Mental Health Counselor Licensure by State- LMHC, LPC, LCPC and more
Mental health counseling licensure is handled at the state level in the US, which is why you will see different terms and acronyms for licensed professional counselors. While the path to licensure is similar in most states--a master's in counseling, extensive supervised clinical experience, passing an examination, application to a state board for licensure, and continuing education to keep the license current--there are variations among the states and always the possibility that licensure requirements will change.
If you are on the path to licensure, or thinking about getting on the path, it's best to familiarize yourself with the licensure requirements for the state where you intend to practice.
The table below includes links to each state's licensing board, where you can find the most accurate and up-to-date information on application requirements, and gives the acronyms for licenses conferred.
We’ve also included the definitions of the various acronyms used, so if you've ever wondered about the difference between LMHC and LPC, or where they are used, here is your answer. Please keep in mind that states may change this information at any time, and while we try to keep the information updated, you should refer to the state boards' own websites for the most up-to-date information.
