Delaware Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

Delaware licenses professional counselors of mental health through a two-step process: first earning the Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (LACMH) credential and then completing supervised experience toward full licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH).

Candidates must complete 3,200 total supervised hours, including 1,600 supervised clinical hours with specific direct client contact minimums, pass a Board-accepted national examination (NCE or NCMHCE), and complete supervised practice over no fewer than 2 consecutive years and no more than 4 consecutive years.

Delaware Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Details
Official Licensing Board	Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals
Full Clinical License Title	Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH)
Initial/Associate License Title	Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (LACMH)
Total Supervised Hours Required	3,200 hours
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	1,500 face-to-face direct mental health counseling hours (including at least 750 individual face-to-face sessions)
Required National Exam(s)	National Counselor Examination (NCE) or other exam acceptable to the Board (DPR lists NCMHCE as acceptable)
State Jurisprudence Exam Required?	No

The Path to Licensure in Delaware

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

Applicants must complete:

• A master’s degree (or graduate degree equivalent as determined by the Board)
  
• A minimum of 60 graduate semester hours
  

CACREP accreditation is not required. However, if the degree is not in clinical mental health counseling, the coursework must encompass current CACREP standards, including specialty standards and practicum/internship requirements. Prospective applicants can explore Delaware counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited online counseling programs.

Step 2: Pass the Required Examination(s)

Applicants must pass:

• The National Counselor Examination (NCE exam), or
  
• Another examination acceptable to the Board
  

The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation lists the NCMHCE as acceptable.

Step 3: Apply for Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (LACMH)

Delaware requires candidates to obtain the LACMH before accruing supervised experience toward LPCMH.

A professional direct supervision plan must be submitted to and approved by the Board prior to acquiring the required experience.

Additional requirements include:

• Submission of fingerprints
  
• State and federal criminal history reports
  
• Licensure may not be issued until background reports are produced
  

Supervised hours accrued prior to Board approval of the supervision plan are not authorized under statute.

Step 4: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience

To qualify for LPCMH, applicants must complete:

• 3,200 total hours of supervised professional mental health counseling experience
  
• At least 1,600 hours of supervised clinical experience
  
• Of those 1,600 hours:
  
  • At least 1,500 hours must be face-to-face direct mental health counseling services
    
  • At least 750 hours must be individual face-to-face client sessions
    

Supervision requirements include:

• At least 100 hours of face-to-face professional direct supervision
  
• A maximum of 40 hours may be group supervision
  
• Group supervision may include no more than 6 supervisees
  

Timeframe requirement:

• Must be completed in no fewer than 2 consecutive years and no more than 4 consecutive years
  

Experience setting requirements:

• Must occur in a setting clearly designated to provide clinical counseling services
  
• Must be subject to HIPAA
  
• Educational or guidance counseling is not considered clinical mental health counseling (with limited school-contractor allowance)
  

Supervision must be verified by:

• A Direct Supervision Reference Form submitted directly by the approved clinical supervisor
  
• The supervisor must affirm the applicant is prepared to practice independently
  

“Face-to-face” includes both in-person services and live video conferencing.

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Supervision & Ethics in Delaware

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Delaware?

Supervision must be provided by:

• An LPCMH, including those licensed in any state or U.S. territory, or
  
• Another behavioral health professional approved by the Board
  

Supervisor requirements include:

• At least 2 years of post-licensure practice
  
• No disciplinary actions
  
• Completion of specified clinical supervision continuing education
  
• May supervise no more than 10 supervisees
  

The Board-approved supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the extent, kind, and quality of services are consistent with the supervisee’s education, training, and experience.

Can Associates Practice Independently in Delaware?

No. The LACMH credential is defined as obtaining required experience under professional direct supervision toward LPCMH licensure. Independent practice is not permitted.

It is unlawful to hold oneself out as an LPCMH or LACMH or to use those titles or abbreviations unless licensed under Chapter 30.

What Are the Required Supervision Ratios?

Delaware requires:

• At least 100 hours of face-to-face professional direct supervision
  
• A maximum of 40 hours may be group supervision
  
• Group supervision may include no more than 6 supervisees
  

“Face-to-face” includes both in-person meetings and live video conferencing.

What Documentation Is Required?

A professional direct supervision plan must be approved by the Board before experience begins.

Upon completion of supervised experience:

• The supervisor must submit a Direct Supervision Reference Form directly to the Board
  
• The supervisor must affirm that the applicant is prepared to practice independently

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Delaware

Pro Tip

Ensure your supervision plan is Board-approved before beginning supervised experience. Hours accrued before approval are not authorized under statute.

Confirm that your work setting qualifies as clinical mental health counseling and is HIPAA-compliant before counting hours.

Track individual face-to-face sessions carefully to meet the 750-hour minimum.

Warning

• Supervised experience must be completed within 2 to 4 consecutive years.
  
• Educational or guidance counseling hours generally do not qualify as clinical mental health counseling.
  
• More than 40 hours of group supervision will not count toward the 100-hour supervision requirement.
  
• Using LPCMH or LACMH titles without licensure is unlawful.

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Delaware

Can I Start a Private Practice as a LACMH in Delaware?

No. The LACMH license is defined as practice under professional direct supervision toward LPCMH licensure. Independent practice is not permitted.

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

Delaware requires supervised experience to be completed in no fewer than 2 consecutive years and no more than 4 consecutive years.

Does Delaware Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

No. CACREP accreditation is not required. However, if the degree is not in clinical mental health counseling, coursework must encompass current CACREP standards, including specialty standards and practicum/internship requirements.

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