Counselor Licensure Exam

Licensure · 50 states and DC · checked Oct 30, 2026

Counseling license requirements by state

The table covers all 50 states and DC: the title each board licenses counselors under, the national exam it accepts, any state law exam, whether its LMFT license uses the AMFTRB exam, and Counseling Compact status. Every row links to the board page we read on Oct 30, 2026.

Updated Oct 30, 2026 · Not affiliated with NBCC, CCE, AMFTRB, CRCC, ACA or AAMFT.

How to read the exam column

Our state cards, read on Oct 30, 2026, put every jurisdiction into one of these routes:

  • 21 states take either exam: the board takes the NCE or the NCMHCE for the same license. Ohio moved into this group at the start of 2026; North Carolina also takes the CRC exam.
  • 11 states license in two tiers: a first license on the knowledge exam and a clinical license on the case exam (Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Illinois for the LCPC).
  • 8 states take only the knowledge exam: Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey and Oklahoma.
  • 8 states take only the case exam: California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Utah.
  • Three one-offs: West Virginia names both NBCC exams; Pennsylvania accepts the NCE, the CRC exam or several others, but not the NCMHCE; the District of Columbia card is unconfirmed.

Illinois, Pennsylvania and North Carolina are the three states where we confirmed the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam as a licensure route; we did not check the rest for it. Exam details: NCE, NCMHCE, and the two compared: NCE vs NCMHCE.

