How to Become a Counselor in Georgia
A professional counselor can work in a variety of settings and provide a valuable service to their communities. Job openings exist in private practice, hospitals, schools and social services for anyone possessing a graduate level degree in counseling from an accredited university. To legally practice, you must complete several requirements, regardless of your counseling specialty. In Georgia, those requirements include everything from passing exams to the completion of an internship.
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Instructions
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Contact the Georgia Composite Board (GCP) and request an application. Call 478-207-1670 or download the application from their website at http://sos.Georgia.gov. Select the link labeled “Professional Licensing Board.” Click the link labeled ”Licensed Professions” and select the heading for professional counselors. From here you will be taken to a page that contains all the information you need to download your license application and schedule the required examinations.
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Download the application. Click “Application Download,” then schedule the National Counselor Exam (NCE) Call GCP at 478-207-2440. Once you have taken and passed the NCE, submit a copy of your scores along with your completed license application to the GCP.
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Find a location to complete the “directed experience” requirement. You will need to be hired as an employee in a counseling facility under the supervision of anyone whose job responsibilities include ensuring the quality of the employees and services of that facility. You will also need to get a “clinical supervisor.” This must be a fully-licensed counselor responsible for training you in a counselor's day-to-day responsibilities. You will need to complete 30 hours of supervised training.
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Complete the internship requirement according to your degree level. If you have a doctoral degree in counseling, you will need at least one year of supervised internship in an approved work setting. With a Specialist degree, you will need to complete two years of internship; with a Master’s degree, it is four years.
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Tips & Warnings
You will need at least two personal references to submit with your application.
The application must be notarized.
Your mailing address will be public knowledge once your application is approved. You may want to consider using a Post Office box instead of your personal address.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Georgia state contour with Capital City against blurred USA flag image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
