Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey requires completing a qualifying graduate degree, passing a national counseling examination, obtaining the Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) credential, and completing 4,500 hours of supervised counseling experience.
New Jersey requires the supervised experience to occur over at least three years while practicing under supervision from a board-approved supervisor.
Walden University : MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited, six specializations to choose from)
Northwestern University : Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Northwestern University : Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (Complete your COAMFTE-accredited MFT online program in as few as 21 months. No GRE is required, but applicants must hold an undergraduate degree.)
NYU Steinhardt : Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness (Prepare to pursue licensure with NYU Steinhardt’s MPCAC-accredited online counseling master’s. As few as 21 mos. to complete. GRE not req.)
Liberty University : MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Online with required intensives)
National University : Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Accredited. No GRE. Scholarships Available)
Mid-America Christian University (MACU) : Master of Science (MS) in Counseling (100% Online, No GRE Required)
University of Denver : Master of Arts in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
The Chicago School : M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Online Programs. CACREP Accredited.)New Jersey Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary
| Requirement | New Jersey |
| Official Licensing Board | State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners (Professional Counselor Examiners Committee) |
| Full Clinical License Title | Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) |
| Initial / Associate License Title | Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) |
| Total Supervised Hours Required | 4,500 hours |
| Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours | State law does not specify a minimum number of direct client contact hours |
| Required National Exam(s) | National Counselor Examination (NCE) |
| State Jurisprudence Exam Required? | State law does not specify a jurisprudence examination requirement |
The Path to Licensure in New Jersey
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
- 100-hour practicum in counseling
- 600-hour internship in counseling
CACREP accreditation is not required, but degree programs are evaluated by the Board to determine whether they meet the required coursework areas established in regulation. Prospective applicants can explore New Jersey counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited counseling programs.
Step 2: Pass the Required Examination(s)
Applicants must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE counseling exam)
Step 3: Apply for Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC)
New Jersey requires individuals to obtain the Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) credential before beginning post-graduate supervised counseling experience.
Supervised experience must occur:
- While the individual holds LAC licensure
- Under a board-approved supervisor
Licensed Associate Counselors may not practice independently and must practice under supervision during the supervised experience period.
Step 4: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience
To qualify for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure, New Jersey requires:
- 4,500 hours of supervised counseling experience
- Minimum timeframe: 3 years
Supervision requirements include:
- At least one hour of supervision per week or its equivalent
Supervised experience must occur:
- While the individual holds LAC licensure
- Under a board-approved supervisor
Applicants must submit documentation verifying completion of supervised counseling experience when applying for LPC licensure.
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements | Course Information | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Walden University
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
 CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE scores not required
|
Prepare to become the competent, compassionate counselor you were meant to be with Walden's CACREP-accredited MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
|
Learn More |
|
Northwestern University
Online MA in Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required
Bachelor's Required |
CACREP-accredited online Master of Arts in Counseling from The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Prepare to pursue licensure in as few as 18 months.
|
Learn More |
|
Northwestern University
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
COAMFTE Accredited
|
✔ Online
GRE Not Required
Bachelor's Required |
Complete your COAMFTE-accredited MFT online program in as few as 21 months. No GRE is required, but applicants must hold an undergraduate degree.
|
Learn More |
|
NYU Steinhardt
Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
 MPCAC Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE not required; Bachelor’s degree and minimum 2.5 GPA required
|
Prepare to pursue licensure with NYU Steinhardt’s MPCAC-accredited online counseling master’s. As few as 21 mos. to complete. GRE not req.
|
Learn More |
|
Liberty University
MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
Online with required intensives
|
Our CACREP-accredited online master’s in counseling helps you become a skilled mental health counselor ready to empower others for positive change.
|
Learn More |
|
National University
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
WSCUC Accredited
|
✔ Online
GRE Scores Not Required
|
Focused on training highly skilled counselors to provide impactful and culturally sensitive mental health services in their communities.
|
Learn More |
|
Mid-America Christian University (MACU)
Master of Science (MS) in Counseling
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
|
✔ Online
100% Online
|
Oklahoma’s largest MS in Counseling program, with emphases in addiction and substance abuse, applied behavioral science, clinical mental health counseling, and more!
|
Learn More |
|
University of Denver
Master of Arts in School Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
No GRE Required; Minimum GPA 2.5 Required
|
With no GRE required, earn your CACREP-accredited Master's in School Counseling online in as few as 24 months from the University of Denver.
|
Learn More |
|
The Chicago School
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
Bachelor's Degree Required.
|
This online CMHC program prepares students for a career offering mental health services in a variety of settings. CACREP-accredited.
|
Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
For detailed degree information, view the guides to:
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
Supervision & Ethics in New Jersey
Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in New Jersey?
Supervisors must be approved by the Board and may include:
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)
- Other board-approved qualified mental health professionals
Supervisor requirements include:
- At least three years of post-licensure counseling experience
Supervisors are responsible for oversight of the counseling services provided by the supervisee and evaluation of professional competence.
Can Associates Practice Independently in New Jersey?
No. Individuals licensed as Licensed Associate Counselors (LACs) must practice under supervision and may not practice independently.
Independent practice authority is granted only after obtaining Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure.
What Documentation or Supervision Agreements Are Required?
Applicants must submit documentation verifying supervised counseling experience as part of the LPC licensure application.
Supervised experience must:
- Occur while the individual holds LAC licensure
- Be completed under board-approved supervision
Walden University - MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Northwestern University - Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Northwestern University - Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE Accredited)
NYU Steinhardt - Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness (MPCAC Accredited)
Liberty University - MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
National University - Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (WSCUC Accredited)
Mid-America Christian University (MACU) - Master of Science (MS) in Counseling (Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Accredited)
University of Denver - Master of Arts in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
The Chicago School - M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Common Licensure Pitfalls in New Jersey
Pro Tip
Ensure that supervised counseling experience is completed while holding Licensed Associate Counselor licensure and under a qualified board-approved supervisor. Maintain accurate records of supervision hours throughout the supervision period.
Warning
Supervised hours may be disqualified if:
- They occur before obtaining LAC licensure
- They occur without board-approved supervision
- Required documentation verifying supervised experience is not submitted
- The minimum three-year supervision timeframe is not satisfied
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in New Jersey
Can I Start a Private Practice as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) in New Jersey?
No. Licensed Associate Counselors must practice under supervision while completing the required supervised counseling experience.
How Long Does It Take to Become Fully Licensed in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires 4,500 hours of supervised counseling experience completed over at least three years before qualifying for LPC licensure.
Does New Jersey Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?
No. New Jersey does not require CACREP accreditation.
