Counseling Licensure Requirements By State: Why And How Do They Vary?

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. 

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. 

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. 

There are three main areas of supervision:

1. Formative— The supervisor shares their own experiences with the trainee as a teaching tool.
2. Normative— The trainee must explain and justify their work and problem-solving methods to the supervisor.
3. 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). 

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. 

There are many 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. Some of these guidelines address:

• 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, 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." 

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 these include:

• 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)

Takeaway

Aspiring counselors usually need to thoroughly research the specific licensure requirements in the state where they plan to practice. This often involves contacting the state licensing board or authority for the most accurate and updated information.

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. 

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.