counseling in
nature and acceptable to the
board.

(501) 683-5800
(501) 683-6349 (fax)

Executive Director Michael

Loos
[email protected]

Supervision must be under a

LPC approved by the board.
Telephone supervision is
allowed for less than 25% of
the total amount.

CONTACT:
[email protected]
WEBSITE:
www.state.ar.us/abec
Application packet (if
mailed): $20
Application fee: $200

15

Exam
Required
NCE and an
oral exam

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
CALIFORNIA
CA Board of Behavioral
Sciences
1625 N. Market Boulevard,
Suite S-200
Sacramento, CA 95834
California Association for
Licensed Professional
Clinical Counselors
P.O. Box 280640
Northridge, CA 91328
www.calpcc.org
Licensure requirements and
additional information can be
found on their website.
916/574-7830
916/574-8625 (fax)
CONTACT: Kim Madsen

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Clinical Counselor (LPCC)*
Professional Clinical
Counselor Intern (PCCI)
An unlicensed person, who
has completed the education
requirements and is
registered with the board to
complete the supervision
requirements to be licensed
as an LPCC. (Has to renew
annually up to 5 years)

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher
that is counseling or psychotherapy
in content:
Enrolled before 8/1/12 and graduate
before 12/31/18:
Minimum of 48 graduate semester
hours

Experiential
Requirements
3,000 hours of postmasters supervised
counseling experience.
1,750 have to be Direct
Client Contact hours
Areas with guidance on
hours:

Exam
Required
NCMHCE (as of
January 1, 2014)
taken after
experiential
requirements have
been fulfilled.
AND

Enrolled after 8/1/12 or graduate

after 12/31/18: Minimum of 60
graduate semester hours.

500 hours m ax for group

counseling
250 hours m ax for
phone crisis counseling

Additional Educational
Requirements:
1) 15 contact hours in alcoholism
and other chemical substance
abuse, dependency
(2) 10 contact hours in human
sexuality

[email protected]

WEBSITE:
www.bbs.ca.gov/

(3) A two semester unit or three

quarter unit survey course in
psychopharmacology

PCCI Registration
Application $100
PCCI Annual Registration
Renewal $100

(4) 15 contact hours in spousal or

partner abuse assessment,
detection, and intervention
strategies*

LPCC Examination Eligibility

Application: $280 ($180
application,
$100 California law and

(5) 7 contact hours in child abuse

assessment and reporting.
(6) 18 contact hours in California law
and professional ethics for

16

150 hours m inim um of

clinical experience in a
hospital or community
mental health setting;
com bined total of 1,250
hours com bined total
max:

(A) Direct supervisor

contact.
(B) Client centered
advocacy.
(C) 250 hours max in
administering tests,
(D) 250 hours max in
attending conferences

California Law and

Ethics
Examination
taken annually
while acquiring
supervised
experience must
pass before LPCC
will be granted.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

ethics examination)
LPCC Biennial License
Renewal $175

CALIFORNIA,
CONTINUED

professional clinical counselors*

(possible that graduate course work
will suffice)
(7) 10 contact hours in aging and
long-term care*
(8) 15 contact hours in crisis or
trauma counseling*

*There are stipulations regarding the types of hours that will be accepted; therefore, please consult your state regulations.

17

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State

COLORADO
CO Division of Professions
and Occupations
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202
303/894-7768
303/894-7764 (fax)

Executive Director Karin

Credential Title(s)

Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Professional
Counselor Candidate
(LPCC)*
An applicant who has
completed the education
requirements and is under a
licensed supervisor; valid
for 4 years.

Gleichauf

[email protected]

CONTACT:
[email protected].
us

(if not registered as a LPCC,

must register as a Registered
Psychotherapist in the
Registered Psychotherapist
Board Database)

Educational
Requirements

Masters degree or higher in

professional counseling from a
CACREP
accredited
program,
or equivalent
program
from a
regionally accredited college/
university consisting of 48
semester hours, completion of
coursework in core areas and
a practicum and/or internship.
*If enrolled after August 31,
2014, the program must
consist of 60 graduate
semester hours..

Experiential
Requirements

2 years/2,000 hours of postmasters practice in applied

psychotherapy under board
approved supervision.
(Doctoral degree can be 1,000
in 12 months)
100 hours of supervision is
required, 70 of which must be
face to face individual
supervision.
The teaching of psychotherapy
can count up to 600 hours and
30 hours of required
supervision
*Electronic
supervision
is
allowed
initial
2 hour meeting
must be in person and every
six (6) months an in person
meeting must be had and the
electronic supervision must be
audio and visual (as of July 20,
2012)

WEBSITE:

www.dora.state.co.us/
mental-health
LPC License: $160
Provisional License: $100
LPC Candidate: $160

18

Exam
Required

NCE
and
CO
Jurispruden
ce Exam

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
CONNECTICUT
CT Department of Public
Health
Professional Counselor
Licensure
410 Capitol Avenue,
MS #12APP
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
counseling or a related mental
health field from a regionally
accredited institution of higher
education consisting of at least
60 semester hours and
completion of required
coursework.

860/509-7603
860/509-8457 (fax)

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
http://www.ct.gov/dph/
Application fee: $315

19

Experiential
Requirements
3,000 hours of post-masters
supervised experience in
professional counseling.
A minimum of 100 hours of
direct supervision by an
appropriately licensed
individual is required.

Exam
Required
NCE or
NCMHCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
DELAWARE
DE Board of Mental Health
and Chemical Dependency
Professionals
Cannon Building
861 Silver Lake Boulevard,
Suite 203
Dover, DE 19904-2467
302/744-4500
302/739-2711 (fax)
CONTACT :
Customerservice.dpr@state.
de.us

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor of Mental
Health (LPCMH)
Licensed Associate
Counselor of Mental
Health (LACMH)
An individual licensed for the
purpose of gaining experience
required for licensure as an
LPCMH; must work under
direct supervision of an
LPCMH or other health
professional approved by the
board.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
Clinical Mental Health,
including a minimum of 48
semester hours.

Experiential
Requirements
2 years/3,200 hours of full-time
clinical professional counseling
experience to be completed
within a 4 year period.

Must also be certified by

NBCC as a National Certified
Counselor (NCC), or certified
by another national mental
health specialty certifying
organization approved by the
board.

1,600 hours must be under

professional direct supervision
acceptable to the board (100
hours must be face-to-face
supervision (live videoconferencing is considered
face to face but cannot exceed
50% of the supervision).1,500
hours must be direct client
contact hours (750 have to be
individual)
30 graduate semester hours or
more beyond master's degree
may be substituted for 1
year/1,600 hours of required
experience, provided that
hours are clearly related to the
field of counseling and
acceptable to the board.

WEBSITE :

http://dpr.delaware.gov

LPC License: $171

LACMH License: $171
*Applicants must submit a
criminal background check

*If your degree was conferred

after June 30, 2012, you will
receive credit only for
experience that you gain as a
Delaware-licensed Associate
Counselor of Mental Health.

20

Exam
Required
NCE or
NCMHCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
DC Board of Professional
Counseling
717 14th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
202/724-4900
877/672-2174
202/727-8471 (fax)

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)

Educational
Requirements
60 graduate semester hours,
including a masters degree in
counseling or a related field
from an accredited institution.

Experiential
Requirements
2 years/3,500 hours of postmasters supervised
professional counseling
experience.

Masters degree to include

coursework in 10 core areas,
including a counseling
practicum or internship.

200 hours of supervision (100

hours must be immediate
supervision under an LPC).

WEBSITE:
http://hpla.doh.dc.gov/hpla
Application fee: $85
License fee: $145

21

Exam
Required
NCE
*Will accept
NCMHCE or
CRCE if
already taken
in another
jurisdiction

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
FLORIDA
FL Board of Clinical Social
Work, Marriage & Family
Therapy, and Mental Health
Counseling
4052 Bald Cypress Way,
BIN C-08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258
850/245-4474
850/921-5389 (fax)

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.doh.state.fl.us/mq
a/491
Application fee: $100
Initial License fee: $105
Registered Mental Health
Counselor Intern Application
fee: $150

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Mental Health
Counselor (LMHC)
Provisional Mental Health
Counselor
A person provisionally licensed
to provide mental health
counseling under supervision;
valid for 24 months. Issued to
licensure applicants who have
completed their clinical
experience requirement
intending to provide services in
Florida while satisfying
coursework and/or exam
requirements.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher from a
CACREP accredited mental health
counseling program that includes 60
semester hours, a course in human
sexuality, and a course in substance
abuse.
OR
Masters degree or higher from a
program related to the practice of
mental health counseling from an
accredited institution that includes 60
semester hours, 12 specific course
content areas, and 1,000 hours of a
supervised practicum, internship, or
field experience.
AND for both options:
Completion of an 8 hour laws and rules
course, a 2 hour prevention of medical
errors course from a board approved
provider:,
And within 6 months of licensure have
to complete from a board approved
provider:
3 hour course on human
immunodeficiency virus and acquired
immune deficiency syndrome
2 hour domestic violence course from a
board approved provider.

22

Experiential
Requirements
2
years
of supervised
post-masters
clinical
experience in mental
health counseling that
consists of at least
1,500 hours providing
psychotherapy face-toface with clients and at
least 100 face-to-face
hours of supervision
(50 of which can be
group supervision).
Supervision must be
under an LMHC or
equivalent.

Exam
Required
NCMHCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
GEORGIA
GA Composite Board of
Professional Counselors,
Social Workers, and
Marriage & Family
Therapists
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217-3858
478/207-2440
866/888-7127 (fax)

Executive Director
Brig Zimmerman

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Associate Professional
Counselor (ALPC)
Applicant who has met the
educational requirements and
has registered with the board
an acceptable contract for
obtaining post-master's
experience under direct
supervision; valid for 5 years.

Educational
Requirements
Master's degree or higher in a
program that is primarily
counseling in content, or in
applied psychology, from an
institution accredited by a
regional body recognized by
the Council on Higher
Education Accreditation
(CHEA).
Completion of specific
coursework and a supervised
practicum or internship
consisting of at least 300 hours
is required.

Experiential
Requirements
4
years/2,400
hours of
supervised
post-masters
directed experience in
professional counseling in a
work setting acceptable to the
board, with a minimum of 120
hours of supervision. (can
count up to one year of
experience from
practicum/internship)
*On December 6, 2013, there
was a proposal to increase the
number of required hours to
3,000.
A minimum of 2 years of
supervision must be provided
by an LPC. *Proposed change
on December 6, 2013 - for
supervision entered into after
September 30, 2014, a
supervisor who is a Licensed
Professional Counselor must
hold either a National Board of
Certified Counselors
(NBCC) Approved Clinical
Supervisor credential or a
Licensed Professional
Counselors
Association of Georgia
(LPCAGA) Certified
Professional Counselor
Supervisor
credential.

WEBSITE:

www.sos.state.ga.us/pl
b/counselors
LPC Application fee: $100
ALPC Application fee: $100

23

Exam
Required
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
HAWAII
HI Department of Commerce
and Consumer Affairs - PVL
Mental Health Counselor
Program
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
(808) 586-2697
CONTACT:

[email protected]
WEBSITE:
www.hawaii.gov/dcca/are
as/pvl/programs/mental/

Application fee: $60

License fee:
$439 7/01/2014- 6/30/2015
$362 7/01/2015 - 6/30/2016
$285 7/01/2013 - 6/30/2014

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Mental Health
Counselor (LMHC)

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
counseling or an allied field
related to the practice of mental
health counseling, with a
minimum of 48 semester hours
(or 72 quarter hours) of
coursework in core areas, from
an accredited institution.
Also, two academic terms of
supervised mental health
practicum intern experience for
graduate credit of at least three
semester hours (or five quarter
hours) per academic term in a
mental health counseling
setting, with at least 300 hours
of supervised client contact
under a licensed supervisor.
7/05/07: Changes in Hawaii
Revised Statutes Chapter
453D-7(c)(1) and (2) allows
individuals who obtained a
graduate degree before July 1,
2007 an alternate method to
verify the practicum and postgraduate experience.

24

Experiential
Requirements
2
years/3,000 hours of
post-masters
supervised experience
in the practice of mental
health counseling, with
100 hours of face-toface clinical supervision
under a licensed
supervisor.
Experience shall be completed
in no less than two years and
in no more than four years.

Exam
Required
NCE
*Will accept
the NCMHCE
or the CRCC
(if taken after
1/1/2000 and
before
7/1/2005)

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
IDAHO
ID State Licensing Board of
Professional Counselors and
Marriage & Family
Therapists

Physical address:
700 W. State St.
Boise, ID 83702

Mailing address:
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0063
208/334-3233
208/334-3945 (fax)

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Clinical
Professional Counselor
(LCPC)

Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in a
counseling field from an
accredited college/university,
with 60 semester hours and
completion of a 6 semester
hour advanced counseling
practicum.

Experiential
Requirements
LCPC
Hold a valid LPC license; and

Exam
Required
LCPC
NCMHCE

2 years/2,000 hours of
supervised direct client contact
experience accumulated after
licensure in any state.
1,000 hours must be under
supervision of an LCPC.

Registered Counselor Intern

A counselor performing under
supervision as a part of the
supervised experience
requirement.

Minimum of 1 hour face-toface, one-on-one supervision

for every 30 hours of direct
client contact.
Successful completion of a
Diagnostic Evaluation graduate
course or equivalent training/
experience acceptable to the
board.

CONTACT: Deborah Sexton

[email protected]
OR

[email protected]

WEBSITE:

LPC
1,000 hours is defined as one
thousand clock hours of
experience working in a
counseling setting, 400 hours
of which shall be direct client
contact. Supervised
experience in practica and/or
internships taken at the
graduate level may be utilized.
The supervised experience
shall include a minimum of 1
hour of face-to-face or one-toone or one-to-two consultation

http://www.ibol.idaho.gov
LPC/LCPC Application fee:
$75
LPC/LCPC License fee: $75
Counselor Intern Application
fee: $25

IDAHO, CONTINUED

25

LPC
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

with the supervisor for every

twenty hours of job/internship
expe4rience. Face-to-face
may include a face-to-face
setting provided by a live video
connection between the
supervisor and supervisee. As
stated under Subsection
150.01.a.iv. Counseling
practicum experience as
opposed to job or internship
experience shall be supervised
at a ratio of 1 hour of
supervision for every ten hours
in the settings.
Supervised practicum and/or
internship taken at a
graduate level may be
utilized.

26

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
ILLINOIS

IL Professional Counselor Licensing and

Disciplinary Board
320 W. Washington Street,
3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Clinical
Professional Counselor
(LCPC)
Holds license authorizing
independent practice of
clinical professional
counseling in private
practice.

OR

217/785-0800
217/524-6735 TDD
217/782-7645 (fax)

Hold a current Certified

Clinical Mental Health
Counselor (CCMHC)
credential issued by
NBCC (meets all
requirements for
licensure as an LCPC).

WEBSITE:

http://www.idfpr.com/DPRdefault.asp

or
http://www.idfpr.com/PROFS/Info/ProfC
ounselor.asp

LCPC License: $150

LPC License: $150

Educational
Requirements
LCPC
Masters degree or
higher in professional
counseling or a related
field from a regionally
accredited
college/university.

Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Holds license authorizing
the practice of
professional counseling.

27

Note: Certain other

certifications meet all or
part of LPC or LCPC
licensure requirements;
please contact board for
more information.
LPC
Master's degree or
higher in professional
counseling or related
field of at least 48
semester hours from a
regionally accredited
college/ university in a
program approved by
the IL Dept. of
Professional

Experiential
Requirements
LCPC
2 years/3,360 hours of
full-time, satisfactory,
supervised
employment or
experience working as
a clinical professional
counselor in a
professional capacity
under the direction of
a qualified supervisor,
subsequent to degree.

Exam
Required
LCPC
NCE and
NCMHCE
or
ECCP
or
CRCE

1,920 hours must be

direct face-to-face
service to clients.
One year = maximum
of 1,680 hours,
including 960 hours of
direct face-to-face
service to clients.
If applicant holds a
doctoral degree, one
year must be
subsequent to the
degree and
internships may count
towards professional
experience.

LPC
NCE or
CRCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

ILLINOIS, CONTINUED

Regulation.
CACREP and CORE
accredited programs in
professional counseling
are approved programs
for both LPC and LCPC
licensure.

28

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
INDIANA
IN Behavioral Health and
Human Services Licensing
Board
402 W. Washington Street,
Room W072
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317/234-2064
317/233-4236 (fax)

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
www.in.gov/pla/social.htm
Application fee: $50
Temporary permit: $25
(issued upon completion of
the education and
experience requirements and
approval by the board to
take the exam; valid for 180
days).

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Mental Health
Counselor (LMHC)

Licensed Mental Health

Counselor Associate
(LMHCA)
A counselor performing under
supervision as a part of the
supervised experience
requirement (required after
July 1, 2014) cannot apply
for until AFTER degree is
conferred

Educational
Requirements
Master's degree or higher in an
area related to mental health
counseling from a CACREP or
CORE accredited program, or
equivalent program, from a
regionally accredited institution
which includes a minimum of
60 semester hours of graduate
coursework in counseling in 12
specified content areas.
Completion of a practicum (100
hours), internship (600 hours),
and advanced internship (300
hours) with at least 100 hours
of face-to-face supervision.
An area related to mental
health counseling includes
counseling, clinical social
work, psychology, human
services, human
development, family
relations, or programs
accredited by CACREP or
CORE.

29

Experiential
Requirements
3,000 hours of postgraduate
supervised clinical experience
over a 21-48 month period.
Does not start to count until
approved as an LMHCA

Exam
Required
LMHC
NCMHCE

100 hours of face-to-face

supervision under an LMHC or
equivalent supervisor is
required.

*If passing
score is
achieved on
the initial try,
applicant can
apply up to
1500 hours
accrued. If
passing score
is not
achieved,
applicant can
no longer
accrue hours
until passing
score is
achieved.

LMHCA
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State

IOWA
IA Board of Behavioral
Science
Lucas State Office Building
5th Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
515/281-0254
515/281-3121 (fax)

Executive Director Judy

Manning
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
https://www.idph.state.ia.us
/licensure/BehavioralScience
.aspx?pg=Home

Licensure fee: $120

Credential Title(s)

Licensed Mental Health

Counselor (LMHC)

Temporary Licensed Mental

Health Counselor (T-LMHC)

Educational
Requirements

Masters degree or higher in

mental
healthequivalent
counseling from
a
CACREP
program, or the content
equivalent, with at least 60
semester hours (or equivalent
quarter hours).
For applicants who entered
program of study prior to July
1, 2010: 45 semester hours (or
60 quarter hours) are required.
Degree must be from a
nationally accredited college or
university.
OR
Hold a current Certified Clinical
Mental Health Counselor
(CCMHC) credential issued by
NBCC (meets educational and
experience requirements).
For applicants who did not
graduate from CACREPaccredited mental health
counseling program as of
July 1, 2012, they will need
to submit to an education
review

30

Experiential
Requirements

2 years/3,000 hours of full-time

supervised postgraduate work
experience in mental health
counseling, including 1,500
hours of direct client contact
and 200 hours of clinical
supervision concurrent with the
work experience.
At least 100 of the 200 hours of
clinical supervision must be
individual supervision.
For applicants who entered
program of study prior to July
1, 2010: 2 years of full-time
supervised postgraduate work
experience in mental health
counseling, including 200
hours of clinical supervision
concurrent with 1,000 hours of
mental health counseling
conducted in person with
individuals, couples, and
families.
At least 100 of the 200 hours of
clinical supervision must be
individual supervision or hold a
current Certified Clinical Mental
Health Counselor (CCMHC)
credential issued by NBCC
(meets experience
requirements)

Exam
Required

NCE,
NCMHCE,
or CRCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
KANSAS
KS Behavioral Sciences
Regulatory Board
712 S. Kansas Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Clinical
Professional Counselor
(LCPC)
May diagnose and treat
mental disorders
independently.

785/296-3240
785/296-3112 (fax)

Licensing Specialist Bruno

Educational
Requirements
LCPC
In additiondegree
to, or as
part of the
graduate
completion
of 15 credit hours supporting
diagnosis and treatment of
mental disorders with use of
the American Psychiatric
Associations diagnostic and
statistical manual, and a
graduate level supervised
clinical practicum of
professional experience.

Langer
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.ksbsrb.org/
LPC/LCPC Application fee:
$100
LPC/LCPC License: $150
LPC Temporary License:
$150

Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
May practice under the
direction of an LCPC, licensed
psychologist, a person licensed
to provide mental health
services as an independent
practitioner and whose license
allows for diagnoses and
treatment of mental disorders,
or a person licensed to practice
medicine and surgery.

LPC
60 graduate semester hours,
including a masters degree in
counseling, from a university
approved by the board that
consists of 45 graduate
semester hours distributed
among 10 core categories (this
includes a supervised
practicum).

31

Experiential
Requirements
LCPC
Licensed as an LPC or meets
all requirements to be licensed
as an LPC; and

Exam
Required
LCPC
NCMHCE

4,000 hours of supervised

clinical professional counseling
experience under an approved
clinical training plan, which
includes 1,500 hours of direct
client contact and 100 hours of
clinical supervision (50 must be
individual supervision).
LPC
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
KENTUCKY
KY Board of Licensed
Professional Counselors
P.O. Box 1360
Frankfort, KY 40602
502/782-8803
502/696-5836 (fax)

Board Chairman
Christopher Griffith

CONTACT: Diana

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Licensed Professional
Counselor Associate (LPCA)
Credential holder who has met
all qualifications to engage in
the practice of professional
counseling under an approved
clinical supervisor authorized
by the board.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
professional counseling or a
related field from a regionally
accredited institution, with a
minimum of 60 semester hours
in 9 specified content areas
and a 400 hour organized
practicum/internship. Any
applicants who have enrolled
in a program after 1/15/15 or
who receive a degree after
5/31/2020 must graduate from
a CACREP accredited
program.

Jarboe
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
http://lpc.ky.gov
LPCC Application fee: $150
LPCA Application fee: $50

32

Experiential
Requirements
LPCC
4,000 hours of post-masters
experience in the practice of
counseling under approved
supervision, which includes
1,600 hours of direct
counseling and 100 hours of
individual, face-to-face clinical
supervision.
Applicants are encouraged to
include 10 hours of direct
counseling with individuals in a
jail or correctional setting as
part of the 4,000 hours.

Exam
Required
NCE or
NCMHCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
LOUISIANA
LA Licensed Professional
Counselors Board of
Examiners
8631 Summa Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
225/765-2515
225/765-2514 (fax)

Executive Director
Mary Alice Olsan
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.lpcboard.org

LPC Application fee: $200

LPC Renewal Fee: $150

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Provisional Licensed
Professional Counselor
(P-LPC)
Those with a masters degree
in counseling while practicing
counseling under the board
approved supervision of an
LPC. (There are 3 parts to
registration and you cannot
start to accrue hours until all 3
are complete)
P-LPCs have up to 6 years
to complete supervision
from the date of registration.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher, the
substance of which is
professional mental health
counseling in content, from a
regionally accredited
institution, with 60 semester
hours and coursework in 8
content areas.

Experiential
Requirements
2 years/3,000 hours of postmasters supervised
experience in professional
mental health counseling under
the clinical supervision of a
board approved supervisor, to
be completed in no more than
7 years.

Applicants must receive at

least a grade of C on all postmasters counselling courses.

Hours to include:
1,900 - 2,900 hours of direct
client contact in individual or
group counseling;

All field experience courses

must be completed with a
grade of A, B, or P.
Completion of a supervised
practicum (100 hours) and a
supervised internship (300
hours) in mental health
counseling.

Counselor Intern Application

fee: $100

A maximum of 1,000 hours

additional client contact,
counseling related activities or
education at the graduate level
in the field of mental health;
and
A minimum of 100 hours of
face-to-face supervision. Only
50 hours may be group
supervision. Up to 25 of the
hours can be synchronous
videoconferencing
500 hours of supervised
experience may be gained for
each 30-graduate semester
hours beyond masters degree,
but must have no less than
2,000 hours of supervised
post-master's experience.

33

Exam
Required
NCE or
NCMHCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
MAINE
ME Board of Counseling
Professionals Licensure
#35 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
207/624-8674
888/577-6690 TTY
207/624-8637 (fax)
Associate Executive Director
Patricia Breslin

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
www.maine.gov/pfr/olr
Application fee for all licenses:
$25

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Clinical
Professional Counselor
(LCPC)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Conditional LCPC
A license granted to an
applicant for licensure as an
LCPC who has met all the
requirements except for the
supervised clinical experience;
valid for 2 years.
Conditional LPC
A license granted to an
applicant for licensure as an
LPC who has met all the
requirements except for the
supervised clinical experience;
valid for 2 years.

Educational
Requirements
LCPC / Conditional LCPC
Masters degree or higher from
a regionally accredited
institution that consists of 60
semester hours and is
CACREP accredited, or
consists of coursework in 10
core areas, 3 additional areas,
and a practicum and internship
of 900 clock hours.
LPC / Conditional LPC
Masters degree or higher from
a regionally accredited
institution that consists of 48
semester hours and is
CACREP or CORE accredited,
or consists of coursework in 10
core areas and a practicum
and internship of 600 clock
hours.

LCPC License: $250

LPC License: $250
Conditional LCPC License:
$150
Conditional LPC License: $200
Registered Counselor
biennial renewal fee: $75
Criminal Background Check:
$21

34

Experiential
Requirements
LCPC
2 years/3,000 hours of postmasters supervised clinical
counseling experience.
(4,000 if qualifying degree
did not have
practicum/internship)
To include 1,500 hours of
direct client contact and 1
hour of clinical supervision
per 30 hours of client
contact with an approved
supervisor.
LPC
2 years/2,000 hours of postmasters supervised
counseling experience.
To include 1,000 hours of
direct counseling and 67 hours
of supervision with an
approved supervisor.

Exam
Required
LCPC
NCMHCE
LPC,
Conditional
LCPC,
Conditional
LPC
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Marriage and Family

License:
$250
Pastoral License: $250

35

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
MARYLAND

MD Board of Examiners of
Professional Counselors
and Therapists
4201 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
410/764-4732
410/358-1610 (fax)

Executive Director
Tracey DeShields

WEBSITE:
www.dhmh.maryland.gov/bo
pc

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Clinical
Professional Counselor
(LCPC)

Licensed Graduate
Professional Counselor
Title used while fulfilling the
supervised clinical experience
requirement.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
professional counseling or
related field from an accredited
educational institution, with a
minimum of 60 graduate
semester hours in specific
coursework, including
completion of an alcohol and
drug counseling course and
supervised field experience.

Experiential
Requirements
3 years/3,000 hours of
supervised clinical
experience in professional
counseling (2 years/2,000
hours must be postmasters).
1,500 hours must be face-toface client contact and 100
hours minimum of face-toface clinical supervision.

OR
Doctoral degree with a
minimum of 90 graduate
semester hours in counseling
training approved by the board.

