The Complete Process for LPC Licensure in Georgia

Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia

Georgia's professional counseling license is governed by the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists. The LPC credential authorizes independent practice in the state. Here is a thorough breakdown of what is required.

Education Requirements

You must earn a master's degree or higher in professional counseling or a closely related field from an accredited institution. The program must include at least 60 semester hours of graduate coursework. If your program was CACREP-accredited, it will generally be accepted without further review. Required content areas include:

Counseling theory and practice
Human growth and development
Social and cultural foundations
Group dynamics and counseling
Lifestyle and career development
Appraisal of individuals
Research and program evaluation
Professional orientation and ethics
Clinical instruction including practicum and internship

Supervised Experience Hours

Georgia requires a minimum of four years of post-master's supervised experience, unless you graduated from a CACREP-accredited program, in which case the requirement is reduced to two years. During this time, you must accumulate at least 3,000 hours of direct counseling experience (4,000 hours for non-CACREP graduates). You will practice as an Associate Professional Counselor (APC) during this phase.

Your supervisor must hold an active Georgia LPC with supervisor approval from the board. You need at least one hour of individual face-to-face supervision for every 20 hours of direct client contact.

Exam Requirements

Georgia requires passage of two national exams:

National Counselor Examination (NCE): A 200-question multiple choice exam covering core counseling knowledge areas.
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE): A clinical simulation exam focused on diagnosis and treatment.

Both exams cost approximately $275 each. You may take the NCE after completing your degree, and the NCMHCE is typically taken near the end of or after your supervised experience period.

Application Process and Fees

Apply for APC status through the Georgia Secretary of State's website. The APC application fee is approximately $100. Once all requirements are met, apply for full LPC licensure with a fee of approximately $100. You will need to submit transcripts, supervision logs, exam scores, and a completed criminal background check.

License Renewal

LPC licenses in Georgia renew every two years. You must complete 35 hours of continuing education per cycle, including at least 5 hours in ethics. Licensees with prescriptive authority (not applicable to standard LPCs) have additional CE requirements. The renewal fee is approximately $100.

Reciprocity and Endorsement

Georgia offers endorsement-based licensure for out-of-state counselors. You must hold a current license in another state, have met education and experience requirements equivalent to Georgia's standards, and have passed the NCE and NCMHCE. You will also need to submit a background check.