Georgia Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia requires completing a qualifying graduate degree, passing national and state examinations, obtaining Associate Professional Counselor (APC) licensure, and completing 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised counseling experience.

Georgia requires 2,400 hours of direct client contact, and a minimum supervision timeframe of two years. Applicants must also pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

Georgia Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Details
Official Licensing Board	Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists
Full Clinical License Title	Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Initial / Associate License Title	Associate Professional Counselor (APC)
Total Supervised Hours Required	3,000 hours
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	2,400 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 Georgia

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

Applicants must complete a master’s degree or higher in counseling or a related field.

Educational requirements include:

• Minimum 60 graduate semester hours
  
• Minimum 100-hour practicum
  
• Minimum 600-hour internship
  

CACREP accreditation is not required, but graduate programs are evaluated by the Board for equivalency to the coursework requirements specified in Georgia rules. Prospective applicants can explore Georgia counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited counseling programs.

Step 2: Pass the Required Examination(s)

Applicants must pass one of the following national examinations:

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

Step 3: Apply for Associate Professional Counselor (APC)

Georgia requires individuals to obtain Associate Professional Counselor (APC) licensure before accruing supervised counseling experience.

Requirements include:

• Application to the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists
  
• Submission and approval of a supervision contract before supervised hours may begin
  
• Completion of a criminal background check
  

Supervised hours only count while the individual holds APC status and an approved supervision contract.

Step 4: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience

Georgia primarily requires the standard supervised experience pathway for LPC licensure. However, Board rules allow a reduced supervision pathway in limited circumstances for already licensed behavioral health professionals.

Standard Supervision Pathway

Most applicants complete the standard supervised experience pathway while licensed as an Associate Professional Counselor (APC).

Requirements include:

• 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised counseling experience
  
• 2,400 hours must be direct client contact
  
• Minimum timeframe: 2 years
  
• Supervision must occur under a Board-approved supervisor
  
• The applicant must hold APC status while completing supervised hours
  

Supervision requirements include:

• At least 35 hours of supervision per year
  
• Limits on group supervision
  

Documentation verifying supervised experience must be submitted to the Board and verified by the supervisor.

Reduced Supervision Pathway (Board-Reviewed Exception)

Georgia rules allow the Board to reduce supervised experience requirements for applicants who already hold certain behavioral health licenses.

Examples of professionals who may qualify include:

• Licensed psychologists
  
• Licensed clinical social workers
  
• Marriage and family therapists
  
• Other comparable licensed behavioral health professionals
  

For these applicants, the Board may:

• Reduce the required supervised experience hours, or
  
• Accept documented clinical experience in lieu of part of the supervision requirement
  

This pathway is not automatic and is evaluated individually by the Board.

It is not a separate licensure track. Instead, it is an exception provision that allows the Board to adjust supervision requirements based on prior licensure and documented clinical experience.

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Supervision & Ethics in Georgia

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Georgia?

Supervisors may include the following licensed professionals approved by the Board:

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  
• Licensed Psychologist
  
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  
• Other Board-approved qualified supervisors
  

Supervisors must have at least 3 years of post-licensure clinical experience.

Can Associates Practice Independently in Georgia?

No. Associate Professional Counselors (APCs) may not practice independently and must provide counseling services under supervision while completing required supervised experience.

What Are the Required Supervision Ratios?

Georgia requires at least 35 hours of supervision per year during the supervised experience period.

What Documentation or Supervision Agreements Are Required?

Georgia requires a supervision contract to be submitted and approved before supervised hours may begin.

Additionally:

• Supervisors must verify supervision and experience hours
  
• Supervision documentation must be submitted to the Board when applying for LPC licensure
  

Supervised hours only count when the individual holds APC licensure and an approved supervision contract.

How Must Associates Represent Their Credentials?

Individuals practicing under supervision must use the title: “Associate Professional Counselor (APC).”

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Georgia

Pro Tip

Georgia requires the supervision contract to be approved before supervised hours begin. Hours completed before APC licensure or before contract approval may not count toward licensure requirements.

Warning

Supervised hours may be disqualified if:

• They occur before APC licensure
  
• They occur without an approved supervision contract
  
• Supervision documentation is not properly submitted
  
• The minimum two-year supervised experience timeframe is not satisfied

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Georgia

Can I Start a Private Practice as an Associate Professional Counselor in Georgia?

No. Associate Professional Counselors may not practice independently and must practice under supervision from a qualified Board-approved supervisor.

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

Georgia requires a minimum of two years to complete the required 3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience.

Does Georgia Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

No. Georgia does not require CACREP accreditation, but graduate counseling programs must be evaluated by the Board and determined to meet the coursework requirements specified in state rules.

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