Application Processing: $75

Credentials Evaluation fee:
$25
Certification and Licensure
fee: $100

Supervision must be under a

board approved supervisor.
At least half of hours need to
be accumulated under the
supervision of an LCPC
approved by the board.
If obtained a doctoral degree:
2 years/2,000 hours of
supervised clinical experience
in professional counseling (1
year/1,000 hours must be postdoctorate).
1,000 hours must be face-toface client contact and 50
hours minimum of face-to-face
clinical supervision.
Supervision must be under a
board approved supervisor.

36

Exam
Required
NCE
and
Maryland
Professional
Counselors
and
Therapists
Act Exam

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
MASSACHUSETTS

MA Board of Registration
of Allied Mental Health
and Human Services
Professionals
100 Washington St.
Suite 710
Boston, MA 02118-6100
617/727-3080
617/727-1627 (fax)

Board Administrator Leija

Meadows
[email protected]
WEBSITE :
www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/mh

Application fee: $117

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Mental
Health Counselor
(LMHC)

Educational
Requirements
Minimum of 60 graduate
semester hours in counseling
or a related field from a
regionally accredited institution
of higher education.
This includes a minimum 48
semester credit masters
degree in mental health
counseling or a related field,
including a practicum (100
hours), an internship (600
hours), and coursework in
each of the 10 content areas
as defined by the board.
OR
Hold a current Certified Clinical
Mental Health Counselor
(CCMHC) credential issued by
NBCC.

37

Experiential
Requirements
2
years/3,360 supervised
hours of full-time
post-masters
clinical experience in mental
health counseling after
obtaining 60 graduate
semester hours.
To include 960 hours of direct
client contact (250 hours may
be group client contact) and
130 hours of supervision (75
hours must be individual
supervision and 25 hours must
be under a LMHC).
These hours practicum
do not include
pre-masters
and the
internship supervision
requirements.

Exam
Required
NCMHCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
MICHIGAN

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)

MI Board of Counseling
P.O. Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48909
517/335-0918
517/373-2179 (fax)

CONTACT:
[email protected]

Limited Licensed
Professional Counselor
(LLPC)
A limited license is issued to
those who have not yet
completed the 3,000 hour
supervised counseling
experience; valid for one year
and may be renewed.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
professional counseling from a
program that reflects the
CACREP curriculum, including
a minimum of 48 semester
hours and a 600 clock hour
internship.

Experiential
Requirements
2 years/3,000 hours of postdegree supervised counseling
experience. To include a
minimum 100 hours under the
immediate physical presence
of the supervisor. Supervision
must be under an LPC.
For persons with 30 semester
hours or 45 quarter hours
beyond the master's degree:
1 year/1,500 hours postdegree supervised experience.
To include a minimum of 50
hours under the immediate
physical presence of the
supervisor. Supervision must
be under an LPC.

WEBSITE:

www.michigan.gov/health
license

LPC License: $115

LLPC License: $80

*Supervisors of LLPCs are

required to have training in
supervision.

38

Exam
Required
NCE or
CRCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
MINNESOTA

MN Board of Behavioral
Health and Therapy
2829 University Avenue SE
Suite 210
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612/617-2178
800/627-3529 TTY
612/617-2187 (fax)

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
*

LPCC
Meet all LPC educational
requirements; and

Licensed Professional
Counselor Independent
designation*Has completed
supervision experience for LPC
licensure

In addition to, or as part of the

graduate degree in counseling
or a related field completion
of 24 graduate-level semester
credits in 6 clinical content
areas.

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.bbht.state.mn.us
Initial License Application
fee LPC/LPCC: $150
Initial License fee
LPC/LPCC:
$250

Educational
Requirements

Licensed Professional
Counselor Supervision
designation (LPC)
Working on Supervision hours
towards LPC

LPC
Masters degree or higher in
counseling or a related field
from a CACREP accredited
program or regionally
accredited institution
recognized by the Council for
Higher Education Accreditation
(CHEA), that includes a
minimum of 48 semester hours
and supervised field
experience not fewer than 700
hours that is counseling in
nature.
The degree must include
specific coursework in 10 core
content areas.

39

Experiential
Requirements
LPCC
Already has LPC credential
4,000 hours of post-masters
supervised professional
practice in the delivery of
clinical services in the
diagnosis and treatment of
mental illnesses and disorders
in both children in adults.
Supervision must comply with
the board's Supervision
Contract for LPCC Applicants.
Practice must include 1,800
hours of clinical client contact.
At least 50% of supervision
must be individual supervision.
Supervisor must have
independent CLINICAL
license.
LPC
2,000 hours of post-master's
supervised professional
practice that is acceptable to
the board OR submission of a
Supervision Plan for the first
2,000 hours of professional
practice. Supervision must be
completed in not less than 1
year and not more than 3 yrs.
Practice must include 100
hours of supervision under a
board approved supervisor.

Exam
Required
LPCC
NCMHCE
Note: ECCP
is no longer
offered by
the NBCC

LPC
NCE or other
national
exam that is
determined
by the board
to be
substantially
similar to the
NCE.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
MISSISSIPPI

MS State Board of
Examiners for Licensed
Professional Counselors
239 North Lamar St
Suite 402
Jackson, MS 39201
601/3591010
888/860-7001
662/716-3021 (fax)

Executive Director
LeeAnn Mordecai
[email protected]

CONTACT:

[email protected]

WEBSITE:
https://www.lpc.ms.gov/secu
re/index.asp

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Professional
Counselor Candidate
Applicant who has satisfied
experience and educational
requirements but still needs
to pass the exam.
A background check is
required of all candidates.

Educational
Requirements
Master's degree or educational
specialists degree in counselor
education or a related program
from a regionally or nationally
accredited college/university
program, subject to board
approval, with 60 semester
hours (or 90 quarter hours) and
completion of coursework in 10
content areas.
OR
Doctoral degree primarily in
counseling, guidance, or
related counseling field from a
regionally or nationally
accredited college/university
program, subject to board
approval, with 60 semester
hours (or 90 quarter hours) and
completion of coursework in 10
content areas.

Application packet: $10

Application fee: $100

40

Experiential
Requirements
2 years/3,500 hours of
supervised counseling
experience in a clinical setting
(1,750 hours must be postmaster's experience).
1,167 hours must be direct
counseling service to clients to
include counseling related
activities.
Minimum of 100 hours of
supervision required (50 hours
may be group supervision).
Supervision must be under an
LPC that has met the
requirements to be a MS Board
Qualified Supervisor.

Exam
Required
NCE
Will accept
the
NCMHCE but
not required

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
MISSOURI

MO Committee for
Professional Counselors
3605 Missouri Boulevard
P.O. Box 1335
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573/751-0018
800/735-2966 TTY
573/751-0735 (fax)

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Counselor-in-Training
Issued automatically when
supervision is registered and
approved and all other
requirements are met.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
counseling, counseling
psychology, clinical psychology,
or school psychology from a
regionally accredited
college/university, with at least
48 semester hours reflecting
the CACREP or CORE
curriculum and a practicum,
internship, or field experience
consisting of 6 semester hours
in the practice of counseling.

Experiential
Requirements
2 years/3,000 hours of postmasters continuous
counseling experience (full or
part-time), to be completed
within 60 months. 1,200 hours
must be direct client contact.
30 hours of post-masters
study may be substituted for
1,500 of the 3,000 hours.
If obtained a doctorate or
specialists degree:
1 year/1,500 hours of
counseling experience (full or
part-time), to be completed
within 36 months. 600 hours
must be direct client contact.

CONTACT: Loree Kessler

[email protected]

or
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

http://pr.mo.gov/couns
elors.asp

For both degree paths:

15 hours of supervised
counseling experience per
week is required, with 1 hour a
week of face-to-face
supervision. If electronic
supervision is continuously
interactive, it can count
towards required hours.
Supervision must be under an
LPC or licensed psychologist
or psychiatrist approved and
registered with the board.

Application fee: $150

Registration of Supervision fee:
$100
Background Fingerprint
Check (if done electronically
through L-1 Enrollment
Services): $52.20
www.l1id.com

41

Exam
Required
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
MONTANA

MT Board of Social Work

Examiners and
Professional Counselors
301 South Park, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 200513
Helena, MT 59620
406/841-2392
406/841-2305 (fax)

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.swpc.mt.gov
Application fee: $50
Initial License fee: $50
MT requires fingerprint and
background checks of all
applicants.

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Clinical
Professional Counselor
(LCPC)

Educational
Requirements
A 60 semester hour (or 90
quarter hour) counseling-innature graduate degree from
an accredited institution which
includes specific coursework
and a 6 semester hour
advanced counseling
practicum.
OR
Applicants may apply for
licensure with a minimum of 45
semester hours (67.5 quarter
hours) masters degree in
counseling which includes
specific coursework and a 6
semester hour advanced
counseling practicum.
Applicants must complete the
remaining hours within 5 years
of the original application
approval date. Applicants are
not eligible for full licensure nor
are they eligible to test until the
hours are completed.

42

Experiential
Requirements
3,000 hours of supervised
counseling experience, 1,500
hours of which must be postdegree.
1,000 of the 1,500 hours must
be direct client contact (250
can be group). Must have 1
hour of supervision for every
20 hours.
Supervision must be under a
licensed professional
counselor or licensed allied
mental health professional who
has had 20 clock hours of
supervision training and the
agreement has been approved
by the board.

Exam
Required
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State

Credential Title(s)

NEBRASKA

NE Board of Mental Health

Practice
P.O. Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509
402/471-0185
402/471-3577 (fax)

Program Manager Kris

Chiles

[email protected]

WEBSITE:
www.dhhs.ne.gov/crl/mhcs/
mental/mentalindex.htm
Independent Mental Health
Practitioner License: $50 (if
applicant holds an LMHP)
$155 if no LMHP
Mental Health Practitioner
License: $50
Professional Counselor
Certificate: $25
Provisional Fees:
Mental Health Practitioner
License: $25
Master Social Work Certificate:
$25
Marriage and Family Therapy
Certificate: $25

Licensed Mental Health

Practitioner-Certified
Professional Counselor or
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LMHP-CPC /
LPC) This additional
appellation is available for
LMHPs who have a graduate
degree from a CACREP
accredited program or a
program with equivalent
coursework.
Licensed Mental Health
Practitioner (LMHP)
An individual who is qualified to
engage in mental health
practice or offers or renders
mental health practice
services.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher from
an approved educational
program that is primarily
therapeutic mental health in
content, in a CACREP
accredited program or
complete equivalent
coursework,
from a regionally
accredited institution.
Completion of a practicum or
internship with a minimum of
300 clock hours of direct client
contact under the supervision
of a qualified supervisor.

Provisional Licensed Mental

Health Practitioner (PLMHP)
An individual beginning the
3,000 hour experience
requirement; valid for 5 years.

43

Experiential
Requirements
LMHP-CPC / LPC, LMHP
3,000 hours of post-master's
supervised experience in
mental health practice
accumulated during the 5
years immediately preceding
application for licensure.
To include 1,500 hours of
direct client contact (not more
than 1,500 hours of non-direct
service). Supervision must be
under an LMHP, LIMHP,
licensed psychologist, or
licensed physician with mental
health treatment training.

Exam
Required
LIMHP and
LMHP with
CPC
credential
NCE or
NCMHCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
NEVADA

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Clinical
Professional Counselor
(LCPC)

NV Board of Examiners for

Marriage & Family
Licensed Clinical
Therapists and Clinical
Professional Counselor
Professional Counselors
P.O. Box 370130
Las Vegas NV 89137-0130
702/486-7388
702/486-7258 (fax)

Executive Director
Raymond Smith, Jr.
[email protected]

Intern
Required before beginning
supervised experience after
obtaining valid masters
degree; valid for 3 years.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
mental health counseling or
community counseling from a
program approved by
CACREP, or equivalent
program of at least 48
semester hours and
completion of the minimum
required coursework, including
three semester hour courses or
four quarter hour courses in
Supervised Clinical Practice by
way of either practicum or
internship in mental health
counseling; accomplished over
a period of one academic year.

WEBSITE:
http://marriage.nv.gov/
Initial Application fee: $75
Issuance of Initial License:
$50

44

Experiential
Requirements
2 years/3,000 hours of postmasters supervised
counseling experience.
To include 1,500 hours of
direct client contact, 1,200
hours in the practice of clinical
professional counseling and
100 hours of direct supervision
under an approved supervisor
of which at least 1 hour per
week was completed for each
work setting at which the
applicant provided counseling.

Exam
Required
NCMHCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NH Board of Mental Health
Practice
121 South Fruit St.
Concord, New Hampshire
03301
603/271-6762
603/271-3950 (fax)

Executive Director
Peggy Lynch

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
http://www.nh.gov/mhpb/licenseees
.html

License Application Review

fee: $150

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Clinical Mental
Health Counselor
(LCMHC)

Educational
Requirements
All applicants shall have a
masters degree or doctoral
degree in clinical mental health
counseling from a CACREP
accredited institution OR have
a 60-credit degree in clinical
mental health counseling or its
equivalent from a program
which has received regional
accreditation from the
Association Secondary
Schools and Colleges. A
minimum of one academic year
of full-time graduate study in
mental health counseling must
be completed in residence at
the institution granting the
degree. There are 11 content
areas.
*A degree from a CACREP
accredited program will be
required beginning in 2022.

45

Experiential
Requirements
2 years/3,000 hours of paid
post-master's supervised
clinical work experience in a
mental health setting, to be
completed in no more than 5
years.
Each year shall not be less
than 1,500 clock hours.
100 hours of face-to-face
supervision provided by a
state-licensed, board
approved, mental health
professional is required.

Exam
Required
NCMHCE
and
an essay
exam
provided by
the board

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
NEW JERSEY

NJ Board of Marriage &

Family Therapy Examiners
Professional Counselor
Examiners Committee
P.O. Box 45007
Newark, NJ 07101
973/504-6415
973/648-3536 (fax)

Executive Director
Milagros B. Collazo

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
(LCMHC)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Associate
Counselor (LAC)
After acceptable documentation of the satisfaction of
the LPC educational and examination requirements,
an individual may be granted licensure as an
Associate Counselor to practice counseling under
the direct supervision of an LPC or a supervisor
acceptable to the committee.

WEBSITE:
http://www.njconsumeraffairs
.gov/mft/Pages/default.aspx

Educational
Requirements
Minimum of 60
graduate
semester hours
which includes a
master's degree
in counseling
from a regionally
accredited
institution of
higher education
(45 of the 60
graduate
semester hours
must be
distributed in 8
of the 9 defined
course content
areas).
As of April 20,
2006, an
acceptable
graduate degree
means that the
word
counseling or
the word
counselor
appears in the
title of the
graduate degree
awarded and
that the
institution
offering the
degree states in

Application fee: $75

LPC Initial License fee:
$250 if applying during 1st
year of biennial renewal
$125 if applying during 2nd
year of biennial renewal
LAC Initial License fee:
$180 if applying during 1st
year of biennial renewal
$90 if applying during 2nd
year of biennial renewal

46

Experiential
Requirements
LCMHC
Already holds an
LPC
Certification by the
Academy of
Certified Clinical
Mental Health
Counselors, or any
successor thereto;
passage of a
comprehensive
qualifying
examination
prepared by the
Academy;
evidence
satisfactory to the
committee that the
clinical mental
health counselor
has satisfied the
continuing
education
requirements of the
committee; and,
evidence
satisfactory to the
committee
that certification of
the clinical mental
health counselor
has been renewed
by the Academy
2 years/3,000 of
post-master's

Exam
Required
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

the catalog or in
another format
acceptable to
the committee
that the purpose
of the graduate
degree is to
prepare
students for the
professional
practice of
counseling.

NEW JERSEY, CONTINUED

degree supervised
field experience,
100 hours of faceto-face supervision.
LPC
3 years of full-time
supervised
counseling
experience in a
professional
counseling setting, 1
year of which may
be obtained prior to
the granting of the
master's degree.
1 year/1,500 hours
of experience may
be eliminated by
substituting 30
graduate semester
hours beyond the
master's degree. In
no case may an
applicant have less
than 1 year of postmaster's supervised
work experience.

47

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
NEW MEXICO

NM Counseling and
Therapy Practice Board
2550 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87504-5101
505/476-4610
505/476-4633 (fax)

Board Administrator
Evelyn Tapia-Barnhart
CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Clinical Mental Health
Counselor (LPCC)
Licensed Mental Health
Counselor (LMHC)
Individuals who are pursuing
the LPCC license but still need
to complete the supervised
experience requirements.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
counseling or a counseling
related field with no less than
48 graduate hours from an
accredited institution.
Related field degree must
meet the clinical core
curriculum.
Counseling related field is
mental health, community
counseling, agency counseling,
psychology, clinical
psychology, family studies, art
therapy, or education.

http://www.rld.state.nm.us/b
oards/Counseling_and_Ther
apy_Practice.aspx
Application fee: $75
Board Administrative fee:
$25
LPCC License: $220
LPC Renewal fee: $150
LMHC License: $75

48

Experiential
Requirements
2 years of postgraduate
professional clinical counseling
experience, with 3,000 hours of
clinical client contact and a
minimum of 100 hours of faceto-face supervision.
1,000 hours of clinical client
contact may come from the
applicants internship/
practicum.
Supervision must come from
an LPCC or licensed MFT,
professional art therapist,
psychiatrist, clinical
psychologist, or independent
social worker.

Exam
Required
LPCC
NCE and
NCMHCE
LMHC
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
NEW YORK

State Board for Mental

Health Practitioners
Office of the Professions
State Education Building
2nd Floor
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234-1000
518/474-3817
518/402-2323 (fax)

Executive Secretary
David Hamilton, Ph.D.

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/mhp/

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Mental Health
Counselor (LMHC)
Limited Permit
Applicants who have met all
requirements except
experience and/or exam must
apply for a 2 year permit to
practice under supervision;
may be renewed for two years,
upon new application and
permit fee.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
counseling that includes 60*
semester hours and
completion of specific
coursework.

Experiential
Requirements
3,000 hours of post-master's
supervised experience
providing mental health
counseling in a setting
acceptable to the department.

*If counseling degree was

completed prior to Jan. 1,
2010, 48 semester hours are
required.

1,500 of the hours must be

direct client contact.

Completion of a one year

supervised internship or
practicum in mental health
counseling (600 clock hours).
Completion of coursework or
training, approved by the
Education Department, in the
identification and reporting of
child abuse.

FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/NYSProf
essions
Application fee: $175
Registration fee: $196
Limited Permit fee: $70

49

Exam
Required
NCMHCE
without ESL
arrangements

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
NORTH CAROLINA

NC Board of Licensed
Professional Counselors
P.O. Box 77819
Greensboro, NC 27417
336/217-6007
336/217-9450

Board Administrator
Katrina Brent
CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
www.ncblpc.org
Application fee: $200.00
Criminal Background Check
fee: $38.00

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Professional
Counselor Associate (LPCA)
Individuals who are pursuing
the LPC license but still need
to complete the supervised
professional practice
experience requirements.
Licensed Professional
Counselor Supervisor
(LPCS)

Educational
Requirements
For applicants after 03/01/16, a
master's degree in counseling
or related field from an
institution of higher education
that is either regionally
accredited or accredited by an
organization both recognized
by the Council for Higher
Education Accreditation and
accredited by CACREP.
Applicant must meet one of the
following criteria:
a. If the applicant enrolled in
the master's program before
July 1, 2009, a minimum of 48
semester hours or a minimum
of 72 quarter credit hours.
b. If the applicant enrolled in
the master's program before
July 1, 2013, but after June 30,
2009, a minimum of 54
semester hours or 81 quarter
credit hours.
c. If the applicant enrolled in
the master's program after
June 30, 2013, a minimum of
60 semester hours or 90
quarter credit hours.
*Applicants after 7/1/2022 must
hold a masters degree from a
CACREP-accredited program.

50

Experiential
Requirements
3,000 hours of supervised
professional practice; 2,000
hours must be direct
counseling.

Exam
Required
LPC/LPCA
NCE,
NCMHCE, or
CRCE

No hours can be applied from

the practicum/internship.

and NC
jurisprudence
exam

Experience shall be gained at

a rate of no more than
40 hours per week.
100 hours of clinical
supervision required. 75 hours
must be individual supervision.
Must have a minimum of 1
hour of individual or 2 hours of
group clinical supervision for
every 40 hours of professional
practice.
Supervision shall be based on
live observation, co-therapy,
audio and video recordings,
and live supervision.
Supervisor must be approved
by the board.

LPCA NCE,
NCMHCE, or
CRCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
NORTH DAKOTA

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

ND Board of Counselor
Examiners
2112 10th Avenue SE
Mandan, ND 58554
701/667-5969
701/667-5969 (fax)

Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Full professional license after
LAPC criteria are met and
supervised experience has
been completed.

Executive Secretary
Marge Ellefson

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.ndbce.org
LPCC License: $150
LPC License: $100
LAPC License: $150

Licensed Associate
Professional Counselor
(LAPC)
A two year license which
allows for completion of the
supervised experience. A two
year plan of supervision and
passage of the NCE required.

Educational
Requirements
LPCC
Master's degree in counseling
from an accredited college or
university, including 60
semester hours, core clinical
coursework (a minimum of 15
contact hours in each of 3
categories determined by the
board), and 800 hours of
clinical training in a supervised
practicum and internship.

LPC/LAPC
Masters degree in counseling
or closely related field from an
accredited college or
university, including 48
semester hours and specific
core counseling coursework
within the masters degree.
*60 semester hours will be
required beginning in 2017.

51

Experiential
Requirements
LPCC
Must already possess the 1stlevel LPC credential; and
2 years/3,000 hours of postmasters supervised clinical
counseling experience in a
clinical setting.

Exam
Required
LPCC
NCMHCE
and a
videotaped
clinical
counseling
session of at
least 30
minutes

Experience to include 100

hours of direct supervision (60
hours must be individual, faceto-face supervision) by a board
approved supervisor.
LPC
400 hours of direct client
counseling contact during the
2-year LAPC supervisory
period.
Experience to include 100
hours of direct supervision (60
hours must be individual, faceto-face supervision) by a board
approved supervisor.

LPC/LAPC
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
OHIO

OH Counselor, Social
Worker, and Marriage &
Family Therapist Board
77 South High St.
24th Floor
Room 2468
Columbus, OH 43215-6171
614/466-0912
614/728-7790 (fax)

CONTACT :
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

cswmft.ohio.gov
LPCC License: $75
LPC License: $60

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
counseling from a CACREPaccredited program,

Professional Counselor/
Clinical Resident (CR)
Title used while completing the
3,000 hours of supervised
experience required for the
LPCC license.

Graduates of a Non-CACREP
program must submit their
transcripts for evaluation and
approval by the Counselor
Professional Standards
Committee.

Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Title used after completing
coursework including
practicum and internship.

Beginning 1/1/18, all in-state

applicants must hold a degree
from a CACREP-accredited
program; out-of-state
applicants with Non-CACREP
degrees may continue to
submit transcripts for
evaluation and approval.

Registered Counselor
Trainee (RCT)
Title used while enrolled in a
practicum or internship in a
counselor education program.

100 hour practicum and

600 hour internship required.

Registered Counselor
Trainee: no fee

52

Experiential
Requirements
LPCC
Must already possess the 1stlevel LPC credential; and
2 years/3,000 hours of postmasters clinical counseling
experience under the
supervision of an LPCC
holding the supervision
credential. 50% must be
clinical experience
The supervision must include
the diagnosis and treatment of
mental and emotional
disorders; 50% of the time
must be face-to-face contact
delivering clinical counseling
services. Supervisor will fill out
an evaluation to evaluate
competence to diagnose and
treat mental and emotional
disorders

Exam
Required
LPCC
NCMHCE
LPC
NCE
And OH
jurisprudence
exam

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
OKLAHOM A

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)

OK State Board of
Behavioral Health
Licensure
1000 N.E. 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
405/522-3696
405/522-3691 (fax)

Executive Director Eric

Ashmore
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.ok.gov/behavioral
health/

Licensed Professional
Counselor Candidate (LPCcandidate)
an individual may be granted
licensure as Licensed
Professional Counselor
Candidate to practice
counseling under the direct
supervision of an approved
LPC supervisor

Educational
Requirements
Master's degree or higher in
counseling or a related mental
health field, with 60 graduate
semester hours (or 90 quarter
hours) from a regionally
accredited college/university.
Completion of coursework in
10 areas and a counseling
practicum/internship of 300
clock hours.
The board will define what
qualifies as counseling related.

Experiential
Requirements
3 years/3,000 hours of fulltime post-application
professional counseling
experience supervised by an
approved LPC Supervisor.
For each 1,000 hours, 350
hours must be direct face-toface contact.
Face-to-face supervision must
be 45 minutes for every 20
hours of experience.
Up to 2 years of required
experience may be gained at a
rate of 1 year for each 30graduate semester hours
beyond the masters degree,
provided that such hours are
clearly related to the field of
counseling and acceptable to
the board. The applicant shall
have no less than 1 year of
supervised full-time
experience in counseling.

Application fee: $145

Initial License fee: $90

53

Exam
Required
NCE
and
Oklahoma
Legal & Ethical
Responsibilities
Exam (as
pertains to
LPCs)

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
OREGON

OR Board of Licensed
Professional Counselors
and Therapists
3218 Pringle Road SE
Suite 250
Salem, OR 97302-6312
503/378-5499
503/373-1427 (fax)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Becky Eklund
[email protected]

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
www.oregon.gov/oblpct

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Registered Intern
An applicant registered to
obtain post-degree supervised
work experience toward
licensure.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
counseling, with 48 semester
hours (or 72 quarter hours) in a
CACREP or
or CORE
accredited
program,
the content
equivalent, from a regionally
accredited institution.
Completion of an internship/
practicum consisting of 600
clock hours.
If Graduating after October 1,
2014:
Masters degree or higher in
counseling, with 60 semester
hours (or 90 quarter hours) in a
CACREP or CORE accredited
program, or the content
equivalent, from a regionally
accredited institution.

Application fee: $125

Experiential
Requirements
3 years of full-time supervised
experience in counseling, to
include 2,400 hours of direct
client contact.
The supervision must take
place concurrently with the
direct client contact hours and
must total no less than 2 hours
of supervision for months
where 45 or less direct client
contact hours are completed;
or total no less than 3 hours of
supervision for months where
46 or more direct client contact
hours are completed. Up to
75% of the individual
supervision can be electronic
and 50% of total supervision
can be group.
An approved supervisor must
provide supervision.
600 (from 48 credit hours) or
700 (from 60 credit hours)
client contact hours may be
obtained during the clinical
portion of the qualifying degree
program.

54

Exam
Required
NCE,
NCMHCE,
CRCE, or
other exam,
as approved
by the board
and
Oregon Law
and Rules
Exam

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
PENNSYLVANIA

PA State Board of Social

Workers, Marriage &
Family Therapists and
Professional Counselors
P.O Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
717/783-1389
717/787-7769 (fax)

Board Administrator
Sandra Matter

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.dos.pa.gov/
Application and Initial License
fee: $45

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)

Educational
Requirements
Successful completion of a
planned program of 60
semester hours (or 90 quarter
hours) of graduate coursework
in counseling or a field closely
related to the practice of
professional counseling,
including a 48 semester hour
(or 72 quarter hour) masters
degree in professional
counseling or in a field closely
related to the practice of
professional counseling.