State requirements at a glance

StateLicense titlesLicensure examState law requirementLMFT examCounseling CompactExam(s)Source (board)Checked
AlabamaLPCNCE onlyVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveAlabama Board of Examiners in Counseling [1]
AlaskaLPCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesNoBoard of Professional Counselors Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing [2]
ArizonaLPCNCE or NCMHCEJurisprudence exam (Compact privilege)as of Oct 30, 2026 · may changeYesLive (Sep 30, 2025)Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners [3]
ArkansasLPCNCE → NCMHCE (tiered)Jurisprudence exam (Compact privilege)as of Oct 30, 2026 · may changeYesLive (Jul 30, 2026)Arkansas Board of Examiners [4]
CaliforniaLPCCNCMHCE onlyCA Law & Ethics examNo (CA BBS exams)No
  • NCMHCE
  • CA Law & Ethics Exam (agency's own test)
Board of Behavioral Sciences [5]
ColoradoLPCNCE onlyJurisprudence exam (Compact privilege)as of Oct 30, 2026 · may changeYesMember, not liveCO State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners [6]
ConnecticutLPCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveDept of Public Health - State of Connecticut [7]
DelawareLPCMHNCE onlyVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveDivision of Professional Regulation [8]
District of ColumbiaVerify with the boardVerify with the boardVerify with the boardYesMember, not live—DC Board of Professional Counseling (DC Health) [9]
FloridaLMHCNCMHCE only8-hour Laws & Rules courseYesMember, not liveBoard of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling [10]
GeorgiaLPCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesLive (Jun 2, 2026)Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists [11]
HawaiiLMHCNCE onlyVerify with the boardYesNoDCCA-PVL Att: MHC [12]
IdahoLPC / LCPCNCE → NCMHCE (tiered)Verify with the boardYesNoIdaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists [13]
IllinoisLPC / LCPCLPC: NCE or CRC; LCPC: CRC, or NCE + NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesNo
  • NCE (for LPC; for LCPC with the NCMHCE)
  • NCMHCE (for LCPC only, with the NCE)
  • CRC (for LPC or LCPC)
Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) [14]
IndianaLMHCNCE → NCMHCE (tiered)Verify with the boardYesLive (Jun 8, 2026)Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board [15]
IowaLMHCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveIowa Board of Behavioral Science [16]
KansasLPC / LCPCNCE → NCMHCE (tiered)Verify with the boardYesMember, not liveBehavioral Sciences Regulatory Board [17]
KentuckyLPCCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveKentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors [18]
LouisianaLPCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesLive (Apr 20, 2026)Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners [19]
MaineLCPC / LPCNCE → NCMHCE (tiered)Verify with the boardYesMember, not liveMaine Board of Counseling Professionals [20]
MarylandLCPCNCE onlyJurisprudence exam (Compact privilege)as of Oct 30, 2026 · may changeYesMember, not liveMaryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists [21]
MassachusettsLMHCNCMHCE onlyVerify with the boardYesNoBoard of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professionals [22]
MichiganLPCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesNoDepartment of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Professional Licensing [23]
MinnesotaLPC / LPCCNCE → NCMHCE (tiered)Verify with the boardYesLive (Sep 30, 2025)Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy [24]
MississippiLPCNCE or NCMHCEJurisprudence exam (Compact privilege)as of Oct 30, 2026 · may changeYesMember, not liveMississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors [25]
MissouriLPCNCE onlyJurisprudence exam (Compact privilege)as of Oct 30, 2026 · may changeYesLive (Oct 19, 2026)Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors [26]
MontanaLCPCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveMT Board of Social Work Examiners & Professional Counselors; Dept of Commerce Professional & Occupational Licensing Div [27]
NebraskaLMHPNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveDepartment of Health & Human Services; Division of Public Health [28]
NevadaCPCNCMHCE onlyVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveNevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors [29]
New HampshireLCMHCNCMHCE onlyVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveNew Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice [30]
New JerseyLPCNCE onlyVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveNew Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs State Board of Marriage & Family Therapy Examiners Professional Counselor Examiners Committee [31]
New MexicoLPMHC / LPCMHCNCE → NCMHCE (tiered)Verify with the boardYesNoNew Mexico Therapy Practice Board [32]
New YorkLMHCNCMHCE onlyVerify with the boardYesNoNYSED Office of the Professions: mental health counselor license requirements [33]
North CarolinaLCMHCNCE, NCMHCE or CRCJurisprudence examYesMember, not live
  • NCE (accepted)
  • NCMHCE (accepted)
  • CRC (accepted)
  • North Carolina Jurisprudence Exam (agency's own test)
NC Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors: applying for the LCMHC [34]
North DakotaLPC / LPCCNCE → NCMHCE (tiered)Jurisprudence exam (Compact privilege)as of Oct 30, 2026 · may changeYesMember, not liveNorth Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners [35]
OhioLPC / LPCCNCE or NCMHCELaws & rules video (Compact privilege)as of Oct 30, 2026 · may changeYesLive (Jan 5, 2026)Ohio Counselor Social Worker Marriage and Family Therapist Board [36]
OklahomaLPCNCE onlyJurisprudence exam (Compact privilege)as of Oct 30, 2026 · may changeYesLive (Oct 1, 2026)Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure [37]
OregonLPCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYes (or CA clinical) + OR law & rulesNoOregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors & Therapists [38]
PennsylvaniaLPCNCE or CRCVerify with the boardYesMember, not live
  • NCE (accepted)
  • CRC (accepted)
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors [39]
Rhode IslandLMHCNCMHCE onlyVerify with the boardVerify with the boardMember, not liveBoard of Mental Health Counselors/Marriage & Family Therapists RI Dept of Health Professions Regulation [40]
South CarolinaLPCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveSouth Carolina Dept. of Labor Licensing Regulations Div Professional & Occupational Licensing [41]
South DakotaLPC / LPC-MHNCE → NCMHCE (tiered)Verify with the boardYesMember, not liveSouth Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists [42]
TennesseeLPC / LPC-MHSPNCE → NCMHCE (tiered)Jurisprudence exam (Compact privilege)as of Oct 30, 2026 · may changeYesLive (Sep 1, 2026)
  • NCE (for LPC)
  • NCMHCE (for LPC-MHSP)
  • Tennessee jurisprudence exam (agency's own test; for LPC)
Tennessee State Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Pastoral Therapists [43]
TexasLPCNCE or NCMHCETX jurisprudence examYes (or CA clinical)No
  • NCE (accepted)
  • NCMHCE (accepted)
  • Texas jurisprudence exam (agency's own test)
Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors [44]
UtahCMHCNCMHCE onlyVerify with the boardYes (or CA clinical)Member, not liveDivision of Occupational and Professional Licensing [45]
VermontLCMHCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardVerify with the boardMember, not liveSecretary of State Office Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners [46]
VirginiaLPCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveVirginia Board of Counseling; Dept of Health Professions [47]
WashingtonLMHCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveWashington State Department of Health: Health Systems Quality Assurance [48]
West VirginiaLPCNCE and NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesMember, not liveWest Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling [49]
WisconsinLPCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardVerify with the boardMember, not liveWISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES [50]
WyomingLPCNCE or NCMHCEVerify with the boardYesLive (Aug 31, 2026)Mental Health Professions Licensing Board [51]

