How to Get Licensed As a Counselor

If you want to know how to get licensed as a counselor, you will need to obtain what is called a Mental Health Counselor License. The Mental Health Counselor License is the required in order to practice psychotherapy in the Unites States. The licensing happens at the state level so licensing requirements will vary. Because of this, the following article will tell how to get licensed as a counselor, but not provide the individual details as to the specific process.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Before you can obtain the Mental Health Counselor License, you must first get your degree. This can either be an MBA or a Doctorate degree. In either case, you must obtain the degree in counseling, psychology or a related field. In addition to counseling theories and social and cultural psychological development courses, you must also study normal human growth and development and abnormal human behavior.

2. As part of the process it is necessary to complete 300 hours of supervised practice. This means that you must commit this time in a professional environment under the supervision of a professional holding a Mental Health Counselor License. This must be approved by the University and appear on the degree in order to pertain to the license.

3. Check state requirements for obtaining a Mental Health Counselor License. Pay any fees and complete any applications as necessary. It is important to check this because the requirements vary by state.

4. Take the National Counselor Exam and any other exams as required by the state governing authority. Once you have completed the exam, you are rewarded with a temporary Mental Health Counselor License.

5. In order to make the Mental Health Counselor License permanent, you must complete 3000 hours of post graduate experience. This must be completed within 18 months to be valid. 1500 hours of the 3000 hours must be under the supervision of a board-approved supervisor.

Tips & Warnings

• Any of the above requirements for obtaining a Mental Health Counselor License can vary by state so it is important to check state and federal requirements.

Resources

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[claydist]

on 11/29/2009 May I know whether having a Masters degree of Counselling in local Malaysia uni permit me to become a counsellor in UK?

[cobrakai]

on 11/19/2009 Great article and right on. I work in mental health and am a working on becoming licensed after I'm a Psych RN. 5* and recommended

[luv2blog]

on 1/5/2009 Very helpful.Gives a good over view for those who plan to be a counselor.

[PrincessAlissa]

on 1/4/2009 Thanks for this! Im actually finishing up my Psychology degree, so this is really helpful!

[blingaling]

on 1/3/2009 I had no idea there were so many hours of post grad experience required. That's a good thing!