Experiential
Requirements
3 years/3,600 hours of
supervised clinical experience
after completing 48 graduatelevel credits (or 72 quarter
hours). (Have to complete at
least 600 hours a year and no
more than 1,800 a year)
If obtained a doctoral degree in
counseling: 2 years/2,400
hours of supervised clinical
experience. 1 year/ 1,200
hours must be obtained postdegree.

OR
Doctoral degree in counseling
or in a field closely related to
the practice of professional
counseling.
AND for both:
Completion of coursework in 9
core areas including a
supervised practicum (100
hours) and internship (600
hours). The supervised
internship experience shall
begin after completion of the
supervised practicum
experience.

55

Supervision must be provided

by a qualified supervisor. At
least 1,800 hours must be
completed under an LPC that
has 5 years of experience
within the last 10 years as a
professional counselor. There
should be 2 hours of
supervision for every 40 hours
of client hours.
The remaining hours may be
completed under an individual
that holds a license and has at
least a masters degree in a
related field and 5 years of
experience within the last 10
years in that field.

Exam
Required
Any ONE of
the
following:
NCE
CRCE
ATCB
CBMT
PEPK
AAODA
EMAC

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
PUERTO RICO

PR Office of Regulation
and Certification of Health
Professionals
Board of Examiners of
Professional Counselors
P.O. Box 10200
Santurce, PR 00908-0200
787/782-8980 ext. 6602
787/724-2971 (fax)

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Professional Counselor with
Provisional License (PCPL)
Person who is granted a
temporary/provisional
authorization by the board to
offer counseling services under
supervision to meet the
experience requirement; valid
for 3 years.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
counseling from an institution
accredited by the Council of
Higher Education of Puerto
Rico45 credit hours required.
Specific coursework required in
8 out of 10 areas.

Executive Director
Norma I. Garcia-Martinez

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.salud.gov.pr
LPC License: $30
PCPL License: $30

56

Experiential
Requirements
Completion of a minimum of
500 hours post-masters
practice supervised by a
Certified Mentor.
Upon approval of the exam
required, the board shall issue
a provisional license.

Exam
Required
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
RHODE ISLAND

RI Board of Mental Health

Counselors and Marriage
& Family Therapists
3 Capitol Hill
Room 104
Providence, RI 02908-5097
401/222-2828
401/222-1272 (fax)

CONTACT: Arlene
Hartwell
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
http://health.ri.gov/licensing/
healthcare/#mental
Application fee: $460

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Clinical
Mental Health Counselor
(LCMHC)

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher
specializing in counseling/
therapy from a college/
university accredited by the
New England Association of
Schools & Colleges or an
equivalent regional accrediting
agency.
OR
Masters degree, certificate in
advanced graduate studies, or
doctoral degree in mental
health counseling or allied field
from a recognized educational
institution.
AND for both:
Completion of 60 semester
hours (or 90 quarter hours)
(Masters must be 48 semester
hours or 72 quarter hours)
within the graduate counseling/
therapy program, coursework in
8 core areas, a supervised
practicum (12 semester hours),
and one calendar year of a
supervised internship
consisting of 20 hours per
week in counseling.

57

Experiential
Requirements
2 years/2,000 hours of postmaster's direct client contact
offering clinical or counseling
or therapy services with
emphasis in mental health
counseling.
To include 100 hours of postmaster's supervised case work
spread over a 2 year period.
Supervision must be under a
board approved supervisor.

Exam
Required
NCMHCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
SOUTH CAROLINA

SC Board of Examiners for

Licensure of Professional
Counselors, Marriage &
Family Therapists, and
Psycho-Educational
Specialists
P.O. Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29211-1329

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Professional Counselor
Intern (LPC/I)
An applicant who has met the
education and exam
requirements, but not the 2
years supervised experience
requirement.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
professional counseling or
related discipline from a
regionally accredited institution
that includes at least 48
graduate hours, coursework in
10 content areas, and a 150
hour supervised counseling
practicum.

803/896-4662
803/896-4719 (fax)

Experiential
Requirements
Must already possess the 1stlevel LPC/I credential; and
2
years/1,500 supervised
hours of full-time
post-masters
clinical experience in the
practice of professional
counseling.
The 1,500 hours must be direct
counseling with individuals,
couples, families, or groups.
A minimum of 150 hours of the
1,500 hours must be clinical
supervision provided by a
board approved LPC
supervisor (100 hours must be
individual supervision).

WEBSITE:

www.llr.state.sc.us/pol
/counselors
To obtain an application for
licensure please contact the
Center for Credentialing and
Education (CCE), an affiliate
of NBCC, at: 888/817-8283
[email protected]
www.cce-global.org
Application fee: $170

58

Exam
Required
NCE or
NCMHCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State

Credential Title(s)

Licensed Professional
Counselor Mental Health
SD Board of Examiners for (LPC-MH)
SOUTH DAKOTA

Counselors and Marriage &

Family Therapists
P.O. Box 2164
Sioux Falls, SD 57101-2164
605/331-2927

Executive Director
Joyce M. Vos

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher with
an emphasis in mental health
counseling from a CACREP
accredited program, or
equivalent program from an
accredited institution that
includes specific coursework
and a supervised practicum
(100 hours) and internship
(600 hours).
48 semester hours required
for LPC licensure; 60
semester hours or completion
of all required coursework for
LPC-MH licensure.

http://dss.sd.gov/licensing
boards/examiners.aspx

LPC-MH Application fee: $100

LCP-MH Initial Licensure fee:
$75

Experiential
Requirements
LPC-MH
Must already possess the 1stlevel LPC credential; and
2 years/2,000 hours of postmasters direct client contact
in a clinical setting and 100
hours of direct supervision, at
least 50 hours of which shall
be face-to-face.
1,000 hours of post-masters
direct client contact hours and
50 hours of face-to-face
supervision earned under the
LPC credential may be
counted toward these
requirements if LPC-MH
supervision conditions were
met.
LPC
2,000 hours of post-masters
counseling experience, with
800 hours of direct client
contact and 100 hours of
direct supervision, at least 50
hours of which shall be faceto-face.

LPC Application fee: $100

LPC Initial Licensure fee: $100

59

Exam
Required
LPC-MH
NCMHCE

LPC
NCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
TENNESSEE

State of Tennessee Dept.

of Health Bureau of
Related Boards

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor-Mental Health
Service Provider
(LPC/MHSP)

665 Mainstream Dr.

Nashville, TN 37243
615/532-5088
615/532-5369 (fax)

Executive Director
Teddy Wilkins

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
http://tennessee.gov/health/t
opic/pcmft-board
LPC with/without MHSP
designation: $200

Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)

Educational
Requirements
LPC/MHSP
In additiondegree
to, or as
part of the
graduate
completion
of 9 graduate semester hours
of coursework related to
diagnosis, treatment,
appraisal, and assessment of
mental disorders.
LPC
60 graduate semester hours in
professional counseling or a
related field from an institution
accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges &
Schools, CACREP, or a
comparable accrediting body,
which includes a master's
degree in professional
counseling and a supervised
500 hour practicum or
internship (300 hours of which
must be completed in a clinical
setting).

MHSP Upgrade fee: $85

Temporary License: $150
State Registration fee: $10
Background Fingerprint
Check: $56

60

Experiential
Requirements
LPC/MHSP
2 years of post-masters
professional experience
consisting of 3,000 hours of
direct clinical experience (not
less than 10 hours per week)
1,500 hours have to be direct
client contact and 1,500 hours
need to be clinically based.
Must have 150 hours of
supervision
LPC
2 years of post-masters
professional experience
consisting of 3,000 hours of
direct clinical experience (not
less than 10 hours per week)
*As of January 31, 2013,
Supervisors had to be licensed
for 5 years, conform to section
F of the ACA Code of Ethics,
and have at least 12 clock
hours of supervision training

Exam
Required
LPC/MHSP
NCE,
NCMHCE,
and TN
Jurispruden
ce Exam

LPC
NCE and the
TN
Jurispruden
ce Exam

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
TEXAS

TX State Board of
Examiners of Professional
Counselors
P.O. Box 149347
MC 1982
Austin, TX 78714
512/834-6658
512/834-6677 (fax)

Executive Director
Bobbe Alexander

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
www.dshs.state.tx.us/counselor

Application fee: $200

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Professional
Counselor Intern
(LPC-Intern)
An applicant practicing under
supervision; valid for 5 years.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
professional counseling or
related field from an accredited
college/university consisting of
48 graduate semester hours.
Completion of specific
coursework and a 300 clock
hour supervised practicum with
at least 100 hours of direct
client contact.
Counseling related field: a
mental health discipline
utilizing human development,
psychotherapeutic, and mental
health principles including, but
not limited to, psychology,
psychiatry, social work,
marriage and family therapy,
and guidance and counseling.
Non-counseling related fields
include, but are not limited to,
sociology, education,
administration, dance therapy
and theology.
*60 semester hours will be
required beginning in 2017.

61

Experiential
Requirements
3,000 hours of post-master's
supervised experience,
including 1,500 hours of direct
client contact.
Supervision must be under a
board approved LPC.

Exam
Required
NCE
and
Texas
Jurisprudence
Exam

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
UTAH

UT Division of
Occupational and
Professional Licensing
P.O. Box 146741
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741
801/530-7632
801/530-6511 (fax)

Bureau Manager
Dane Ishihara

CONTACT:

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Clinical Mental
Health Counselor (LCMHC)
Licensed Associate Clinical
Mental Health Counselor
(LACMHC Credential required
before starting the supervised
experience requirement; valid
for 3 years.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
mental health counseling from
a CACREP accredited
program, including a minimum
of 60 graduate semester hours
(or 90 quarter hours) in specific
coursework.
A minimum of 3 semester
hours or 4 quarter hours of a
practicum.
A minimum of 6 semester
hours or 9 quarter hours of an
internship.

[email protected]

WEBSITE:
http://dopl.utah.gov/index.ht
ml

LPC Application fee: $120

CPC Intern Application fee:
$85

62

Experiential
Requirements
Must already possess the
LACMHC
4,000 hours of post-masters
supervised professional
counseling experience.
1,000 hours must be
supervised experience in
mental health therapy.
100 hours of face-to-face
supervision required.
Supervision must be under a
licensed mental health
therapist on site on with a
contract.

Exam
Required
NCE,
NCMHCE,
and the Utah
Professional
Counselor
Law, Rules
and Ethics
Exam

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
VERMONT

VT Board of Allied Mental

Health Practitioners
89 Main Street
3rd Floor
Montpellier, VT 05620-3402
802/828-1505
802/828-2465 (fax)

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Clinical
Mental Health Counselor
(LCMHC)

Educational
Requirements
Master's degree or higher in
counseling from an accredited
institution, with a minimum of
60 semester hours and 700
hours of a supervised
practicum, internship, or field
experience in a clinical mental
health setting. (Masters
degree
must
be 48 semester
hours and
CACREP
equivalent.)

Executive Director

Experiential
Requirements
2 years/3,000 hours of postmaster's experience in clinical
mental health counseling,
including 2,000 hours of direct
client contact.
100 hours of face-to-face
supervision required.
Supervision should be 1 hour
per 30 client hours and 50
must be individual supervision
Supervision must be under a
board approved licensed
mental health professional.

Colin Benjamin

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
http://vtprofessionals.org

Application fee: $125

63

Exam
Required
NCE and
NCMHCE
And VT
Jurisprudence
exam

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
VIRGINIA

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)

VA Board of Counseling
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, VA 23233
804/367-4610
804/527-4435 (fax)

Acting Executive Director

Jaime Hoyle

CONTACT:
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
www.dhp.virginia.gov/couns
eling/

Licensed Professional
Counselor resident (LPCresident)
An applicant practicing under
supervision

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
counseling that includes 60
semester hours (or 90 quarter
hours) of graduate study in
counseling.
Completion of a supervised
internship consisting of at least
600 hours. Must include 240
hours of direct client contact.
Programs that are approved by
CACREP or CORE are
recognized as meeting the
definition of graduate degree
programs that prepare.
individuals to practice
counseling and counseling
treatment intervention

Initial Registration of
Supervision: $50
Application and Initial
Licensure fee: $140

64

Experiential
Requirements
3400 hours of postgraduate
supervised counseling
experience, including 2,000
hours of direct client contact.*
200 hours of supervision
required (100 hours must be
under the supervision of an
LPC approved by the board).
Graduate level internship hours
in excess of 600 hours may
count towards the 3400 hours,
up to 300 hours.

Exam
Required
NCMHCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
WASHINGTON

WA Licensed Mental
Health Counselors,
Marriage & Family
Therapists and Social
Workers Advisory
Committee

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Mental
Health Counselor (LMHC)

360/236-4700
360/236-4818 (fax)

Licensed Mental Health

Counselor Associate
(LMHCA)*
A pre-licensure candidate who
has a graduate degree in
mental health counseling or
related field and is working
toward meeting the supervised
experience requirements (may
renew annually up to 6 times)

Executive Director

P.O. Box 47852

Olympia, WA 98504

Nancy Tyson
[email protected]

Educational
Requirements
LMHC/LMHCA
Masters degree or higher in
mental health counseling or
related field from a regionally
accredited college or university
that includes a supervised
counseling practicum or
internship. Individuals who are
certified as NCC or CCMHC
are considered to meet
educational requirements.
ALL professionals must
complete 4 hours of HIV/AIDS
education and training.

WEBSITE:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/License
sPermitsandCertificates/Profes
sionsNewReneworUpdate

LMHC Application fee: $150

LMHC Initial License fee: $125
LMHCA Application fee: $50
Certified Counselor application
and certification fee: $110
Examination or re-examination
fee: $85
Certified Adviser application

65

Experiential
Requirements
LMHC
3 years of full-time counseling
or 3,000 hours of postgraduate
supervised mental health
counseling in an approved
setting.
To include 1,200 hours of direct
counseling with individuals,
couples, groups, or families
and 100 hours of immediate
supervision by a board
approved supervisor.
Graduates from CACREPaccredited programs can count
up to 50 hours of supervision
and 500 hours of experience
from their practicum/internship.

Exam
Required
LMHC
NCE or
NCMHCE
LMHCA
None

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

and certification fee: $80
Examination or re-examination
fee: $85
Agency Affiliated Counselor
application and registration fee:
$50

66

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
WEST VIRGINIA

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)

WV Board of Examiners in
Counseling
812 Quarrier Street, Suite 212
Charleston, WV 25301
304/558-5494
304/558-5496 (fax)

Executive Director
Jean Ann Johnson

CONTACT:
Roxanne Clay
[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.wvbec.org
Application fee: $200
Initial License fee: depends on
date applicant is licensed

Provisional Licensed
Professional
Counselor
An applicant who has met the
education and exam
requirements, but not the 2
years supervised experience
requirement

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher from
a program accredited by
CACREP or CORE, or a
comparable accrediting body,
that includes 60 graduate
semester hours (or 90 quarter
hours) and a practicum and
internship.
Acceptable graduate degrees
include a specialization in
community agency counseling,
mental health counseling,
pastoral counseling,
rehabilitation counseling,
school counseling, and
substance abuse or addictions
counseling.
Similar degrees that include
the word counseling and
include specific coursework,
and are determined by the
board to be a closely related
field, are also acceptable.

67

Experiential
Requirements
Must already possess
provisional license
2 years/3,000 hours of postmasters supervised
professional counseling
experience.
If obtained a doctoral degree:
1 year/1,500 hours of postdegree supervised professional
counseling experience.
At least 50% of the supervised
counseling experience must be
in the direct provision of
counseling services to clients.
A minimum of 1 hour of direct
individual supervision is
required for every 20 hours of
practice.
Supervision must be under a
board approved professional.

Exam
Required
NCE, CRCE,
or NCMHCE

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
WISCONSIN

WI Examining Board of
Marriage & Family
Therapists, Professional
Counselors, and Social
Workers
P.O. Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708
608/266-2112
608/261-7083 (fax)

Executive Director Dan

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Professional
Counselor Trainee An
applicant who has completed
the degree requirements but
not the supervised
experience; valid for 48
months.

Educational
Requirements
Masters degree or higher in
professional counseling, or
equivalent program approved
by the board, from a regionally
accredited institution that
includes a minimum of 42
semester hours (or 63 quarter
hours).
3 semester hours of
Counseling Theories and 3
semester hours of a
supervised counseling
practicum are required.

Williams
[email protected]

WEBSITE:
http://drl.wi.gov/prof/coun/de
f.htm
Application and Initial
Licensure fee: $147
(includes $57 state law exam
fee)
Professional Counselor
Training License: $75

68

Experiential
Requirements
2 years/3,000 hours of postmaster's supervised
professional counseling
practice, including 1,000 hours
of face-to-face client contact.

Exam
Required
NCE, CRCE,
or equivalent
exam
approved by
the board

Supervision must include one

hour per week of face-to-face
supervision and must be
provided by a board approved
mental health professional.

and
Wisconsin
Jurisprudence
Exam

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
WYOMING

WY Mental Health
Professions Licensing
Board
2001 Capitol Ave.
Room 104
Cheyenne, WY 82002
307/777-3628
307/777-3508 (fax)

Credential Title(s)
Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)
Provisional Professional
Counselor (PPC)
An applicant who has received
a masters degree, but has not
passed the NCE exam or
completed the supervised
experience requirement; valid
for 36 months.

Educational
Requirements
Master's degree or higher in
counseling, with a minimum of
60 semester hours (or 90
quarter hours) from a CACREP
or CORE accredited program,
or a regionally accredited
college or university which
meets the CACREP criteria
for coursework, instructor
qualification and supervision.

Executive Director
Michelle M. Lamorie
Michelle.lamorie@w yo.gov
w yomhplb@w yo.gov

WEBSITE:
http://mentalhealth.wyo.gov
/

LPC Reciprocal Application

fee: $350
LPC by Completing
Provisional: $200
PPC Application fee: $150

69

Experiential
Requirements
3,000
hours ofclinical
supervised
post-masters
experience. (1,200 must be
direct client contact and 100
hours must be face-to-face
supervision.
Supervision must be provided
by a licensed mental health
professional.

Exam
Required
NCE,
NCMHCE, or
CRCE,

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

ABBREVIATIONS
AAODA:

The Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor Examination (administered by the
International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Inc.)

ATCB:

The Art Therapy Credentials Board Certification Examination

CACREP

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (an organizational affiliate
of ACA that provides professional counselor-training accreditation)

CBMT:

The Certification Board for Music Therapists Examination

CCMHC

Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (an NBCC professional counseling specialty title; not a
required credential)

CORE

Council on Rehabilitation Education (an independent rehabilitation counselor-training accreditation

board)

CRC

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (a CRCC professional counseling specialty title; not a required
credential)

CRCC

Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (an independent, non-governmental rehabilitation

counselor-credentialing board)

CRCE

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (administered by CRCC for the certification of

rehabilitation counselors; also administered by some states for their own credentialing process as an
alternative to their clinically oriented exam)

EMAC:

The Examination for Master Addictions Counselors (administered by NBCC)

NBCC

National Board for Certified Counselors (an independent, non-governmental professional counselorcredentialing board and an organizational affiliate of ACA)

70

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

NCE

National Counselor Examination (administered by NBCC for national certification of professional

counselors; also used by most states for their own credentialing process)

NCMHCE

National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (administered by NBCC for national
certification of clinical mental health counselors; also used by some states for their own credentialing
process)

PEPK:

The Practice Examination of Psychological Knowledge (administered by the North American

Association of Masters in Psychology)

71

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

APPENDIX A:
Clinical Supervisor Requirements

72

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State

Credential Title

Requirements for Clinical Supervisors

Alabama

Licensed Professional
Counselor (LPC)

Licensed as a professional counselor with 5 years of full-time (20+ hours/week) clinical experience
and successful completion of academic courses specific to supervision of counselors: 30 hours of
board approved supervision-of-supervision OR 24 hours of board approved supervisory workshop
training OR hold supervision certification issued by certain clinical associations. Supervisor must
be approved by the board before hours accrued can be counted.

Alaska

LPC

Five years of counseling experience as a licensed professional counselor, marriage and family
therapist, clinical social worker, psychologist or psychological associate, physician, or advanced
nurse practitioner who is certified to provide psychiatric or mental health services, and completion
of at least six contact hours of continuing education related to supervision of mental health
professionals within the two years preceding the date of application. Supervisor must be approved
by the board.

Arizona

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker,
psychologist, or an allopathic or osteopathic medical doctor with a specialty in psychiatry, and 12
clock hours of continuing education in four defined categories. Clinical supervision training
requirements can be waived if the clinical supervisor holds the NBCC recognized Approved
Clinical Supervision (ACS) credential issued through the Center for Credentialing & Education, Inc.
(CCE). 6 CEUs in supervision required every licensure renewal period.

Arkansas

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor for 3 years. Hold a doctorate in counseling that included
coursework and experience in supervision OR completed an advanced 3 hour graduate course in
clinical supervision specific to counseling which included 18 hours of supervised experience in
supervision. Must hold the Supervision Specialization License. 1 CEU in supervision required
each year (2 CEUs every licensure renewal period).

California

Licensed Professional
Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

Licensed as a professional clinical counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical psychologist,
clinical social worker, or physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American
Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with two years of clinical experience and has received
professional training in supervision, has not provided therapeutic services to the clinical counselor
trainee or intern and has a current and valid license that is not under suspension or probation.

73

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State

Credential Title

Requirements for Clinical Supervisors

Colorado

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker,
psychologist, medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy that completed a residency in psychiatry, all
licensed in jurisdiction at time of supervision OR person who at time of supervision possesses the
same education, experience and training as that necessary to adequately supervise an LPC.*As of
July 20, 2012 electronic supervision is permitted: The initial two hour supervision meeting must be
face-to-face and supervisor and supervisee must meet face-to-face every 6 months. Electronic
supervision must be audio and visual in nature.

Connecticut

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker,
psychologist, advanced practice registered nurse with a specialty in mental health, or physician
with a specialty in psychiatry.

Delaware

Licensed Professional
Counselor of Mental
Health (LPCMH)

Licensed as a professional counselor of mental health. (If a DE LPCMH is not available, other
licensed mental health practitioners can be supervisors, but it must be approved by the board)

District of
Columbia

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or independent clinical social

worker, licensed in a jurisdiction of the United States during the supervised period.

Florida

Licensed Mental Health

Counselor (LMHC)

Georgia

LPC

Licensed as a mental health counselor with at least 5 years post-master's clinical experience and
completion of a supervisory training course.
"As of October 17, 2010 Rule 64B4 3.0085 was adopted regarding qualified supervisors. Prior to
changing or adding another qualified supervisor, the registered intern must.
(A) Request that the new supervisor must submit a letter to the Board with the registered interns
name, the interns license number, the supervisors name, the supervisors license number, and a
statement that he or she has agreed to provide supervision to the registered intern, and
(B) Receive a communication from the Board indicating its approval of the new supervisor.
Experience obtained under the new qualified supervisor will not count toward the completion of the
experience requirement until the registered intern has received board approval of their new
qualified supervisor."
Licensed as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker,
psychologist, or psychiatrist, and if holds a masters degree must have at least 3 years postlicensure experience; if holds a specialist degree must have at least 2 years post-licensure
experience; or if holds a doctoral degree must have at least 1 year post-licensure experience.
*proposed change for Dec 6, 2013 that supervisors must have the Approved Clinical Supervisor
(ACS) or LPCAGA credential

74

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State

Credential Title

Requirements for Clinical Supervisors

Hawaii

LMHC

Licensed as a mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, clinical social
worker, advanced practice registered nurse with a specialty in mental health, or physician with a
specialty in psychiatry.

Idaho

Licensed Clinical
Professional Counselor
(LCPC)

Effective July 1, 2004 licensed counselors shall be registered with the Board in order to provide
postgraduate supervision for those individuals pursuing licensure in Idaho as a counselor.

Illinois

LCPC

Indiana

LMHC

Licensed as a clinical professional counselor, clinical social worker, clinical psychologist, or

psychiatrist.
Counselor educator or licensed as a mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist,
clinical social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, or a clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or
mental health nursing.

Iowa

LMHC

Licensed as a mental health counselor with at least 3 years of post-licensure clinical experience
OR be approved by NBCC as a supervisor OR may be an alternate supervisor who possesses
qualifications equivalent to an LMHC with at least 3 years of post-licensure clinical experience,
including mental health professionals licensed. and practice independently. Up to 75% of
supervision hours can be distance, but no more than 50% can be by telephone.

Kansas

LCPC

Licensed as a clinical professional counselor for at least 2 years, 4,000 hours in a clinical setting,
1,500 hours of direct client supervision, and 150 hours of supervision.

75

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State
Kentucky

Credential Title
LPCC

Requirements for Clinical Supervisors

Licensed as a professional clinical counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, clinical
social worker, psychiatrist, or a nurse with a masters degree and psychiatric certification, for at
least 2 years. Supervisor must be approved by the board.

Louisiana

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor with at least 5 years experience (2 years must be postlicensure experience) and completion of a 25 hour workshop that meets the standards set by the
Board or a graduate level course (45 hours) in supervision. Beginning November 8, 2013, A
licensed mental health professional (e.g. LPC, LMFT, LCSW), not necessarily the board approved
supervisor, must be employed in the professional setting in which the counselor intern is
rendering counseling services and be available for case consultation and processing. Also, 25
hours of the required 100 supervision hours can be synchronous videoconferencing. Supervisor
must accrue 3 clock hours (of the required 40 clock hours of continuing education) in supervision.

Maine

LCPC

Licensed as a clinical professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, pastoral counselor,
master social worker conditional (clinical), clinical social worker, certified social-workerindependent practice, psychologist, or psychiatrist, not under suspension or probation, who is
approved to provide supervision to the conditional licensee through meeting one of the following
additional criteria: licensed practice for a minimum period of 5 years (not more than 2 years of
practice as an entry-level conditional licensee), certification by a national professional
organization in training and/or supervision, or 30 contact hours of training in supervision.

Maryland

LCPC

Licensed as a clinical professional counselor or licensed as another health care provider under
the Health Occupations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist,
clinical social worker, or psychiatrist nurse. As of August 2012, at least half of required supervised
clinical hours must be obtained under an LCPC approved by the board.

Massachusetts

LMHC

Licensed as a mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, independent clinical social
worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, or a licensed mental health practitioner that has a doctoral
degree in clinical counseling or developmental psychology, with at least 5 years of post-master's
clinical experience, successful completion of supervised clinical experience and has passed the
NCMHCE. Massachusetts does require the supervisor to be onsite or to have a contract with the
practice location.

