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Counselor
Counselor licensure titles vary by state — LPC, LMHC, LCPC, LPCC, and more. Each state has different education requirements, exam preferences, supervised experience hours, and scope of practice rules. The Counseling Compact is expanding interstate practice options.
51
Total States
40
In Compact
44
Require 60 Credits
31
Accept NCE
2,437
Avg Supervised Hrs
33.3
Avg CE Hours
Becoming a licensed counselor requires a graduate degree, passing a national exam, and completing thousands of hours of supervised clinical experience.
All states require a master's degree in counseling or a related field. Credit hour requirements range from 48 to 60 semester hours. CACREP accreditation is increasingly preferred or required. Programs include practicum and internship components.
Most states require the NCE (National Counselor Examination) or NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination). After graduation, 2,000-4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience under a board-approved supervisor are required.
The Counseling Compact is an interstate agreement allowing licensed counselors to practice across state lines. Member states benefit from improved access to mental health services and greater mobility for counseling professionals.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Title | Credit Hours | Exam | Supervised Hours | Compact Member | Diagnosis | CE Hours | Fees | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $775.00 (calculated) | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 3 | No | Yes | 40 | $725 | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | LPC | 60 | NCE or NCMHCE | 3,200 | Yes | Yes | 30 | $775 | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | LPC | 60 | NCE for LAC; NCMHCE for LPC | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 24 | $475 | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | LPCC | 60 | NCMHCE | 3,000 | No | Yes | 36 | $555 | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 2,000 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $345 | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Licensed Professional Counselor (abbreviation LPC not explicitly stated on page) | 60 | NCE or NCMHCE | 3 | Yes | Yes | 15 | $475 | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | LPCMH | 60 | NCE or NCMHCE (current NBCC certification required) | 3,200 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $482 | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) | 60 | NCE | 3,500 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $505 | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | LMHC | 60 | NCMHCE | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | 25 | $480 | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 35 | $475 | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | LMHC | 48 | NCE | 3,000 | No | Yes | 36 | $365 | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | LPC / LCPC | 60 | NCE for LPC; NCMHCE for LCPC (in addition to NCE) | 1,000 | No | Yes | 20 | $475 | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | LPC / LCPC | 48 | NCE for LPC; NCE and NCMHCE for LCPC | 1,680 | No | No | 30 | $425 | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | LMHC | 60 | NCMHCE | 3 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $325 | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | LMHC | 60 | NCE or NCMHCE | 3 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $395 | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | LPC / LCPC | 60 | NCE for LPC; NCMHCE for LCPC (in addition to NCE or as standalone) | 4,000 | Yes | Yes | 30 | $525 | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | LPCC | 60 | NCE | 4,000 | Yes | Yes | 10 | $325 | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $475 | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | LCPC | 60 | NCMHCE | 2,000 | Yes | Yes | 55 | $525 | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | LCPC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $450 | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | LMHC | 60 | NCMHCE | 3,360 | No | Yes | 30 | $547 | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | No | Yes | 30 | $450 | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | LPCC | 48 | NCMHCE | 4,000 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $450 | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 3,500 | Yes | Yes | 24 | $500 | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | 40 | — | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | LCPC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 20 | $525 | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | LMHP (Licensed Mental Health Practitioner) | 48 | NCE | 3 | Yes | Yes | 32 | $475 | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | CPC | 60 | NCMHCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 40 | — | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | LCMHC | 60 | NCMHCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $450 | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 4,500 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $500 | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | LPCC | 48 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $425 | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) | 60 | NCMHCE | 3 | No | Yes | 36 | $646 | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | LCMHC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $500 | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | LPCC | 60 | NCMHCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 30 | $500 | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | LPCC | 60 | NCMHCE | 3 | Yes | Yes | 30 | $400 | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 20 | $450 | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 2,400 | No | Yes | 40 | $500 | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | No | Yes | 30 | $365 | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | LCMHC | 60 | NCMHCE | 2 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $400 | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | LPC | 48 | NCE | 1,500 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $450 | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | LPC-MH | 60 | NCMHCE | 2,000 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $450 | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | LPC/MHSP | 60 | NCE and NCMHCE (both required) | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 20 | $425 | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | No | Yes | 24 | $481 | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | LCMHC | 60 | NCMHCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 20 | $420 | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | LCMHC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 40 | $450 | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 3,400 | Yes | Yes | 20 | $470 | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | LMHC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 36 | $475 | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 35 | $450 | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | LPC | 42 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 30 | $400 | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | LPC | 60 | NCE | 3,000 | Yes | Yes | 45 | $500 | March 2026 |
Counselors work alongside other mental health and human services professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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