Table checked Oct 30, 2026 against each state board; confirm the current rule with your board before you register. Counseling Compact: as of Oct 30, 2026 · changes often; check the Compact map. "Verify with the board" means our sources were silent, not that the answer is no. Supervised hours: five state examples.

State notes, California to Texas

California

California licenses the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) on the NCMHCE alone, after you pass California's Law and Ethics Exam. For the LPCC Law and Ethics Exam, associates must take it each year until they pass. Experience: 3,000 h / ≥104 weeks. The LMFT license uses two BBS exams instead of the national one (how to become an LMFT). California is not in the Compact.

Colorado

Colorado's LPC takes the NCE alone. The Compact lists a Colorado jurisprudence exam for privilege holders; whether first-time applicants take the same exam is something to confirm with the board. Colorado is a Compact member that does not yet issue privileges.

Florida

Florida's license is the LMHC, and the stage before it is the Registered Mental Health Intern (RMHI). The board takes the NCMHCE only, with no board approval needed before you register; it lists $350 for a first attempt and $275 for a retake. It asks for an 8-hour Laws & Rules course rather than a law exam, and sets experience at 1,500 h / 2 years. Florida is a member and does not yet issue privileges.

Georgia

Georgia licenses the LPC on either exam, with the Associate Professional Counselor (APC) as the stage before it. It began issuing Compact privileges on June 2, 2026.

Illinois

Illinois has two titles with separate exam rules: the LPC is earned on the NCE or the CRC exam, the LCPC on the CRC exam or on both NBCC exams. The NCMHCE alone does not earn the LPC. The LCPC also needs two years of full-time supervised experience after the degree (hours table). Illinois is not in the Compact.

New York

The LMHC is earned on the NCMHCE only; New York does not accept the NCE. Experience: 3,000 h after the master's. Not in the Compact.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's LPC rule lists the NCE and the CRC exam among accepted exams. The rule also lists the ATCB, CBMT, NAMP, IC&RC AADC and NBCC EMAC exams; the NCMHCE is not on the list. Pennsylvania joined the Compact in 2026 and does not yet issue privileges.

Texas

Texas licenses the LPC on either exam, which you can register for without prior board approval, and it sets no attempt limit of its own. Every applicant also passes the state's LPC jurisprudence exam. The associate stage is the Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA), with 3,000 h / ≥18 months of supervised experience. Texas is not in the Compact.

What the table does not show

  • Hours: only five state cards carry a verified supervised-hour rule, and boards count hours, contact and months differently, so we list them as examples rather than in every row.
  • Fees: board application and license fees change often and are not on our cards; your board's page has the current ones.
  • Gaps: the District of Columbia's title and exam, and the LMFT exam in Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin, could not be confirmed from our sources.
  • Compact status: it changes month to month; the dated list is on the Counseling Compact.

Prepare for your state's exam

NCE app

NCE practice questions with every answer explained, in a study app.

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Not affiliated with NBCC, CCE, AMFTRB, CRCC, ACA or AAMFT.

NCMHCE app

NCMHCE practice questions with every answer explained, in a study app.

Download on theApp StoreGet it onGoogle PlayGet the NCMHCE app

Not affiliated with NBCC, CCE, AMFTRB, CRCC, ACA or AAMFT.