76

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State

Credential Title

Michigan

LPC

Minnesota

LPCC

Requirements for Clinical Supervisors

Licensed as a professional counselor with training in the function of supervision.
Effective January 1, 2013: minimum 3 years of practice; completed supervision training - shall
include both (a) Include 1 of the following as specialized training: (i) 2 semester hours of graduate
credit in training in counseling supervision. (ii) 30 contact hours of workshop training in
counseling supervision.
Licensed
asby
a professional
clinical
counselor,
or other
qualified
supervisor
determined
the board, with
at least
4 years psychologist,
of post-masters
counseling
experience
(2as
years
must be post-licensure experience in the delivery of clinical services in the diagnosis and
treatment of mental illnesses and disorders) and completion of 45 clock hours (may be obtained
from graduate courses, seminars, workshops, online training, etc. The supervisor must complete
and submit the appropriate form(s). Please note that supervisor requirements can vary based on
a number of factors, including when the supervision occurred. Supervisors should visit the
boards supervision webpage to determine their requirements:
http://www.bbht.state.mn.us/Supervisors/LPCandLPCCSupervisors/tabid/1158/Default.aspx
LPCC applicants must have a supervisor who has an independent CLINICAL license

Mississippi

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor approved by the board with at least 5 years of counseling
experience (2 years must be post-licensure experience) and successful completion of a 3
semester hour (37.5 clock hours) graduate course in counselor supervision or a CE course
consisting of 30 clock hours of training.

Missouri

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist for at least 2 years and training
and experience in counseling and in supervisory activities involving counseling with a resume or
vitae detailing coursework, supervision training, and experience as a supervisor. Supervisor must
be approved and registered with the board and the supervision agreement must be approved by
the board.

Montana

LCPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Supervisor

must have board approved supervision training, either 1 semester hour or 20 clock hours.

Nebraska

Licensed Independent
Mental Health Practitioner
(LIMHP)

Licensed as an independent mental health practitioner, psychologist, or physician with mental

health treatment training.

77

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State

Credential Title

Requirements for Clinical Supervisors

Nevada

LCPC

The composition of these required hours must meet Board approval. The registered Intern must
perform the following activities in order to fulfill the requirements:
-A minimum of 1500 direct client contact hours, performed after applicant has become a
Registered Intern.
-300 hours of supervision, including a minimum of 160 provided by an Approved supervisor, and
a minimum of 40 hours provided by a secondary supervisor(s).
The remaining required hours may be met in the same way, up to the required minimum total
hours; or the following activities may be submitted for consideration by the Board as fulfillment of
the requirements:
-A maximum of 300 hours as a group facilitator.
-A maximum of 150 hours of personal therapy, documented by a licensed mental health
therapist.
-A maximum of 200 hours of documented teaching by the intern in such formats as parent
education, family education, workshops, or similar teaching activities, to be agreed upon by the
Primary Supervisor.
-A maximum of 50 hours, documented, in additional training, such as university graduate work, a
pre-approved workshop, or other training/education activities agreed upon by the Primary
Supervisor.
-A maximum of 500 hours of direct client contact, performed in a graduate program of study,
documented, with supervision of at least 100 hours provided by a University Supervisor."

New Hampshire

Licensed Clinical Mental

Health Counselor
(LCMHC)

The 2 years of post-masters individual face to face supervision must be completed by a licensed
clinical mental health counselor (psychologist, social worker, pastoral psychotherapist and
marriage and family counselor no longer allowed).

New Jersey

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, clinical social
worker, physician practicing in the field of psychiatry, or any other supervisor acceptable to the
Committee who has qualifications similar to these licensed professionals.

New Hampshire

Licensed Clinical Mental

Health Counselor
(LCMHC)

The 2 years of post-masters individual face to face supervision must be completed by a licensed
clinical mental health counselor (psychologist, social worker, pastoral psychotherapist and
marriage and family counselor no longer allowed).

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State

Credential Title

Requirements for Clinical Supervisors

New Jersey

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, clinical social
worker, physician practicing in the field of psychiatry, or any other supervisor acceptable to the
Committee who has qualifications similar to these licensed professionals.

New Mexico

Licensed Professional
Clinical Mental Health
Counselor (LPCC)

Licensed as a professional clinical counselor, marriage and family therapist, art therapist,
psychologist, psychiatrist, or independent social worker and must have education and experience
in a clinical mental health setting. 3 CEUs in supervision required each licensure renewal period.

New York

LMHC

Licensed and register in New York State to practice mental health counseling, medicine, as a
physician assistant, psychology, licensed clinical social work, or as a register professional nurse or
nurse practitioner, pursuant to Articles 163, 131, 131-b, 139, 153, or 154 of Education Law,
respectively.
3,000 post graduate supervised experience with no less than 1,500 clock hours of such required
experience must consist of direct contact with clients. The remaining experience may consist of
other activities that do not involve direct client contact, including but not limited to, recordkeeping,
case management, research, supervision and professional development.

North Carolina

LPC

A "qualified clinical supervisor" is a licensed professional counselor with the following:

a. an independent license that is not under supervision;
b. the equivalent of 3 semester graduate credits in clinical supervision from a regionally
accredited institution of higher education as documented by an official transcript or 45
contact hours of continuing education in clinical supervision
c. and a minimum of five years of post-graduate counseling experience with a minimum of two
years of post-licensure experience; or
An equivalently and actively licensed mental health professional of this Rule.
As of July 1, 2017, all qualified clinical supervisors shall hold the credential of licensed
professional counselor supervisor or be a licensed professional counselor or an equivalently and
actively licensed mental health professional.

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

North Dakota

LPCC

Licensed as a professional clinical counselor, psychiatrist, clinical or counseling psychologist, or

other masters level clinical counseling professional with credentials equal to or greater than the
LPCC. *The board is currently establishing additional criteria for supervisors; please check their
website for updated information.

Oklahoma

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor with at least 2 years of post-licensure experience,

completion of a graduate course in counselor supervision consisting of 45 contact hours, and has
passed the OK Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Examination. 3 CEUs in supervision required
each licensure renewal period.

State

Credential Title

Requirements for Clinical Supervisors

Oregon

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical psychologist, or

clinical social worker, with at least 3 years of clinically supervised experience and completion of 30
clock hours of post-master's training on how to be a clinical mental health supervisor OR hold the
NBCC recognized Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential issued through the Center for
Credentialing & Education, Inc. (CCE). LPC Supervisors must be licensed in Oregon for 3 years.
LMFT Supervisors must have 5 years of clinical experience. Up to 75% of individual supervision
can be electronic and 50% of the supervision can be group supervision.

Pennsylvania

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor with 5 years of experience within the last 10 years as a
professional counselor OR hold a license and have at least a masters degree in a related field
and 5 years of experience within the last 10 years in that field.

Puerto Rico

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor and certified by the board as a Certified Mentor to supervise
those who wish to obtain licensure.

Rhode Island

Licensed Clinical Mental

Health Counselor
(LCMHC)

Licensed as a clinical mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychiatrist,
psychologist, or independent clinical social worker, with 5 years of clinical experience and
successful completion of a graduate course in supervision in counseling OR is certified as a
supervisor within their discipline OR has two years experience supervising staff in a clinical mental
health setting.

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

South Carolina

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor with 5 years of continuous clinical experience, at least 2

years of which must be supervising clinical casework of certified or licensed counselors, 3
semester hours of graduate study in supervision, and 36 hours of individual supervision of
applicants supervision of at least 2 LPC interns. 10 CEUs in supervision required each licensure
renewal period.

South Dakota

Licensed Professional
Counselor-Mental Health
(LPC-MH)

Licensed as a professional counselor of mental health, marriage and family therapist, certified
social worker-private independent practice, psychologist, or psychiatrist, that has been actively
licensed for 3 years prior to beginning of supervision or actively licensed as one of the above for 1
year and completion of 15 hours of supervision training prior to beginning of supervision OR hold
the NBCC recognized Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential issued through the Center for
Credentialing & Education, Inc. (CCE).

State
Tennessee

Credential Title
Licensed Professional
Counselor-Mental Health
Service Provider
(LPC-MHSP)

Requirements for Clinical Supervisors

Licensed as a professional counselor, LPC-MHSP, marriage and family therapist, clinical social
worker, psychologist with a health service provider designation, senior psychological examiner, or
a psychiatrist, for a minimum of 5 years. As of January 31, 2013 supervisors must conform to
section F of the ACA Code of Ethics and be trained in supervision (minimum 12 clock hours).

Texas

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor for at least 2 years and successful completion of a graduate
course in counselor supervision or successful completion of a CE course consisting of 40 clock
hours of training in supervision.

Utah

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist,

clinical social worker, or registered psychiatric mental health nurse specialist, for a minimum of 2
years. Supervisor must be on site and/or have a contract with the site.

Vermont

LCMHC

Licensed as a clinical mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social
worker, psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, physician, or osteopathic physician who has
been certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Medical Specialties, with at least 3 years of
clinical experience.

Virginia

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, substance abuse treatment
practitioner, school psychologist, clinical psychologist, clinical social worker, or psychiatrist, in the

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

jurisdiction where the supervision is being provided, has 2 years of post-licensure clinical
experience, and completion of professional training in supervision.
Washington

LMHC

Licensed as a mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker,
psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner, for at least 2 years in good standing, a
minimum of 15 hours of training in clinical supervision, and 25 hours of experience in supervision
of clinical practice.

West Virginia

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, or other qualified supervisor as determined by the Board. At

a minimum the professional should be licensed for 2 years with 5 years of counseling experience,
completion of training in clinical counseling supervision, is currently licensed, and board approval.
Supervisor must be pre-approved before hours can begin to accrue. The professional supervisor
provide a statement detailing counseling philosophy, supervision experience, and counseling
experience as well as being able to demonstrate skills necessary to address core areas of
practice.

State

Credential Title

Requirements for Clinical Supervisors

Wisconsin

LPC

Doctoral degree in professional counseling or an LPC who has practiced for at least 5 years, or a
licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, or a supervisor who is approved in advance by the board.

Wyoming

LPC

Licensed as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker,
addictions therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, physician with specialty in addictionology, or an
advanced practitioner of nursing with psychiatric specialty, for at least 2 years and 4 years of
professional experience prior to providing supervision.

Note: Table includes only highest level of licensure in each state.

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

APPENDIX B:
Professional Associations Regional
Accrediting Organizations Professional
Accrediting Organizations National
Certification Organizations
International Counseling Associations
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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Professional Associations
American Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB)
5999 Stevenson Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
Phone: 703/212-2239
www.aascb.org

American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)

801 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 304
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 800/326-2642
www.amhca.org

American Counseling Association (ACA)

5999 Stevenson Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
Phone: 800/347-6647
www.counseling.org

Regional Accrediting Organizations

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
3624 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 267/284-5000
www.msche.org

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico,
Virgin Islands

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

209 Burlington Road, Suite 201
Bedford, MA 01730
Phone: 781/271-0022
www.neasc.org

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New

Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)

The Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 800/621-7440
www.northcentralassociation.org

Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana,

Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio,
Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia,
Wisconsin, Wyoming

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Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

8060 165th Avenue, NE, Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
Phone: 425/558-4224
www.nwccu.org

Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,

Washington

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033
Phone: 404/679-4500
www.sacs.org

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,

Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

www.wascweb.org

American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii,

Trust Territory of the Pacific

Professional Accrediting Organizations

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 510
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703/535-5990
www.cacrep.org
Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE)
1699 E. Woodfield Road, Suite 300
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: 847/944-1345
www.core-rehab.org
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 510
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202/955-6126
http://chea.org
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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

National Certification Organizations

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
3 Terrace Way
Greensboro, NC 27403
Phone: 336/547-0607
www.nbcc.org

Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)

1699 E. Woodfield Road, Suite 300
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: 847/944-1325
www.crccertification.com

International Counseling Associations

Asociacin Argentina de Counselors
http://www.aacounselors.org.ar

European Association for Counselling

http://www.eacnet.org

Australian Guidance and Counselling Association

http://www.agca.com.au

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

http://www.irish-counselling.ie

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

http://www.bacp.co.uk

New Zealand Association of Counsellors

http://www.nzac.org.nz

Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association

http://www.ccpa-accp.ca

Philippine Guidance & Counseling Association, Inc.

http://www.pgca.org.ph

Counselling Association of Nigeria

http://www.cassonng.org

Singapore Association for Counselling

http://www.sac-counsel.org.sg

Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland

http://www.cosca.org.uk

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APPENDIX C:
Accreditation, Licensure, and
Certification Defined
Privileged Communication/Confidentiality

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Accreditation, Licensure and Certification Defined

Professional education program accreditation is the process whereby a college or university professional program (e.g. counseling or
psychology) voluntarily undergoes review by an accrediting body, such as the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and
Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE), or the American Psychological
Association (APA). CACREP, CORE, and the APA are professional accrediting bodies that evaluate graduate education programs in
professional counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and counseling psychology respectively. The purpose of these accreditation bodies
is to ensure that the graduates of these programs meet the standards developed by these professions and by the Council on Higher
Education Accreditation (CHEA) which oversees all academic accreditation bodies.
Governmentally sanctioned credentialing is usually called licensure and is based on the legal concept of the regulatory power of the
state. This power holds that the state has the right and obligation to pass laws and take other such actions as it may deem necessary to
protect the health, safety and welfare of its citizens. Passage of a state licensure or credentialing law for a given profession restricts or
prohibits the practice of that profession by individuals not meeting state-determined qualification standards, and violators may be
subject to legal sanctions such as fines, loss of license to practice, or imprisonment.
Separate from state laws and regulations, voluntary certification from independent professional certification organizations for
counseling and a host of specializations within the counseling profession have been created to establish recognition of those
practitioners as having met the minimum standards of education and supervised clinical experience as set by the profession.
Certification is not required; rather it is strictly voluntary. This certification attests to the fact that the holder of this certification has
met the standards of the credentialing organization and is therefore entitled to make the public aware of this as further documentation
of his or her professional competence. In and of itself, however, this certification is not a practice credential but rather a professional
credential in that it does not give the holder permission to practice. That permission is given only by the governmentally sanctioned
entity. The two leading certification organizations for the counseling profession are the National Board for Certified Counselors
(NBCC) and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).
Confidentiality or Privileged Communication
Most states have enacted laws addressing the subjects of confidentiality and privileged communication between clients and
counselors. Same as attorney-client privilege is the language used in most statutes while others refer to the states rules of evidence.
While most states provide for confidentiality between counselors and clients, a list of exceptions always occurs. Common exceptions
include the following:

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1. A counselor formally reporting to or consulting with administrative supervisors, colleagues or supervisors who share
professional responsibility (i.e. in this instance all recipients of such information are similarly bound to regard the
communication as privileged);
2. With written consent of the person who provided the information;
3. When a communication reveals the intended commission of a crime or harmful act and such disclosure is judged necessary to
protect any person from a clear, imminent risk of serious mental or physical harm or injury or to forestall a serious threat to
public safety;
4. When the client waives the privilege by bringing any public charges against the licensee, and;
5. When knowledge is acquired revealing abuse or neglect of a minor or client lacking the capacity to give informed consent that
the minor or client lacking the capacity to give informed consent is the victim of a crime.
The United States Supreme Court decision, Jaffee v. Redmond (1996), held that communications between psychotherapists and their
clients are privileged and, therefore, are protected from forced disclosure in cases arising under federal law.

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APPENDIX D:
State Licensure Renewal Requirements

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

States

Alabama

Licensure
Renewal

Contact
Hours

LPC Every 2
LPC 40*
years
ALC
ALC 10*
Annually

Seminar
workshops

Conference
seminars

Home Study
Courses

Interactive
Distance
Learning

Online
Distance
Learning

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

June 30

Accept

Accept

Accept

Conditional

Conditional

Anniversary
Date
August 31
odd years

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

CPD
Requirements

CPD
Requirements

CPD
Requirements

CPD
Requirements

CPD
Requirements

Birth Month

Accept

Accept

Accept

NO

NO

Accept

Accept

Accept

Conditional

Conditional

Accept

Accept

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept*

Accept*

Licenses
expire
LPC July 31
ALC
Anniversary
Date
October 31
odd years
Anniversary
Date

Alaska

Every 2 years

40

Arizona

Every 2
years*-

30

Arkansas

Every 2 years*

24

California

Every 2 years*

36

Colorado

Every 2 years

40*

Connecticut

Annually

15

Delaware

Every 2 years

40

District of
Columbia

Every 2 years*

40*

Florida

Every 2 years

30

Georgia

Every 2 years*

35

Hawaii

Every 3 years

Not
required

June 30

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Idaho

Annually

20*

Birthday

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

September 30
even years
December 31
even years
March 31
odd years
September 30
even years

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

States

Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine*
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan*

Licensure
Renewal
Every 2
years
Every 2
years
Every 2
years
Every 2
years
Annually

Every 2
years

Every 2
years
Every 2
years
Every 2
years
Every 3
years

Contact Hours
30*
40
(20 a year)
40*
30
10

40

55*
40
30

Licenses
expire
March 31
odd years
April 1
even years
September 30
even years
Anniversary
Date
October 31

June 30

Anniversary
Date
December 31
odd years
December 31
odd years

Seminar
workshops

Conference
seminars

Home
Study
Courses

Interactive
Distance
Learning

Online
Distance
Learning

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept [10
hours max]

Accept

Conditional

Conditional

Accept any combination, not to exceed 20

hours total

Effective July 1, 2014. a maximum of 20

CEHs may be obtained through an online
format with the exception of coursework
obtained through a regionally accredited
institution of higher education.
Accept [5
hours max]

Accept

Conditional

Accept any combination,

not to exceed 10 hours total
Accept any combination up to 15 hours if
approved by recognized entity
NO

Not Required

May 31

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

One day
before
anniversary
date

Accept

Accept

Accept [10
hours max]

Accept

Accept

June 30

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Accept

Accept

Minnesota

Annually

40 every 2
years after first
4 years of
licensure*

Mississippi

Every 2
years

24

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Licensure
Renewal

Contact Hours

Licenses
expire

Seminar
workshops

Conference
seminars

Home
Study
Courses

Interactive
Distance
Learning

Online
Distance
Learning

Missouri

Every 2
years*

40

June 30

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Montana

Annually

20*

December 31

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Nebraska

Every 2
years

32

September 1
even years

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Nevada

Annually

20

January 1

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

States

New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico

New York

Every 2
years
Every 2
years
Every 2
years
Registration
renewal
every 3
years

North Carolina*

Every 2
years

North Dakota

Every 2
years

Ohio

Every 2
years

40

even years

Accept any combination, not to exceed 10

hours total

40

November 30

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

40

September 30

Accept

Conditional

Conditional

NO

NO

Not Required

Registration
expires the
month prior to
birth month

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

June 30

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Anniversary
Date

Accept

Accept

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Anniversary
Date

Conditional

Conditional

50 LPCS
40 LPCA &
LPC
New licensees
are required 40
or 30
respectively
40 LPCC*
30 LPC

30

93

Accept any combination, not to exceed 15

hours total.* Video conferencing is not
considered distance learning.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Accept any combination, not to exceed 10

hours total.*

Oklahoma

Annually

20

June 30

Conditional

Conditional

Oregon

Annually

40 every 2
years

Birth Month

Accept

Accept

States

Licensure
Renewal

Contact Hours

Licenses
expire

Seminar
workshops

Conference
seminars

Conditional

Conditional

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

August 31

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

December 31

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina

Every 2
years
Every 3
years
Every 2
years
Every 2
years

South Dakota

Annually

Tennessee*

Every 2
years

Texas*

Every 2
years

Utah

Every 2
years

Vermont
Virginia

Washington*

30
45
40
40*
40 every 2
years
Dependent on #
of
certifications/li
censures*
24
(12 a
year)

February 28
odd years
Anniversary
Date
July 1
even years

Accept

Conditional any combination of multimedia cannot exceed 50% of required total

hours

Conditional

Conditional

Birth Month

Accept

Accept

Accept

40

September 30
even years

Accept

Accept

Accept

Every 2
years

40

January 31
odd years

Accept

Accept

Annually

20

June 30

Accept

Accept

Annually

36 every 2
years for
LMHCs, CAs,
and CCs*

Conditional

94

Conditional

Accept

Home
Interactive
Online
Study
Distance
Distance
Courses
Learning
Learning
Conditional any combination, not to
exceed 20 hours total

Birthday

Birthday

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept any combination,

not to exceed 10 hours total

Accept any combination, not to exceed 20

hours total
Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept any combination, not to exceed 26

hours total

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

West Virginia*
States

Wisconsin
Wyoming

Every 2
years
Licensure
Renewal
Every 2
years
Every 2
years

Conditional
[20 hours
max]
Home
Study
Courses

Accept

Accept

Interactive
Distance
Learning

Online
Distance
Learning

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Conditional

Accept

Accept

Accept

Accept

35*

June 30
odd years

Accept

Accept

Contact Hours

Licenses
expire

Seminar
workshops

Conference
seminars

30

March 1
odd years

Conditional

45*

Birthday

Accept

Notes:
*Alabama: 75% must be real-time participation.
*Alaska: If you have had your license less than 12 months at the time of renewal, you only need 20 CEUs... If you have had your license
between 12 and 18 months, you are required to submit 30 CEUs.
*Arizona: In accordance with federal and state law, each professional licensing agency in Arizona is now required to request proof of
residency status from new applicants and current licensees at the time a license is renewed. Instructions and the required form are now
available on the Board's website and will be mailed with all future application and renewal packets.
If you have a Certificate of Naturalization, you can do one of the following:
1) Provide a copy of your Certificate of Naturalization to the Board
2) Bring your original Certificate of Naturalization to the Board's Office for review by Board staff. NOTE: Please
call the Board in advance to ensure that the staff members who are able to complete the verification are available.
*Arkansas: AMFTRB registration packets are no longer available from the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling.
Candidates can get information for registration, examination, practice exam and dates if they visit Association for Marital
and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards.
* California: All licenses are required to complete at least six (6) hours of CE in the area of Law and Ethics as a condition of each
renewal. The six hours shall be considered part of the 36 hour CE requirement (CCR section 1887.3). 18 hours of CE is required for your
initial (first) renewal. Those who obtained their licensure through the grandparenting procedure must document 18 hours of
continuing education every year for the initial six years after the license was issued. Effective April 1, 2013, licensed professional
clinical counselors must take a one-time, seven hour continuing education course covering the assessment and treatment of people
living with HIV and AIDS, as part of the 36 hour continuing education coursework requirement. You must take this course in your
first renewal period after the effective date of this regulation (1887.3, California Code

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

of Regulations). If you have previously taken an HIV or AIDS course that meets the requirements of this regulation, or have
equivalent teaching or practice experience, you may submit proof of this to the Board, upon request, in lieu of taking the course.
However, this equivalent coursework or experience will not count toward your required 36 hours of continuing education.
*Colorado Licensee can roll over up to 5 credit hours if the CEUs were accrued within 6 months of the previous renewal. Also must submi t
a Professional Practice Survey and a Personal Learning Plan.
*District of Columbia: For initial renewal, licensee is not required to submit CEUs. Must submit to a background check each renewal.
*Georgia: A maximum of ten (10) hours of continuing education may be obtained online for each two-year
renewal period. A maximum of five (5) hours of continuing education may be obtained through independent study.
*Idaho: Licensees can carry over up to five (5) continuing education hours
*Illinois: LCPC licensees must take a one-time requirement of 18 continuing education hours in the area of supervision.
*Iowa: every 5 years licensee must have mandated reporting training Two (2) continuing education hours in child, abuse reporting Two
(2) continuing education hours in dependent adult abuse reporting or one 2 hour class covering both.
*Maine: "NOTE: Chapter 11 of the Rules of the Office of Licensing and Registration establishes for all
programs a uniform $50 late fee for licenses renewed up to 90 days after expiration." A conditional licensee applying for full licensure
must meet the 55 CEU requirements.
*Michigan: Now requires renewal to be done online.
*Minnesota: Licensees can carry over up to 10 CEUs per renewal cycle.
*Missouri: All persons and business entities applying for or renewing licenses with the Division of Professional Registration are required to
have paid all state income taxes, and to have filed all necessary state income tax returns for the preceding three years. On August 28, 2005
section 337.510.5 RSMo of the licensure law changed requiring continuing education. The law states, All persons licensed to practice
professional counseling in this state shall pay on or before the license renewal date a renewal license fee and shall furnish to the committee
satisfactory evidence of the completion of the requisite number of hours of continuing education, which shall be no more than forty hours
biennially. The continuing education requirements may be waived by the committee upon presentation to the committee of satisf actory
evidence of the illness of the licensee or for other good cause. A licensee must obtain forty hours of continuing education prior to the
expiration date of the license. There is no requirement that the licensee obtain a specific number of hours per calendar year.

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

*Montana: Licensees can carry over up to 20 CEUs a year.

*North Carolina: Renewing licensees shall complete the no-fail jurisprudence exam within 6 months prior to licensure expiration date.
* North Dakota: LPCC licensees must take 10 continuing education hours dealing with clinical topics.
* Ohio: Licensees may bank up to 12 continuing education hours. As of January 1, 2014, distance-learning courses must include 10,000
words per one (1) continuing education clock hour
.
* South Carolina: Supervisor licensees must obtain 10 continuing education hours in supervision
*Tennessee: A Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist or a Clinical Pastoral Therapist licensed in Tennessee is required to
complete 10 clock hours of continuing education each calendar year. Those who hold 2 certificates or licenses regulated by this Board shall
complete 15 clock hours of continuing education each calendar year. Those who hold 3 certificates or licenses regulated by this Board shall
complete 20 clock hours of continuing education each calendar year. In each case, at least 5 clock hours shall be directly related to the
practice of each profession for which the person is licensed or certified.
*Texas: Each licensee is required to take the TX jurisprudence exam each renewal. Also, 4 of the required continuing education hours must
be in ethics.
*Washington: Starting the fall of 2013, LMHC-S credentialed licensees need 18 continuing education hours in supervision to renew. Also,
the 36 continuing education hours must be completed for initial licensure.
*West Virginia: For the first two renewals, licensees must submit copies of certifications. 3 hours in ACA ethics.
*Wyoming: 3 continuing education hours must be in professional ethics

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

State Required Continuing Education

Many states require that specific continuing education be completed during each licensure renewal period, or during another specific time
period, as noted.
Alabama 6 hours in ethics for LPC renewal and 2 hours in ethics for ALC renewal.
Alaska -- 3 hours in ethics and half must be in person.
Arizona 3 hours in behavioral health ethics or mental health law and 3 hours in cultural competency and diversity. If a supervisor, you must
have 12 hours to begin and 6 hours per renewal.
Arkansas 2 hours in ethics. No more than 6 hours can be obtained through reviewing journal articles.
California 6 hours in ethics, As of April 1, 2013, licensees must take a class on HIV/AIDS in their first renewal period.
Colorado -- Must submit Professional Practice Survey and Personal Learning Plan
Connecticut As of October 1, 2014, each licensee must complete a minimum of one clock hour in the topic of cultural competency for each
registration period.
District of Columbia -- 6 hours in ethics, 4 hours in Trauma Counseling
Florida 2 hours of prevention of medical errors and 3 hours in ethics and boundary issues. Every 3rd renewal, 2 hours of training on
domestic violence is required.
Georgia 5 hours in ethics. As of the 2012 renewal period, only 10 hours may be obtained online.
Idaho 3 hours in ethics.
Indiana 2 hours in ethics and professional conduct (one hour is required each year).
Illinois LCPCs are required to complete 18 hours in clinical supervision training of the 30 CEs required. This is a one-time requirement.
Indiana 1 hour of ethics

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Iowa 3 hours in ethics and every 5 years: 2 hours of child abuse identification and reporting training for counselors who treat children; 2
hours of dependent adult abuse identification and reporting training for counselors who work with adults. If counselors work with both
children and adults, training may be completed in one combined 2 hour course that includes curricula for identifying and reporting child abuse
and dependent adult abuse. The course shall be a curriculum approved by the IDPH abuse education review panel.
Kansas 3 hours in ethics and 6 hours related to the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Kentucky A portion of continuing education credits must be in the areas of domestic violence and suicide assessment.
Louisiana -- Effective July 1, 2014, 3 hours must be in ethics and 6 clock hours must be accrued in diagnosis (assessment,
diagnosis, and treatment under the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, as published by the American Psychiatric Association). A Board Approved Supervisor must
accrue 3 clock hours (of the required 40 clock hours of continuing education) in supervision.
Maine -- 4 hours in ethics
Minnesota Up to 12 graduate semester credits in counseling is required for the first 4 years of licensure CE cycle, or completion of the
number of graduate credits sufficient to reach a combined total of 60 graduate semester credits between the degree program and this
requirement. This is in addition to the 40 hours of continuing education required.
Mississippi 6 hours in ethics or legal issues.
Nebraska 2 hours in ethics.
Nevada 3 hours in ethics.
New Hampshire 6 hours in ethics/ 3 hours in suicide prevention.
New Jersey 5 hours in ethics and legal standards.
New Mexico 6 hours in ethics. Supervisors need to take 3 hours in supervision
North Carolina 3 hours in ethics. LPC Supervisors must also complete a minimum of 10 contact hours of continuing education training
related to professional knowledge and competency in the field of counseling supervision.
North Dakota LPCCs must have 10 hours in clinical education.

