LPCC Licensure: A Deep-Dive Guide for Future Counselors
Let’s start with the most crucial point: There are many different types of therapy licenses, and getting a license is optional. This article covers one of the most popular licenses, the Professional Clinical Counselor License (LPCC).
Becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) is a powerful credential, but it’s not the only path. Whether you pursue licensure depends on goals like insurance billing, institutional settings, or being able to diagnose.
Understanding the requirements for LPCC licensure can feel like navigating a labyrinth. It feels this way largely because every state is different. Once you understand that there’s no way around researching your specific state, it gets easier to navigate. Later in this article we have a table with a link to each state’s LPCC license requirements, so you can navigate directly to the webpage for your state.
Many students assume that just having a master’s degree is enough to get a license. This is not true. Check out this article on the difference between a master’s degree and a license.
Generally, the requirements for licensure fall into three buckets.
Educational Requirements - MA in Clinical Psych
Supervision Requirements - 1,000-3,000 (varies by state) hours after your master’s
Background / Testing Requirements (after you finish supervision)
Educational Requirements
Master’s Degree in Counseling or Related Field
Most states require:
A master’s degree (or higher) in counseling, clinical mental health, or a related field from a regionally accredited program .
At least 48–60 credit hours covering core subjects:
Counseling theories and techniques
Human development and lifespan
Abnormal psychology
Assessment and appraisal
Group counseling
Research methods
Social/cultural foundations
Professional ethics and orientation
Practicum & Internship Requirements
Your graduate program will likely include:
A practicum (100–300 hours total; ~100 hrs direct client contact)
One or two semesters of internship (~700 clinical hours; at least ~280 direct hours)
Example from George Fox University:
“One-year placement… minimum 280 direct client counseling hours… weekly individual supervision”.
This can be not very clear, because the practicum hours on your degree is DIFFERENT from supervision. Supervision doesn’t begin until after you complete your degree. These supervised experiences during your degree offer early on-the-job training and are prerequisites for LPCC eligibility.
Supervised Post-Degree Clinical Hours
This is the heart of the licensure process, and where most candidates have questions:
Total Hour Requirements
Depending on state (using Oregon as example):
Minimum of 1,900 hours of supervised direct client contact over at least 36 months.
Up to 400 hours may be completed pre-degree.
That leaves 1,500 hours post-degree over ~2–3 years.
Other states may require up to 3,000 hours; still, most fall in the 1,500–3,000 range.
Supervision Structure
Typically, one hour of supervision per 20–25 clinical hours (5% ratio).
Some require 2–3 hours of supervision monthly, depending on workload.
A mix of individual and group supervision is common; at least 25% must be face-to-face.
Supervisors must be approved/licensed clinicians (e.g., LPCCs, LCSWs, LMFTs, psychologists) with post-licensure experience.
Pay Rates & Billing
Supervision rates vary. Reddit counselors report paying $35–$100 per hour. We highly recommend searching for supervised positions early, and negotiating with your supervisor.
Important Tips:
Most students don’t realize their supervisors can bill their clients a full rate for their services during supervision. Being a supervisor is highly profitable, which means you tend to have more negotiation leverage in your salary than you might imagine. We recommend you search for a position in private practice, and don’t settle for less than $50 / hour for your supervision position.
Seek W-2 positions where supervision is included as a benefit, or negotiate stipends.
Testing & Background Checks
Once education and hours are in place, you must:
Pass a national exam, typically:
National Counselor Examination (NCE)
National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)
Possibly CRC Exam, depending on specialization.
Pass a jurisprudence or state law exam, covering ethics & state regulations (e.g., Oregon’s 28-question Law & Rules Exam).
Submit a background check + fingerprinting, typically required for application submission.
Fees vary: application ~$175, license $125–165, exam $275–355 per test.
Practical Tips: Navigating Supervision & Practice
Start Supervision ASAP
Some states allow you to count supervised hours during your final semester.
Fill out forms early; find board-approved supervisors before graduation.
Balance Pay & Progress
Agency salaries may not include supervision stipends. Negotiate.
Some employers offer hourly pay + free supervision (especially nonprofits).
Self-pay supervision might feel expensive, but quality supervision is key—it reduces burnout and builds competence.
Document Everything
Keep a detailed log of all clinical hours and supervision (dates, hours, modality).
If weekly supervision slips one month, hours may not count for that period.
Attend Supervisor Training
Some states require your supervisor to complete training (e.g., 30 hours).
Programs like NBCC or state boards offer supervisor credentialing.
Choose the Right Setting
Nonprofits, community clinics, and schools—look for positions that offer supervision and clinical exposure, even at modest pay.
Private practicum sites sometimes offer paid internships or sliding-scale models.
Understand Billing & Insurance
LPCCs can bill insurance, which is one of the strongest reasons to seek licensure.
Without licensure, supervisees rely on private pay or agency billing systems.