Missouri LPC License: What You Need and How to Apply
Understand the requirements for earning your Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Missouri, from the Committee for Professional Counselors education standards to exams and application.
Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri
Missouri licenses professional counselors through the Committee for Professional Counselors, a division of the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. The state offers the LPC for independent practice and the Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) for those under supervision.
Education Requirements
You must hold a master's or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution. The program must include at least 48 semester hours of graduate coursework, though 60 hours is recommended. CACREP-accredited programs are preferred. Core coursework must cover:
- Counseling theory
- Counseling techniques
- Human growth and development
- Group counseling
- Assessment and appraisal
- Career development
- Research and evaluation
- Social and cultural foundations
- Professional orientation and ethics
- Psychopathology and diagnosis
- A supervised practicum and internship
Supervised Experience Hours
Missouri requires 3,000 hours of supervised professional counseling experience completed over a period of 24 to 60 months. At least 1,500 of these hours must be in direct client contact. You will practice as a PLPC during this time.
Your supervisor must hold a current Missouri LPC and be a board-approved supervisor. You must receive at least 15 hours of supervision per month when working full time, with at least one hour of individual supervision per week.
Exam Requirements
Missouri requires passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Either exam satisfies the requirement. Each costs approximately $275. Missouri does not require a state-specific exam.
Application Process and Fees
Apply for PLPC status through the Missouri Division of Professional Registration. The PLPC application fee is approximately $100. After completing your supervised experience and passing the exam, apply for full LPC licensure with a fee of approximately $100. Submit transcripts, exam verification, supervision documentation, and a criminal background check.
License Renewal
LPC licenses in Missouri renew every two years. You must complete 40 hours of continuing education per cycle, including at least 3 hours in professional ethics. The renewal fee is approximately $100.
Reciprocity and Endorsement
Missouri allows endorsement for counselors licensed in other states. You must demonstrate education and experience equivalent to Missouri's requirements and have passed the NCE or NCMHCE. Missouri evaluates endorsement applications on a case-by-case basis.
Practice What You Learned
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