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Ohio 3 hours in ethics and legal issues. Effective January 1, 2013, supervisors must have 3 hours of supervision education.
Oklahoma 3 hours in ethics. Supervisors must have 3 hours of supervision training.
Oregon 6 hours in ethics.
Pennsylvania 3 hours in ethics.
South Carolina Supervisors must have 10 hours of supervision training.
South Dakota 4 hours of ethics
Tennessee 3 hours of the annual requirement shall, every two years, be in in ethics and/or TN code, rules, and regulations. For supervisors,
3 hours of the annual requirement shall, every two years, be in in supervision.
Texas 4 hours in ethics every 2 years and passage of a jurisprudence exam/6 hours in supervision for those acting in a supervisory capacity.
Vermont 4 hours in ethics. Supervisors are encouraged to take supervision training.
Virginia 2 hours in ethics.
Washington 6 hours in ethics and law.
West Virginia 3 hours in ethics. (First renewal must be formal training)
Wisconsin 4 hours in ethics and boundaries.
Wyoming -- 3 hours in ethics

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

APPENDIX E:
Licensure by Endorsement,
Licensure by Reciprocity,
and Portability
State Requirements for Out-of-State
Applicants

101

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Portability of Licensure
Counselors, like other health care professionals, do not always stay in one place. Since states have historically been responsible for the
licensure of counselors and all other health and social service professionals, each profession has been faced with the problem of gaining
recognition of their credentials when moving across state lines. While certification by an independent, third-party organization helps
document having met certain established qualification standards, recognition of professional standing by the state in which one is practicing is
a necessity. There are various ways in which states deal with the problem of recognizing professionals who have achieved licensure in
another state. These mechanisms typically rely on the flexibility granted to the state licensing board in recognizing professionals.
Reciprocity
In a few cases, states grant full recognition to counselors licensed by specific other states they deem to have adequately stringent licensure
standards, and each state may recognize the others credentials. Only a handful of states have reciprocity agreements which automatically
recognize other states credentials.
Abbreviated Licensure Process / Interstate Endorsement
Some states have established an abbreviated licensure application process for individuals who have obtained licensure in another state. Such
expedited licensure or interstate endorsement processes typically require that:
1. Licensure earned in another jurisdiction must meet substantially equivalent requirements in the practitioners current state.
2. Licenses obtained in another state must be in good standing, with no unresolved legal or ethical issues.
3. Exam scores earned earlier in obtaining licensure in a different state must meet the current states passing score.
State jurisprudence and oral exams are usually not waived, and must be successfully completed. Applicants for licensure through interstate
endorsement are often required to pay an extra fee to cover the costs involved in obtaining and verifying paperwork from out of the state.
Individuals who obtain licensure through grandparenting clauses typically are not eligible for interstate endorsement.

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Alabama
Applicants currently licensed or certified to practice counseling by a similar board in another state, territorial possession of the U.S., D.C., or
Puerto Rico must meet the following requirements:
1.) Submit an application on a form approved by the board.
2.) The board may, at its discretion, waive the formal examination requirements of an applicant, provided the applicant has a passing
score on a written, counseling examination that, in the opinion of the board, is substantially equivalent to the examination established
by the Alabama Board.
3.) Applications will be reviewed and must meet the licensure requirements of the Alabama regulations that were in effect on the date of
the first issuance in the state of the current license.
Applicants who are currently licensed in another state and do not meet the requirements for licensure in Alabama may submit a plan of action
for complying with the requirements and petition the board to issue a provisional license, valid for one year. Upon approval of the plan of
action and payment of the required fee, a provisional license will be issued.
Alaska
Licensure by credentials: The board may issue a license under this chapter to a person who is licensed in another jurisdiction to practice
professional counseling if the board finds that the other jurisdiction has substantially the same or higher licensure requirements as Alaska.
The board may not license a person who is under investigation in Alaska or another jurisdiction for an act that would constitute a violation of
Alaskas LPC Statutes and Regulations, until the investigation is complete and disciplinary sanctions, if any, are imposed and carried out.
Arizona
An applicant is eligible for licensure by reciprocity if the applicant meets the following requirements, as applicable:
1.) The applicant is currently certified or licensed in another state by a state regulatory agency in professional counseling and the license
or certification is in effect and in good standing;
2.) Passage of an examination was required for certification or licensure and the applicant passed the exam, or the applicant passes the
exam required for licensure in Arizona;
3.) The credentialing committee determines that the applicants qualifications substantially meet the boards current licensure
requirements;
4.) Prior to applying for licensure, applicant has engaged in the practice of professional counseling for a minimum of 800 hours each year
for at least 5 out of the last 7 years in the state issuing the license used by the applicant to qualify for licensure by reciprocity; and
5.) The applicant is not the subject of a pending complaint before the board or any other state behavioral health regulatory entity and has
not had their license or certificate to practice professional counseling suspended or revoked by another state behavioral health
regulatory entity.

103

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Arkansas
No reciprocity agreement exists between other states or other Arkansas agencies.
If a candidate is licensed or certified to practice counseling by a similar board in another state, the Arkansas Board may, at its discretion,
waive the written examination requirements of a candidate if the candidate had an equivalent written examination in the process of obtaining
the license in that other state and has been continuously licensed. If the previous license has expired or lapsed the examination may not be
waived. If the applicant has written the examination, but did not complete the licensure process, the written examination of record may not be
more than five years old.
Persons who apply for an Arkansas license, who have been continuously licensed seven years in another state and in good standing but lack
no more than nine hours of the required graduate coursework may have a one-time license issued with the provision that the graduate course
requirements must be met prior to the first license renewal.
Documents relevant to an application from a person licensed in another state will be accepted as official if sent directly from the state
licensing board, from NBCC, or from the American Association of State Counseling Boards National Credentials Registry.
Applicants who hold a masters degree and who are credentialed as a CRC by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
(CRCC) standards adopted by CRCC July 1, 2003 will be accepted as meeting the board definition of equivalent/parallel training for licensed
Associate or Professional Counselor provided the core curriculum courses are included in the degree or post-masters coursework. The
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (CRCE) has not been determined equivalent to the NCE and will not be substituted for the
NCE for the LPC license.
California
Requirements for applicants licensed in another state will differ depending on the applicants education, experience, the length of time that the
applicant has held an out-of-state license, and whether that license has been maintained and is in good standing.
Experience: All applicants must have completed 3,000 hours of supervised experience gained over a minimum two-year period. Those holding
a current LPCC license in another state and who need additional experience to total 3,000 hours may count up to 100 hours for every month
licensed, for a maximum of 1,200 hours.
Education: Degrees earned outside of California will be evaluated in accordance with California's educational requirements as defined in law.
Certain components must be present within the degree in order to qualify, and some components can be remediated. Most applicants with an
out-of-state degree will have a significant amount of coursework to remediate prior to licensure. However, applicants may register as an intern
while completing most missing coursework.
Examinations: All applicants must pass two examinations: A California Law and Ethics Exam and the National Clinical Mental Health
Counselor Exam (NCMHCE). If an applicant has already passed the NCMHCE, the Board may accept the passing score as follows:

If the applicant holds a license in good standing in another state (must be current and not revoked, suspended, surrendered, denied or
otherwise restricted or encumbered), the passing score can be any age.

If the applicant does not hold a license which is current and in good standing in another state, the passing score must be less than seven
(7) years old.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Colorado
1.) An applicant for licensure by endorsement must show that her/his credentials and qualifications are substantially equivalent to
Colorados requirements to be licensed as an LPC;
2.) Applicant must be at least 21 years old;
3.) Every license, certificate, or registration to practice professional counseling held by the applicant is active and in good standing;
4.) Applicant knows of no injunction or malpractice judgment entered/pending against him/her or complaint pending before, investigation
being conducted by, or disciplinary proceeding pending before the licensing, grievance, or disciplinary board of any jurisdiction in
which s/he is licensed, registered, or certified to practice professional counseling;
5.) Applicant must report any misdemeanor or felony convictions(s);
6.) Applicant must hold a masters or doctoral degree in professional counseling from an accredited program or equivalent, have passed
an equivalent exam, demonstrate that s/he had at least 2 years of post-masters, or one year of postdoctoral practice in applied
psychotherapy under supervision prior to licensure in Colorado OR provide evidence of active practice in professional counseling for
2 years. Applicants with a doctoral degree must demonstrate an active practice for at least one year; and
7.) Applicant must take and pass the Colorado jurisprudence exam.
8.) Confirm passing score for the NCE exam.
9.) Complete the Healthcare Professions Profiling Program (HPPP)
Connecticut
Licensure by endorsement: An applicant may qualify for licensure based on an out-of-state license if the applicant is licensed as a
professional counselor in good standing in another state or jurisdiction whose requirements for practicing in such capacity are equal to or
higher than those of this state.
An applicant seeking licensure shall arrange for the submission of documentation directly to the office:
The current licensure and practice standards forwarded directly to this office from the state of current licensure.
Applicants who wish to expedite the licensing process may choose to meet the eligibility requirements for obtaining licensure in Connecticut
for the first time.
If it is determined that the other state's licensing requirements are not equal to those of this state and the applicant wants to pursue licensure,
the applicant would be required to meet the current eligibility requirements.
Delaware
Licensure by reciprocity: Upon payment of the appropriate fee and submission and acceptance of a written application on forms provided by
the board, the board shall grant a license to each applicant who provides proof of current licensure in good standing in another state, the
District of Columbia, or territory of the United States, whose standards for licensure are substantially similar to those of this State, and an
affidavit and release of information granting the board permission to contact said jurisdictions for verification of disciplinary history and
current status. Each applicant must also provide a notarized affidavit affirming that the applicant meets the qualifications as stated in 24
Delaware Code, Chapter 30, Section 3008(a) (3) through (7).

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

An applicant, who is licensed in a jurisdiction whose standards are not substantially similar to those of this State, shall have had a license in
good standing for a minimum of five years after licensure in the jurisdiction from which he or she is applying for reciprocal licensure,
provided however, that he or she meets all other qualifications for reciprocity.
An applicant, who is licensed in a jurisdiction whose standards are not substantially similar to those of this State, and who lacks the minimum
years of licensure required by Delaware, may apply for licensure as an associate counselor of mental health, in order to obtain the experience
necessary to fulfill the requirements for licensure as an LPCMH.
District of Columbia
Licensure by endorsement: Applicants who have been or are licensed in other jurisdictions (states) shall submit a statement of good standing
and requirements from the jurisdiction where currently licensed.
Florida
An applicant for licensure by endorsement must meet the following requirements:
1.) Submits a completed application and appropriate fees;
2.) Holds an active valid license to practice and has actively practiced the profession for which licensure is applied in another state for 3
of the last 5 years immediately preceding licensure;
3.) License is in good standing and is not under investigation;
4.) Meets the current educational requirements for licensure;
5.) Has passed the licensure examination (NCMHCE);
6.) Completes an 8 hour laws and rules course from an approved provider; and
7.) Completes a 2 hour course on the prevention of medical errors from an approved provider.
Georgia
Licensure by endorsement:
1.) The board may license without examination any professional counselor, social worker or marriage and family therapist currently
licensed in another jurisdiction, so long as the jurisdictions requirements for the license in question are substantially equal to those of
Georgia. Georgia only recognizes states by endorsement where the NCE exam through NBCC is required.
2.) The applicant must file a written application for licensure by endorsement on forms provided by the board.
a. The applicant shall direct the Board of Examiners of that jurisdiction in which the license is held to send an official statement
which indicates that such license is in effect and in good standing.
3.) The applicant shall submit the appropriate application fee. The application fee is non-refundable.
Hawaii
Hawaii has no reciprocity at this time. Individuals licensed in another state as a counselor must meet Hawaiis requirements to apply for
licensure.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Idaho
Licensure by endorsement: The board may grant a license to any person who submits a completed application on a form approved by the
board together with the required fees and who:
1.) Holds a Current License. The applicant must hold a current active license in the profession for which a license is being sought, issued
by the authorized regulatory entity in another state or country, the certification of which must be received directly by the board from
the issuing agency;
2.) Has Not Been Disciplined. The applicant must certify they have not been disciplined within the last 5 years, had a license revoked,
suspended, restricted, or otherwise sanctioned by any regulatory entity and has never voluntarily surrendered a license;
3.) Is of Good Moral Character. The applicant must certify they are of good moral character and have not been convicted, found guilty,
or received a withheld judgment or suspended sentence for any felony;
4.) Has Documented Experience. The applicant must provide a documented record of at least 5 years actual practice under licensure
immediately prior to application in the profession for which a license is being sought, or can demonstrate hardship or extenuating
circumstances that prohibited practice during a portion of the 5 year period as determined by the board;
5.) Will Abide by Laws, Rules and Code of Ethics. The applicant must certify under oath to abide by the laws and rules governing the
practice of counseling and marriage and family therapy in Idaho and the applicable code of ethics as adopted; AND EITHER
6.) NEW RULE as of 3-30-07: National Credentials Registry. If applicant has been granted credentials by the American Association of
State Counseling Boards (AASCB) as qualifying for Category II of the National Credentials Registry or any such similar qualification
granted by the national credentialing entity otherwise approved by the board; OR
7.) Provides documentation of at least 3 of the following during the 5 years immediately prior to application:
a. A minimum of 1,000 hours client contact; b. Service as an officer of a state or national counseling or marriage and family
therapy organization, or a member of a state or national counseling or marriage and family therapy board or committee, or
other leadership positions as may be approved by the board; c. Teaching at least 3 graduate courses for credit at an accredited
college or university; d. A certificate to supervise issued by the NBCC or AAMFT; e. Providing at least 12 months of
supervision to each of no less than 3 persons seeking licensure; f. Maintained professional liability insurance for the previous 5
years with proof of no claims filed; g. Obtained a post graduate degree in a field of study related to counseling or marriage and
family therapy that is in addition to the minimum licensure requirements; h. Current certification by a national credentialing
entity as approved by the board in the discipline for which licensure is sought; i. 20 hours of continuing education per year for
the 5 years immediately prior to application.
Illinois
Beginning January 1, 2005, applicants applying for professional counselor licensure by endorsement must provide:
1.) Certification of education and an official transcript from a masters or doctoral degree program in counseling, psychology,
rehabilitation counseling, or similar degree program if approved OR certification of education and an official transcript from a
baccalaureate program in human services or similar degree program approved by the Department and documentation of completion of
5 years of supervised professional experience;
2.) A complete work history since receipt of a qualifying degree for licensing;
3.) Successful completion of the professional counselor examination as required by Illinois;
4.) The required fee; and

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

5.) Certification, on forms provided by the Department, from the state or territory of the U.S. in which the applicant was originally
licensed and the state in which the applicant is currently licensed, if applicable, stating: the time during which the applicant was
licensed in that jurisdiction, including the date of the original issuance of the license, a description of the examination in that
jurisdiction, and whether the file on the applicant contains any record of disciplinary actions taken or pending.
Indiana
If an applicant qualifies for licensure in Indiana by endorsement, he or she is only actually exempted from the examination requirement itself.
The following requirements must be met in order to be approved for licensure through endorsement:
1). Endorsement applicants must meet all of Indianas education and supervised experience requirements for the licensure being sought.
2.) The examination that applicant took to gain licensure in another state must be substantially equivalent to the examination required for
licensure in Indiana.
3.) Endorsement applicants must be currently licensed or certified to practice in another state at the same level of licensure that the
individual is applying for in Indiana. This license or certification must be current and in good standing. Endorsement applicants must
have been actively engaged in the practice of mental health counseling for not less than three (3) out of the previous five (5) years.
4.) Endorsement applicants are required to pass a written jurisprudence examination covering the boards statute (IC 25-23.6), rule (Title
839) and the Health Professions Standards of Practice (IC 25-1-9). You will be notified after the board reviews your application for
licensure by exemption from examination and grants you approval to sit for the jurisprudence examination. The examination will be
mailed to your address on file. A score of seventy-five (75) or above on the examination is passing. You will not be granted licensure
in Indiana until you have successfully completed this examination.
Iowa
An applicant who has been a licensed marriage and family therapist or mental health counselor under the laws of another jurisdiction may file
an application for licensure by endorsement by meeting the following requirements:
1.) Submits application and pays licensure fee;
2.) Shows evidence of licensure requirements that are similar to those required in Iowa;
3.) Provides official copies of the academic transcripts sent directly from the school to the board;
4.) Supplies satisfactory evidence of the candidates qualifications in writing on the prescribed forms by the candidates supervisors. If
verification of clinical experience is not available, the board may consider submission of documentation from the state in which the
applicant is currently licensed or equivalent documentation of supervision; and
5.) Provides verification(s) of licenses from all other states that have been sent directly from those states to the board office.
Kansas
Licensure through reciprocity: The board may issue a license to an individual who is currently registered, certified, or licensed to practice
professional counseling in another jurisdiction if the board determines that:
1.) The standards for registration, certification, or licensure to practice professional counseling in the other jurisdiction are substantially
equivalent to the requirements of Kansas OR
2.) The applicant demonstrates on forms provided by the board compliance with continuous registration, certification, or licensure to
practice professional counseling during the five (5) years immediately preceding the application with at least the minimum

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

professional experience as established by rules and regulations of the board and the absence of disciplinary actions of a serious nature
brought by a registration, certification, or licensing board or agency; and
3.) A masters degree in counseling from a regionally accredited college/university.
Applicants for licensure as a clinical professional counselor shall additionally demonstrate competence to diagnosis and treat mental disorders
through meeting at least two of the following:
1.) Either graduate coursework as established by rules and regulations of the board or passing a national clinical examination approved by
the board;
2.) Three (3) years of clinical practice with demonstrated experience in diagnosing or treating mental disorders;
3.) Attestation from a professional licensed to diagnose and treat mental disorders in independent practice or licensed to practice medicine
and surgery stating that the applicant is competent to diagnose and treat mental disorders.
Kentucky
Licensure through reciprocity: The board shall grant the appropriate credential to an applicant who has received a masters, specialists, or
doctoral degree in counseling or related field from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum of sixty (60) hours of specific graduate
coursework; holds an active valid license or certificate from another state to practice as a professional counselor; is in good standing with the
certifying or licensing board of that state; is of good moral character; has provided the board with evidence of a minimum of five (5) years
experience as a certified or licensed professional counselor; and has paid the application fee to the board. Applicants are exempt from the
required hours of supervised experience in the practice of counseling and the examination requirement.
Louisiana
Licensure by reciprocity: Upon application accompanied by fee and without written or oral examination, the board may issue a license to any
person who furnishes upon a form and in such manner as the board prescribes, evidence satisfactory to the board that he or she is licensed,
certified, or registered as a professional counselor by another state, territorial possession of the United States, D.C., or Puerto Rico if the
requirements for such licensure, certification, or registration are substantially equivalent to those of this Chapter.
Maine
Pathway 1 An applicant who is licensed under the laws of a jurisdiction that has a reciprocal agreement with the Board of Counseling
Professionals may obtain a license under the terms and conditions as agreed upon through the reciprocal agreement. Currently, Maine has not
entered into any reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions.
Pathway 2 An applicant who is licensed in good standing at the time of application to the board under the laws of a jurisdiction that has not
entered into a reciprocal agreement with the Board of Counseling Professionals may qualify for licensure by submitting evidence to the board
that the applicant has actively practiced with a substantially equivalent license for at least 5 consecutive years immediately preceding
application to the board at the level of licensure applied for in this state.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Pathway 3 An applicant who does not meet these requirements may qualify for licensure by submitting evidence satisfactory to the board
that the applicants qualifications for licensure are substantially similar to Maines requirements for licensure.
Maryland
Maryland does not have reciprocity with any other states. Please contact the board for out-of-of state applicant requirements.
Massachusetts
Each applicant must meet all requirements of the Massachusetts Regulations.
Michigan
An applicant for a professional counselor or professional clinical counselor license by endorsement shall submit a completed application on a
form provided by the Department, together with the requisite fee. If an applicant has been licensed in another state, and has been engaged in
the practice of counseling for a minimum of 5 years before the date of filing an application for Michigan licensure, the applicant may apply
by endorsement. Completed license verification forms must be sent directly to the Michigan Board from every state in which the applicant
has ever been licensed.
Minnesota
If you are currently a clinical professional counselor or professional counselor licensed in another state or jurisdiction, you may be eligible for
licensure by reciprocity pursuant to Minn. Stat. sec. 148B.56, if the board determines that the licensure requirements for your credential are
substantially similar to those in Minnesota. Your license from another state or jurisdiction must be renewed and active at the time you apply
for the Minnesota LPC or LPCC license. You are encouraged to contact the board office before submitting an application to determine
whether the state from which you obtained your license already has been reviewed and approved for reciprocity.
Mississippi
Mississippi does not presently have an agreement of reciprocity with any other state. Licensure criteria met by the applicant in other states
may be honored by the MS State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors if he/she meets the requirements for licensure in
the State of Mississippi. Each criterion will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Missouri
337.510.3 RSMo of the Missouri law defines licensure by reciprocity as follows:
1.) Currently be licensed in another state with no discipline and;
2.) Approval by the American Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB) or its successor organization according to the eligibility
criteria established by AASCB. The successor organization shall be defined by board rule; or
3.) In good standing and currently certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or its successor organization and has
completed acceptable supervised counseling experience defined by board rule. The successor organization shall be defined by board
rule; or

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

4.) Determined by the board that the requirements of the other state or territory are substantially the same as Missouri and certified by the
applicants current licensing entity that the applicant has a current license. The applicant shall also consent to examination of any
disciplinary history.
Montana
Licensure by reciprocity: If you hold a current, valid license in another state, and you have taken the exams given by Montana, you may apply
for licensure in Montana without exam. If you have not taken an examination to receive your current license, you will be asked to take the
examination to become licensed in Montana.
1.) Montana has no formal signed reciprocal agreement with any state.
2.) All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and formally approved by the board.
3.) If your states licensure requirements meet or exceed Montanas you may be able to license in Montana without examination.
4.) You will need to complete the appropriate application forms for the boards review and approval. This becomes the basis of your
Montana Licensure file.
a. Other states application forms are not accepted in lieu of a completed Montana form.
b. The Supervisory Experience Forms are considered a part of the application and must be completed. If not, the application is
considered incomplete and will not be reviewed by the board.
c. The Summary sheet in the Counselor Application Packet is also considered to be part of the application, and if not completed
the application will not be reviewed by the board. The official transcript does not take the place of the Summary sheet.
d. All forms must be completed for review.
The candidate must also meet the following requirements:
(a) The candidate holds a valid and unrestricted license to practice as a licensed professional counselor or equivalent in another state or
jurisdiction, which was issued under standards substantially equivalent to or greater than current standards in this state. Official written
verification of such licensure status must be received by the board directly from the other state(s) or jurisdiction(s);
(b) The candidate holds a graduate degree which meets the requirements of 37-23-202, MCA, and shall supply a copy of the certified
transcript sent directly from an accredited college, university or institution, and shall complete the degree summary sheet provided by the
board;
(c) The candidate shall supply proof of successful completion of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or another board-approved
licensing examination. Candidate scores on the examination must be forwarded directly to the board; and
(d)(i) The candidate shall submit proof the candidate has previously completed 3,000 hours of supervised counseling practice as defined in
37-23-202, MCA. The candidate may verify the experience hours by affidavit, and need not supply a supervisor's signature upon reasonable
explanation of why the supervisor's signature is unavailable to the candidate; OR
(ii) The candidate shall submit proof the candidate has been in continuous practice as a licensed professional counselor or equivalent in
another jurisdiction for the two years immediately preceding the date of application in Montana.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Nebraska
Licensure by reciprocity Certified Professional Counselor Requirements:
1.) Qualify for certification and have made an application for a license as a mental health practitioner.
2.) Have received a masters degree from an approved educational program as specified in NEs requirements.
3.) Have 3,000 hours of experience in counseling, after receipt of a masters degree.
4.) Have been in the active and continuous practice under the license or certification by examination in the State, Territory, or District of
Columbia from which s/he comes for at least one year and have been actively engaged in the practice under such license or certificate
or in an accepted residency or graduate training program for at least one of the three years immediately preceding the application for
certification by reciprocity.
5.) Have passed the NCE or NCMHCE examination or an equivalent examination with a minimum score set at the National Cut Score.
6.) Have attained at least the age of majority and have good moral character.
7.) Be a U.S. citizen or have lawful presence in the U.S.
Nevada
The board will, after verifying that an applicant for licensure meets Nevadas requirements and holds an active, equivalent license in good
standing from another jurisdiction, issue an interim permit authorizing applicant to practice as a clinical professional counselor, under the
supervision of a person approved by the board, until the results of the required examination are received. If the applicant does not pass the
examination, the interim permit expires upon notification by the board. The interim permit is not renewable (NAC 641A.111).
New Hampshire
New Hampshire does not have reciprocity with any other states. The board may license any applicant who is licensed in any other state,
provided the other states licensure requirements are substantially equivalent to or higher than those of New Hampshire.
New Jersey
Licensure to practice counseling or rehabilitation counseling may be granted to any person who at the time of the application is licensed or
certified by an agency located in another jurisdiction, if in the opinion of the Committee the requirements of that credential are substantially
equivalent. Contact the Committee for out-of-state application requirements.
New Mexico
Licensure by reciprocity LPC and LPCC Licensure:
The board may issue a license to a person who files a completed application accompanied by the required fees and who submits satisfactory
evidence that the applicant holds and has held for a minimum of five (5) years a current license issued by the appropriate examining board
under the law of any other state or territory of the U.S., D.C., or any foreign nation and is in good standing with no disciplinary action
pending or brought against the applicant within the past five (5) years and holds a masters or doctoral degree in counseling or in a counseling
related field from an accredited institution. Applicants who do not meet the licensure by reciprocity requirements must meet the current
licensure requirements.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

