LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor

A licensed professional counselor or LPC is a mental health counselor licensed to practice by the state. LPCs must obtain a state license to practice independently or unsupervised. The license requirements for each state are different, but there are many areas where they overlap. 

After meeting the requirements for state licensure, counselors can apply to their state licensing board to receive a license to practice independently and begin their careers. 

Every state has its own requirements, but many states require those seeking a license to take the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) given by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). The NBCC is a nationally recognized provider of counseling credentials and has an excellent reputation for excellence in the exam field. 

Although the NCE exam is the most common one required for state certification, there are other exams available. Before registering, check with your state board of licensing to see what exam they require for licensure.

The NCE is a 200-item multiple-choice test that assesses skills, abilities, and knowledge required to provide effective counseling services. The exam fee is $275, and the test is offered through Pearson VUE twice a year, in April and October.

To register for the exam, you must create an account on the NBCC.

If your state accepts the NCE exam, there are many eligibility requirements for taking the exam. Note that many of these may overlap with other licensing requirements, but the only way to make sure you have everything you need for licensure is to ask your state board. 

Requirements for the NCE from NBCC include: 

• A master's degree, Certificate of Advanced Study, doctoral degree, or Educational Specialist/Educational Specialist in counseling from an accredited program. Other graduate degrees may be considered and are subject to NBCC board approval.

• Successful completion of 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours of graduate-level coursework from an accredited program

• Verified transcript showing completion of graduate-level courses in the following content areas: Assessment in Counseling, Career Counseling and Lifestyle Development, Group Counseling Theories and Processes, Helping Relationships in Counseling, Human Growth and Development Theories in Counseling, Professional Orientation to Counseling, Research and Program Evaluation, Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling, and completion of counseling field experience

• Professional endorsement from a colleague who holds a graduate degree in mental health who is not related by either blood or marriage

• Supervised post-master’s counseling work experience of at least 3,000 hours of documented counseling work over 24 months and at least 100 hours of supervision over 24 months

• Verification of educational requirements showing the completion of a qualifying program, usually in the form of digital transcripts from the educational institution or course syllabi

Once your application is approved, you will receive an authorization to test email from Pearson VUE. Pearson VUE administers the exam and has testing centers across the country. There are two ways to take the exam. You can go to a testing center or take the exam from the privacy of your own home with a virtual proctor. You can schedule online or by phone (866-904-4432).

The requirements for renewing your state license vary depending on the state. Check with your state board for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Most states require continuing education credits or hours, but each state has its own way of submitting them and different guidelines for what they will accept.

Again, it’s important to note that the information provided here is general. You must check with your state licensing board to ensure that you meet the requirements to be an LPC in your state. Most states require the education and experience mentioned here and accept the NCE exam for licensure. 

You can find some information about state licensure requirements here.

The NBCC offers a candidate handbook, content outline and sample questions for NCE exam candidates.

Other related certifications include:

• National Certified School Counselor (NCSC): Validates the knowledge and skills of board-certified school counselors.

• Certified Mental Health Counselor (CMHC): Validates the knowledge and skills of mental health counselors.