Certifications vs. Degrees vs. Licenses in Psychology. What’s the Difference?
If you're exploring a career in psychology, counseling, or mental health, one of the first things you'll encounter is a tangle of confusing terms: graduate programs, licensure paths, accredited degrees, coaching certificates. It can feel like you need a psychology degree just to understand how to understand this!
One of the most common questions students ask is this: What’s the difference between a certification, a degree, and a license?
It’s actually pretty simple. To summarize:
Certifications: Qualifies you as a coach. Examples: Embodylab, Somatic Experiencing, IFS.
Master’s Degree: Allows you to call yourself a therapist. Must come from a licensed higher education institution (that’s us!)
License: Requires a master’s degree + additional supervision & a test, so you can bill insurance.
In this guide, we’ll unpack what a psychology master’s degree actually does (and doesn’t) provide, how licensing really works in the U.S., whether a license is required (spoiler: it’s not), and whether licensure is even the right path for the kind of work you want to do.
What Is a Professional Certification
A professional certification is not a degree, and it’s not a license. It’s regulated entirely by the company offering the certification. While it offers you professional recognition and valuable training, on its own, it does not allow you to practice as a therapist or licensed clinician. Professional certifications are often taken by students wanting to start coaching or existing therapists who want new training.
Why get a Master’s Degree in Psychology?
A master’s degree in psychology is a graduate-level academic program that usually takes 1.5–3 years to complete. Depending on the program, it may be:
Research-oriented (for students planning to pursue a PhD)
Clinically focused (for those seeking clinical practice or licensure as therapists)
Alternative or holistic (for coaching, somatics, or other non-licensed roles)
Common degree titles include:
MA in Psychology
MS in Psychology
MA in Counseling Psychology
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
MA in Integrative or Holistic Psychology
Graduating from one of these programs typically gives you the academic credential required to apply for a license.
What Is a License to Practice Psychology or Counseling?
A license is a legal credential issued by a U.S. state that authorizes you to offer mental health services as a professional therapist, counselor, or psychologist.
Common U.S. mental health licenses include:
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Licensed Psychologist (requires a PhD or PsyD)
To obtain a license, you typically need:
A qualifying graduate degree
2,000–4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience (post-graduation)
Passing scores on one or more licensing exams (e.g., NCE, MFT Exam)
A successful application to your state licensing board
Each state has different rules, names, and requirements. The two most important things to know about licensure are:
The only way to truly understand licensure is to research your specific state. There is table below with links to the licensure requirements in each state.
It is optional, but helpful because it allows you to bill insurance and treat more serious mental health issues.
Why This Gets Confusing
Let’s say you complete a master’s in clinical psychology. You’ve got the degree, but unless you:
Work under a licensed supervisor for a set number of hours
Pass the required state exam(s)
Submit background checks and paperwork…
You cannot legally call yourself a licensed therapist, nor can you practice independently under protected titles like “counselor,” “psychotherapist,” or “LMFT.”
This is where many graduates get stuck: they assume the degree is the finish line. But licensure is a second process, managed at the state level, not by your school.
Do You Have to Get Licensed to Work in Mental Health?
No. Licensure is optional, depending on what kind of work you want to do.
There is a growing movement of mental health professionals working outside the licensure system, particularly in:
Coaching (e.g., trauma-informed coaching, mental health coaching, relationship coaching)
Somatic therapy (non-clinical body-based work)
Spiritual counseling, breathwork, or energy work
Alternative or integrative psychology models
In these roles, you don’t diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Instead, you focus on personal development, regulation, education, and holistic support.
So if your goal is:
To run a coaching or wellness business
To work with clients on nervous system regulation, embodiment, or mindset
To avoid insurance billing, diagnostic labels, or state-imposed constraints
…then a master’s degree may be enough, without pursuing a license.
When a License Is the Right Fit
That said, licensure is the right path if:
You want to bill insurance for therapy services
You want to work in hospitals, clinics, or schools that require licensed staff
You want to work with serious mental illness or hold a state-regulated title
You want the legal protections and infrastructure that come with state regulation
Just know: licensure often limits your scope of practice to models and methods approved by the state. It may restrict the types of modalities you can use (e.g., certain somatic or spiritual tools).
