Counseling Licensure Requirements By State: Understanding Licensing Requirements For Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Despite some similarities, counseling licensures can differ significantly from state to state in the United States because each state has its own licensing board or authority that establishes specific requirements for becoming a licensed counselor. Depending on the state, these might include the state's Department of Health, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Board of Professional Counselor Examiners (or Examiners in Counseling), or the state's Board of Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, among others.
Clinical mental health counseling: All about counseling licensure requirements by state
In this article, we'll outline some ways in which counseling licensures can differ by state, offer some information about licensure reciprocity, and share a list of common license types you'll find across the country.
Education requirements
States may vary in the required level of education, but a master's degree is the minimum one must earn to receive licensure and practice as a professional counselor in every state. In some states, a doctoral degree is required for specialized practices such as working in higher education teaching undergrad and graduate students, as a counselor supervisor in an academic or medical setting, as a director of counseling services, or as a researcher.
Getting a Ph.D.: Clinical mental health counseling education
There are other reasons why some counselors choose to continue their education and receive a Ph.D. For example, most doctoral programs offer advanced clinical and research experience that can be helpful in many specializations. Getting your PhD may also increase your earning potential and widen your job prospects.
Supervised experience
States might stipulate a certain number of hours of post-degree clinical supervision under a licensed counselor or therapist. The typical standard is 2,000 to 4,000 hours, but that could vary depending on your specialization.
Supervised experience is an essential component in establishing competency and development. During the process, trainees often acquire a sense of their professional style as they explore their approach to caring for clients. The interactive relationship between the trainee and their supervisor allows for free discussion regarding their practices and performance, allowing the trainee to learn new skills and better help their clients. This relationship is also critical for guiding aspiring counselors through overwhelming times, ethical challenges, and handling challenging clients.
Three main areas of supervision in clinical mental health counseling
- Formative: The supervisor shares their own experiences with the trainee as a teaching tool.
- Normative: The trainee must explain and justify their work and problem-solving methods to the supervisor.
- Restorative: The supervisor supports a trainee if they have difficulty due to aspects of the practice like ethics issues, client relationships, and other challenges.
Counselors may complete their training in mental health settings such as hospitals, clinical outpatient practices, community mental health agencies, addiction and recovery centers, and other locations related to their specialization.
Examinations
States typically require certified counselors to pass standardized exams from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), such as the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and/or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Other examination requirements
Some states also require a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Examination for individuals specializing in working with individuals who have mental, physical, emotional, and/or developmental disabilities. Additionally, some states require supplemental exams regarding ethical practices in counseling.
Specializations certifications
Some states require supplemental certifications for counselors practicing in specialized areas. For example, one may need to earn a Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) when working in an addiction and recovery setting. Individuals working in education may require a National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) certification to obtain their license.
In some cases, states may allow counselors in specific disciplines to substitute a specialized certification for their NBCC exam.
Continuing education
Requirements for continuing education (CE) to maintain licensure also differ. States may mandate a certain number of hours of ongoing professional development or coursework within a specific time frame. Often, a portion of these hours must pertain to ethical practices.
Opportunities for you to earn CE hours
- Attend a conference, seminar, or workshop in your related field.
- Attend college or university courses.
- Some CE credits can be earned online through home study.
- Complete clinical supervision or consultation with an accredited supervisor.
- Publish in a professional journal or book.
- Develop a new course, workshop, seminar, or presentation related to your field.
- Establish a community outreach program through schools, hospitals, or agency in-service programs.
- Complete a college or university dissertation.
- Volunteer at an approved national, state, or humanitarian organization.
For more details on earning continuing education credits, visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at NBCC.org.
Ethical and legal standards
There is a bi-directional relationship between licensure and ethical/legal standards. For example, one may have their license revoked due to an ethics violation or be denied licensure upfront due to ethics concerns. Under every circumstance, all counselors must adhere to each state's ethical and legal standards. These standards can vary regarding client, reporting requirements, and professional conduct.
That said, the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) has established (and enforces) ethical behavior guidelines for counselors and counselor candidates on a national level.
Guidelines addressed by the NBCC
- Failure To Obtain Informed Consent
- Unethical Billing Practices
- Client Abandonment
- Multiple Relationships (these may include friendships, familial relationships, working relationships, or sexual relationships)
- Failure To Clearly Define Roles
- Incompetency (practicing in areas/capacities without training)
Not only do ethical standards in counseling guide the conduct of counselors, but they also safeguard the integrity and effectiveness of the profession as a whole. Ethical guidelines should center around treating clients with dignity and respect, as they receive competent and ethical care.
