Licensing Chart for U.S.

​To become a licensed counselor in Alabama, applicants need a Master's degree in counseling, 60 graduate-level coursework hours, supervised practicum and internship, pass the NCE or NCMHCE, 24 months of supervised experience, and submit an application with fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Arizona, applicants need a Master's degree in counseling, 60 graduate-level coursework hours, supervised practicum and internship, pass the NCE or NCMHCE, 3,200 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application with fee.

To become a licensed counselor in California, individuals must have a master's degree in counseling or a related field, complete 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, pass an exam, finish a supervised practicum and internship, and complete 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, along with submitting an application and fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Connecticut, you need a counseling-related master's degree, 60+ semester hours of counseling coursework, supervised practicum/internship, passing NCE or NCMHCE exams, 3,000+ post-master's supervised experience hours, and an application with fee.

To become a licensed counselor in the District of Columbia, you need a counseling-related master's degree, 60+ semester hours of counseling coursework, supervised practicum/internship, passing NCE or NCMHCE exams, 3,000+ post-master's supervised experience hours, and an application with fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Georgia, you need a counseling-related master's degree, 60+ semester hours of counseling coursework, supervised practicum/internship, passing NCE or NCMHCE exams, 2+ years of post-master's supervised experience, and an application with fee.

To obtain a counseling license in Idaho, you need a counseling-related master's degree, 60+ semester hours of counseling coursework, supervised practicum/internship, passing NCE or NCMHCE exams, 3,000+ post-master's supervised experience hours, and an application with fee.

Indiana requires a master's degree in counseling or a related field, a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, a supervised practicum and internship, passing either the NCE or the NCMHCE, completion of a minimum of 2 years of post-master's supervised experience, and submission of an application and fee.

Kansas counseling requirements: Master's degree in counseling or related field, 60 semester hours of graduate-level counseling coursework, supervised practicum and internship, passing score on NCE or NCMHCE, 4,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and application with fee.

Louisiana: Master's degree in counseling or a related field, 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, supervised practicum and internship, passage of NCE or NCMHCE, 2 years of post-master's supervised experience, application and fee.

To become a licensed professional counselor in Maryland, you need a Master's degree in counseling or related field, complete 60 semester hours of graduate-level counseling coursework, complete supervised practicum and internship, pass NCE or NCMHCE, complete 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and apply with fee.

To become a licensed professional counselor in Michigan, you need a Master's degree in counseling or a related field and at least 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling. You must also complete a supervised practicum and internship, pass either the NCE or NCMHCE, complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application and fee for your license.

Mississippi requires a Master's degree in counseling or a related field, completion of at least 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, completion of a supervised practicum and internship, passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), at least 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submission of an application and fee to become a licensed professional counselor.

Montana requires a Master's degree in counseling or a related field, completion of 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, a supervised practicum and internship, passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), at least 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submission of an application and fee to obtain a counseling license.

To become a licensed professional counselor in Nevada, one must have a Master's degree in counseling or a related field, complete a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, complete a supervised practicum and internship, pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application and fee.

New Jersey requires a master's degree in counseling or a related field, completion of 60 graduate-level coursework hours, a supervised practicum and internship, passing of the NCE or NCMHCE, and 3,000 hours of supervised experience after the master's degree, in addition to an application and fee.

In New York, obtaining a counseling license requires a master's degree in counseling or a related field, at least 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, completion of a supervised practicum and internship, passing either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), at least 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submission of an application and fee.

To become a licensed counselor in North Dakota, applicants must hold a master's degree in counseling or a related field, complete a minimum of 48 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, complete a supervised practicum and internship, pass the National Counselor Examination or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination, complete at least 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application and fee.

Oklahoma requires a Master's degree in counseling or related field, 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, supervised practicum and internship, passing either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), at least 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and the submission of an application and fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Pennsylvania, you need a master's degree in counseling or related field, at least 48 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, a supervised practicum and internship, passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submission of an application and fee.

To become a licensed counselor in South Carolina, candidates must complete a master's degree in counseling or a related field, at least 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, a supervised practicum and internship, and pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Additionally, they must complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience and submit an application and fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Tennessee, you need a master's degree in counseling or a related field, at least 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, supervised practicum and internship, passing grades on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and application submission with fee payment.

To become a licensed counselor in Utah, candidates must have a master's degree in counseling or a related field, complete 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, participate in a supervised practicum and internship, pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), complete at least 4,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application and fee.

Virginia requires a Master's degree in counseling or a related field, completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, a supervised practicum and internship, passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), completion of a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and the submission of an application and fee.

To become a licensed counselor in West Virginia, you need a master's degree in counseling or a related field, completion of at least 48 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, completion of a supervised practicum and internship, passage of either the National Counselor Examination or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination, completion of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submission of an application and fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Wyoming, candidates need a Master's degree in counseling or a related field, complete a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, and pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). They must also complete a supervised practicum and internship, at least 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application and fee.

