Becoming a Licensed Counselor
Cairn’s MS in Counseling Program
Cairn University’s MSC program is a 60-credit master’s program, which consists of coursework that equips students to begin the process of obtaining licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey. Graduates of the MSC program have also utilized their coursework to pursue and obtain licensure in many other states*. In many states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the educational requirement for licensure as a counselor is 60 credits. Because state licensure requirements vary and change, we cannot confirm whether or not the MSC program meets the requirements for licensure in states other than Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
*If you are a graduate or prospective student who is interested in pursuing licensure in a state other than Pennsylvania or New Jersey, please contact the Director of Practicum and Internships to discuss program compatibility.
Licensure Requirements
Professional licensure and certification requirements can vary by state and territory. Additional licensure requirements may include professional examinations, additional coursework, background checks, years of work experience, fingerprinting requirements, etc. Students who are considering a program that may allow them to pursue professional licensure in the state or territory where they are currently located or where they plan to locate in the future should review the state’s or territory’s information below and contact the appropriate licensing agency to seek information and additional guidance.
State licensure requirements are also subject to change. Students should always check with their state licensure board to confirm licensure requirements.
If you would like assistance in this process, please feel free to contact the Director of Practicum and Internships. Below, we also have provided a list of State websites with various links for your convenience.
State Websites for Counseling Licensure
Updated: April 1, 2020.
Please report any outdated links or information via email to the Director of Practicum and Internships.
Alabama
Associate Licensed Counselor & Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules and Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements
- Reciprocity
Alaska
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules and Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See page 2 and 6 of Rules & Regulations
- Reciprocity: See page 2 and 6 of Rules & Regulations
Arizona
Licensed Associate Counselor & Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules and Regulations: See Rules, Article 5
- Applications: Application & Supplement
- LPC – Resource Guide (See Section 3.C.)
- Reciprocity: See “Out of State Applicants” on the main website
Arkansas
Licensed Associate Counselor & Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules and Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See section 3.7 of Rules and Regulations
- Core Course Requirements Form: Select “All Application Forms” tab on Applications page
- Reciprocity: See section 9.1 of Rules and Regulations
California
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Colorado
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate, Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules and Regulations: See Professional Counselor Rules, Rule 14
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See Rules and Regulations, “Professional Counselor Rules” (pp.16-19)
- Reciprocity: See Rule 12
Connecticut
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See “Licensing Requirements” on the main website
District of Colombia
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website: Select Tabs – Health Professionals, Licensing Boards, scroll and select “Board of Professional Counseling”
- Rules & Regulations: Select “DC Municipal Regulations for Professional Counseling” on “Board of Professional Counseling” page
- Applications: Select “Professional Counseling Application Package” on “Board of Professional Counseling” page
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regulations (pp.2-4)
- Course Form: Found on “Professional Counseling Application Package” page
Delaware
Associate Counselor of Mental Health & Professional Counselor of Mental Health
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications (LACMH, LPCMH)
- Educational Requirements: See Rules and Regulations
- Reciprocity: See Bottom Paragraph
Florida
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations: See Statutes & Rules
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See Requirements tab and/or Statutes & Rules tab – Chapter 491, see 491.005
Georgia
Associate Professional Counselor & Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations: Also see FAQ Sheet
- Applications
- Educational Requirements
- Reciprocity: See Application for LPC
Hawaii
Mental Health Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See pp. 4-6 of Rules & Regulations
Idaho
Licensed Professional Counselor & Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations: See pp. 5-6
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See page 5 of LPC Application
- Reciprocity: See pg. 14 of “Rules & Regulations”
Illinois
Licensed Professional Counselor & Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications: See state website, select applications
- Educational Requirements
Indiana
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate & Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Iowa
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications: In order to obtain applications, create an account
- Educational Requirements
Kansas
Licensed Professional Counselor & Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Kentucky
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Louisiana
Provisional Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications: PLPC and LPC
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regulations links
Maine
Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regulations (pp. 6-9 & 14-18)
Maryland
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- Website (select “cancel” when receive a prompt for log in)
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See “Rules & Regulations” links
Massachusetts
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Michigan
Limited License, Full Professional Counselor License by Examination
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Professional Counselor Licensing Guide
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regulations (pp.3-5) as well as Application (pp.9-10)
- Reciprocity
Minnesota
Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications: LPC and LPCC
Mississippi
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regulations (pp.2-5)
Missouri
Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations: See Division 2095
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See pp.6-7
Montana
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations: See Subchapter 6
- Applications: See “Forms” tab, click on License Application Forms
- Educational Requirements
Nebraska
Provisional Mental Health Practitioner, Licensed Mental Health Practitioner
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications: PLMHP and LIMHP (See Section 38-2124)
- Educational Requirements: See page 4
Nevada
Clinical Professional Counselor Intern, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications (scroll to bottom)
- Educational Requirements: See NAC 641A.075 & NAC 641A.085
New Hampshire
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See Mhp 302.16 & 302.17
New Jersey
Licensed Associate Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regulations, pp. 9-11
New Mexico
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor
New York
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
North Carolina
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See also Rules & Regs Chap. 53, p.3
North Dakota
Licensed Associate Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations: See Administrative Code
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regs.: pp. 2-3 & 8
Ohio
Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- Website
- Rules and Regulations
- Applications: LPC and LPCC
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regs.: pp.21-26
Oklahoma
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See Subchapter 9, pp.24-28
Oregon
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications: Information About Applying and Application Forms
- Educational Requirements
Pennsylvania
Licensed Professional Counselor
Rhode Island
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regulations pp. 3-4
South Carolina
Licensed Professional Counselor Intern, Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations: See Code of Laws, Practice Act, Chapter 75
- Applications
- Educational Requirements (See Article 3, Chapters 36-04 and 36-05)
South Dakota
Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health
- Website
- Rules & Regulations for LPC (See Chapters 20:68:01 – 20:68:08)
- Rules & Regulations for LPC-MH (See Chapters 20:73:01 – 20:73:07)
- Applications
- Educational Requirements for LPC
- Educational Requirements for LPC-MH
- Statutes (LPC & LPC-MH)
Tennessee
Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Services Provider designation (LPC/MHSP)
- Website
- Rules & Regulations (Select Rules, See pg. 8 of 0450-01)
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See “Rules and Regulations,” See pg. 8 of 0450-01
Texas
Provisional License, Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications: Forms & Information and Online Application
- Educational Requirements (Title 22, Part 30, Chapter 681, Subchapter E)
Utah
Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications: ACMHC or ACMHC Extern and LCMHC
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regs: pp.1-2
Vermont
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements (See Part 3, 3.6 – 3.13)
Virginia
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regulations and click on link “Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling (7-3-2014)”, go to “Part II. Requirements for Licensure”
Washington
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Website
- Rules&Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: WA State Dept. of Health Summary , WA Administrative Code – WA State Legislature
West Virginia
Licensed Professional Counselor
Wisconsin
Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations: See Chapters MPSW 10-14
- Applications: See main website, scroll down to “Application for Licensure”
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regs.: MPSW14
Wyoming
Provisional Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Applications
- Educational Requirements: See Rules & Regs.: Chapter 11, pp.2-8
American Samoa (AS)
Professional counselor licensing information not found
Guam (GU)
- Website
- Educational Requirements (See Section 2 – LPC, Section 9 – LMHC)
Northern Mariana Islands (MP)
- Website
- Rules & Regulations
- Application: See under “Application and Forms”.
Puerto Rico (PR)
Virgin Islands (VI)
Professional counselor licensing information not found