About licensure portability (reciprocity)
Licensure portability allows professional counselors to transfer their licenses should they move to a different state. However, transferring a counseling license from one state to another is often difficult due to a lack of consistency between states regarding titles, the scope of practice, and education and supervised hours requirements.
To punctuate the point, the American Counseling Association reports, "There are currently over 45 counselor licensure titles, no two scopes of practice are the same, minimum graduate credit hours vary from none stated to 60, and supervision requirements vary from 500 to 4,500 hours."
Transferring your license: Understanding the counseling licensure requirements by state
If you need to transfer your license, the first step is to research the state requirements and take stock of what you may or may not already have. Typically, you can find this information and obtain your application via the state's website.
Once you've received the application and have a general idea of their requirements, begin gathering the documentation. You may need to include your graduate school transcripts, exam scores, license verification from your current state, and other documentation related to training or continuing education hours.
Education requirements may differ from state to state, so you may need to complete specific courses or certifications to obtain licensure in the state you're moving to. When you've completed your paperwork, make copies and notarize your documents.
Common types of state licenses
You'll see a long list of professional counseling licenses across the US.
Some of the professional counseling licenses
- Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor (ACMHC)
- Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
- Associate Professional Counselor (APC)
- Conditional Licensed Professional Counselor (CLPC)
- Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC)
- Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (LACMH)
- Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC)
- Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)
- Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC)
- Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA)
- Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP)
- Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
- Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed Professional Counselor Intern (LPCI)
- Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH)
- Licensed Professional Counselor—Mental Health Service Provider (LPC-MHSP)
- Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC)
- Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A)
- Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC)
- Provisional Professional Counselor (PPC)
- Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP)
- Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHC)
Online mental health counselors: Opportunities with BetterHelp
Many independent mental health counselors take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of practicing online via platforms like BetterHelp. BetterHelp provides licensed counselors with assistance in gaining clients and help with billing details—allowing you to spend less time worrying about marketing and overhead expenditures and more time providing quality care to your clients.
If you're ready to take the first step in launching your practice, BetterHelp may be the place to get started.
Takeaway
Not only is licensure required to practice counseling, but it also ensures ethical standards, competency, and professionalism within the field. Licensure also safeguards clients' well-being by guaranteeing practitioners meet rigorous educational and clinical requirements.
Whether you're obtaining your counselor's license for the first time or are looking to use it in a new capacity, there are many practice options. You may work with a team of mental health professionals in a clinical setting, within a community outreach setting, or in your own practice.
What is the easiest state to get licensed in counseling?
States with fewer required supervision hours, less demanding education requirements, and fewer required examinations are often considered easier for obtaining state licensure. These states typically offer more streamlined procedures for applicants.
Can I work as a counselor without a license?
No, in most U.S. states, you must have a license to legally practice as a counselor. However, some positions, such as certain support roles in a clinical setting, might not require full professional licensure or formal credential verification.
How do I become a licensed counselor in Texas?
In Texas, you'll need to obtain a master's degree in counseling from an accredited university, complete 3,000 clinical hours as part of the supervised experience requirement, pass the National Counselor Exam, take additional required examinations such as the Texas Jurisprudence exam, and apply through the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. The state licensure board will review your eligibility after you submit the necessary credential documentation.
Does every state have a licensing law for counselors?
Yes, all U.S. states have licensing laws and detailed state licensure procedures for professional counselors. The specific licensure requirements may vary from one state to another.
Can you be licensed in two states for counseling?
Yes, counselors can hold state licensure in multiple states, but each state licensing board may have different credential and training requirements, making the process complex. Counselors often must register separately with each state's authority and complete specific background checks and fees.
What is the fastest way to become an LPC?
The fastest way may be to complete an accredited master's degree through intensive graduate study, quickly fulfill the required practicum and internship hours, complete any state-mandated training in treatment content areas, and pass your state's licensing exam promptly to receive your credential.
What is the best certification for counseling?
The most widely recognized credential is the National Certified Counselor (NCC) from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). It reflects strong counseling knowledge, comprehensive training, and ongoing professional development.
How do I become a counselor in the U.S.?
Earn at least a master's degree in counseling, complete the required supervised clinical experience, including practicum, and internship, pass the necessary examinations (typically the NCE or NCMHCE), meet all relevant treatment content areas requirements, and apply for state licensure through your state’s licensing board, fulfilling credential verification requirements.
What degree do most counselors have?
Most counselors complete their graduate study by obtaining a master's degree in counseling or a closely related field. This degree typically includes comprehensive training and content areas essential for competent treatment and the provision of professional services.
What exams are required to become a licensed counselor?
Most states require the National Counselor Exam or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Some states may also require additional examinations specific to certain specialties, involving further counseling knowledge assessments and procedures that applicants must complete. These may include fee payments upon completion to become eligible for the appropriate credential.
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