Celebrating 4 Newly Licensed LPC's!

Becoming a licensed professional counselor is not an easy process. Congrats to these four for doing it over the last several months! Read on to see what their journey entailed.

LPC's have slightly different requirements depending on the state, but in Texas it requires a master's degree in counseling from an accredited school with the following specific course requirements:

• Human development
• Abnormal human behavior
• Appraisal and assessment techniques
• Counseling theories
• Counseling methods
• Research methods
• Career development
• Social, cultural and family issues
• Professional ethics
• Practicum and internship

Following obtaining the master's degree, applicants must take and pass the National Counselor Exam (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHC). Once passed, a supervisor must be found, contract be signed, and an application be filed with our state board, which is operated by Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC).

If all is in order, BHEC grants the LPC Associate license, and the licensee secures a site to gain their 3000 hours of required experience. 1500 of these hours must be direct client interaction, and they can be completed in no less than 18 months and no more than 5 years. LPC Associates meet with their board approved supervisor 4 hours per month for the duration of this stage of licensing. Supervisors provide feedback on cases, teach counseling theories as applied to the supervisee's current practice, help navigate ethical dilemmas, provide professional guidance based on our board rules and ethical standards, and provide feedback on the associate's clinical skills. Once the hours are gained and all requirements are met, an application is filed to upgrade the license to LPC, an independent practitioner who no longer requires  supervision.

Fully licensed LPC's must renew their license every two years with proof of 24 continuing education credits, including mandatory training in ethics, cultural diversity, and human trafficking. After 5 years in good standing, an LPC can apply to become a supervisor to help to train new LPC Associates.

It's a long and arduous road that, in the end, creates highly professional, ethical, and skilled therapists to take care of the mental health needs of Texans. So congrats to all who have success in completing it!

We frequently answer questions around clinician licensure. Read more FAQ's here.