Utah Counseling Licensure & Supervision Roadmap

Utah licenses clinical mental health counselors through the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). The state uses a two-tier system consisting of the Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor (ACMHC) and the Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC).

Individuals must first obtain the associate license and complete supervised clinical experience under a structured supervision program before qualifying for full licensure.

Utah Counseling Licensure & Supervision Quick Summary

Requirement	Details
Official Licensing Board	Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL)
Full Clinical License Title	Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC)
Initial / Associate License Title	Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor (ACMHC)
Total Supervised Hours Required	3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience
Minimum Direct Client Contact Hours	1,200 hours
Minimum Timeframe	Not less than 2 years
Required National Exam(s)	NCMHCE
State Jurisprudence Exam Required?	No

The Path to Licensure in Utah

Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree

Applicants must complete a qualifying graduate degree in counseling or a related field.

Educational requirements include:

• Master’s or doctoral degree
  
• Minimum of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours
  
• Program must be:
  
  • CACREP-accredited, or
    
  • An equivalent program affiliated with a CHEA-recognized institution and meeting specified coursework requirements
    

Clinical training requirements include:

• 1,000 hours of supervised practicum/internship
  
• At least 400 hours of direct client contact during training
  

Step 2: Obtain Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor (ACMHC) License

Applicants must obtain the ACMHC license before beginning supervised clinical experience.

Requirements include:

• Submission of an application to DOPL
  
• Verification of qualifying education
  
• Completion of a criminal background check
  

Important:

• Supervised experience may only be accrued while licensed as an ACMHC
  
• Practice must occur under a formal supervision program with a qualified supervisor
  

Step 3: Complete Supervised Clinical Experience

To qualify for CMHC licensure, applicants must complete supervised post-graduate clinical experience.

Requirements include:

• 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience
  
• At least 1,200 hours of direct client care
  
• Minimum duration of 2 years
  

Supervised experience must:

• Occur under a qualified clinical supervisor
  
• Be part of a structured supervision program
  
• Be completed while the associate is:
  
  • Employed by a public or private mental health agency
    

Supervision may be conducted:

• In person, or
  
• Via real-time electronic communication (e.g., video or telephone), provided interaction is synchronous
  

Step 4: Pass the Required Examination(s)

Applicants must pass the required national examination:

• Utah requires the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), not the NCE counseling exam.

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Supervision & Ethics in Utah

Who Qualifies as a Supervisor in Utah?

Supervisors must be:

• A licensed mental health therapist meeting statutory and rule requirements
  

Supervisor qualifications include:

• At least 4,000 hours of clinical practice
  
• Completed over a minimum of two years prior to providing supervision
  

Can Associates Practice Independently in Utah?

No. Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselors must practice under supervision and may not engage in independent practice.

What Are the Supervision Modality Requirements?

Supervision must allow real-time interaction and may occur:

• In person, or
  
• Via electronic methods (e.g., video conferencing or telephone)
  

Group supervision must allow participants to:

• See and communicate with one another (if conducted electronically)
  

What Documentation Is Required?

Supervisors must:

• Maintain and review records of supervision and client services
  
• Evaluate supervisee performance
  
• Submit documentation verifying completion of supervised experience to the Division
  

Who Is Responsible for Clinical Decisions?

The supervisor is professionally responsible for:

• Oversight of the supervisee’s clinical work
  
• Ensuring compliance with laws and ethical standards
  
• Monitoring competence and client care
  
• Reporting violations when necessary

Common Licensure Pitfalls in Utah

Pro Tip
Ensure all supervised experience is completed within a formal supervision program and while employed in a qualifying mental health setting.

Warning
Hours completed outside of associate licensure, without an approved supervisor, or outside an eligible employment setting will not count toward licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure in Utah

Can I Start a Private Practice as an ACMHC in Utah?

No. Associates must practice under supervision within an approved employment setting and may not independently provide counseling services.

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

Utah requires:

• A minimum of 2 years of supervised clinical experience
  
• Completion of 3,000 supervised hours, including 1,200 direct client hours
  

The total timeframe depends on completing:

• Education requirements
  
• Examination requirements
  
• Supervised clinical experience

Does Utah Require CACREP Accreditation for Licensure?

No. Utah accepts CACREP-accredited programs or equivalent programs affiliated with CHEA-recognized institutions that meet specified curriculum requirements. Prospective applicants can explore Utah counseling degrees to find relevant programs, including CACREP-accredited online counseling programs.

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