How to Become a Licensed Therapist in California (2025 Guide)

Becoming a licensed therapist can be one of the most complex and confusing processes to understand. In this article we’re going to boil it down to its simplest parts so you can understand it at a glance.

Whether you want to be a counselor (LPCC), a marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or work in addiction or mental health, most of the steps are pretty similar, but there are special considerations for both.

You’ll need a master’s degree, certain classes, lots of supervised hours experience, and to pass a couple of tests.

Here’s a simple breakdown of what you’ll need:

1. Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

School Requirements:

  • You need a master’s or doctorate in counseling or something very close.

  • Your degree should include at least 60 semester credits of coursework (that’s 90 quarter credits if your school uses quarter credits instead).

  • Your classes need to cover 13 key subjects, plus some extra advanced counseling classes.

  • You also need at least 6 semester units of hands-on practice in a clinical setting (in the form of an internship or practicum) This practicum happens before you graduate.

Supervised Hours (After Graduation):

  • You’ll need to log 3,000 hours of supervised clinical work (that’s about 2 years of work).

  • These hours must be done while registered as an APCC (Associate Professional Clinical Counselor) with the BBS (Board of Behavior Sciences).

  • You need to be supervised by a licensed mental health professional.

Tests and Background Check:

  • Pass the California Law & Ethics Exam during your first year as an APCC.

  • After your 3,000 hours, you’ll take the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam.

  • You’ll also need to pass a criminal background check.

2. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

School Requirements:

  • You need a master’s or doctorate in marriage and family therapy, psychology, or a related field.

  • Your degree should have 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units). Similar to becoming a counselor!

  • You must take classes that meet California’s curriculum rules (usually CACREP-accredited or similar).

  • You also need 6 semester units of supervised fieldwork or practicum experience.

Work Hours (After Graduation):

  • Like with LPCC, you’ll need 3,000 hours of supervised clinical work over at least 2 years.

  • You have to register as an AMFT (Associate Marriage and Family Therapist) before starting.

  • At least 500 of those hours must be with families, couples, or children.

  • All hours must be signed off by a qualified supervisor.

Tests:

  • While working as an AMFT, you’ll need to pass the California Law & Ethics Exam.

  • After finishing your hours, you’ll take a second licensing exam.

Quick Tip on Credits:

  • California usually talks in semester units.

  • If your school uses quarter units, divide by 0.67 to get the semester equivalent.

Getting licensed takes time—but it’s all doable, one step at a time. If you’re serious about helping people, this path sets you up to do that in a real, professional way.

How to Become an Addiction Counselor in California

If you’re looking to work in addiction counseling or as a ‘qualified mental health provider’ in California, the rules are a little different depending on your path. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand what you’ll need for each.

3. Addiction Counselor (Substance Use Disorder Counselor)

Who Oversees This?
This one’s not run by the BBS (Board of Behavioral Sciences). Instead, it goes through groups like:

  • CCAPP (California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals)

  • CAADE (California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators)

  • CADTP (California Association of DUI Treatment Programs)

How to Become an Addiction Counselor in California

If you want to help people recover from addiction and substance use, becoming an addiction counselor in California is a great way to make a difference. There are three main organizations that offer certification, and each one has slightly different education rules.

The good news? You don’t need a college degree to get started!

🔹 CCAPP

(California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals)

Minimum Education:

  • 315 hours of training in addiction counseling.

  • Must come from a CCAPP-approved program or provider.

  • Training must include a 255-hour practicum (hands-on experience at an approved site).

  • No degree is needed for the basic CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) credential.

  • For higher-level certifications, having a degree in psychology or a related field helps, but it’s not required.

🔹 2. CAADE

(California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators)

Minimum Education:

  • Complete a CAADE-accredited Alcohol and Drug Studies program.

  • This program must include at least 39 semester units (which equals about 585 to 645 classroom hours).

  • Includes a practicum/fieldwork component.

  • Classes cover everything from counseling skills to ethics and clinical supervision.

  • These programs are usually offered at community colleges or university extensions.

🔹 3. CADTP

(California Association of DUI Treatment Programs)

Minimum Education:

  • At least 315 classroom hours focused on addiction and recovery counseling.

  • Must include 45 hours (around 3 semester credits) in key topic areas set by CADTP.

  • You do not need a college degree to become certified as a SUDCC (Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor).

  • If you do have a degree, it may reduce the number of supervised work hours you’ll need.

