How to Become a Licensed Counselor

Licensed counselors, often referred to as "licensed professional counselors," work in counseling settings working with individuals, couples, families, groups, and institutions. They provide a large portion of mental health services in the United States and enjoy client-centered practices that focus on the well-being of the client more than on pathology. If you have a passion for psychology and helping other people, becoming a licensed counselor may be the right career decision for you.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Obtain an undergraduate degree, preferably in psychology or a related field. This is not absolutely necessary, but having a foundational background will make graduate school easier for you.

2. Choose a graduate school. You will need to obtain a master's level degree in a counseling related field. Contact your state licensing board to find out which programs are acceptable in your state.

3. Get letters of recommendation and apply to graduate school. It is wise to apply to three or four schools in case you do not get into your first choice. This will help you to stay on track for your career goals.

4. Apply yourself in graduate school. Make sure that you study your material thoroughly, as it will be covered in the licensure exams. It will also come in handy when you are doing your supervision, because your supervisor will expect material covered in class to be common knowledge.

5. Arrange supervision following graduation from your master's program. You will need to complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervision before sitting for your exams. Use this opportunity to learn all that you can from your supervisors. This one-on-one learning time will give you the boost you need to be successful once you are practicing on your own.

6. Study for and then take the licensing exams. The National Counselor Examination, or NCE, is usually the one. Joining a study group might help you to prepare and memorize all of the information that will be on your exam.

7. Pay your fees after passing your licensing exam. Also, take note of continuing education requirements for your state and make sure that you keep up with them. You should now be a licensed professional counselor and ready to practice under that title.

References

• American Counseling Association
• Licensure and Certification

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