Professional counselor license (LPC, LMHC, LPCC)
Granted by state counseling boards, not by a national exam alone. A master's degree in counseling with a supervised internship; some states name 60 semester hours.
Granted byState counseling boards
National exams2NCE (National Counselor Examination) · NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseli...
ExperienceSupervised clinical work after the master's, set by each state (for example 3,000 hours in Texas and New York; 2 years and 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy in Florida).
Other statesApply state by stateno compact list on this page
How to get licensed
A master's degree in counseling with a supervised internship; some states name 60 semester hours.
- High school diploma
- Bachelor's degree (psychology, social science or a related field)
- Master's in counseling with a supervised internship
- NCE or NCMHCE, as the state requiresExam
- Supervised clinical experience after the master's
- State counselor license (LPC, LMHC or LPCC)License
The exams
National bodies write the exams; the state board decides who is licensed. NBCC — writes the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
- NCE (National Counselor Examination)200-item multiple-choice exam; a requirement for counselor licensure in many states and one of two exam options for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. A 2027 version is coming. Exam page: format, fees, dates
NBCC NCE
About the National Counselor Examination (NCE)National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination)Required for licensure in some states. NBCC says all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico and Guam require one or more of its exams.
NBCC
NBCC examinations: national certification and state licensureNational Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
State rules and other states
All states require mental health counselors to be licensed (BLS). The license title, required exam, coursework and supervised hours differ by state.
What 4 state boards publish
| State | What the board asks for | Exam | Fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council — State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors | Start as an LPC Associate (practice only under a board-approved supervisor) with NCE or NCMHCE scores, the Texas jurisprudence exam and fingerprints, then upgrade to a full LPC after at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience. Texas has no reciprocity or temporary license. Texas BHECLPC AssociateTexas Behavioral Health Executive Council (State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors)
Texas BHECUpgrade to full LPCTexas Behavioral Health Executive Council (State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors)
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| California Board of Behavioral Sciences | Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC): pass the LPCC California Law and Ethics Exam, then the NCMHCE. California BBSLPCC clinical examination (NCMHCE)California Board of Behavioral Sciences
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| New York NYSED Office of the Professions | Licensed Mental Health Counselor: at least 21, a master's or doctorate in counseling (60 semester hours of clinical mental health counseling, or equivalent), at least 3,000 clock hours of supervised experience after the master's, the licensing exam and child-abuse reporting training. NYSEDLicense requirements for mental health counselorsNew York State Education Department, Office of the Professions
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| Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling | Licensed Mental Health Counselor: from 1 July 2025 a 60-semester-hour master's in mental health counseling from a CACREP, MPCAC or equivalent program; 2 years of supervision (1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy); the national exam; and Florida laws and rules (8 hours) and HIV/AIDS (3 hours) courses. Florida 491 BoardLicensed mental health counselor: license by examinationFlorida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
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Each row is copied from that board's own page and cites it. A dash means the board page we read did not state it. Other states have their own rules: check the board where you will work, or open the state pages.
Good to know
Not always required
- Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors outside private practice: requirements vary by state, and not all states require a specific degree (BLS).
Changes to watch
- NBCC is preparing a 2027 version of the NCE.