✅ Final Tips For Addiction Counseling In California

Requirements can change, so always double-check with the certifying body (CCAPP, CAADE, or CADTP) before signing up for any program for Addiction Counseling. Pick the group that feels like the best fit for your goals, and make sure your school or program is on their approved list.

Education You’ll Need:

  • A certificate or associate degree in addiction studies or behavioral health.

  • Most programs require around 315 hours of classroom time (about 21 semester units).

  • You don’t need a CACREP-accredited degree for this path, but it can be helpful.

Hands-On Work (Supervised Hours):

  • Start with 255 hours of practicum or internship in the field.

  • Then complete 2,080 to 4,000 hours of supervised work (the exact number depends on which program you choose and your education level).

  • Your supervisor needs to be certified or licensed in addiction counseling.

4. QMHP – Qualified Mental Health Professional

What Is It?
In California, QMHP isn’t a separate license. It’s a title used in other states or for Medicaid billing. In California, it usually just means someone who already has a license like:

  • LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor)

  • LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)

  • LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)

  • Licensed Psychologist

So What’s Required?
Just follow the requirements for the license you plan to get (see LPCC or LMFT above). If someone is asking if you’re a QMHP, they’re basically checking if you hold one of those professional licenses.

A Quick Note on Credits:

  • California mostly uses semester units.

  • To convert quarter units to semester units, multiply by 0.67.

  • For example: 60 semester units = 90 quarter units.

How to Become a School Counselor or Early Childhood Educator in California

If you love helping kids and want to work in schools, there are a couple of different paths you can take in California. Whether you want to support students as a school counselor or teach little ones as an early childhood educator, here’s a simple guide to what you’ll need.

🧠 Becoming a School Counselor in California

School counselors support students with things like academics, emotions, friendships, and college or career planning. Here’s how to become one:

📚 Education

  • First, get a bachelor’s degree (any major is okay, but psychology or education helps).

  • Then, earn a master’s degree in school counseling from a California-approved program.

  • Your grad program must include at least 48 semester units (or 72 quarter units).

  • You also need at least 800 hours of supervised fieldwork, working with school-aged children.

🪪 Credential

  • You’ll need the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling.

  • Your graduate school will recommend you for this once you finish the program.

✅ Other Requirements

  • Pass the CBEST (California Basic Skills test).

  • Complete a Live Scan fingerprinting and background check.

  • Pay an application fee to the CTC (Commission on Teacher Credentialing).

How long does it take?
Most people take about 6 years total — 4 years for a bachelor’s, 2 years for a master’s.

Becoming an Early Childhood Educator in California

If you want to teach young children (like in preschool or daycare), you’ll need a Child Development Permit. These are also given out by the CTC, but they’re a bit different from school counselor credentials.

There are different levels of permits, depending on your education and experience — from Associate Teacher all the way up to Site Supervisor.

🧾 Basic Requirements (for Teacher Permit)

  • Associate degree or 12 semester units of early childhood education (ECE) or child development.

  • 3 semester units of supervised fieldwork in a classroom with young children.

  • Your classes need to cover things like child development, working with families, and curriculum planning.

🎓 Higher-Level Permits (like Master Teacher or Site Supervisor)

  • Need more education — usually 24+ semester units in ECE and more general ed units.

  • Also need more fieldwork and sometimes extra training in special topics.

🏫 Work Experience

  • Most permits require you to have worked a certain number of days in a licensed early childhood setting (for example, 50 days for the basic permit).

  • The more advanced the permit, the more experience you’ll need.

🔁 Renewal

  • Permits are good for 5 years.

  • To renew, you’ll need to complete 105 hours of professional development (like workshops, trainings, or classes).

✨ Extra Info

  • Starting in August 2025, Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teachers will need 24 semester units in early childhood education.

  • Many people start with a 24-unit certificate to qualify for entry-level jobs in childcare.

💡 Quick Recap

PathEducation NeededFieldwork RequiredWho Certifies YouNotesSchool CounselorBachelor’s + Master’s (CTC-approved)800 hours in schoolsCalifornia CTCRequires PPS credentialEarly Childhood Educator12–24 semester units in ECE3+ units + work experienceCalifornia CTCPermits, not licenses

Both paths help kids grow — just in different ways. School counselors guide students through life’s ups and downs. Early childhood educators help young children build strong foundations.

If you’re not sure which path is right for you, think about the age group you love working with most. And I’m happy to help you explore your options!

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Need help figuring out the best path for your goals? Have questions about if our programs qualify for licensure for California? We'’d love to help break it down further.

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