Hawaii Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

Hawaii licenses mental health counselors under HRS Chapter 453D through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division – Mental Health Counselor Program. The pathway requires completion of a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree, passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE), and 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience completed in not less than 2 years and not more than 4 years.

Effective July 1, 2026, individuals accruing post-graduate hours must hold an Associate Mental Health Counselor license and may practice only under supervision.

Hawaii Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Hawaii
Official Licensing Board	Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional and Vocational Licensing Division – Mental Health Counselor Program
Full Clinical License Title	Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Initial/Associate License Title	Associate Mental Health Counselor (effective July 1, 2026)
Total Supervised Hours Required	3,000 post-graduate hours
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	300 hours during practicum; no separate direct-client minimum specified within 3,000 post-graduate hours
Required National Exam(s)	National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE)
State Jurisprudence Exam Required?	No

The Path to Licensure in Hawaii

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

Degree Level Required

• Master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or an allied field.
  

Minimum Graduate Credit Hours

• At least 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours in specified counseling content areas.
  

Accreditation

• Degree must be from an accredited educational institution.
  
• CACREP is not required.
  

Practicum Requirement

• At least 2 academic terms.
  
• At least 6 semester hours (or 10 quarter hours).
  
• Must include 300 hours of supervised client contact.
  

Step 2: Pass the Required Examination(s)

Applicants must pass:

• National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE exam).

Step 3: Apply for Associate Mental Health Counselor Provisional Licensure

Effective July 1, 2026 (Act 93 (2024)):

• Individuals accruing post-graduate supervised experience must hold an Associate Mental Health Counselor license.
  
• There is no exemption after June 30, 2026.
  

Independent Practice

• Associates may practice only under supervision of a qualified licensed mental health counselor.

Step 4: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience

Total Hours Required

• 3,000 hours of post-graduate experience in mental health counseling.
  

Timeframe

• Must be completed in:
  
  • Not less than 2 years, and
    
  • Not more than 4 years.
    

Supervision Requirements

• 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision must be included within the 3,000 hours.
  

Direct Client Contact Minimum (Post-Graduate)

• The statute does not specify a separate direct-client minimum within the 3,000 post-graduate hours.
  

Supervisor Qualifications

• Must be supervised by a licensed mental health counselor.
  
• Supervisor must have at least 2 years of clinical experience.
  

Documentation

• Verification of practicum and post-graduate experience must be submitted on prescribed forms.

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Supervision & Ethics in Hawaii

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Hawaii?

A supervisor must be:

• A licensed mental health counselor, and
  
• Have at least 2 years of clinical experience.

Can Associates Practice Independently in Hawaii?

No. Effective July 1, 2026, the Associate Mental Health Counselor license authorizes practice only under supervision of a qualified licensed mental health counselor.

Associates remain subject to standards of conduct and discipline under HRS Chapters 436B and 453D.

What Are the Required Supervision Ratios?

• 3,000 total post-graduate hours.
  
• 100 hours must be face-to-face clinical supervision.
  
• Experience must be completed within 2–4 years.

What Documentation Is Required?

• Verification of practicum experience.
  
• Verification of post-graduate supervised experience.
  
• Forms must be submitted as prescribed by the DCCA.

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Hawaii

Pro Tip

Effective July 1, 2026, ensure you hold Associate Mental Health Counselor licensure while accruing post-graduate hours. Post-graduate hours earned without associate licensure after that date are not permitted under Act 93 (2024).

Track:

• 3,000 total hours,
  
• 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision,
  
• The 2-year minimum and 4-year maximum timeframe.
  

Warning

• Post-graduate experience must be completed within the 2–4 year window.
  
• Supervision must include 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision.
  
• Associates may not practice independently.
  
• Failure to maintain proper verification documentation may delay licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Hawaii

Can I Start a Private Practice as an Associate Mental Health Counselor in Hawaii?

No. Effective July 1, 2026, associates may practice only under supervision of a qualified licensed mental health counselor and may not practice independently.

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

The 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience must be completed in:

• Not less than 2 years, and
  
• Not more than 4 years.

Does Hawaii Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

No. HRS 453D-7 requires a degree from an accredited educational institution with specified coursework. CACREP accreditation is not required. Prospective applicants can explore Hawaii counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited counseling programs.

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