How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor
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Licensed professional counselors, experts in diagnosis and treatment planning, are working in a growing profession. According to the American Counseling Association (ACA), licensed professional counselors make up the second-largest profession in the behavioral health field.
Would you like to join this workforce? Your impact would be essential to changing the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges. Before you can practice, however, you will need to earn a graduate degree, complete supervised clinical hours, and pass a state exam.
Fortunately, we’ve gathered all the details in this accessible guide. Keep reading to learn how to launch your licensed professional counseling career.
How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in 5 Steps
Keep reading to learn the five steps to becoming a licensed professional counselor. By following these steps, you’ll develop essential counseling skills like empathy and active listening.
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree in a major related to counseling is necessary to eventually earn a master’s degree and start your career. Most colleges do not offer an undergraduate major in counseling, but you can get your bachelor’s in a subject like sociology, psychology, social work, or child development.
Bachelor’s programs may offer optional internships or practicums for field experience. Some may offer a concentration in addiction and substance use counseling.
2. Earn a Master’s Degree in Counseling
Typical master’s degrees in counseling include a rigorous practicum or field component combined with a traditional graduate-level curriculum. As a master’s degree candidate, you can tailor your elective courses and fieldwork to your counseling specialization.
You should get a master’s degree from a university accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This ensures that you receive a high-quality degree that meets state licensure guidelines.
3. Complete Your Supervised Fieldwork
You can begin your supervised field experience once you graduate with a master’s degree in counseling. While the minimum f requirement varies by state, you will need between 2,000 and 3,000 field hours under the supervision of a licensed practitioner to become eligible to sit for the national licensing exam. Some state licensing boards allow fieldwork you completed as part of a master’s degree to count toward the minimum work requirement.
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4. Pass the National Board for Certified Counselors Exam (NBCC)
The NBCC administers the flagship National Counselors Exam (NCE) for broad counselor certification in many states and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) for specialty certifications. The NCE is offered twice annually, in April and October, while the NCMHCE is offered throughout the year.
Candidates can take the NCE alone, for a fee of $275, or alongside the NCMHCE specialty certification exam, which costs an additional $100-$195.
5. Apply for a License
After you meet all the education and fieldwork requirements and pass the national licensing exam, you will have to apply for a license in the state you wish to practice in. In most states, this license is called the licensed professional counselor (LPC) certification, but other states use a different title for this certification, such as:
- Licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC)
- Licensed mental health counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC).
Each state upholds its own application requirements; for example, many states have phased out mail-in applications and now require LPCs to apply and renew online. State licensing boards may charge $50-$300 for initial license applications.
States also have different renewal requirements, which typically include meeting minimum continuing education hours over a set period of time and paying license renewal fees.
How Long Does It Take to Become an LPC?
Becoming a licensed professional counselor is a long and rigorous path that requires a significant time investment. After you earn your bachelor’s degree, you’ll spend two to three years earning a master’s in counseling.
You’ll then spend 1-3 years completing your supervised clinical hours. The specific number of clinical hours you’ll complete will depend on your state. However, per the ACA, you may spend 2,000 to 3,000 hours under supervision.
What Is a Licensed Professional Counselor?
An LPC is a mental health professional that focuses on providing therapy and treatment for a variety of individuals. Some common duties include:
Assessing client mental health needs and developing personalized treatment plans- Diagnosing and treating a wide range of mental health conditions
- Maintaining client records throughout the treatment process
- Providing individual, couple, group, family, and group counseling
- Helping people navigate and manage various challenges, including those related to chemical dependence, relationships, and self-esteem.
- Helping people cope and adjust after sudden disability, such as accidents or illnesses.
How Much Does an LPC Make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that licensed professional counselors encompass a variety of roles that pay between $44,000 and $61,000 per year. Rehabilitation counselors earn the least, while school and career counselors earn the most.
Other roles include marriage and family therapists ($58,510) and substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors ($53,000).
| Job | Median Annual Salary (2023) | Job Growth (2023-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $58,510 | 16% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $44,040 | 2% |
| School and Career Counselors and Advisors | $61,710 | 4% |
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $53,710 | 19% |
Is Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor Right for You?
Pros of Becoming a LPC
As a licensed professional counselor, you can find rewards in helping people navigate challenges and making a meaningful difference in their minds and lives.- You can work as a licensed professional counselor in various settings, including remotely in a private practice.
- The high demand for mental health professionals can translate to job security via stable employment.
Cons of Becoming a LPC
You may experience career burnout due to the stress of managing people’s trauma, depression, and anxiety.- Some clients may push boundaries or otherwise present as challenging, especially during their initial sessions.
- If you choose the private practice route, you’ll be self-employed, which has its own unique hurdles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a LPC
“Therapist” is a broad term that includes multiple licensed mental health practitioners, such as psychologists, social workers, and LPCs.
An LPC, or licensed professional counselor, is a specific type of mental health professional with graduate training who treats mental health conditions, including chemical dependency.
To become an LPC, you’ll need to earn a master’s or doctoral degree and complete several years of education and clinical training before earning licensure in your state.
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