Michigan Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

Michigan licenses counselors through the Michigan Board of Counseling under the Michigan Public Health Code and Michigan Administrative Code. The pathway includes an associate license (Limited Licensed Professional Counselor – LLPC) followed by the full license (Licensed Professional Counselor – LPC).

Applicants must complete a qualifying graduate degree of at least 60 semester hours, pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), and complete 3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience, including 1,000 hours of direct client contact. Supervised experience must occur while licensed as an LLPC.

Michigan Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Michigan
Official Licensing Board	Michigan Board of Counseling
Full Clinical License Title	Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Initial/Associate License Title	Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC)
Total Supervised Hours Required	3,000 hours
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	1,000 hours
Required National Exam(s)	National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
State Jurisprudence Exam Required?	No

The Path to Licensure in Michigan

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

Degree Level Required

• Master’s or doctoral degree.
  

Minimum Graduate Credit Hours

• At least 60 graduate semester hours.
  

CACREP Requirement

• CACREP accreditation is not required.
  
• Education must meet coursework standards established in R 338.1771. Prospective applicants can explore Michigan counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited online counseling programs.
  

Practicum Requirement

• Minimum 100-hour practicum.
  

Internship Requirement

• Minimum 600-hour internship.
  

Step 2: Pass the Required Examination(s)

Applicants must pass one of the following examinations:

• National Counselor Examination (NCE exam), or
  
• National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
  

Step 3: Apply for Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC)

Michigan requires individuals to obtain Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC) licensure before completing supervised counseling experience.

Background Check

• Yes. A criminal background check is required as part of licensure.
  

Independent Practice

• LLPC licensees must practice under supervision and may not practice independently.
  

Title Requirements

• Individuals practicing under limited licensure must use the title Limited Licensed Professional Counselor.

Step 4: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience

Total Hours Required

• 3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience.
  

Direct Client Contact Requirement

• At least 1,000 hours must involve direct client contact.
  

Supervision Requirements

• Minimum 100 hours of supervision during the supervised experience period.
  

Supervisor Qualifications

Supervision must be provided by:

• A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or
  
• Another board-approved qualified mental health professional.
  

Supervisor Experience Requirement

• Supervisor must have at least three years of professional experience after licensure.
  

Documentation

• The supervisor must verify supervised experience to the board when applying for LPC licensure.
  

Hour Validity Requirement

• Supervised experience must occur under a qualified supervisor during the period of limited licensure.

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Supervision & Ethics in Michigan

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Michigan?

Supervision must be provided by:

• A Licensed Professional Counselor, or
  
• Another board-approved qualified mental health professional.
  

Supervisors must have at least three years of professional experience after licensure.

Supervisors are responsible for overseeing and evaluating the counseling services provided by the supervisee.

Can Associates Practice Independently in Michigan?

No. Limited Licensed Professional Counselors must practice under supervision and may not engage in independent counseling practice.

What Are the Required Supervision Ratios?

Michigan rules require:

• 3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience, and
  
• 100 hours of supervision during that experience period.

What Documentation Is Required?

Applicants must submit verification of supervised counseling experience completed under a qualified supervisor.

Supervised experience must occur:

• While licensed as a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor, and
  
• Under the supervision of a qualified supervisor.

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Michigan

Pro Tip

Before beginning supervised counseling experience:

• Obtain LLPC licensure, and
  
• Ensure supervision is provided by a qualified supervisor with at least three years of post-licensure experience.
  

Track progress toward:

• 3,000 supervised hours
  
• 1,000 direct client contact hours
  
• 100 supervision hours
  

Warning

• Hours accrued before obtaining LLPC licensure may not count toward LPC licensure.
  
• LLPC licensees may not practice independently.
  
• Supervised hours must be verified by the supervisor when applying for full licensure.
  

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Michigan

Can I Start a Private Practice as a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC) in Michigan?

No. LLPC licensees must practice under supervision and may not practice independently.

How Long Does It Take to Become Fully Licensed in Michigan?

Applicants must complete 3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience.

Does Michigan Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

No. CACREP accreditation is not required. 

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