LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION BY STATES & DC - Oral Roberts University

LICENSUREREQUIREMENTS

forProfessionalCounselors

A State-by-State Report

2016Edition

The Center for Counseling Practice, Policy and Research

ABOUT THE INFORMATION IN THIS REPORT

The information in this report was compiled through a survey of state counselor licensure boards conducted in the fall of 2015. State-by-state analysis of laws and administrative rules was also conducted to add to the survey data, especially for the jurisdictions that did not submit information in response to our request.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented here, but, due to the complexity of laws and regulations, and the frequency with which state regulations can and do change, we cannot guarantee that this report is completely without error.

Readers are encouraged to bring any errors, omissions, or changes to our attention. For any questions or corrections regarding this chart, please contact:

American Counseling Association Ethics and Professional Standards 6101 Stevenson Avenue Suite 600 Alexandria, VA 22304 Web site:

U.S. toll-free: 800/347-6647, x314 / DC area: 703/823-9800, x314 Fax: 703/823-3760 E-mail: ethics@

For additional information, clarification or interpretation of any of the laws and regulations summarized in this report, please contact the appropriate state licensing board.

Editor: Erin T. Shifflett, MLA, M.Ed. ACA Director, Ethics and Professional Standards

Special acknowledgement:

Debbie Johnson, Administrative Assistant, Professional Affairs Eriq Ocampo, Research Specialist

Copyright?2016 by the American Counseling Association.

American Counseling Association 6101 Stevenson Avenue--Suite 600 Alexandria, VA 22304 (800) 347-6647



American Counseling Association

Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors ? 2016

Table of Contents

Introduction: State Licensing of Professional Counselors..............................................................3 What's New for 2016.......................................................................................................................7 Distance Counseling, Technology, and Social Media .....................................................................9 Licensure Chart ..............................................................................................................................11 Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................70 Appendix A ....................................................................................................................................72

Clinical Supervisor Requirements Appendix B ....................................................................................................................................83

Professional Associations Regional Accrediting Organizations Professional Accrediting Organizations National Certification Organizations International Counseling Associations Appendix C ....................................................................................................................................87 Accreditation, Licensure, and Certification Defined Confidentiality/Privileged Communication Appendix D ....................................................................................................................................90 State Licensure Renewal Requirements Appendix E ..................................................................................................................................101 Licensure by Endorsement, Licensure by Reciprocity, and Portability State Requirements for Out-of-State Applicants Appendix F...................................................................................................................................120 Practice Act / Title Act Chart Year Original Certification/Licensure Law Passed State Counselor Counts

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors ? 2016 Appendix G ..................................................................................................................................125

States That Have Adopted the ACA Code of Ethics Appendix H ..................................................................................................................................128

Scope of Practice

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Licensure Requirements for Professional Counselors ? 2016

STATE LICENSING OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS

In order to protect public safety, states establish licensure or certification standards for health and human services professionals. Professional counselors are required by law in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to be licensed in order to legally practice as a professional counselor. Licensure laws establish minimum standards in the areas of education, examination, and experience. Each state has established a board responsible for issuing licenses, handling consumer and ethical complaints regarding counselors' practice, and issuing and enforcing such regulations as are necessary in overseeing the profession. In some cases, a single board is responsible for overseeing the practice of counseling and one or more similar groups of professionals (e.g., clinical social workers or marriage and family therapists).

Credential Titles and Levels

Within the United States, several different titles are used to identify professional counselors. Though the counseling profession has endorsed LPC as the recommended title, the following are the most common:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor of Mental Health (LPCC) Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP)

Obtaining an Associate License (titles vary by state) is often required for applicants who have met the education and exam requirements, but have not yet met the supervised experience requirement. Examples of such titles include Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA), Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, counselor-in-training, and Clinical Resident .

Groups Commonly Exempt From Licensure

All statutes establishing licensure or certification requirements for counselors provide exemption from licensure for specific groups. Commonly exempted groups:

1. professionals licensed by other statutes 2. students in graduate programs working under supervision 3. members of the clergy in the performance of their religious duties in connection with a

religious denomination 4. employees of federal, state, and local agencies acting in an official capacity 5. attorneys

Also, it is important to note that licensure of LPCs is distinct and separate from licensure or certification of school counselors or substance abuse counselors. For school counseling credential information, contact either your state Department of Education, or call the American

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