What do I need to do to be an LPC?
Becoming a counselor can be an exciting, dynamic, and fulfilling profession where you help people navigate many of life鈥檚 difficult challenges. But before you get there, you have to obtain the required qualifications. This may seem like a confusing process, and if you don鈥檛 know exactly where you鈥檙e going, it can be. But you鈥檙e not alone.听
Here鈥檚 what you need to know to get started on the track toward licensure.听
Getting Started
Before you get to that status of 鈥淟icensed Professional Counselor鈥� (LPC), there are certain qualifications you have to meet. In the counseling field, this is often referred to as 鈥渓icensure鈥� or the 鈥渓icensure process.鈥澨�
Processes like this are utilized in many fields as a way to produce practitioners who are qualified, ethical, and able to adequately perform their jobs. For counselors, working toward licensure acts as a way to learn the essential knowledge, skills, and ethical behaviors that encourage effective therapy.听
What is counseling licensure?
Counseling licensure is a state-sanctioned and regulated license required to offer licensed professional counseling services in settings such as private practice, counseling agencies, counseling centers, or hospitals.听
What are the requirements?听
1. Graduate degree
Future counselors must complete a master鈥檚 degree in counseling from an accredited institution. This education equips counselors with the psychological, theoretical, and technical knowledge needed to counsel well.
2. Supervised hours
Often incorporated into a master鈥檚 program, counselors must attain a state-determined number of hours counseling under an experienced and eligible supervisor. Beyond the master鈥檚 program, counselors must earn additional hours post-graduation. This provides continued direction and accountability for developing counselors.
For example, the requires 3,000 hours of supervision. Half (1,500) of those hours must be completed under the supervision of an LPC. The additional 1,500 hours can be under an LPC as well as an LCSW, LSW, PhD, or PsyD who has the to be eligible to supervise.
3. Examination
There are currently two national counseling examinations in the US: the and the . Which exam the counselor-in-training completes is decided by each state. Adequate completion of this exam deems a counselor an official LPC. Information and study materials for both exams are available through the
4. Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Even after obtaining licensure, counselors must regularly accumulate a certain number of CEUs. This is generally every two or three years in order to keep counselors engaged in current theory and ethics and to prevent their license from expiring.听
5. Annual fees
Licenses often require an annual renewal fee, as well as membership fees for various associations, such as the or the .听
How long does licensure take?听
Everyone鈥檚 journey toward licensure is different, as it depends on various factors like state, work opportunities, and the accumulation of hours. However, graduates with a master鈥檚 in counseling can expect it to take a few years after graduation to obtain a license.听
In Pennsylvania, for example, a graduate has 2鈥�6 years to complete their 3,000 hours. Generally, full-time counselors see about 20 clients per week. In this case, it takes a counselor about three years to complete their hours and earn a license. However, it ultimately comes down to how long it takes to accumulate the required hours.听
Licensure requirements change from state to state, and they often undergo subtle changes. You鈥檒l need to for counseling licensure requirements to be completely up to date on these developments. With these requirements completed and maintained, you are set to see clients and perform the important work of a counselor.听
