LCPC: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Reviewed by: Megan Kelly, MA, LMHC

Updated July 2026

A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) is a state-licensed mental health professional qualified to provide clinical counseling and psychotherapy in states that use the LCPC credential.

Licensure requirements vary by state, including the required degree, supervised clinical experience, and examinations.

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What is an LCPC?

LCPCs provide counseling and psychotherapy to people experiencing mental health, emotional, behavioral, and relationship challenges. Depending on state law and their training, they may assess clients, diagnose mental health conditions, develop treatment plans, provide individual or group therapy, and coordinate care with other healthcare professionals.

They work in settings such as community mental health centers, hospitals, schools, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private practices. Some LCPCs also specialize in areas such as trauma, addiction, family counseling, or child and adolescent mental health.

What Is an LCPC License?

An LCPC license is a state-issued credential that authorizes a qualified counselor to practice clinical mental health counseling within that state’s permitted scope.

To qualify, applicants generally must complete an eligible graduate degree, supervised clinical experience, and one or more licensing examinations. Exact requirements vary by state, as do the professional title, renewal cycle, and rules governing diagnosis, independent practice, and supervision.

What Kinds of Professional Counselors Are There?

Professional counselors may specialize in many areas of mental health, education, career development, relationships, rehabilitation, and human development. Common counseling roles include:

• School counselors: Support students’ academic, career, social, and emotional development.
• Career counselors: Help people explore career options, make employment decisions, and manage career transitions.
• Substance use counselors: Work with individuals affected by substance use disorders and addiction.
• Rehabilitation counselors: Help people with disabilities pursue employment, independence, and personal goals.
• Mental health counselors: Address concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship difficulties.
• Marriage and family therapists: Focus on relationships, couples, and family systems.
• Gerontological counselors: Address issues associated with aging and the mental health needs of older adults.

These are only some of the counseling specialties available. Titles, training standards, and licensure requirements vary by role and state. These factors can play a large role in the specific path you take to become a counselor.

LCPC States and Licensing Requirements

The LCPC title is used in Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, and Montana. Nevada regulates an equivalent clinical counseling credential under the title Clinical Professional Counselor (CPC) rather than LCPC.

Although these states use similar professional titles, their education, supervised experience, and examination requirements are not interchangeable.

State	Clinical counseling credential	Graduate education	Supervised experience	Required examination
Idaho	Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)	Qualifying graduate counseling degree; applicants generally progress through the LPC level before seeking clinical licensure	The LCPC level requires 2,000 direct client-contact hours. At least 1,000 must be supervised by an LCPC, with one hour of clinical supervision for every 30 direct-contact hours. Idaho’s LPC level separately requires 1,000 supervised hours, including 400 direct-contact hours.	NCE for LPC licensure and NCMHCE for LCPC licensure
Illinois	Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)	Qualifying master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field	3,360 hours of post-degree supervised experience completed over at least two years; at least 50% must involve direct client services, with an average of at least four supervision hours per month	CRCE, or both the NCE and NCMHCE
Kansas	Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)	Must hold an LPC license or meet the educational qualifications for LPC licensure	3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised experience over at least 24 months, including 1,500 hours of direct client contact and 100 hours of supervision	Board-approved nationally standardized clinical examination
Maine	Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)	Qualifying graduate degree that includes the required clinical counseling curriculum and internship	3,000 hours of supervised clinical counseling experience over at least two years, including at least 1,500 direct clinical contact hours and 100 hours of clinical supervision	NCE and NCMHCE
Maryland	Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)	Master’s degree of at least 60 graduate semester credits or qualifying doctorate	Master’s-level applicants need three years and 3,000 supervised hours, including two post-master’s years. Doctoral-level applicants need two years and 2,000 hours, including 1,000 postdoctoral hours.	NCE and Maryland state law test
Montana	Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)	Graduate degree of at least 60 semester credits from a CACREP-accredited program or a program meeting the required core competencies	3,000 hours of qualifying supervised counseling experience	NCE or NCMHCE
Nevada	Clinical Professional Counselor (CPC)	Qualifying graduate mental health degree, generally including at least 60 semester or 72 quarter credits and required clinical training	3,000 hours of supervised postgraduate experience, generally completed as a CPC intern over at least two years, including 1,500 direct client-contact hours	NCMHCE

These figures summarize the standard pathway for applicants educated and supervised in the United States. Requirements can differ for applicants with doctoral degrees, out-of-state licenses, older degrees, rehabilitation counseling credentials, or previously completed experience.