New York
If the applicant does not meet all requirements (e.g., passed the NCE rather than NCMHCE) he/she may have to go through standard pathway
or be made eligible for the exam and practice under a limited permit while attempting the exam.
Regulations state:
An applicant seeking endorsement of a license in mental health counseling issued by another state, country territory shall present evidence of:
1.) the applicant shall be at least 21 years of age;
2.) Licensure by another jurisdiction;
3.) Completion of a graduate degree in mental health counseling or a related field that at the time of completion qualified the applicant for
licensure as a mental health counselor in the other jurisdiction;
4.) Completion of supervised experience in mental health counseling a psychotherapy that qualified the applicant for initial licensure in the
other jurisdiction;
5.) Passage of an examination acceptable to the department for the practice of mental health counseling;
6.) At least five years of experience in mental health counseling satisfactory to the State Board for Mental Health Practitioners, within the 10
years immediately preceding the application for licensure by endorsement in New York;
7.) Completion of coursework in the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect or the exemption from such
coursework, as specified in 6507 (3) of the Education Law;
8.) Good moral character as determined by the department; and
9.) Acceptable licensure and discipline status in each jurisdiction in which the applicant holds a professional license.
North Carolina
The NCBLPC has no reciprocal agreement with any other state counseling board. If an applicant is licensed to practice counseling by a Board
in another state, the applicant shall apply for licensure with the North Carolina Board and shall meet the following requirements:
(1) shall have a minimum of five years of full time counseling experience, or eight years of part time counseling experience, or a
combination of full time and part time counseling experience equivalent to five years of full time counseling experience, within 10
years directly prior to application;
(2) shall have a minimum of 2500 hours of direct client contact;
(3) shall have an active independent license that does not require supervision, and be in good standing as a licensed professional
counselor in another state for a minimum of two years directly prior to application; and
(4) shall comply with all other applicable rules for licensure as a licensed professional counselor.
North Dakota
An applicant may be granted LPC reciprocity upon satisfactory proof to the board that the applicant is currently licensed as a licensed
professional counselor under the laws of a state or territory of the United States that imposes requirements equal to or more stringent than this
chapter. Currently, there is no reciprocity for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential. Please contact the board for
more information.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Ohio
(A) An applicant requesting licensure as a professional counselor or professional clinical counselor via endorsement shall submit to the board
all of the following:
1.) A completed licensure application for the level of licensure for which the applicant is seeking licensure;
2.) The required fee;
3.) An official statement, which indicates applicant is currently licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise authorized to practice as a
professional counselor or professional clinical counselor in another jurisdiction;
4.) An official statement from any and all jurisdictions where the applicant is currently or has been previously licensed, certified,
registered, or otherwise authorized to practice as a professional counselor or professional clinical counselor indicating whether the
applicant is in good standing and whether disciplinary action has been taken or is pending against the applicant;
5.) All transcripts of undergraduate and graduate education, if any;
6.) If the applicant has taken another jurisdictions professional counselor or professional clinical counselor licensure exam,
documentation of whether the applicant passed that exam; and
7.) Any additional documentation requested by the board that would assist the board in making a determination based on paragraphs
(B)(1) to (B)(7) of this rule.
(B) The counselor professional standards committee may consider the following factors to determine whether to grant the applicant a license
via endorsement:
1.) Whether the applicant possesses a degree in counseling awarded by an appropriately accredited institution whose program is
clearly identified as a counseling program that confers a counseling degree;
2.) Whether the applicants coursework is substantially similar to Ohios requirement for licensure;
3.) Whether the hourly amount of applicants degree coursework is substantially similar to Ohios requirement for licensure;
4.) Whether the applicant has passed a state professional counselor or professional clinical counselor licensure exam that is
substantially similar to Ohios examination;
5.) Whether the applicant for professional clinical counselor has substantially equivalent supervised experience required by Ohio for
licensure;
6.) Whether the applicants license is in good standing in another jurisdiction and whether applicant has been disciplined in another
jurisdiction; and
7.) The number of years the applicant has practiced as a professional counselor or professional clinical counselor in another
jurisdiction.
Oklahoma
An applicant applying for licensure by endorsement must have qualifications comparable to those required under the LPC Act as deemed by
the Commissioner of Health. The Department may require the applicant to submit a copy of the statute and rules of the agency issuing the
license.
An applicant must submit the application form and related documents as requested, licensure fees, three current documents of
recommendation, and official transcripts.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

(a) The Department shall issue a license by full endorsement to an applicant who is licensed or certified as a professional counselor in
another jurisdiction and who meets the following:
1.) The applicants professional counselors license in the other jurisdiction is active and in good standing with no history of suspension
or revocation action against the license;
2.) The applicant fulfills the requirements of the Oklahoma LPC Act;
3.) The applicant must have at least a masters degree in a counseling field from a regionally accredited college or university;
4.) The applicant takes and passes the NCE, unless the applicant has passed a written counseling exam that, in the judgment of the
Department, is substantially equivalent to the NCE; and,
5.) The applicant takes and passes the Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Examination.
(b) The Department shall issue a two (2) year, non-renewable license by endorsement to applicants seeking full endorsement who do not
fulfill the requirements set forth in section a above, but only under the following conditions:
1.) The applicant must show proof of continuous practice in counseling for five (5) years prior to application in Oklahoma;
2.) The applicant must show proof of professional counselor licensure in the other jurisdiction is current and in good standing, with no
history of suspension or revocation against the license;
3.) The applicant takes and passes the NCE; and,
4.) The applicant completes all deficient coursework to meet the academic requirements for licensure in Oklahoma.
(c) The license by endorsement will expire after 2 years from the date of issue. Failure to fulfill the requirements as provided in this
subsection, within the two (2) year licensure period, will require the applicant to fulfill licensure requirements set forth in Section 1906
(C)(1)(2) of the LPC Act.
Oregon
The board does not grant blanket reciprocity. The board reviews the minimum standards for licensure by the other state at the time licensure
was granted for equivalency with the boards minimum standards for Oregon licensure. The board will conduct a review for each applicant
for reciprocity on an individual basis.
1.) Application for licensure is made to the board office and be on forms provided by the board.
2.) Application for licensure shall be accompanied by:
a. The non-refundable application fee;
b. Official transcript of graduate degree that qualified the individual for licensure in the other state;
c. Verification of licensure from the other state and information on the education, experience and examination requirements for
licensure in that state at the time licensure was granted;
d. Professional disclosure statement; and
e. Graduate school catalog and course descriptions.
3.) Applicant is required to complete and pass an examination on Oregon laws and rules.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Pennsylvania
The board shall have the power to grant a reciprocal license to an applicant who is licensed or certified as a social worker, clinical social
worker, marriage and family therapist or professional counselor in another state and has demonstrated qualifications which equal or exceed
those required pursuant to this act in the determination of the board, provided that no license shall be granted under this section to an
applicant unless the state in which the applicant is licensed affords reciprocal treatment to persons who are residents of this Commonwealth
and who are licensed pursuant to this act.
Puerto Rico
The board will offer a license to a person that possesses a professional counselor license in another jurisdiction that qualifies, if the person has
completed requirements that are equal to or greater than those established by Law Number 147. The board will not offer a license by
reciprocity to an applicant that is under investigation in another geographical jurisdiction, by the accusation of an act that could constitute a
violation of Law Number 147.
Rhode Island
Licensure by endorsement: A license as a clinical mental health counselor may be issued, at the discretion of the board, without examination,
to an applicant who is a clinical mental health counselor where the applicant is licensed or certified in another state, whose requirements are
equivalent to or exceed the requirements established pursuant to this Act.
South Carolina
The board may offer licensure by endorsement with any state that credentials professional counselors and marriage and family therapists if the
board finds that the state has substantially the same or higher licensure requirements.
1.) The board may license an individual who is currently credentialed or meets the requirements of a licensed professional counselor or a
licensed marriage and family therapist in another jurisdiction of the United States if the individual has met the same or higher
requirements.
2.) The board shall delineate in regulation procedures for verifying an applicants credentials from another jurisdiction.
3.) The board may not license an applicant who is under investigation in this or another jurisdiction for an act that would constitute a
violation of this chapter until the investigation is complete. When deciding a case, the board shall determine what, if any, rules or
discipline apply.
4.) The board may grant a license to practice professional counseling or marriage and family therapy to an applicant who has completed an
educational program in a college or university in a foreign country if the applicant meets all requirements of this article and
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board that the applicants experience, command of the English language, and completed
academic program meet the standards of a relevant academic program of an accredited educational institution within the United States.
If the requirements of this item are met, the applicant must be considered to have received the education from an accredited
educational institution as required by this article.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

South Dakota
The applicant for licensure by endorsement must hold an active license and be in good standing with the states board that issued the current
license(s). That states requirements must substantially meet South Dakotas requirements. The appropriate application shall be filled out
and accompanied by the fee required.
Tennessee
Individuals seeking LPC licensure by reciprocity must meet the following qualifications:
Hold a current professional counselor license from another state, meet licensure requirements, and pass all required examinations.
Individuals seeking LPC/MHSP licensure by reciprocity must meet the following qualifications:
Hold a current professional counselor license with a mental health service provider designation, or its equivalent, from another state, meet
licensure requirements, and pass all required exams.
Required documentation: completed application and supporting documentation; recent photo; birth certificate; evidence of good moral
character; original certificate/license and renewal certificate/license; the state certification or licensing law and rules in effect at the time the
applicant was credentialed; and an official statement from the certification or licensing agency in applicants state which indicates that such
certificate or license is in effect and in good standing, and under what provision such a certificate or license was issued (i.e. grandfathering,
examination, reciprocity, endorsement). An applicant shall pay, at the time of the application, the nonrefundable application fee.
Texas
1.) The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors may grant a provisional license to a person who holds, at the time of
application, a license as a counselor or art therapist issued by another state or territory that is acceptable to the board.
2.) The board shall consider only state and territories of the United States as acceptable for the purposes of licensure by endorsement.
a. Submit an application and license fee;
b. Be licensed in good standing as a counselor or art therapist in another state or territory that has licensing requirements that are
substantially equivalent to the regular licensing requirements of the Licensed Professional Counselor Act; and
c. Have passed the required examinations.
A provisional license is valid for 180 days or until the date the board issues a regular license or denies the provisional licensees application
for a license, whichever occurs first. The board shall issue a regular license to the holder of a provisional license if the board verifies that the
provisional licensee has the academic and experience requirements for a regular license.
Utah
To qualify for licensure by endorsement, an applicant must document that he/she is currently licensed in good standing in another state and
has been actively engaged in the lawful practice of professional counseling, including mental health therapy, for not less than 4,000 hours
during the three (3) years immediately preceding the application for licensure in Utah. The applicant for licensure must also document a
passing score on the Utah Professional Counselor Laws, Rules, and Ethics Examination.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Vermont
Licensure by endorsement: The board may license without requiring the applicant to take both the NCMHCE and NCE.
a. Applicants from a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards: if the applicant is licensed/certified in good standing as a
clinical mental health counselor in another jurisdiction which currently has, in the opinion of the board, regulatory standards and
qualifications for licensure/certification as a clinical mental counselor substantially equivalent to those in Vermont, the board may
issue a license. The board, in this case, reviews only the current licensure statutes and rules of the jurisdiction in which the applicant
is licensed/certified; or
b. Applicants from a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent standards except for national competency examinations: if the applicant is
licensed/certified as a clinical mental health counselor in good standing in an American or Canadian jurisdiction whose regulatory
standards are, in the opinion of the board, substantially equivalent except for requiring only one exam, the NCMHCE or NCE, the
applicant may be licensed upon successful completion of the examination the applicant was not required to take for licensing in the
other jurisdiction; or
c. Applicants in active practice in a U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction regardless of licensing standards: if the applicant has been licensed/
certified as a clinical mental health counselor and is in good standing in another U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction, notwithstanding the
jurisdictions current licensing requirements, and has been in active practice no fewer than 5 years, the board may issue a license.
Active practice as used in this section means practicing clinical mental health counseling more than an average of 20 hours per week
for 48 weeks per year over the 5 years before application for licensure in Vermont; or
d. National Registry: If the applicant is registered in a national registry of clinical mental health counselors approved by the board under
the auspices of the American Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB) or similar organization approved by the board, the
board may issue a license.
Virginia
Every applicant for licensure by endorsement shall submit in one package the following:
1.) A completed application;
2.) The application processing fee;
3.) Verification of all professional licenses or certificates ever held in any other jurisdiction. In order to qualify for endorsement the
applicant shall have no unresolved action against a license or certificate. The board will consider history of disciplinary action on a
case-by-case basis;
4.) Documentation of having completed education and experience requirements substantially equivalent to those in effect in Virginia at
the time of initial licensure as verified by an official transcript and a certified copy of the original application materials;
5.) Verification of a passing score on a licensure examination in the jurisdiction in which licensure was obtained; and
6.) An affidavit of having read and understood the regulations and laws governing the practice of professional counseling in Virginia.
Washington
Applicants must have met the same education, examination, and experience as required by Washington state statute. Applicant must have
passed the NBCC National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE).
Verification must be provided directly from the jurisdiction in which the applicant took the required examination.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

West Virginia
An individual may apply for reciprocity review if the individual is currently licensed in another state whose licensing requirements are greater
than or equal to the requirements in this rule as determined by the board. It is the applicants responsibility to provide the documentation
necessary for the board to make an appropriate decision on reciprocity. The following documentation is required for the board to review for
reciprocity: a completed WV application form and the required fee; copies of graduate transcripts from the issuing institutions; a certified
copy, including exam results, of the applicants file from the jurisdiction where currently licensed; and two completed professional
recommendation forms from individuals permanently licensed as professional counselors, psychologists, social workers, or psychiatrists on
forms provided by the board. Persons with a temporary license cannot complete the recommendation form.
Wisconsin
Licensure by reciprocity: Upon application and payment of the fee, the board may grant a professional counselor license to any individual
who holds a similar certificate or license in another state or territory of the United States and who passes an examination approved by the
board that tests knowledge of state law relating to professional counseling, if the board determines that the requirements for obtaining the
certificate or license in the other state or territory are substantially equivalent to Wisconsins requirements.
Wyoming
Licensure by reciprocity: Applicants must hold a current license in good standing under the laws of another state having licensure
requirements substantially similar to those required in this state.

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

APPENDIX F:
Practice Act / Title Act Chart
Year Original Certification/Licensure Law Passed
State Counselor Counts

120

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

States

Law
Passed

Credentials

Alabama

1979

Licensed Professional Counselor

Associate Licensed Counselor

LPC
ALC

Practice and Title

Alaska

1998

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

Title

1988

Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensed Associate Counselor

LPC
LAC

Practice

Arizona

Practice/Title

Counselor
Counts
1,600
280
497
2500
1200
900
455

Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensed Associate Counselor

LPC
LAC

Practice and Title

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Professional Clinical Counselor Intern

LPCC
PCCI

Practice and Title

1,416
2,231

1988

Licensed Professional Counselor

Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

Title

Connecticut

1997

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

Practice and Title

Delaware

1987

Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health

Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health

LPCMH
LACMH

Title

4,432
90
As of 2012
1932
304
3

District of
Columbia

1992

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

Practice and Title

1,111

Practice

1981

Georgia

1984

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Provisional Mental Health Counselor
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Licensed Professional Counselor
Associate Professional Counselor

LMHC

Florida

LPC
ALPC

Practice and Title

8813
71
3990
5252
1228

Hawaii

2004

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

LMHC

Practice and Title

268

1982

LCPC
LPC

Illinois

1993

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Licensed Professional Counselor
Registered Counselor Intern
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor

Practice

Idaho

LCPC
LPC

Practice

750
895
11
5,590
2,720

Indiana

1997

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

LMHC

Practice and Title

Arkansas

1979

California

2009

Colorado

121

1853

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

States

Law
Passed

Credentials

Iowa

1991

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Kansas

1997**

Kentucky

1996

Louisiana

1987

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Licensed Professional Counselor
Counselor Intern
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Conditional
Licensed Professional Counselor Conditional
Registered Counselor

Maine

1989

Practice/Title

Counselor
Counts

LMHC

Practice

935/

LCPC
LPC
LPCC
LPCA
LPC
CI
LCPC
LPC

Practice and Title

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

RC
LCPC
CPC
LGPC

Practice
Practice and Title

359
429
1400
800
2810
914
1,453
211
469
93
634

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

LMHC

Practice

5446

Licensed Professional Counselor

Limited Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC
LLPC
LPCC
LPC

Practice and Title

9,069 total

Practice and Title

Practice and Title

391
465

Practice and Title

Practice
Practice

3000

Maryland

1985

Massachusetts

1987

Michigan

1988

Minnesota

2007

Mississippi

1985

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

Practice and Title

954

Missouri

1985

Licensed Professional Counselor

Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC
PLPC

Practice and Title

3,531
693

Montana

1985

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

LCPC

Practice and Title

954

1986

Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner

Licensed Mental Health Practitioner
Certified Professional Counselor
Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner

LIMHP
LMHP
CPC
PLMHP

Practice and Title

Practice and Title
Title
Practice and Title

682***
2,615***
1,106
935***

Nebraska

122

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

States

Law
Passed

Credentials

Nevada

2007

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Intern

LCPC

Practice and Title

New Hampshire

1998

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

LCMHC

Practice and Title

737

New Jersey

1993

Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensed Associate Counselor
Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health
Counselor
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Limited Permit
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Associate Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Professional Counselor/Clinical Resident
Registered Counselor Trainee

LPC
LAC
LPCC

Title
Practice

3217
1061
1862

Practice and Title

279
802
5832

New Mexico

1993

New York

2002

North Carolina

1983

North Dakota

1989

Practice/Title

LPC
LMHC
LMHC
LPC
LPCA
LPCS
LPCC
LPC
LAPC
LPCC
LPC
CR
RCT

Practice and Title

Practice and Title

Practice and Title

Counselor
Counts
25*
13*

5,160
1,754
594
430
198
74
4858
3933
1003
690

Ohio

1984

Oklahoma

1985

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

Practice and Title

3,784

Oregon

1985

Licensed Professional Counselor

Registered Intern

LPC

Title

1,694
434

Pennsylvania

1998

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

Title

6,048

Puerto Rico

2002

Licensed Professional Counselor

Professional Counselor with a Provisional License

LPC
PCPL

Rhode Island

1987

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

LCMHC

Practice and Title

363

South Carolina

1985

Licensed Professional Counselor

Professional Counselor Intern

LPC
LPC/I

Practice

1,777
311

123

Practice and Title

2,474
75

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

States

Law
Passed

South Dakota

1990

Tennessee

1984

Credentials

Practice/Title

Licensed Professional Counselor Mental Health

Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor Mental Health
Service Provider
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor Intern
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Professional Counselor Intern
Certified Professional Counselor Extern

LPC-MH
LPC
LPC/MHSP

LPC

Practice

LPC
LPC

Practice
Practice and Title

Practice and Title

Counselor
Counts
211
471
1806
355
18.000
4,000
1045
310
48

Texas

1981

Utah

1994

Vermont

1988

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

LCMHC

Practice and Title

485

Virginia

1976

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

Practice and Title

4150

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
Certified Counselor
Certified Advisor
Agency Affiliated Counselors

LMHC
LMHCA
CC CA
AAC

Practice and Title

5,133
1,235
717
9
5,996

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

Practice and Title

1,060

Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensed Professional Counselor Trainee
Licensed Professional Counselor
Provisional Professional Counselor

LPC

Practice and Title

LPC
PPC

Practice and Title

5158
582
810
190

Washington

2001

West Virginia

1986

Wisconsin

1992

Wyoming

1987

Note: Please see page 4 for information on practice vs. title acts.
*The state is still in the process of implementing the law for this credential.
**Kansas began registering counselors in 1987; the law licensing professional counselors passed in 1997.
***Count includes professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers. Those holding the CPC credential also hold either
the LMHP or LIMHP credential and can use the title LPC.

124

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

APPENDIX G:
States That Have Adopted the ACA Code of Ethics

125

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Professional Counseling State Licensure

Boards

Adopted the ACA Code of Ethics into

their Rules and Regulations

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada

No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No

126

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Professional Counseling State Licensure

Boards

Adopted the ACA Code of Ethics into

their Rules and Regulations

New Hampshire
No
New Jersey
Yes*
New Mexico
No
New York
No
North Carolina
Yes
North Dakota
Yes
Ohio
Yes*
Oklahoma
No
Oregon
No
Pennsylvania
Yes*
Puerto Rico
No
Rhode Island
No
South Carolina
Yes*
South Dakota
Yes
Tennessee
Yes
Texas
No
Utah
Yes
Vermont
Yes
Virginia
No
Washington
No
West Virginia
Yes
Wisconsin
No
Wyoming
Yes
Of the 52 jurisdictions, 18 have adopted the ACA Code of Ethics.
*The board subscribes to the code of ethics and practice standards for counselors promulgated by the American Counseling Association. ACAs standards
shall be used as aids in resolving ambiguities which may arise in interpretation of the rules of professional ethics and conduct, except that the boards rules
of standards of ethical practice and professional conduct shall prevail whenever any conflict exists between these rules and ACAs standards.

127

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

APPENDIX H:
Scope of Practice

128

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Scope of Practice: Career Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling

Twenty-seven (27) states and the District of Columbia include career counseling in the scope of practice. Twelve (12) states include
rehabilitation counseling in the scope of practice. Twelve (12) states include both career counseling and rehabilitation counseling in the
scope of practice. One (1) state, South Carolina, does not have any specialty licenses
State
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
District of Columbia
Florida
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Maryland
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wyoming

Career Counseling
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

129

Rehabilitation Counseling
X
X

X
X

X
X
X
X

X
X

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

ALABAMA
PRIVATE PRACTICE OF COUNSELING means rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations or the
general public counseling services, in settings of individual or group practice, for a fee, salary, or other compensation, involving the
application of principles, methods or procedures of the counseling profession which include, but are not restricted to:
a. Counseling. To render evaluation and therapy that includes, but is not limited to, providing individual counseling, family
counseling, marital counseling, group therapy, school counseling, play therapy, rehabilitation counseling, art therapy, human
growth and development counseling, couples counseling, chemical abuse or dependency counseling, career counseling, and
vocational disability counseling. The use of specific methods, techniques, or modalities within the practice of a licensed
professional counselor is restricted to counselors appropriately trained in the use of these methods, techniques, or modalities. A
licensed professional counselor or associate licensed counselor may diagnose and develop treatment plans but shall not attempt
to diagnose, prescribe for, treat, or advise a client with reference to problems or complaints falling outside the boundaries of
counseling services.
b. Appraisal Activities. Selecting, administering, scoring and interpreting instruments designed to assess an individual's aptitudes,
attitudes, abilities, achievements, interests and personal characteristics, but shall not include the use of projective techniques in
the assessment of personality.
c. Counseling, Guidance and Personnel Consulting. Interpreting or reporting upon scientific fact or theory in counseling,
guidance and personal services to provide assistance in solving some current or potential problems of individuals, groups or
organizations.
d. Referral Activities. The evaluating of data to identify problems and to determine advisability of referral to other specialists.
e. Research Activities. The designing, conducting and interpreting of research with human subjects.
ALASKA
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL OF COUNSELING means, subject to (C) of this paragraph, the application of principles,
methods, or procedures of the counseling profession to diagnose or treat, other than through the use of projective testing or
individually administered intelligence tests, mental and emotional disorders that are referenced in the standard diagnostic
nomenclature for individual, group, and organizational therapy, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of
human relationships and systems; if otherwise within the scope of this paragraph, practice of professional counseling includes:

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

a. The professional application of evaluation techniques, treatments, and therapeutic services to individuals and groups for the
purpose of treating the emotional and mental disorders;
b. An applied understanding of the dynamics of the individual and of group interactions, along with the application of therapeutic
and counseling techniques for the purpose of resolving intrapersonal and interpersonal conflict and changing perceptions,
attitudes, and behaviors in the area of human relationships; and
c. Consistent with regulations adopted by the board under AS 08.29.020(a)(4), administration and use of appropriate assessment
instruments that measure or diagnose problems or dysfunctions within the course of human growth and development as part of
a counseling process or in the development of a treatment plan.
ARIZONA
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means the professional application of mental health, psychological and
human development theories, principles and techniques to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the human life span.
Assess and facilitate career development.
Treat interpersonal relationship issues and nervous, mental and emotional disorders that are cognitive, affective or behavioral.
Manage symptoms of mental illness.
Access, appraise, evaluate, diagnose and treat individuals, couples, families and groups through the use of psychotherapy.

ARKANSAS
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR means any person holding himself/herself out to the public by any title or
description of services incorporating the words Licensed Professional Counselor, who meets the requirements set forth in Section 3.2
of the rules and regulations, and who offers to render counseling services to individuals, groups, organizations, corporations,
institutions, government agencies, or to the general public for monetary remuneration or who otherwise implies licensure, training,
experience, and/or expertise in counseling and who holds a current valid license to practice counseling/psychotherapy.
PRACTICE OF COUNSELING means rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public
any service involving the application of principles, methods, or procedures of the counseling profession which include, but are not
restricted to:

131

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

a. "Counseling", which means assisting an individual or groups, through the counseling relationship, to develop understandings
of personal problems, to define goals, and to plan action reflecting his or her interests, abilities, aptitudes, and needs as these
are related to personal social concerns, educational progress, and occupations and careers;
b. "Appraisal activities", which means selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting instruments designed to assess an
individual's aptitudes, attitudes, abilities, achievements, interests, and personal characteristics but shall not include the use of
projective techniques in the assessment of personality;
c. "Consulting", which means interpreting or reporting scientific fact or theory to provide assistance in solving current or
potential problems of individuals, groups, or organizations;
d. "Referral activities", which means the evaluating of data to identify problems and to determine the advisability of referral to
other specialists; and
e. "Research activities", which means reporting, designing, conducting, or consulting on research in counseling with human
subjects.
COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY means assisting individuals or groups, through the counseling relationship, to develop
understanding of personal problems, define goals, and plan action reflecting interests, abilities, aptitudes, and needs. Counseling/
Psychotherapy is the application of mental health, psychological, or human development principles, through cognitive, affective,
behavioral or systemic intervention strategies that address wellness, personal growth, or career development, as well as pathology. The
terms Counseling/Psychotherapy are used interchangeably in definitions of mental health activities in counseling textbooks.
CALIFORNIA
PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL COUNSELING means the application of counseling interventions and psychotherapeutic
techniques to identify and remediate cognitive, mental, and emotional issues, including personal growth, adjustment to disability,
crisis intervention, and psychosocial and environmental problems. Professional clinical counseling includes conducting assessments
for the purpose of establishing counseling goals and objectives to empower individuals to deal adequately with life situations, reduce
stress, experience growth, change behavior, and make well-informed, rational decisions.
Professional clinical counseling is focused exclusively on the application of counseling interventions and psychotherapeutic
techniques for the purposes of improving mental health, and is not intended to capture other, nonclinical forms of counseling for the
purposes of licensure. For purposes of this paragraph, nonclinical means nonmental health.