Source notes

  1. [1]Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling abec.alabama.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  2. [2]Board of Professional Counselors Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing commerce.alaska.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  3. [3]Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners azbbhe.us · checked Oct 30, 2026
  4. [4]Arkansas Board of Examiners healthy.arkansas.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  5. [5]Board of Behavioral Sciences bbs.ca.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  6. [6]CO State Board of Licensed Professional Counselor Examiners dpo.colorado.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  7. [7]Dept of Public Health - State of Connecticut portal.ct.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  8. [8]Division of Professional Regulation dpr.delaware.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  9. [9]DC Board of Professional Counseling (DC Health) dchealth.dc.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  10. [10]Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  11. [11]Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists sos.ga.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  12. [12]DCCA-PVL Att: MHC hawaii.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  13. [13]Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists ibol.idaho.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  14. [14]Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) idfpr.illinois.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  15. [15]Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board in.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  16. [16]Iowa Board of Behavioral Science dial.iowa.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  17. [17]Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board ksbsrb.ks.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  18. [18]Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors lpc.ky.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  19. [19]Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners lpcboard.org · checked Oct 30, 2026
  20. [20]Maine Board of Counseling Professionals maine.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  21. [21]Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists health.maryland.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  22. [22]Board of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professionals mass.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  23. [23]Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Professional Licensing michigan.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  24. [24]Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy mn.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  25. [25]Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors lpc.ms.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  26. [26]Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors pr.mo.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  27. [27]MT Board of Social Work Examiners & Professional Counselors; Dept of Commerce Professional & Occupational Licensing Div boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  28. [28]Department of Health & Human Services; Division of Public Health dhhs.ne.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  29. [29]Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors marriage.nv.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  30. [30]New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice oplc.nh.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  31. [31]New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs State Board of Marriage & Family Therapy Examiners Professional Counselor Examiners Committee njconsumeraffairs.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  32. [32]New Mexico Therapy Practice Board rld.state.nm.us · checked Oct 30, 2026
  33. [33]NYSED Office of the Professions: mental health counselor license requirements op.nysed.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  34. [34]NC Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors: applying for the LCMHC ncblcmhc.org · checked Oct 30, 2026
  35. [35]North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners ndbce.org · checked Oct 30, 2026
  36. [36]Ohio Counselor Social Worker Marriage and Family Therapist Board cswmft.ohio.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  37. [37]Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure oklahoma.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  38. [38]Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors & Therapists oregon.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  39. [39]State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors dos.pa.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  40. [40]Board of Mental Health Counselors/Marriage & Family Therapists RI Dept of Health Professions Regulation health.ri.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  41. [41]South Carolina Dept. of Labor Licensing Regulations Div Professional & Occupational Licensing llr.sc.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  42. [42]South Dakota Board of Examiners for Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists dss.sd.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  43. [43]Tennessee State Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Pastoral Therapists tn.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  44. [44]Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors bhec.texas.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  45. [45]Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing dopl.utah.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  46. [46]Secretary of State Office Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners sos.vermont.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  47. [47]Virginia Board of Counseling; Dept of Health Professions dhp.virginia.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  48. [48]Washington State Department of Health: Health Systems Quality Assurance doh.wa.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  49. [49]West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling wvbec.org · checked Oct 30, 2026
  50. [50]WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES dsps.wi.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026
  51. [51]Mental Health Professions Licensing Board mentalhealth.wyo.gov · checked Oct 30, 2026

State-by-state questions

Which states require the NCMHCE?

Eight accept no other exam: California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Utah. Eleven more need it for the clinical tier after the NCE.

If I move, do I have to take another exam?

Only if your new state does not accept the exam you passed. Moving from an NCE-only state such as New Jersey to an NCMHCE-only state such as New York means sitting the case exam. Where both states accept the exam you hold, you do not re-sit it, although the new board applies its own other rules.

Does every state have a jurisprudence exam?

No. Among the states we confirmed, Texas and North Carolina test every applicant on state law, and California requires the state Law and Ethics Exam; NBCC also lists one for Tennessee LPC applicants, which is worth confirming with that board. Several Compact states list one for privilege holders. Where the table says "Verify with the board", our sources listed none.

Why is my state's title different from LPC?

States named the license when they passed their own counseling laws. The titles map onto one profession: counseling license types.