How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor
Most states have some form of counselor credentialing, licensure, certification, or registry legislation. To receive a license or certification as a counselor, an individual generally needs a master's or doctoral degree in counseling from an accredited college or university and at least 2 years of field work experience.
Vocational and guidance counselors usually need 2 years of graduate study in counseling and 1 year of counseling experience.
For more information, visit the Counseling and Clinical Psychology career guides.
Specific Certifications for Counselors
- Certified Alcoholism Counselor (CAC)
- Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (NACCMHC)
- Certified Mental Health Counselor (CMHC)
- Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Marriage, Family and Child Counselor (MFCC)
- Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
- Master Addictions Counselor (MAC)
- National Certified School Counselor (NCSC)
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
- Qualified Substance Abuse Professional (QSAP)