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

Professional clinical counseling does not include the assessment or treatment of couples or families unless the professional clinical
counselor has completed all of the following additional training and education, beyond the minimum training and education required
for licensure:
(A) One of the following:
(i) Six semester units or nine quarter units specifically focused on the theory and application of marriage and family therapy.
(ii) A named specialization or emphasis area on the qualifying degree in marriage and family therapy; marital and family therapy;
marriage, family, and child counseling; or couple and family therapy.
(B) No less than 500 hours of documented supervised experience working directly with couples, families, or children.
(C) A minimum of six hours of continuing education specific to marriage and family therapy, completed in each license renewal cycle.
Professional clinical counseling does not include the provision of clinical social work services.
Counseling interventions and psychotherapeutic techniques means the application of cognitive, affective, verbal or nonverbal,
systemic or holistic counseling strategies that include principles of development, wellness, and maladjustment that reflect a pluralistic
society. These interventions and techniques are specifically implemented in the context of a professional clinical counseling
relationship and use a variety of counseling theories and approaches.
Assessment means selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting tests, instruments, and other tools and methods designed to
measure an individuals attitudes, abilities, aptitudes, achievements, interests, personal characteristics, disabilities, and mental,
emotional, and behavioral concerns and development and the use of methods and techniques for understanding human behavior in
relation to coping with, adapting to, or ameliorating changing life situations, as part of the counseling process. Assessment shall not
include the use of projective techniques in the assessment of personality, individually administered intelligence tests,
neuropsychological testing, or utilization of a battery of three or more tests to determine the presence of psychosis, dementia, amnesia,
cognitive impairment, or criminal behavior.
Professional clinical counselors shall refer clients to other licensed health care professionals when they identify issues be yond their
own scope of education, training, and experience.
COLORADO
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR means a professional counselor who practices professional counseling or mental
health counseling and who is licensed pursuant to this part 6.

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016

CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING includes:

a. Assessment, counseling activities, consultation, and referral; and
b. Treatment, diagnosis, testing, assessment, psychotherapy, or counseling in a professional relationship to assist individuals or
groups to alleviate mental and emotional disorders, understand unconscious or conscious motivation, resolve emotional,
relationship, or attitudinal conflicts, or modify behaviors that interfere with effective emotional, social, or intellectual
functioning.
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means:
a. Those activities that assist the person receiving counseling in developing an understanding of personal, emotional, social,
educational, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, and vocational development and in planning and effecting actions
to increase functioning or gain control of his or her behavior in such areas. Such activities include, but are not limited to, skillbuilding in communications, decision-making, and problem-solving, clarifying values, promoting adaptation to loss and other
life changes, developing social skills, restructuring cognitive patterns, defining educational and career goals, and facilitating
adjustment to personal crises and conflicts;
b. The selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting of instruments designed to measure aptitudes, attitudes, abilities,
achievements, interests, emotions, and other personal characteristics and includes the application of nonstandardized methods,
such as interviews, to evaluate a person receiving counseling and to evaluate such personal and social functioning;
c. A voluntary relationship between a counselor and a client in which the counselor assists a person, couple, group, or
organization to cope with matters that include relationships, conflicts, problem-solving, decision-making, and competencies by
interpreting, reporting on, or applying counseling theory; and
d. Rendering of or offering to render counseling services that facilitate effective personal, emotional, social, educational, and
vocational development in individuals, couples, groups, and organizations, with an emphasis on the natural aspects of human
development and with an educational orientation.
CONNECTICUT
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means the application, by persons trained in counseling, of established principles of psychosocial development and behavioral science to the evaluation, assessment, analysis and treatment of emotional, behavioral or
interpersonal dysfunction or difficulties that interfere with mental health and human development. Professional counseling includes,

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but is not limited to, individual, group, marriage and family counseling, functional assessments for persons adjusting to a disability,
appraisal, crisis intervention and consultation with individuals or groups.
DELAWARE
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR OF MENTAL HEALTH (LPCMH) is an individual licensed as a professional
counselor of mental health under this chapter who publicly offers to render to individuals, groups, organizations or the general public a
service involving the application of clinical counseling principles, methods or procedures and the diagnosis and treatment of mental
and emotional disorders to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal and social adjustment.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means engaging in counseling activities, for compensation, by a person who
represents, by title or description of services, that he or she is a professional counselor or licensed professional counselor, and
includes the processes of: (a) conducting assessments for the purpose of determining treatment goals and objectives; (b) assisting
clients through a professional relationship to achieve effective mental, emotional, physical, social, educational, or career development
and adjustment throughout the life span; and (c) using counseling treatment interventions to facilitate human development and to
identify and remediate mental, emotional, or behavioral conditions and associated difficulties which interfere with functional wellness.
FLORIDA
PRACTICE OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING is defined as the use of scientific and applied behavioral science theories,
methods, and techniques for the purpose of describing, preventing, and treating undesired behavior and enhancing mental health and
human development and is based on the person-in-situation perspectives derived from research and theory in personality, family,
group, and organizational dynamics and development, career planning, cultural diversity, human growth and development, human
sexuality, normal and abnormal behavior, psychopathology, psychotherapy, and rehabilitation. The practice of mental health
counseling includes methods of a psychological nature used to evaluate, assess, diagnose, and treat emotional and mental dysfunctions
or disorders (whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral), behavioral disorders, interpersonal relationships, sexual dysfunction,
alcoholism, and substance abuse. The practice of mental health counseling includes, but is not limited to, psychotherapy,
hypnotherapy, and sex therapy. The practice of mental health counseling also includes counseling, behavior modification,
consultation, client-centered advocacy, crisis intervention, and the provision of needed information and education to clients, when
using methods of a psychological nature to evaluate, assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent emotional and mental disorders and
dysfunctions (whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral), behavioral disorders, sexual dysfunction, alcoholism, or substance abuse.
The practice of mental health counseling may also include clinical research into more effective psychotherapeutic modalities for the

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treatment and prevention of such conditions.

a. Mental health counseling may be rendered to individuals, including individuals affected by the termination of marriage, and to
couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
b. The use of specific methods, techniques, or modalities within the practice of mental health counseling is restricted to mental
health counselors appropriately trained in the use of such methods, techniques, or modalities.
c. The terms "diagnose" and "treat," as used in this chapter, when considered in isolation or in conjunction with any provision of
the rules of the board, shall not be construed to permit the performance of any act which mental health counselors are not
educated and trained to perform, including, but not limited to, admitting persons to hospitals for treatment of the foregoing
conditions, treating persons in hospitals without medical supervision, prescribing medicinal drugs as defined in chapter 465,
authorizing clinical laboratory procedures pursuant to chapter 483, A49 or radiological procedures, or use of electroconvulsive
therapy. In addition, this definition shall not be construed to permit any person licensed, provisionally licensed, registered, or
certified pursuant to this chapter to describe or label any test, report, or procedure as "psychological," except to relate
specifically to the definition of practice authorized in this subsection.
d. The definition of "mental health counseling" contained in this subsection includes all services offered directly to the general
public or through organizations, whether public or private, and applies whether payment is requested or received for services
rendered.
GEORGIA
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means practice in that specialty which utilizes counseling and psychotherapy
to evaluate and treat emotional and mental problems and conditions, whether cognitive, behavioral, or affective.
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means that specialty which utilizes counseling techniques based on principles, methods, and
procedures of counseling that assist people in identifying and resolving personal, social, vocational, intrapersonal and interpersonal
concerns; utilizes counseling and psychotherapy to evaluate and treat emotional and mental problems and conditions, whether
cognitive, behavioral, or affective; administers and interprets educational and vocational assessment instruments and other tests which
the professional counselor is qualified to employ by virtue of education, training, and experience; utilizes information and community
resources for personal, social, or vocational development; utilizes individual and group techniques for facilitating problem solving,
decision making, and behavior change; utilizes functional assessment and vocational planning and guidance for persons requesting
assistance in adjustment to a disability or disabling condition; utilizes referral for persons who request counseling services; and utilizes
and interprets counseling research.
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HAWAII
PRACTICE OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING means the rendering of professional counseling services based on
specialized education, training, and experience to individuals, families, or groups for compensation, monetary or otherwise. These
professional counseling services include applying the restrictive principles, methods, and theories of counseling human development,
learning theory, group and family dynamics, rehabilitation, and the etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior, and defining
goals and developing a treatment plan of action aimed toward the prevention, treatment, and resolution of mental and emotional
dysfunction and intra or interpersonal disorders to all persons irrespective of diagnosis. Practice of mental health counseling
includes but is not limited to:
a. The assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of, and counseling for, mental and emotional disorders;
b. The assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of, and counseling for, substance abuse and conduct disorders defined in the
approved diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders;
c. The application of educational techniques aimed at the prevention of these disorders; and
d. The provision of consultative services to individuals, couples, families, groups, organization, and communities.
IDAHO
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means the application of mental health, psychological, and human
development principles in order to facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the life span; prevent, assess, human
development and adjustment throughout the life span; prevent, assess, and treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and
associated distresses which interfere with mental health; conduct assessments for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and
objectives; and plan, implement and evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions. "Counseling treatment
interventions" means the application of cognitive, affective, behavioral, and systemic counseling strategies, which include principles
of development, wellness and pathology that reflect a pluralistic society. Such interventions are specifically implemented in the
context of a professional counseling relationship. The practice of professional counseling includes, but is not limited to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Individual, group, marriage and family counseling and therapy;

Assessment;
Crisis intervention;
Treatment of persons with mental and emotional disorders;
Guidance and consulting to facilitate normal growth and development, including educational and career development;
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f. Utilization of functional assessment and counseling for persons requesting assistance in adjustment to a disability or
handicapping condition;
g. Consulting;
h. Research; and
i. Referral.
ILLINOIS
CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means the provision of professional counseling and mental health services, which
includes, but is not limited to, the application of clinical counseling theory and techniques to prevent and alleviate mental and
emotional disorders and psychopathology and to promote optimal mental health, rehabilitation, treatment, testing, assessment, and
evaluation. It also includes clinical counseling and psychotherapy in a professional relationship to assist individuals, couples, families,
groups, and organizations to alleviate emotional disorders, to understand conscious and unconscious motivation, to resolve emotional,
relationship, and attitudinal conflicts, and to modify behaviors that interfere with effective emotional, social, adaptive, and intellectual
functioning.
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means the provision of services to individuals, couples, groups, families, and organizations in
any one or more of the fields of professional counseling. Professional counseling includes, but is not limited to:
1.) social, emotional, educational, and career testing and evaluation;
2.) a professional relationship between a counselor and a client in which the counselor provides assistance in coping with life
issues that include relationships, conflicts, problem solving, decision making, and developmental concerns; and
3.) research.
Professional counseling may also include clinical professional counseling as long as it is not conducted in independent private practice
as defined in this Act.
INDIANA
PRACTICE OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING means a specialty that:
a. Uses counseling and psychotherapeutic techniques based on principles, methods, and procedures of counseling that assist
people in identifying and resolving personal, social, vocational, intrapersonal, and interpersonal concerns;

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b. Uses counseling to evaluate and treat emotional and mental problems and conditions in a variety of settings, including mental
and physical health facilities, child and family service agencies, or private practice, and including the use of accepted
evaluation classifications, including classifications from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as amended and supplemented, but only to the extent of the counselor's education,
training, experience, and scope of practice as established by this article;
c. Administers and interprets appraisal instruments that the mental health counselor is qualified to employ by virtue of the
counselor's education, training, and experience;
d. Uses information and community resources for personal, social, or vocational development;
e. Uses individual and group techniques for facilitating problem solving, decision making, and behavioral change;
f. Uses functional assessment and vocational planning guidance for persons requesting assistance in adjustment to a disability or
disabling condition;
g. Uses referrals for individuals who request counseling services; and
h. Uses and interprets counseling research.
The term does not include diagnosis (as defined in IC 25-22.5-1-1.1(c)).
IOWA
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING means the provision of counseling services involving assessment, referral, consultation, and
the application of counseling, human development principles, learning theory, group dynamics, and the etiology of maladjustment and
dysfunctional behavior to individuals, families, and groups.
KANSAS
LICENSED CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means a person who engages in the independent practice of
professional counseling including the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders specified in the edition of the diagnostic and
statistical manual of mental disorders of the American psychiatric association designated by the board by rules and regulations and
who is licensed under this act.

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PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means assisting an individual or group for a fee, monetary or otherwise,
through counseling, assessment, consultation and referral and includes the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders as authorized
under the professional counselors licensure act.
a. "Assessment" means selecting, administering, scoring and interpreting instruments designed to describe an individual's
aptitudes, abilities, achievements, interests and personal characteristics.
b. "Consultation'' means the application of principles, methods and techniques of the practice of counseling to assist in solving
current or potential problems of individuals or groups in relation to a third party.
c. "Referral'' means the evaluation of information to identify problems and to determine the advisability of referral to other
practitioners.
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means to assist an individual or group to develop understanding of personal strengths and
weaknesses, to restructure concepts and feelings, to define goals and to plan actions as these are related to personal, social, educational
and career development and adjustment.
KENTUCKY
PRACTICE OF COUNSELING means professional counseling services within the scope of Section 2 of this administrative
regulation and which involve the application of mental health and development principals, methods or procedures, including
assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of emotional disorders or mental illnesses, to assist individuals to achieve more
effective personal, social, educational, or career development and adjustment.
Section 2. Requirements for the Practice of Professional Counseling. (1) The practice of professional counseling shall be based on
knowledge of interpersonal, cognitive behavioral, psychodynamics, human relations, crisis intervention, psychopathology, group
dynamics, and effective methods and strategies necessary to help the client achieve mental, vocational, emotional, physical, social,
moral, and spiritual development and adjustment throughout the client's life span. (2) A practitioner of professional counseling shall
possess and utilize numerous skills, including skills necessary to apply professional counseling services relative to the following areas:
a. The helping relationship, including counseling theory and practice;
b. Human growth and development;
c. Lifestyle and career development;
d. Group dynamics, process, counseling, and consulting;
e. Assessment, appraisal, and testing of individuals;
f. Social and cultural foundation, including multicultural issues;
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g. Principles of etiology, diagnosis, treatment planning, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders and dysfunctional
behavior;
h. Research and evaluation; and
i. Professional orientation and ethics.
LOUISIANA
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR means any person who holds oneself out to the public for a fee or other personal
gain, by any title or description of services incorporating the words licensed professional counselor or any similar term, and who
offers to render professional mental health counseling/psychotherapy services denoting a client-counselor relationship in which the
counselor assumes the responsibility, knowledge, skill, and ethical consideration needed to assist individuals, groups, organizations, or
the general public, and who implies that he/she is licensed to practice mental health counseling.
PRACTICE OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY means rendering or offering prevention, assessment,
diagnosis, and treatment, which includes psychotherapy of mental, emotional, behavioral, and addiction disorders to individuals,
groups, organizations, or the general public by a licensed professional counselor, which is consistent with his professional training as
prescribed by R.S. 37:1107(A)(8), and code of ethics/behavior involving the application of principles, methods, or procedures of the
mental health counseling profession which includes but is not limited to:
a. assisting an individual or group through psychotherapy by rendering or offering prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and
treatment, which includes psychotherapy of mental, emotional, behavioral, and addiction disorders. This professional relationship
empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.

MAINE
CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR means a professional counselor who renders or offers to render for a fee, monetary
or otherwise, to individuals, families, groups, organizations or the general public, a counseling service involving the application of the
principles and procedures of counseling to assess and treat intrapersonal and interpersonal problems and other dysfunctional behaviors
and to assist in the overall development and adjustment of those served.

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PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR means a person who, for a fee, monetary or otherwise, renders or offers to render to individuals,
families, groups, organizations or the general public a service involving the application of principles and procedures of counseling to
assist those served in achieving more effective personal, emotional, social, educational and vocational development and adjustment.
PROCEDURES OF COUNSELING means methods and techniques that include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. "Assessment" means selecting, administering and interpreting instruments designed to assess personal, interpersonal and group
characteristics.
b. "Consulting" means the application of scientific principles and procedures in counseling to provide assistance in understanding
and solving a current or potential problem that the client may have in relation to a 3rd party, be it an individual, a family, a
group or an organization.
c. "Counseling" means assisting individuals, families or groups through the counseling relationship to develop understanding of
intrapersonal and interpersonal problems, to define goals, to make decisions, to plan a course of action reflecting their needs,
and to use information and community resources, as these procedures are related to personal, social, educational and vocational
development.
d. "Referral" means the evaluation of information to identify needs or problems of the counselee and to determine the advisability
of referral to other specialists, informing the counselee of that judgment, and communicating as requested or deemed
appropriate with referral sources.

MARYLAND
PRACTICE OF CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means to engage professionally and for compensation in
counseling and appraisal activities by providing services involving the application of counseling principles and methods in the
diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and amelioration of psychological problems and emotional or mental conditions of individuals or
groups.
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means to engage professionally and for compensation in counseling and
appraisal activities while representing oneself to be a professional counselor.
COUNSELING means assisting an individual, family, or group through the client-counselor relationship:

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a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

To develop understanding of intrapersonal and interpersonal problems;

To define goals;
To make decisions;
To plan a course of action reflecting the needs, interests, and abilities of the individual, family, or group; and
To use informational and community resources, as these procedures are related to personal, social, emotional, educational, and
vocational development and adjustment.

MASSACHUSETTS
PRACTICE OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING means the rendering of professional services to individuals, families or
groups for compensation, monetary or otherwise. These professional services include: applying the principles, methods, and theories
of counseling, human development, learning theory, group and family dynamics, the etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional
behavior and psychotherapeutic techniques to define goals and develop a treatment plan of action aimed toward the prevention,
treatment and resolution of mental and emotional dysfunction and intra or interpersonal disorders to all persons irrespective of
diagnosis. The practice of mental health counseling includes, but is not limited to, assessment, diagnosis and treatment, counseling and
psychotherapy, of a nonmedical nature of mental and emotional disorders, psychoeducational techniques aimed at prevention of such
disorders, and consultation to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities.
MICHIGAN
PRACTICE OF COUNSELING or COUNSELING means the rendering to individuals, groups, families, organizations, or the
general public a service involving the application of clinical counseling principles, methods, or procedures for the purpose of
achieving social, personal, career, and emotional development and with the goal of promoting and enhancing healthy self-actualizing
and satisfying lifestyles whether the services are rendered in an educational, business, health, private practice, or human services
setting. The practice of counseling does not include the practice of psychology except for those preventive techniques, counseling
techniques, or behavior modification techniques for which the licensed professional counselor or limited licensed counselor has been
specifically trained. The practice of counseling does not include the practice of medicine such as prescribing drugs or administering
electroconvulsive therapy.
COUNSELING PRINCIPLES, METHODS, OR PROCEDURES means a developmental approach that systematically assists
an individual through the application of any of the following procedures:
Evaluation and appraisal techniques. As used in this subparagraph, appraisal techniques means selecting, administering, scoring, and
interpreting instruments and procedures designed to assess an individual's aptitudes, interests, attitudes, abilities, achievements, and
personal characteristics for developmental purposes and not for psychodiagnostic purposes.
a. Exploring alternative solutions.
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c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.

Developing and providing a counseling plan for mental and emotional development.
Guidance.
Psychoeducational consulting.
Learning theory.
Individual and group techniques emphasizing prevention.
Counseling techniques.
Behavioral modification techniques.
Referrals. As used in this subparagraph, referral includes determining the need for referral to 1 or more statutorily regulated
mental health professionals whose expertise, skills, and competence are appropriate to the problems of the individual,
informing the individual of the referral, and communicating as appropriate with the professional to whom the individual has
been referred.

COUNSELING TECHNIQUES means the application of basic counseling and psychotherapy skills and theories in the counseling
process in order to do all of the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Establish and maintain the counseling relationship.

Diagnose and identify the problem.
Formulate a preventive, treatment, or rehabilitative plan.
Facilitate appropriate interventions.

MINNESOTA
LPCC
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL means a person providing clinical services in the treatment of mental illness of adults or
providing clinical services in the diagnosis and treatment of childrens emotional disorders. A mental health professional must have
training and experience in working with children consistent with the age group to which the mental health professional is assigned.
LPCCs are included in the definition of mental health professional in Minnesota law. LPCC licensure requires, among other things,
clinical coursework in specified areas, a masters or doctoral degree in counseling or related field, and 4,000 hours of post-masters
supervised experience in the delivery of clinical services in the treatment of mental illness.
LPC
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means the application of counseling, human development, and mental health
research, principles, and procedures to maintain and enhance the mental health, development, personal and interpersonal effectiveness,
and adjustment to work and life of individuals and families.

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SCOPE OF PRACTICE
The scope of practice of a licensed professional clinical counselor and licensed professional counselor includes, but is not limited to:
a. The implementation of professional counseling treatment interventions including evaluation, treatment planning, assessment,
and referral;
b. Direct counseling services to individuals, groups, and families;
c. Counseling strategies that effectively respond to multicultural populations;
d. Knowledge of relevant laws and ethics impacting practice;
e. Crisis intervention;
f. Consultation; and
g. Program evaluation and applied research.
MISSISSIPPI
COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY PROCEDURES counseling/psychotherapy is the application of mental health,
psychological, or human development principles, through cognitive, affective, behavioral, or systemic intervention strategies that
address wellness, personal growth, or career development, as well as pathology. Counseling/psychotherapy involves diagnoses,
assessment, and treatment by use of counseling/psychotherapy methods and techniques, both verbal and nonverbal, which require the
application of principles, methods, or procedures of understanding, predicting and/or influencing behavior or motivation; the use of
informational and community resources for personal or social development; the use of group and/or placement methods and
techniques which serve to further the goals of counseling/psychotherapy; designing, conducting and interpreting research on human
subjects and on any consultation on any item above; appraisal techniques including, but not limited to, testing of achievement,
abilities, interests, aptitudes and personality.
Note: The terms counseling and psychotherapy are used interchangeably throughout this document.
MISSOURI
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means rendering, offering to render, or supervising those who render to
individuals, couples, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, schools, government agencies, or the general public any
counseling service involving the application of counseling procedures, and the principles and methods thereof, to assist in achieving
more effective intrapersonal or interpersonal, marital, decisional, social, educational, vocational, developmental, or rehabilitative
adjustments; Professional counseling, includes, but is not limited to:

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a. The use of verbal or nonverbal counseling or both techniques, methods, or procedures based on principles for assessing,
understanding, or influencing behavior (such as principles of learning, conditioning, perception, motivation, thinking,
emotions, or social systems);
b. Appraisal or assessment, which means selecting, administering, scoring, or interpreting instruments designed to assess a
person's or group's aptitudes, intelligence, attitudes, abilities, achievement, interests, and personal characteristics;
c. The use of referral or placement techniques or both which serve to further the goals of counseling;
d. Therapeutic vocational or personal or both rehabilitation in relation to coping with or adapting to physical disability, emotional
disability, or intellectual disability or any combination of the three;
e. Designing, conducting, and interpreting research;
f. The use of group methods or techniques to promote the goals of counseling;
g. The use of informational and community resources for career, personal, or social development;
h. Consultation on any item in paragraphs (a) through (g) above; and
i. No provision of sections 337.500 to 337.540, or of chapter 354 or 375, RSMo, shall be construed to mandate benefits or thirdparty reimbursement for services of professional counselors in the policies or contracts of any insurance company, health
services corporation or other third-party payer.
MONTANA
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means engaging in methods and techniques that include:
a. Counseling, which means the therapeutic process of:
Conducting assessments and diagnoses for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives; or Planning,
implementing, and evaluating treatment plans that use treatment interventions to facilitate human development and
to identify and remediate mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and associated distresses that interfere with
mental health;

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b. Assessment, which means selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting instruments designed to assess an individual's
aptitudes, attitudes, abilities, achievement, interests, and personal characteristics and using nonstandardized methods and
techniques for understanding human behavior in relation to coping with, adapting to, or changing life situations;
c. Counseling treatment intervention, which means those cognitive, affective, behavioral, and systemic counseling strategies,
techniques, and methods common to the behavioral sciences that are specifically implemented in the context of a therapeutic
relationship. Other treatment interventions include developmental counseling, guidance, and consulting to facilitate normal
growth and development, including educational and career development; and
d. Referral, which means evaluating information to identify needs or problems of an individual and to determine the advisability
of referral to other specialists, informing the individual of the judgment, and communicating as requested or considered
appropriate with the referral sources.
NEBRASKA
LIMHP
INDEPENDENT MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE means the provision of treatment, assessment, psychotherapy, counseling, or
equivalent activities to individuals, couples, families, or groups for behavioral, cognitive, social, mental, or emotional disorders,
including interpersonal or personal situations. This includes diagnosing major mental illness or disorder, using psychotherapy with
individuals suspected of having major mental or emotional disorders, or using psychotherapy to treat the concomitants of organic
illness, with or without consultation with a qualified physician or licensed psychologist. Independent mental health practice does not
include the practice of psychology or medicine, prescribing drugs or electroconvulsive therapy, treating physical disease, injury, or
deformity, or measuring personality or intelligence for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment planning.
LMHP
MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE means the provision of treatment, assessment, psychotherapy, counseling, or equivalent
activities to individuals, couples, families, or groups for behavioral, cognitive, social, mental, or emotional disorders, including
interpersonal or personal situations; and includes the initial assessment of organic mental or emotional disorders for the purpose of
referral or consultation. Mental health practice does not include:
a. the practice of psychology or medicine;
b. prescribing drugs or electroconvulsive therapy;
c. treating physical disease, injury, or deformity;
d. diagnosing major mental illness or disorder except in consultation with a qualified physician, licensed clinical psychologist or
licensed independent mental health practitioner;
e. measuring personality or intelligence for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment planning;
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f. using psychotherapy with individuals suspected of having major mental or emotional disorders except in consultation with a
qualified physician, licensed clinical psychologist or licensed independent mental health practitioner; or using psychotherapy
to treat the concomitants of organic illness except in consultation with a qualified physician or licensed clinical psychologist.
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means the assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within the context of
professional counseling theory and practice of individuals, couples, families, or groups for remuneration and includes, but is not
limited to:
a. Assisting individuals or groups through the counseling relationship to develop understanding, define goals, plan action, and
change behavior with the goal of reflecting interests, abilities, aptitudes, and needs as they are related to personal and social
concerns, educational progress, and occupations;
b. Appraisal activities which means selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting instruments designed to assess a person's
aptitudes, attitudes, abilities, achievements, interests, and personal characteristics, except that nothing in this subdivision
authorizes a certified professional counselor to engage in the practice of clinical psychology as defined in the Psychology
Practice Act;
c. Referral activities which evaluate data to identify which persons or groups may better be served by other specialists;
d. Research activities which means reporting, designing, conducting, or consulting on research in counseling with human
subjects;
e. Therapeutic, vocational, or personal rehabilitation in relationship to adapting to physical, emotional, or intellectual disability;
and
f. Consulting on any activity listed in this section.
NEVADA
PRACTICE OF CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means the treatment, assessment and counseling or equivalent
activities, to a person or group of persons to achieve mental, emotional, physical and social development and adjustment. The term, as
defined by legislation, includes counseling interventions to prevent, diagnose and treat emotional or behavioral disorders which
interfere with mental health. The term does not include:
The practice of psychology or medicine;
1. The prescription of drugs or electroconvulsive therapy;

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2. The treatment of physical disease, injury or deformity;
3. The diagnosis or treatment of a psychotic disorder;
4. The use of projective techniques in the assessment of personality;
5. The use of psychological, neuropsychological or clinical tests designed to identify or classify abnormal or
pathological human behavior;
6. The use of individually administered intelligence tests, academic achievement tests or neuropsychological tests;
or
7. The use of psychotherapy to treat the concomitants of organic illness except in consultation with a qualified
physician or licensed clinical psychologist.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER means persons licensed under this chapter as psychologists, pastoral psychotherapists,
clinical social workers, clinical mental health counselors, or marriage and family therapists. For purposes of this chapter, the term
clinical social worker shall include independent clinical social worker.
MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE means the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, diagnosis, and modification of
human behavior by the application of psychological and systems principles, methods, and procedures for the purpose of preventing or
eliminating symptomatic, maladapted, or undesirable behavior and of enhancing interpersonal relationships, work and life
adjustments, personal effectiveness, behavioral health, and mental health, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of the psychological
and social aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability. Mental health practice may include, but shall not be limited to,
those services based on diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders and psycho-educational or consultative techniques
integral to the treatment of such disorders when diagnosis is specified in the most current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, or an equivalent of such manual as determined by
the board. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, no person licensed or registered under this chapter shall assess the
need for medications, prescribe medications, or otherwise practice medicine as defined in RSA 329.