How to Choose the Right Path for You
Ask yourself:
1. What kind of client work do I want to do?
If you want to diagnose, treat, or work with clinical disorders → licensure is likely required.
If you want to focus on growth, stress regulation, embodiment, or spirituality → you may not need one.
2. Do I want to work for a system or build my own practice?
Licensure is often required for salaried clinical jobs. Private coaching practices can be unlicensed.
3. Do I want the flexibility to create my own method or brand?
Licensure can restrict innovation. Alternative or non-licensed practitioners often have more creative freedom.
4. What state am I in, and what are the local laws?
Every state is different. Look up your state’s counselor licensing board (or ask ChatGPT for help!).
| State | Board / Agency | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Board of Examiners in Counseling | Link |
| Alaska | Board of Professional Counselors | Link |
| Arizona | Board of Behavioral Health Examiners | Link |
| Arkansas | Board of Examiners in Counseling & MFT | Link |
| California | Board of Behavioral Sciences | Link |
| Colorado | Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners | Link |
| Connecticut | Department of Public Health – Counseling | Link |
| Delaware | Professional Counselor Licensing Board | Link |
| Florida | Board of Clinical Social Work, MFT, & Professional Counselors | Link |
| Georgia | Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers & MFT | Link |
| Hawaii | Behavioral Health Provider Board | Link |
| Idaho | Board of Professional Counselors & MFT | Link |
| Illinois | Professional Counselor Licensing & Disciplinary Board | Link |
| Indiana | State Counseling Board | Link |
| Iowa | Board of Behavioral Science | Link |
| Kansas | Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board | Link |
| Kentucky | Board of Licensed Professional Counselors | Link |
| Louisiana | Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors | Link |
| Maine | Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure | Link |
| Maryland | Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists | Link |
| Massachusetts | Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health & Human Services | Link |
| Michigan | Board of Counseling | Link |
| Minnesota | Board of Behavioral Health & Therapy | Link |
| Mississippi | Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors | Link |
| Missouri | Committee for Professional Counselors | Link |
| Montana | Board of Behavioral Health | Link |
| Nebraska | Board of Counselor Examiners | Link |
| Nevada | Board of Examiners for MFT & Clinical Professional Counselors | Link |
| New Hampshire | Board of Mental Health Practice | Link |
| New Jersey | Board of Marriage & Family Therapy Examiners | Link |
| New Mexico | Board of Counselors & MFT Examiners | Link |
| New York | Office of the Professions – Counseling | Link |
| North Carolina | Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors | Link |
| North Dakota | Board of Counseling | Link |
| Ohio | Board of Counseling | Link |
| Oklahoma | Board of Licensed Professional Counselors | Link |
| Oregon | Board of Licensed Professional Counselors & Therapists | Link |
| Pennsylvania | State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists & Professional Counselors | Link |
| Rhode Island | Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists | Link |
| South Carolina | Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors | Link |
| South Dakota | Board of Examiners for Counselors & Marriage/Family Therapists | Link |
| Tennessee | Board for Licensing Professional Counselors | Link |
| Texas | Behavioral Health Executive Council | Link |
| Utah | Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing – Counselors | Link |
| Vermont | Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners | Link |
| Virginia | Board of Counseling | Link |
| Washington | Department of Health – Mental Health Counselor | Link |
| West Virginia | Board of Examiners in Counseling | Link |
| Wisconsin | Examining Board of Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists & Social Workers | Link |
| Wyoming | Board of Mental Health Practice | Link |
| District of Columbia | Board of Professional Counseling | Link |
Final Advice
If you’re still unsure, start by getting clarity on your desired scope of practice. Do you want to:
Work in traditional therapy settings? → Go for licensure.
Build an alternative mental health practice that includes bodywork, coaching, or spirituality? → You may not need it.
Whatever path you choose, a master’s degree in psychology can open doors—but it’s not the destination. It’s one step in a much bigger journey toward ethical, impactful, and embodied client work.
Curious about alternative mental health careers that don’t require licensure? Explore the MA in Integrative Psychologyand discover a different kind of path.