Prospective counselors should verify the current rules with the applicable state licensing board before selecting a degree program, beginning supervised practice, or registering for an examination. State boards determine whether particular coursework, supervisors, examinations, and clinical hours qualify for licensure. Our state-level guides have more information about counselor education and licensure in each of these states:

• Idaho counseling programs
• Illinois counseling programs
• Kansas counseling programs
• Maine counseling programs
• Maryland counseling programs
• Montana counseling programs
• Nevada counseling programs

How to Become an LCPC

The path to LCPC licensure varies by state, but it generally includes the following steps:

1. Earn a Qualifying Graduate Degree

Complete a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field that meets the educational requirements of the state where you intend to practice.

Before enrolling, compare the program’s curriculum, practicum, internship, and accreditation status with the licensing board’s requirements. CACREP maintains a directory of currently and previously accredited counseling programs, but graduating from a CACREP-accredited program does not by itself guarantee licensure in every state.

2. Complete the Required Practicum and Internship

Most qualifying counseling programs include supervised fieldwork. This commonly consists of a practicum followed by a more extensive internship in which students provide counseling services under supervision.

The required activities and hours depend on the state and degree program. Students should confirm that their placements satisfy both graduation and licensing requirements.

3. Obtain a Graduate or Associate License, If Required

Some states require graduates to hold an interim credential while completing postgraduate supervised experience. Depending on the state, this may be called a graduate, associate, intern, candidate, or professional counselor license.

Applicants may need to submit transcripts, supervision plans, background checks, fees, or other documents before beginning to accrue qualifying hours.

4. Gain Supervised Postgraduate Experience

Complete the clinical experience required by the licensing board. States may separately specify:

• Total supervised work hours
• Direct client-contact hours
• Individual or group supervision hours
• Minimum time in supervised practice
• Qualifications for approved supervisors

Applicants should obtain board approval when required and maintain detailed records throughout the supervision period.

5. Pass the Required Licensing Examinations

Take the national and state-specific examinations required for the credential. Common national exams include the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), both developed by the National Board for Certified Counselors. The NCMHCE is specifically designed to assess knowledge and applied counseling skills relevant to clinical mental health counseling.

A state may require one exam, multiple exams, or a separate test on counseling laws and regulations. For example, Maryland currently requires the NCE and its state law test for LCPC applicants.

6. Apply for LCPC Licensure

Submit the state’s application with the required evidence of education, examinations, supervised experience, and any other qualifications. Applicants may also need to pay fees, complete a criminal background check, or provide verification directly from schools, supervisors, examination providers, and other licensing boards.

Receiving approval in one state does not automatically authorize a counselor to practice in another.

7. Renew the License and Complete Continuing Education

After becoming licensed, comply with the state’s renewal schedule and continuing education requirements. Licensees are responsible for tracking deadlines, completing approved education, retaining documentation, and following changes to professional and ethical rules.

LCPC vs. LPC

The difference between an LCPC and an LPC depends on the state issuing the license. Counseling is regulated at the state level, so the titles do not represent one uniform national hierarchy.

In states with both credentials, the LPC may be an initial or nonclinical license, while the LCPC is the independent clinical credential earned after additional supervised experience and examination requirements. Illinois, for example, licenses both LPCs and LCPCs. An Illinois LPC must practice under the professional responsibility of an approved independently licensed clinician, while an LCPC may provide clinical professional counseling within the scope established by state law.

In many other states, however, LPC is the title used for the highest level of independent clinical counseling licensure. An LPC in one state may therefore have training and practice authority comparable to an LCPC in another.

Prospective counselors should compare the following before choosing a licensing pathway:

• The credential titles used by the state
• Whether the license permits independent practice
• The required graduate education and supervised experience
• The examinations required for each license level
• The state-defined scope of practice

The state licensing board—not the title alone—determines what a counselor is authorized to do.

• Learn More: LCP vs LCPC

Professional Counselor Salary & Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not publish salary data specifically for the LCPC title. Instead, LCPCs are generally represented within the broader occupational category of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors.

