How to become a licensed clinical mental health counselor

Clinical mental health counseling is a rewarding career for caring individuals who want to help others through tough times. Counselors work in group settings or one-on-one to guide people through life's challenges, from social issues to the effects of emotional trauma.

Some counselors may choose to work with a specific population, such as children or couples. Others build experience working with neurodivergent individuals or adults in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Across all practice types, mental health counselors need state licensure to practice legally.¹ By becoming a licensed professional, such as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), you show that you have the knowledge and experience to counsel others responsibly. But how do you go about becoming a licensed mental health counselor?

This blog post will answer that question on a broad level and provide direction for learning about requirements in your state. You'll also learn more about career paths available to licensed counselors.

Educational requirements

The first step to becoming a licensed mental health counselor is to earn your bachelor's degree.² The ideal path is to earn your degree in psychology, social work or a similar subject.

Most mental health counselors also need an advanced degree to practice. There are many counseling degree options available, including master's degrees and doctorates. All 50 states require licensed counselors to have a master's degree in counseling or a related field.³

As a master's degree candidate, you may focus on counseling as a general field or pursue specialized training. For example, some graduate students in counseling programs concentrate on addiction, family counseling or school counseling. Today, many counseling students complete their master's requirements online, giving them greater flexibility to keep up with work and personal responsibilities.

Internship and clinical experience

Academic learning is essential, but real people are more complex and multi-layered than any book can describe. Supervised clinical experience is the only way to learn how mental health challenges manifest and how various counseling techniques can be applied in practice.

As a graduate student in a master's program, you will gain real-world experience through fieldwork. The standard process is to begin with a practicum that includes at least 40 hours of direct client work. Next, you can expect to complete an internship, which includes a minimum of 240 hours with clients. Both experiences also include weekly individual and group supervision.⁴

Most states require additional post-graduation clinical hours to qualify for full licensure. In Wisconsin, for example, counselors seeking an unrestricted LPC credential must complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised practice, including 1,000 hours of direct client contact.^5,6 Candidates must receive a training license to begin accruing these hours.⁷

Other states have different requirements. Contact your state's mental health services licensing board or speak with your school's career services department to learn more.

Licensing exams and requirements

Details of the counselor licensing process differ from state to state. Each U.S. state and territory requires students to fulfill educational requirements and complete one of two standardized tests. These are the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Some states specify which exam they will accept, while others accept either or require you to complete both.¹ Your academic advisor or career counselor can help you decide which option will best suit your circumstances.

Application process and documentation

Required exams are one of several counseling licensure requirements in each state. The exact license you receive will depend on the state where you intend to practice, and states may apply them in different ways. For example, in Illinois, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) may practice independently, while a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) may not.⁸ Wisconsin issues the LPC as a full license, with a specialized LPC training license for new graduates.⁶

To apply for your entry-level license, you will need to submit documentation proving that you have completed all educational requirements. Expect to complete an online or print form and submit transcripts or course documentation from your academic program. In some states, including Wisconsin, you will need a supervisor to verify your clinical hours.⁹

Complete and accurate documentation is essential to avoid delays in your application. Consider downloading the application in advance and verifying your access to the proper documents. Once you have all the required materials and have met all requirements, you may officially submit your paperwork to your state boards.

Continuing education and renewal

Receiving your initial certification is a milestone worth celebrating, but it isn't the end of your licensure journey. States require mental health professionals to renew their licenses regularly.¹⁰

Renewal typically requires a counselor to complete a certain number of continuing education (CE) hours. Wisconsin, for example, requires 30 CE hours per two-year licensing period.¹¹ Other states, such as California and Arizona, run on three-year cycles, with total CE hour requirements varying from state to state.¹⁰

It is important to note that state requirements may change over time. As you grow your practice, be sure to check your state's licensing board regularly for updates.

Career opportunities for licensed counselors

A license in mental health counseling opens doors to many career paths. Many enter the field intending to enter private practice, which is one of the most flexible counseling careers. Independent practitioners have the freedom to choose where and when they work, the approaches they use and the types of challenges they help clients address. Counselors choosing this path should be prepared to handle the marketing and administrative demands of running a business.

If you prefer to work more closely with colleagues, you may choose to work in a group practice, community clinic or university. LMHCs and equivalently licensed counselors may also work in residential care settings or hospitals.¹²

Some licensed counselors may eventually pivot into non-clinical roles. Opportunities exist in a variety of fields and settings, including the following:

• Mental health program development
• Corporate wellness and employee assistance
• Professional development and training
• Leadership and executive coaching
• Mental health advocacy
• Policy development
• Writing and content creation

Experts predict that the coming years will bring growth for the mental health industry, thanks to an ongoing demand for services.¹³ It's a promising time to begin or grow your career in the field, wherever you want it to take you.

Starting your journey to licensure

Now that you have an overall picture of how to become a licensed mental health counselor, you can start thinking about your educational journey. With Marquette University's online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, you can develop real-world skills in a format that fits your schedule.

Marquette's program allows you to focus on general or child and adolescent counseling. Students learn from expert faculty and gain field experience in relevant clinical settings.

Admission is open to students with undergraduate degrees and demonstrated interest in the counseling field. Schedule a call with one of Marquette's admissions outreach advisors today, and learn what you can do with an online master's in counseling.