Texas Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

Texas licenses professional counselors through the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC). The state utilizes a two-tier system consisting of the Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC Associate) and the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Individuals must first obtain the associate license and complete supervised clinical experience (referred to as an internship) before qualifying for full licensure.

Texas Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Details
Official Licensing Board	Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC)
Full Clinical License Title	Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Initial / Associate License Title	Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC Associate)
Total Supervised Hours Required	3,000 clock-hours of supervised experience
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	1,500 clock-hours
Required National Exam(s)	NCE or NCMHCE
State Jurisprudence Exam Required?	Yes

The Path to Licensure in Texas

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

Applicants must complete a graduate degree in counseling or a related field that meets Council requirements.

Educational requirements include:

• Graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education
  
• Program must meet the Council’s academic requirements for licensure
  

Applicants must provide:

• Official graduate transcripts
  
• A practicum/internship documentation form verifying completion of required clinical training
  

Clinical training must include supervised practicum/internship experience completed as part of the graduate program.

Step 2: Obtain Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC Associate) License

Applicants must obtain the LPC Associate license before beginning supervised experience.

Requirements include:

• Submission of an application and required fees
  
• Official exam scores (see Step 4)
  
• Completion of the Texas Jurisprudence Examination
  
• Submission of graduate transcripts
  
• Submission of a practicum/internship documentation form
  
• Establishment of a supervisory agreement with a Council-approved LPC Supervisor (LPC-S)
  

Important:

• Supervised experience may only begin after LPC Associate licensure is issued
  
• Hours completed prior to licensure do not count
  
• LPC Associates may only practice under supervision and may not engage in independent practice

Step 3: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience (Internship)

To qualify for LPC licensure, applicants must complete supervised post-graduate clinical experience under a Council-approved supervisor.

Requirements include:

• 3,000 total clock-hours of supervised experience
  
• At least 1,500 hours of direct client counseling contact
  
• Minimum duration of 18 months
  

Supervision requirements include:

• Minimum of 4 hours of supervision per month
  
• Supervision may be:
  
  • Individual, or
    
  • Group (no more than 50% may be group supervision)
    

All supervised experience must:

• Occur under a Council-approved LPC Supervisor (LPC-S)
  
• Be completed while licensed as an LPC Associate
  
• Be properly documented in accordance with Council requirements
  

Important:

• Supervised hours do not count unless:
  
  • The LPC Associate license has been issued, and
    
  • The supervisor is Council-approved
    
• Supervision must continue until the LPC license is issued, even if all 3,000 hours have been completed

Step 4: Pass the Required Examination(s)

Applicants must pass a national counseling examination prior to LPC Associate licensure.

Accepted examinations include:

• National Counselor Examination (NCE counseling exam), or
  
• National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
  

Applicants must also:

• Complete the Texas Jurisprudence Examination prior to application
  

Note: Examination is required before obtaining the LPC Associate license, meaning applicants must pass the required exam(s) prior to beginning supervised experience.

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Supervision & Ethics in Texas

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Texas?

Supervision must be provided by a:

• Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) approved by the Council
  

To qualify as an LPC-S, a licensee must:

• Hold an active LPC license in good standing for at least 60 months
  
• Complete an approved supervisor training program, which includes:
  
  • A doctoral-level supervision course, or
    
  • A 40-hour supervision training course
    

Supervisors must:

• Maintain detailed records of all supervision sessions
  
• Monitor supervisee competence and ethical compliance
  
• Submit verification of supervised experience within 30 days of completion

Can Associates Practice Independently in Texas?

No. LPC Associates may only practice as part of a supervised internship and may not engage in independent practice.

What Are the Required Supervision Ratios?

Texas requires:

• Minimum of 4 hours of supervision per month
  
• No more than 50% of supervision hours may be group supervision

What Documentation Is Required?

Supervisors must:

• Maintain written records of each supervision session
  
• Document supervised experience in accordance with Council requirements
  
• Submit verification of supervision within 30 days after:
  
  • Completion of supervision, or
    
  • Completion of required hours

Who Is Responsible for Clinical Decisions?

Both the LPC Associate and the supervising LPC-S share responsibility for clinical services.

The LPC-S:

• Provides oversight of all counseling activities
  
• Is responsible for ensuring ethical and competent practice
  
• May be subject to disciplinary action for violations the supervisor knew or should have known about

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Texas

Pro Tip
Ensure that LPC Associate licensure and supervisor approval are in place before beginning any clinical work. Hours completed prior to approval will not count.

Warning
Failure to properly document supervision or maintain required supervision ratios may delay or prevent licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Texas

Can I Start a Private Practice as an LPC Associate in Texas?

No. LPC Associates must practice under supervision and may not independently provide counseling services.

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

Texas requires a minimum of 18 months to complete supervised experience.

The total timeframe depends on completing:

• Academic requirements
  
• Examination requirements
  
• 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience

Does Texas Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

No. Texas does not require CACREP accreditation. However, applicants must graduate from an accredited institution of higher education and complete a counseling program that meets the Council’s academic and clinical training requirements. Prospective applicants can explore Texas counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited counseling programs.

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