The median annual wage for counselors in this category was $59,190 in May 2024. Actual earnings vary based on factors such as location, experience, employer, specialization, and whether the counselor works in private practice.

The BLS projects employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors to grow 17% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Approximately 48,300 openings are projected each year, on average, during that period.

Demand is expected to be supported by the continued need for mental health, addiction, and behavioral counseling services. However, employment prospects and compensation can differ considerably by state, setting, and level of licensure.

LCPC Career Options

LCPCs may provide clinical counseling and psychotherapy in settings such as community mental health centers, hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private practices. Available roles depend on the counselor’s training, experience, employer, and state-defined scope of practice.

Potential career paths include:

• Clinical mental health counselor: Assesses clients, develops treatment plans, and provides counseling for emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns.
• Psychotherapist: Provides individual, couples, family, or group therapy using approaches supported by the counselor’s education and clinical training.
• Behavioral health counselor: Helps clients address behavioral concerns and develop strategies that support mental health and daily functioning.
• Substance use counselor: Provides assessment and counseling related to substance use when permitted by state law and supported by appropriate training.
• Private-practice counselor: Provides counseling independently or as part of a group practice, subject to state rules governing independent practice and business operations.
• Clinical supervisor: Supervises counselors or licensure applicants when the LCPC meets the state’s experience, training, and supervisor-approval requirements.
• Behavioral health program manager: Oversees counseling services, staff, compliance, or program operations in a clinical or community setting.

An LCPC credential does not qualify a counselor to practice as a psychologist, psychiatrist, clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist. Those professions have separate educational and licensing requirements.

LCPC FAQ

What does LCPC mean?

LCPC stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. It is a state-issued counseling credential used for qualified mental health professionals who provide clinical counseling and psychotherapy.

Which states use the LCPC credential?

As of July 2026, the LCPC title is used in Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, and Montana. Nevada uses the closely related title Clinical Professional Counselor (CPC). Because professional counseling is regulated by each state, titles and requirements vary by jurisdiction.

What degree is required to become an LCPC?

Applicants generally need a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field. Required credit hours, coursework, practicum experiences, and accreditation standards vary by state.

How long does it take to become an LCPC?

The timeline commonly includes two to three years of graduate education followed by at least two years of supervised postgraduate experience. The total time depends on the degree format, state requirements, examination schedule, and rate at which the applicant completes qualifying clinical hours. 

Which examination is required for LCPC licensure?

The required examination depends on the state. States may require the National Counselor Examination, the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination, another approved examination, or a combination of national and state law tests.

How long does an LCPC license remain valid?

Renewal periods are set by each state and should not be assumed to be universally two years. Licensees may also need to complete continuing education, pay renewal fees, and satisfy other state-specific conditions.

Can an LCPC diagnose mental health conditions?

An LCPC may be authorized to assess and diagnose mental health conditions when diagnosis falls within the state-defined scope of clinical professional counseling. The counselor must also have the training and competence needed to provide that service. Authority should be verified under the law of the state where the counselor practices.

Can an LCPC open a private practice?

Many LCPCs may practice independently, including in private practice, but business, supervision, insurance, telehealth, and professional-practice rules vary by state. Holding a license in one state does not automatically authorize practice with clients located in another state.

Is an LCPC a psychologist?

No. LCPCs and psychologists belong to separately licensed professions with different education, training, examinations, and scopes of practice. An LCPC credential alone does not qualify someone to practice as a psychologist.

Is becoming an LCPC a good career choice?

It may be a rewarding path for people interested in providing clinical counseling and psychotherapy. Prospective counselors should also consider the cost and length of graduate education, supervised-experience requirements, compensation in their location, and the emotional demands of clinical work.

Sources

• Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists
• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Professional Counselor Licensing
• Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board, Professional Counselors
• Maine Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure
• Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, Professional Counselor Licensure Requirements
• Montana Board of Behavioral Health, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Requirements
• Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors, CPC Qualifications
• National Board for Certified Counselors, NCE and NCMHCE Examination Information
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Accredited Program Directory
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
• Northwestern University, Online Master of Arts in Counseling
• Bellevue University, Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Capella University, Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

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