Ohio Counseling License: Everything You Need to Know
Complete guide to obtaining your Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential in Ohio, from education through board approval.
Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in Ohio
Ohio offers two levels of counseling licensure through the Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT Board). The LPC is the entry-level independent license, while the LPCC allows for clinical diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
Education Requirements
For the LPC, you need a master's or doctoral degree in counseling from a CACREP-accredited program, or a program that meets equivalent content standards, with at least 60 semester hours of graduate coursework. Required coursework areas include:
- Professional counseling orientation and ethics
- Social and cultural diversity
- Human growth and development
- Career development
- Counseling and helping relationships
- Group counseling and group work
- Assessment and testing
- Research and program evaluation
- Supervised clinical experience (practicum and internship)
For the LPCC, you need the same education as the LPC, plus additional coursework in diagnosis, psychopathology, and clinical treatment. Your program must also include a clinical practicum or internship with a focus on diagnosing and treating mental disorders.
Supervised Experience Hours
For the LPC, you must complete 90 hours of supervised counseling experience as part of your graduate program. No additional post-degree supervised experience is required for the LPC in Ohio.
For the LPCC, you need two years of supervised clinical counseling experience after earning your degree, totaling at least 3,000 hours. Of those hours, at least 1,500 must be in direct clinical counseling. Your supervisor must hold an active LPCC-S designation in Ohio.
Exam Requirements
For the LPC, Ohio requires the National Counselor Examination (NCE). For the LPCC, you must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Each exam is approximately $275. Ohio also requires passage of the Ohio Counselor Law and Rules Exam for both license levels.
Application Process and Fees
Apply through the CSWMFT Board online portal. The LPC application fee is approximately $90, and the LPCC application fee is approximately $90. Submit official transcripts, exam scores, and (for LPCC) supervision verification. Background checks are required for all applicants.
License Renewal
Both the LPC and LPCC must be renewed every two years. You need 30 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. At least 3 hours must cover ethics, and at least 3 hours must address Ohio laws and rules. Supervisors must also complete additional supervision-specific CE. The renewal fee is approximately $90.
Reciprocity and Endorsement
Ohio accepts applications from counselors licensed in other states through endorsement. You must demonstrate equivalent education and experience. If you hold a license from a state with substantially similar requirements and have been practicing for at least two years, the process is generally straightforward. You will still need to pass the Ohio Counselor Law and Rules Exam.
Practice What You Learned
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