Indiana Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

Indiana licenses mental health counselors through a two-tier system under the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board (Indiana Professional Licensing Agency). Graduates first obtain the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) credential after passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE).

They must then complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least two years before qualifying for full Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) licensure. Applicants for LMHC licensure must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Indiana requires a criminal background check for licensure.

Indiana Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Indiana
Official Licensing Board	Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board (Indiana Professional Licensing Agency)
Full Clinical License Title	Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Initial/Associate License Title	Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA)
Total Supervised Hours Required	3,000 hours
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	Not specified.
Required National Exam(s)	National Counselor Examination (NCE) for LMHCA and National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) for LMHC
State Jurisprudence Exam Required?	No (It is required for endorsement applicants.)

The Path to Licensure in Indiana

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

Degree Level Required

• Master’s or doctoral degree in mental health counseling or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
  

Minimum Graduate Credit Hours

• 60 semester hours (or equivalent coursework).
  

CACREP Requirement

• CACREP accreditation is not formally required by statute.
  
• Programs accredited by CACREP or judged equivalent by the Board are acceptable. Prospective applicants can explore Indiana counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited counseling programs.
  

Practicum / Internship Requirements

• Graduate program must include supervised clinical coursework totaling approximately 700 hours.
  
  • Practicum often includes approximately 100 hours.
    
  • Internship commonly includes approximately 600 hours.

Step 2: Obtain Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) Licensure

After graduation, individuals must obtain the LMHCA credential before accruing post-degree supervised hours toward full LMHC licensure. Applicants for Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) licensure must pass the:

National Counselor Examination (NCE exam).

This examination qualifies the applicant for associate-level licensure prior to completion of the supervised experience required for LMHC licensure.

Independent Practice

• LMHCAs may not practice independently.
  
• Practice must occur under supervision.
  

Background Check

• Yes. Indiana requires criminal background checks for behavioral health professional licensure.
  

Supervision Plan

• Supervision must occur under a qualified supervisor and meet agency definitions.
  
• Specific pre-approval requirements are governed by PLA rules.

Step 3: Complete Supervised Post-Degree Clinical Experience

Total Hours Required

• 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience in professional mental health counseling.

Minimum Timeframe

• Experience must be completed over at least 2 years.

Step 4: Pass the Required Examination

Applicants for Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) licensure must pass the:

• National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

This examination is required after completion of the supervised clinical experience required for LMHC licensure.

Jurisprudence Examination for Endorsement Applicants

Indiana does not require a jurisprudence examination for applicants following the standard licensure pathway described above. However, individuals applying by endorsement—meaning counselors who are already licensed in another state and are seeking Indiana licensure based on that existing credential—must pass a jurisprudence examination covering Indiana statutes and administrative rules governing behavioral health professionals.

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Supervision & Ethics in Indiana

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Indiana?

Supervisors must be qualified and typically licensed as one of the following:

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
  
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  
• Psychologist
  
• Psychiatrist
  
• Other Board-approved equivalent
  

Supervisors must be licensed professionals in good standing.

Can Associates Practice Independently in Indiana?

No. The Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) is an associate license and may not practice independently. Independent practice authority is granted only upon full Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) licensure.

Background & Eligibility Requirements

Indiana requires a criminal background check for professional licensure in behavioral health categories.

Supervised experience must:

• Total 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience,
  
• Be completed over at least 2 years, and
  
• Occur under the supervision of a qualified licensed professional.

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Indiana

Pro Tip

• Obtain LMHCA licensure before beginning post-degree supervised experience.
  
• Track:
  
  • 3,000 total supervised hours,
    
  • At least 2 years of supervised practice,
    
• Confirm supervisor eligibility before beginning supervision.
  

Warning

• Hours accrued without LMHCA licensure will not qualify toward LMHC licensure.
  
• LMHCAs may not practice independently.
  
• Failure to complete required supervised experience over at least 2 years will delay licensure.
  
• A criminal background check is required for licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Indiana

Can I Start a Private Practice as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) in Indiana?

No. The LMHCA is an associate license and does not authorize independent practice.

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

Post-degree supervised experience must be completed over at least 2 years and must total 3,000 hours.

Does Indiana Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

No. CACREP accreditation is not formally required by statute. Programs accredited by CACREP or judged equivalent by the Board are acceptable.

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