Kansas Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

Kansas licenses counselors through a two-tier system administered by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB). Individuals first obtain Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure and may practice professional counseling at that level.

To perform clinical counseling, counselors must qualify for the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) credential. This requires completing 4,000 hours of supervised postgraduate professional counseling experience, including 1,500 hours of direct client contact, over at least two years, and passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

Kansas Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Kansas
Official Licensing Board	Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB)
Full Clinical License Title	Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
Initial/Associate License Title	Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Total Supervised Hours Required	4,000 hours
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	1,500 hours
Required National Exam(s)	NCMHCE
State Jurisprudence Exam Required?	No

The Path to Licensure in Kansas

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

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

Educational requirements include:

• Minimum 60 graduate semester hours
  
• Graduate training must include both a practicum and internship
  

CACREP accreditation is not required, but the graduate program must meet coursework areas specified by the Board. Prospective applicants can explore Kansas counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited online counseling programs.

Step 2: Obtain Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensure

Kansas requires individuals to obtain Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure before completing the supervised experience required for LCPC licensure.

Licensed Professional Counselors may provide professional counseling services at this stage.

However:

• LPCs may not engage in clinical counseling
  
• Clinical counseling authority is granted only after obtaining LCPC licensure
  

Step 3: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience

To qualify for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) licensure, Kansas requires:

• 4,000 hours of supervised postgraduate professional counseling experience
  
• 1,500 hours must be direct client contact
  
• Minimum timeframe: 2 years
  
• 100 hours of supervision, including individual supervision components
  

Supervision must occur:

• While the individual holds LPC licensure
  
• Under a Board-approved supervisor
  

Applicants must submit documentation verifying supervised experience and supervision hours when applying for LCPC licensure.

Step 4: Pass the Required Examination

Applicants for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) licensure must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), not the NCE counseling exam.

*Sponsored Counseling Programs

Supervision & Ethics in Kansas

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Kansas?

Supervisors must be approved by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.

Supervisors may include:

• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs)
  
• Other board-approved mental health professionals
  

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

Supervisors are responsible for oversight and evaluation of the supervisee’s professional counseling services.

Can Associates Practice Independently in Kansas?

Kansas does not use a traditional associate license structure.

Individuals first obtain Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure.

Licensed Professional Counselors may practice professional counseling independently, but they may not perform clinical counseling until they obtain Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) licensure.

What Documentation Is Required?

Applicants must submit documentation verifying supervised experience and supervision hours when applying for LCPC licensure.

Supervised experience must:

• Occur under board-approved supervision
  
• Meet the statutory supervision requirements established in KSA 65-5809

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Kansas

Pro Tip

Supervised clinical experience for LCPC licensure must be completed after obtaining LPC licensure and under a qualified board-approved supervisor. Ensure that supervision documentation is maintained throughout the supervision period.

Warning

Supervised hours may not qualify if:

• They occur before LPC licensure
  
• They are completed without board-approved supervision
  
• Required documentation verifying supervised experience is not submitted with the application
  
• The minimum two-year supervision period is not satisfied

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Kansas

Possibly, but with limitations. Kansas law allows Licensed Professional Counselors to provide professional counseling services, such as counseling, consultation, and referral. However, LPCs may not independently diagnose or treat mental disorders. Those clinical services may only be provided under the direction of a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, psychologist, physician, or other independently licensed mental health professional. Independent clinical practice authority is granted only after obtaining the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) credential.

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

Kansas requires 4,000 hours of supervised postgraduate counseling experience completed over at least two years before qualifying for LCPC licensure.

Does Kansas Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

No. Kansas does not require CACREP accreditation, but graduate programs must meet the coursework requirements established by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.

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