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SCOPE OF PRACTICE means assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment recommendations and treatment of a person with a
diagnosis or a concern specified in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric
Association (DSM) in accordance with RSA 330-A: 1.
NEW JERSEY
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING SERVICES means the application of mental health and human development principles in
order to facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the lifespan; clinically assess and evaluate mental, emotional, and
associated distresses which interfere with mental health and development; conduct assessments and evaluations for the purpose of
establishing goals and objectives; and plan, implement, and evaluate counseling interventions.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
The scope of practice of a licensed professional counselor includes, but is not limited to, counseling, counseling interventions,
appraisal and assessment, consulting, referral and research activities.
NEW MEXICO
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING means the application of mental health,
psychotherapeutic and human development principles through a therapeutic relationship to:
a. achieve the mental, emotional, physical, social, moral, educational, spiritual or career-related development and adjustment of
the client throughout the client's life;
b. diagnose, evaluate, prevent and treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and associated distresses that interfere with
mental health;
c. conduct appraisal, assessments and evaluations to establish treatment goals and objectives; and
d. plan, implement and evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions and strategies.

NEW YORK

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PRACTICE OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

The practice of the profession of mental health counseling is defined as:
a. The evaluation, assessment, amelioration, treatment, modification, or adjustment to a disability, problem, or disorder of
behavior, character, development, emotion, personality or relationships by the use of verbal or behavioral methods with
individuals, couples, families or groups in private practice, group, or organized settings; and
b. The use of assessment instruments and mental health counseling and psychotherapy to identify, evaluate and treat dysfunctions
and disorders for purposes of providing appropriate mental health counseling services.
NORTH CAROLINA
PRACTICE OF COUNSELING means holding oneself out to the public as a professional counselor offering counseling services
that include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. Counseling. --Assisting individuals, groups, and families through the counseling relationship by evaluating and treating mental
disorders and other conditions through the use of a combination of clinical mental health and human development principles,
methods, diagnostic procedures, treatment plans, and other psychotherapeutic techniques, to develop an understanding of
personal problems, to define goals, and to plan action reflecting the client's interests, abilities, aptitudes, and mental health
needs as these are related to personal-social-emotional concerns, educational progress, and occupations and careers.
b. Appraisal Activities. --Administering and interpreting tests for assessment of personal characteristics.
c. Consulting. --Interpreting scientific data and providing guidance and personnel services to individuals, groups, or
organizations.
d. Referral Activities. --Identifying problems requiring referral to other specialists.
e. Research Activities. --Designing, conducting, and interpreting research with human subjects.
NORTH DAKOTA
CLINICAL COUNSELING means providing clinical mental health counseling services involving the application of principles of
human development, learning theory, psychotherapy, group dynamics, and the etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior to

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individuals, couples, families, and groups for the purpose of promoting optimal mental health, dealing with normal problems of living,
and treating psychopathic disorders. Clinical counseling includes diagnosis and treatment of emotional and mental disorders; psychoeducational techniques aimed at the prevention of emotional and mental disorders; consultations to individuals, couples, families,
groups, organizations, and communities; and clinical research into more effective psycho-therapeutic modalities.
COUNSELING means the application of human development and mental health principles in a therapeutic process and
professional relationship to assist individuals, couples, families, and groups in achieving more effective emotional, mental, marital,
family, and social or educational development and adjustment. The goals of professional counseling are to:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the life span;

Prevent, assess, and treat emotional, mental, or behavioral disorder and distress which interferes with mental health;
Conduct assessments for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives; and
Plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans using professional counseling strategies and interventions.

OHIO
SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR A PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL COUNSELOR
A professional clinical counselor may for a fee, salary, or other considerations:
a. Engage in all practices, principles, methods, and procedures permitted under the scope of practice for a Professional
Counselor.
b. Engage, as a private practitioner, in the unsupervised diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders as defined in
division (F) of section 4757.01 of the Revised Code.
c. Independently, as an employee of an agency, without supervision, perform or approve a diagnosis and/or develop or approve a
treatment plan as required for record keeping, insurance purposes, accreditation, or governmental requirements.
d. Provide work supervision for professional counselors, social workers, social worker temporaries, assistant social workers, and
marriage and family therapists; and supervision of chemical dependency counselors and prevention specialists as specified in
chapter 4758 of the Revised Code; and training supervision for students, registered counselor trainees and registered clinical
residents.
CLINICAL COUNSELING PRINCIPLES, METHODS, OR PROCEDURES means an approach to counseling that
emphasizes the counselors role in systematically assisting clients through all of the following: assessing and analyzing background
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and current information, diagnosing mental and emotional disorders, exploring possible solutions, and developing and providing a
treatment plan for mental and emotional adjustment or development. Clinical counseling principles, methods, or procedures includes
at least counseling, appraisal, consulting, and referral.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR A PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
A professional counselor as a private practitioner or an employee of an agency may for a fee, or salary, or other considerations:
a. Engage in the practice of professional counseling, means to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public
counseling services involving the application of clinical counseling principles, methods, or procedures to assist individuals in
achieving more effective personal, social, educational, or career development and adjustment. The practice of professional
counseling does not include the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders unless the individual is licensed as a
professional clinical counselor or is supervised by a professional clinical counselor, a psychologist, psychiatrist,
or an independent social worker.
b. Apply clinical counseling principles, methods, and procedures, means an approach to counseling that emphasizes the
counselors role in systematically assisting clients through all of the following: Assessing and analyzing emotional conditions,
exploring possible solutions, and developing and providing a treatment plan for mental and emotional adjustment or
development. It may include counseling, appraisal, consulting, supervision, administration and referral.
c. Provide diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional conditions not attributable to mental and emotional disorders as
defined in division (F) of section 4757.01 of the Revised Code.
d. Engage in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders as the employee of a private practitioner or an agency
when under the supervision of a professional clinical counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or independent social worker.
e. Provide training supervision for students and registered counselor trainees when services are within their scope of practice,
which does not include supervision of the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
OKLAHOMA
COUNSELING means the application of mental health and developmental principles in order to:
a. Facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the life span;
b. Prevent, diagnose or treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders or associated distress which interfere with mental health;
c. Conduct assessments or diagnoses for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives; and
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d. Plan, implement or evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions.

OREGON
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means counseling services provided to individuals, couples, families, children, groups,
organizations or the general public through the therapeutic relationship, developing understanding of personal problems, defining
goals and planning action reflecting interests, abilities, aptitudes and needs as these relate to problems and concerns in personal,
social, educational, rehabilitation and career adjustments. Professional counseling includes, but is not limited to:
a. Application of counseling theories and techniques designed to assist clients with current or potential problems and to facilitate
change in thinking, feeling and behaving.
b. Research activities including reporting, designing, conducting or consulting on research in counseling with human subjects.
c. Referral activities including the referral to other specialists.
d. Consulting activities which apply counseling procedures and interpersonal skills to provide assistance in solving problems that
a client may have in relation to an individual, group or organization.
e. Record keeping activities, including documentation of counseling treatment or therapeutic services.
PENNSYLVANIA
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING includes all of the following:
a. The application of principles and practices of counseling, mental health and human development to evaluate and facilitate
human growth and adjustment throughout the life span and to prevent and treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and
associated stresses which interfere with mental health and normal human growth and development.
b. The evaluation and assessment of normal and abnormal mental, emotional, social, educational, vocational, family and
behavioral functioning throughout the life span; individual, group, family counseling and psychotherapy; crisis intervention,
career counseling and educational and vocational counseling; functional assessment of persons with disabilities; and
professional consulting.
c. Professional counselors' utilization of verbal and nonverbal approaches and specialization in the use of arts-based therapeutic
approaches, such as art, dance, music or drama, to accomplish treatment objectives.
PUERTO RICO

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PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING refers to dedicating oneself to exercising the profession by way of the use of
methods and strategies that include, but are not limited to:
a. Counseling, which signifies the process of helping, which occurs through an instant personal relationship in which one utilizes
theories, principles, methods, and strategies based on scientific knowledge to promote the integral well-being of the people.
b. Evaluation, which signifies the selection, administration, and interpretation of developed tools for evaluating personal
characteristics and the utilization of technical methods for observation, measurement, and understanding human behavior in
relation to the way to confront, adapt to, and alter life situations.
c. Consultation, which signifies the application of theories, principles, and scientific processes of counseling and human
development to provide help and understand and resolve the real or potential situations that a person creates in relation to
another person or a group or organization.
d. Referral, which signifies the recommendation to consult other specialists, after having identified and evaluated the needs of a
client in order to determine the convenience of having verbal consultation and the coordination with the chosen specialist.
e. Investigation, which signifies the systematic work of compilation, analysis, and interpretation of information or data using
scientific, quantitative, or qualitative methods to describe the social characteristics, the behavior, and the interactions between
people or organizations.
RHODE ISLAND
THE PRACTICE OF CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING means the rendering of professional services to
individuals, families or groups for monetary compensation. These professional services would include:
a. Applying the principals, methods and theories of counseling and/or psychotherapeutic techniques to define goals and develop a
treatment plan of action aimed toward the prevention, treatment and resolution of social, mental, and emotional dysfunction
and intra- or interpersonal disorders in persons diagnosed at intake as nonpsychotic and not presenting medical problems; and
b. Engaging in psychotherapy of a nonmedical nature utilizing supervision when appropriate and making referrals to other
psychiatric, psychological or medical resources when the person is diagnosed as psychotic or presenting a medical problem.

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SOUTH CAROLINA
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means functioning as a psycho-therapist and may include, but is not limited
to, providing individual therapy, family counseling, group therapy, marital counseling, play therapy, couples counseling, chemical
abuse or dependency counseling, vocational counseling, school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, intervention, human growth and
development counseling, behavioral modification counseling, and hypnotherapy. The practice of professional counseling may include
assessment, crisis intervention, guidance and counseling to facilitate normal growth and development, including educational and
career development; utilization of functional assessment and counseling for persons requesting assistance in adjustment to a disability
or handicapping condition; and consultation and research. The use of specific methods, techniques, or modalities within the practice of
licensed professional counseling is restricted to professional counselors appropriately trained in the use of these methods, techniques,
or modalities.
ASSESSMENT in the practice of counseling and therapy means selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting evaluative or
standardized instruments; assessing, diagnosing, and treating, using standard diagnostic nomenclature, a client's attitudes, abilities,
achievements, interests, personal characteristics, disabilities, and mental, emotional, and behavioral problems that are typical of the
developmental life cycle; and the use of methods and techniques for understanding human behavior in relation to, coping with,
adapting to, or changing life situations. A counselor may assess more serious problems as categorized in standard diagnostic
nomenclature but only if the counselor has been specifically trained to assess and treat that particular problem. If a client presents with
a problem which is beyond the counselor's training and competence, the counselor must refer that problem to a licensed professional
who has been specifically trained to diagnose and treat the presenting problem. In all cases, ethical guidelines as established by the
board must be followed.
SOUTH DAKOTA
LPC
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means the application of mental health, psychological, and human
development principles in order to:
a. facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the lifespan;
b. prevent, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and associated distresses which interfere with mental health;
c. conduct assessments and diagnoses for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives; and
d. plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions.
LPC-MH
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING means the practice of mental health counseling includes diagnosis and treatment of mental
illness or mental and emotional disorders; individual, group, and marriage and family counseling, and psychotherapy; assessment;
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crisis intervention; counseling and consulting to facilitate normal growth and development; psychoeducational techniques aimed at the
prevention of mental and emotional disorders; consultations to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities;
and clinical research.
TENNESSEE
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING (without the designation as a mental health service provider) means the
rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public any service involving the application of
principles, techniques, methods, or procedures of the counseling profession, including appraisal activities, as defined by the law,
counseling, consulting and referral activities. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the treatment of any mental,
emotional or adjustment disorder other than marital problems, parent-child problems, child, and adolescent antisocial behavior, adult
antisocial behavior, other specified family circumstances, other interpersonal problems, phase of life problems, other life circumstance
problems, occupational problems, and uncomplicated bereavement.
PRACTICE OF COUNSELING AS A MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER means the application of mental health
and human development principles in order to:
a. facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the life span;
b. prevent, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and associated disorders which interfere with mental
health;
c. conduct assessments and diagnoses for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives within the limitations
prescribed in T.C.A. 63-22-150(1); and
d. plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions. Counseling treatment interventions
shall mean the application of cognitive, affective, behavioral and systemic counseling strategies which include principles of
development, wellness, and pathology that reflect a pluralistic society. Nothing in this definition shall be construed to permit
the performance of any act which licensed professional counselors designated as mental health service providers are not
educated and trained to perform, nor shall it be construed to permit the designation of testing reports as psychological.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
(1) The following shall be considered necessary when addressing the scope of practice for professional counselors:
a. Assisting an individual, through the counseling relationship, in a manner intended to facilitate normal human growth and
development, using a combination of mental health and human development principles, methods and techniques, to achieve
mental, emotional, physical, social, moral, educational, spiritual and/or career development and adjustment through the
lifespan.
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b. Rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public any service involving the
application of principles, techniques, methods or procedures of the counseling profession, including appraisal activities,
counseling, consulting and referral activities. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the treatment of any mental,
emotional or adjustment disorder other than marital problems, parent-child problems, child and adolescent antisocial behavior,
adult antisocial behavior, other specified family circumstances, other interpersonal problems, phase of life problems, other life
circumstance problems, occupational problems, and uncomplicated bereavement.
c. Selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting instruments designed to assess an individuals aptitudes, achievements, or
interests, which are used to understand, measure or facilitate such individuals normal human growth and development, but
shall not include the use of projective techniques in the assessment of personality, nor the use of psychological or clinical tests
designed to identify or classify abnormal or pathological human behavior, nor the use of individually administered intelligence
tests. Consistent with each counselors formal education and training, licensed or certified professional counselors may
administer and utilize appropriate assessment instruments which measure and/or diagnose problems and/or dysfunctions within
the context of human growth and development as part of the counseling process or in the development of a treatment plan.
(2) In addition to the provisions of paragraph (1), the following shall be considered necessary when addressing the scope of practice
for professional counselors as a mental health service provider:
a. Facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the life span;
b. Prevent, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and associated disorders which interfere with mental
health;
c. Conduct assessments and diagnoses for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives within the limitations
prescribed in T.C.A. 63-22-150(1); and
d. Plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions. Counseling treatment interventions
means the application of cognitive, affective, behavioral and systemic counseling strategies which include principles of
development, wellness, and pathology that reflect a pluralistic society. Nothing in this definition shall be construed to permit
the performance of any act which licensed professional counselors designated as mental health service providers are not
educated and trained to perform, nor shall it be construed to permit the designation of testing reports as psychological.
(3) Any person who engages in any unlawful act enumerated in these rules and T.C.A. 63-22-101, et seq., is guilty of a Class B
misdemeanor.
(4) Nothing in these rules shall be construed as permitting individuals registered with the board to administer or prescribe drugs or in
any manner engage in the practice of medicine as defined by Tennessee law.
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TEXAS
PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING is defined as the application of mental health, psychotherapeutic, and human
development principles to facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the life span; prevent, assess, evaluate, and treat
mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and associated distresses that interfere with mental health; conduct assessments and
evaluations to establish treatment goals and objectives; and plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment
interventions that include:
1. "counseling" which means assisting one or more clients through the therapeutic relationship, using a combination of mental
health and human development principles, methods, and techniques, including the use of psychotherapy, to achieve the
mental, emotional, physical, social, moral, educational, spiritual, or career-related development and adjustment of the client
throughout the client's life;
2. "assessment" which means selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting instruments designed to assess an individual's
aptitudes, attitudes, abilities, achievements, interests, personal characteristics, disabilities, and mental, emotional, and
behavioral disorders and the use of methods and techniques for understanding human behavior that may include the
evaluation, assessment, and treatment by counseling methods, techniques, and procedures for mental and emotional
disorders, alcoholism and substance abuse, and conduct disorders, but does not include the use of standardized projective
techniques or permit the diagnosis of a physical condition or disorder;
3. "consulting" which means the application of scientific principles and procedures in counseling and human development to
provide assistance in understanding and solving current or potential problems that the person seeking consultation may have
with regard to a third party, including an individual, group, or an organization; and
4. "referral" which means evaluating and identifying needs of a counselee to determine the advisability of referral to other
specialists, informing the counselee of such judgement, and communicating as requested or deemed appropriate to such
referral sources.
UTAH
PRACTICE OF CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING means the practice of mental health therapy by means of
observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, intervention, and treatment to effect modification of human behavior by the
application of generally recognized clinical mental health counseling principles, methods, and procedures for the purpose of
preventing, treating, or eliminating mental or emotional illness or dysfunction, symptoms of any of these, or maladaptive behavior.
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VERMONT
THE PRACTICE OF CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING means providing, for a consideration, professional
counseling services that are primarily drawn from the theory and practice of psychotherapy and the discipline of clinical mental health
counseling, involving the application of principles of psychotherapy, human development, learning theory, group dynamics, and the
etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior to individuals, couples, families, and groups, for the purposes of treating
psychopathology and promoting optimal mental health. The practice of clinical mental health counseling includes diagnosis and
treatment of mental and emotional disorders, psychoeducational techniques aimed at the prevention of such disorders, consultations to
individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities and clinical research into more effective psychotherapeutic
treatment modalities.
PSYCHOTHERAPY means the provision of treatment, diagnosis, evaluation or counseling services to individuals or groups, for a
consideration, for the purpose of alleviating mental disorders. Psychotherapy involves the application of therapeutic techniques to
understand unconscious or conscious motivation, resolve emotional, relationship or attitudinal conflicts, or modify behavior which
interferes with effective emotional, social or mental functioning. Psychotherapy follows a systematic procedure of
psychotherapeutic intervention which takes place on a regular basis over a period of time, or, in the case of evaluation and brief
psychotherapies, in a single or limited number of interventions. If a person is employed by or under contract with the agency of human
services, this definition does not apply to persons with less than a master's degree, to persons providing life skills training or
instruction, such as learning to make friends, to handle social situations, to do laundry and to develop community awareness, or
interactions of employees or contracted individuals with clients whose job description or contract specifications do not specifically
mention psychotherapy as a job responsibility or duty.
VIRGINIA
PRACTICE OF COUNSELING means rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public
any service involving the application of principles, methods or procedures of the counseling profession, which shall include appraisal,
counseling, and referral activities.
COUNSELING means the therapeutic process of: (i) conducting assessments and diagnoses for the purpose of establishing
treatment goals and objectives and (ii) planning, implementing, and evaluating treatment plans using treatment interventions to
facilitate human development and to identify and remediate mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and associated distresses which
interfere with mental health.

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COUNSELING TREATMENT INTERVENTION means those cognitive, affective, behavioral and systemic counseling
strategies, techniques and methods common to the behavioral sciences that are specifically implemented in the context of a therapeutic
relationship. Other treatment interventions include developmental counseling, guidance, and consulting to facilitate normal growth
and development, including educational and career development.
WASHINGTON
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING means the application of principles of human development, learning theory, psychotherapy,
group dynamics, and etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior to individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations,
for the purpose of treatment of mental disorders and promoting optimal mental health and functionality. Mental health counseling also
includes, but is not limited to, the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, as well as the application of
a wellness model of mental health.
PSYCHOTHERAPY means the practice of counseling using diagnosis of mental disorders according to the fourth edition of the
diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, published in 1994, and the development of treatment plans for counseling based
on diagnosis of mental disorders in accordance with established practice standards.

CERTIFIED COUNSELOR
The scope of practice of certified counselors consists exclusively of the following:
(1) Appropriate screening of the client's level of functional impairment using the global assessment of functioning as described in
the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Recognition of a mental or physical disorder or a
global assessment of functioning score of sixty or less requires that the certified counselor refer the client for diagnosis and treatment
to a licensed healthcare practitioner.
(2) If the client has a global assessment of functioning score greater than sixty, a certified counselor may counsel and guide the
client in adjusting to life situations, developing new skills, and making desired changes, in accordance with the theories and
techniques of a specific counseling method and established practice standards.
(3) If the client has a global assessment of functioning score of sixty or less, a certified counselor may counsel and guide the client
in adjusting to life situations, developing new skills, and making desired changes, in accordance with the theories and techniques of a
specific counseling method and established practice standards if:
(a) The client has been referred to the certified counselor by a licensed healthcare practitioner and care is provided as part of a
plan of treatment developed by the referring practitioner who is actively treating the client. The certified counselor must adhere to any
conditions related to the certified counselor's role as specified in the plan of care; or
(b) The certified counselor referred the client for diagnosis and treatment from a licensed healthcare practitioner and the client
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refused, in writing, to seek diagnosis and treatment from the other provider. The certified counselor may provide services to the client
consistent with a treatment plan developed by the certified counselor and the consultant or supervisor with whom the certified
counselor has a written consultation or supervisory agreement.
(4) A certified counselor must not be the sole treatment provider for a client with a global assessment of functioning score of less
than fifty.
CERTIFIED ADVISER
The scope of practice of certified advisers consists exclusively of the following:
(1) Appropriate screening of the client's level of functional impairment using the global assessment of functioning as described in
the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Recognition of a mental or physical disorder or a
global assessment of functioning score of sixty or less requires that the certified adviser refer the client to a licensed healthcare
practitioner.
(2) If the client has a global assessment of functioning score greater than sixty, a certified adviser may counsel and guide the client
in adjusting to life situations, developing new skills, and making desired changes, in accordance with the theories and techniques of a
specific counseling method and established practice standards.

AGENCY AFFILIATED COUNSELOR scope of practice:

(1) An agency affiliated counselor may only provide counseling services as part of his or her employment as an agency affiliated
counselor for a recognized agency.
(2) An applicant for an agency affiliated counselor must be employed by, or have an offer of employment from, an agency or
facility identified in WAC 246-810-016.
WEST VIRGINIA
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental, emotional or addiction
disorders through the application of clinical counseling procedures. Professional counseling includes the use of psychotherapy,
assessment instruments, counseling, consultation, treatment planning, and supervision in the delivery of services to individuals,
couples, families and groups.
CLINICAL COUNSELING PROCEDURES means an approach to counseling that emphasizes the counselors role in
systematically assisting clients through all of the following including, but are not limited to, observing, assessing and analyzing
background and current information; utilizing assessment techniques useful in appraising aptitudes, abilities, achievements, interests
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or attitudes; diagnosing; and developing a treatment plan. The goal of these procedures is the prevention and elimination of
symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior, cognitions, or emotions in order to integrate a wellness, preventative, pathology and
multicultural model of human behavior to assist an individual, couple, family, group of individuals, organization, institution or
community to achieve mental, emotional, physical, social, moral, educational, spiritual, vocational or career development and
adjustment through the life span of the individual, couple, family, group of individuals, organization, institution or community.
The licensees areas of competence in counseling and the services provided, based on training and experience, from the
following list, as is appropriate: career counseling, consultation, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders,
employee assistance counseling, family counseling, human resources counseling, marriage counseling, mental health counseling,
rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, substance abuse and addictions counseling, supervision, and vocational counseling.
WISCONSIN
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING means applying a combination of human development, rehabilitation and either psychosocial
or psychotherapeutic principles, procedures or services that integrate a wellness, pathology and multicultural model of human
behavior in order to assist an individual, couple, family, group of individuals, organization, institution or community to achieve
mental, emotional, physical, social, moral, educational, spiritual, vocational or career development and adjustment through the life
span of the individual, couple, family, group of individuals, organization, institution or community.
WYOMING
PRACTICE OF COUNSELING means rendering to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, corporations,
institutions, government agencies or the general public a service that integrates a wellness, pathology and multicultural model of
human behavior. This model applies a combination of mental health, psychotherapeutic, and human development principles and
procedures to help clients achieve effective mental, emotional, physical, social, moral, educational, spiritual or career development
and adjustment throughout the life span, and includes the diagnostic description and treatment of mental disorders or disabilities
within the range of the professional's preparation.
MENTAL HEALTH PROCEDURES means engaging in methods and techniques which include, but are not restricted to:
a. "Counseling" means assisting clients through the counseling relationship, using a combination of mental health, psychotherapy
and human development principles, methods and techniques, to achieve mental, emotional, physical, social, moral,
educational, spiritual or career development and adjustment through the life span, but shall not include religious instruction;

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b. "Appraisal" means selecting, administering, scoring and interpreting instruments designed to assess an individual's attitudes,
abilities, achievements, interests and personal characteristics and the use of methods and techniques for understanding human
behavior in relation to coping with, adapting to, or changing life situations;
c. "Consulting" means the application of scientific principles and procedures in counseling and human development to provide
assistance in understanding and solving current or potential problems that the client may have in relation to a third party, be it
an individual, a group or an organization;
d. "Referral" means evaluating and identifying needs of a client to determine the advisability of referral to other specialists,
informing the client of such judgment and communicating as requested or deemed appropriate to such referral sources;
e. "Research" means systematic efforts to collect, evaluate, interpret and apply procedures related to improving the understanding
and delivery of counseling services to clients.
PSYCHOTHERAPY means the treatment, diagnosis, testing, assessment or counseling in a professional relationship to assist
individuals or groups to alleviate mental disorders, understand unconscious or conscious motivation, resolve emotional relationships,
or attitudinal conflicts, or modify behaviors which interfere with effective emotional, social or intellectual functioning.

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