LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION BY STATES & DC

1 For Professiona l C o u n s e lorsLICENSURE REQUIREMENTSThe C e n t e r for Counseling Practice, Policy and ResearchA S t a t e - by-State Report E d ition2016 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.

2 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: toll-free: 800/347-6647, x314 / DC area: 703/823-9800, x314 Fax: 703/823-3760 E-mail: 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, ACA Director, ethics and Professional Standards Special acknowledgement: Debbie Johnson, Administrative Assistant, Professional Affairs Eriq Ocampo, Research Specialist Copyright 2016 by the American Counseling Association.

3 American Counseling Association 6101 Stevenson Avenue Suite 600 Alexandria, VA 22304 (800) 347-6647 American Counseling Association Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016 1 Table of Contents Introduction: State Licensing of Professional Counselors ..3 What s 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.

4 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 Practice Act / Title Act Chart Year Original Certification/Licensure Law Passed State Counselor Counts Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016 2 Appendix G ..125 STATES That Have Adopted the ACA code of ethics Appendix H ..128 Scope of Practice Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016 3 STATE LICENSING OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS In order to protect public safety, STATES establish licensure or certification standards for health and human services professionals.

5 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 ( , clinical social workers or marriage and family therapists).

6 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.

7 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.

8 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 Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors 2016 4 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.

9 For certification requirements for substance abuse counselors, please visit the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information Web site at to order a free copy of SAMHSA s 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.

10 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 master s degree in counseling; many require specific coursework.