Nevada Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

Becoming a Clinical Professional Counselor (CPC) in Nevada requires completing a qualifying graduate degree, passing required examinations, obtaining Clinical Professional Counselor Intern (CPC-Intern) licensure, and completing 3,000 hours of supervised clinical professional counseling experience.

Nevada requires 1,500 hours of direct client contact, structured supervision totaling 300 hours, and a minimum of two years to complete supervised experience. Applicants must also pass the Nevada Jurisprudence Examination covering state laws and regulations governing counseling practice.

Nevada Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Nevada
Official Licensing Board	Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors
Full Clinical License Title	Clinical Professional Counselor (CPC)
Initial / Associate License Title	Clinical Professional Counselor Intern (CPC-Intern)
Total Supervised Hours Required	3,000 hours
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	1,500 hours
Required National Exam(s)	National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
State Jurisprudence Exam Required?	No

The Path to Licensure in Nevada

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

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

Educational requirements include:

• Minimum 60 graduate semester hours
  
• At least 100 hours of supervised practicum
  
• At least 600 hours of supervised internship
  

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

Step 2: Pass the Required Examination(s)

Applicants must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), not the older NCE counseling exam.

Step 3: Apply for Clinical Professional Counselor Intern (CPC-Intern)

Nevada requires candidates to obtain Clinical Professional Counselor Intern (CPC-Intern) licensure before beginning supervised clinical practice.

Requirements include:

• Application to the Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors
  
• Approval of a supervision agreement before supervised experience begins
  
• Completion of a criminal background check
  

Supervised experience must occur:

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

Step 4: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience

To qualify for Clinical Professional Counselor (CPC) licensure, Nevada requires:

• 3,000 hours of supervised clinical professional counseling experience
  
• 1,500 hours of direct client contact
  
• Minimum timeframe: 2 years
  

Supervision requirements include:

• 300 total hours of supervision
  
• At least 160 hours provided by the primary supervisor
  
• At least 40 hours provided by a secondary supervisor
  

Supervision must occur:

• While the individual holds CPC-Intern status
  
• Under Board-approved supervision
  

Applicants must submit verification of supervised experience and supervision hours on Board forms when applying for CPC licensure.

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Supervision & Ethics in Nevada

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Nevada?

Supervisors must be approved by the Nevada Board and may include:

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

Supervisor requirements include:

• At least five years of post-licensure clinical experience
  

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

Can Associates Practice Independently in Nevada?

No. Individuals licensed as Clinical Professional Counselor Interns (CPC-Interns) must practice under supervision and may not practice independently.

Independent counseling practice authority is granted only after obtaining Clinical Professional Counselor (CPC) licensure.

What Documentation or Supervision Agreements Are Required?

Nevada requires a supervision agreement to be approved before supervised experience begins.

Supervised hours must occur while holding CPC-Intern licensure and under an approved supervisor.

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Nevada

Pro Tip

Ensure the supervision agreement is approved before supervised practice begins. Supervised hours completed before CPC-Intern licensure or before supervision approval may not count toward licensure requirements.

Warning

Supervised hours may be disqualified if:

• They occur before obtaining CPC-Intern licensure
  
• They occur without a Board-approved supervisor
  
• Required supervision documentation is not submitted
  

The minimum two-year supervised experience requirement is not met

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Nevada

Can I Start a Private Practice as a Clinical Professional Counselor Intern (CPC-Intern) in Nevada?

No. CPC-Interns must practice under supervision from a Board-approved licensed mental health professional while completing required supervised experience.

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

Nevada requires 3,000 hours of supervised clinical professional counseling experience completed over at least two years before qualifying for CPC licensure.

Does Nevada Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

No. Nevada does not require CACREP accreditation, but graduate programs must meet the coursework and training requirements established by the Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors.

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