To become a therapist or counselor in Guam, applicants must hold a master's degree in counseling or a related field, have completed 48 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, and have finished a supervised practicum and internship. They must also pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application and fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Puerto Rico, candidates need a master's degree in counseling or a related field, at least 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, completion of a supervised practicum and internship, passage of the National Counselor Examination or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination, at least 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and an application with the required fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Alaska, applicants need a Master's degree in counseling, 48 graduate-level coursework hours, supervised practicum and internship, pass the NCE or NCMHCE, 2,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application with fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Arkansas, applicants need a Master's degree in counseling, 48 graduate-level coursework hours, supervised practicum and internship, pass the NCE or NCMHCE, 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application with fee.

To get a counseling license in Colorado, you need a counseling-related master's degree, 60+ semester hours of counseling coursework, supervised practicum/internship, passing NCE or NCMHCE exams, 2,000+ post-master's supervised experience hours, and an application with fee.

To get a counseling license in Delaware, you need a counseling-related master's degree, 60+ semester hours of counseling coursework, supervised practicum/internship, passing NCE or NCMHCE exams, 2+ years of post-master's supervised experience, and an application with fee.

To get a counseling license in Florida, you need a counseling-related master's degree, 60+ semester hours of counseling coursework, supervised practicum/internship, passing NCE or NCMHCE exams, 1,500+ post-master's supervised experience hours, and an application with fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Hawaii, you need a counseling-related master's degree, 48+ semester hours of counseling coursework, supervised practicum/internship, passing NCE or NCMHCE exams, 3,000+ post-master's supervised experience hours, and an application with fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Illinois, you need a counseling-related master's degree, 60+ semester hours of counseling coursework, supervised practicum/internship, passing NCE or NCMHCE exams, 2+ years of post-master's supervised experience, and an application with fee.

Iowa requires a Master's degree in counseling or a related field, 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, completion of a supervised practicum and internship, passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), at least 2 years of post-master's supervised experience, and submission of an application and fee.

Kentucky requires a master's degree in counseling or a related field, completion of at least 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, a supervised practicum and internship, passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), at least 2 years of post-master's supervised experience, and submitting an application and fee.

Maine requires a master's degree in counseling or a related field, a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, completion of supervised practicum and internship, passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), 3,200 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and an application with fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Massachusetts, you need a Master's degree in counseling or a related field, 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, a supervised practicum and internship, passage of either the NCE or NCMHCE, at least 2 years of post-master's supervised experience, and to submit an application and fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Minnesota, you need a Master's degree in counseling or a related field, 60 semester hours of graduate-level counseling coursework, a supervised practicum and internship, passing either the NCE or NCMHCE, 2 years of post-master's supervised experience, and submitting an application and fee.

To become a licensed professional counselor in Missouri, you need a Master's degree in counseling or a related field, 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, and completion of a supervised practicum and internship. You must also pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), have at least 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application and fee for your license.

To become a licensed professional counselor in Nebraska, you need a master's degree in counseling or a related field, and complete at least 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, along with a supervised practicum and internship. You must also pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), and complete at least 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience. Finally, you need to submit an application and fee to obtain your license.

To become a licensed counselor in New Hampshire, individuals must have a Master's degree in counseling or a related field, complete a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, a supervised practicum and internship, pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), and complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience. They must also submit an application and fee.

To become a licensed counselor in New Mexico, you need a master's degree in counseling or a related field, 48 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, completion of a supervised practicum and internship, passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), and a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience. An application and fee are also required.

North Carolina requires a Master's degree in counseling or a related field, completion of 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, a supervised practicum and internship, passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and an application with a fee to become a licensed counselor.

To become a licensed counselor in Ohio, one must hold a master's degree in counseling or a related field, complete at least 48 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, finish a supervised practicum and internship, pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application along with the required fee.

Oregon counseling requirements: Master's degree in counseling or related field, 60 semester hours of grad-level counseling coursework, supervised practicum and internship, passing score on NCE or NCMHCE, 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and application with fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Rhode Island, you need a master's degree in counseling or a related field, 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, supervised practicum and internship, passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), completion of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and an application with a fee.

South Dakota requires a master's degree in counseling or related field, a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, completion of supervised practicum and internship, passing the National Counselor Examination or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination, a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and an application and fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Texas, applicants need to have a Master's degree in counseling or a related field, complete a minimum of 48 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, finish a supervised practicum and internship, pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application with a fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Vermont, you must have a master's degree in counseling or a related field, complete at least 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, participate in a supervised practicum and internship, pass the National Counselor Examination or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination, complete at least 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application and fee.

To become a licensed counselor in Washington, a candidate must have a master's degree in counseling or a related field, complete a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, a supervised practicum and internship, pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), complete 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submit an application and fee.

Wisconsin requires a master's degree in counseling or related field, completion of 48 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, a supervised practicum and internship, passing either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience, and submitting an application and fee.

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To become a therapist or counselor in the U.S. Virgin Islands, applicants must have a master's degree in counseling or a related field, complete at least 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in counseling, complete a supervised practicum and internship, pass the National Counselor Examination or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination, and complete at least 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience. An application and fee must also be submitted.