In order to achieve licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) counselors typically need to fulfill requirements in three areas: academic, national examination, and counseling hours.

• Academic--Usually at least a 48-hour master's degree in counseling or a counseling-related field is required, plus additional courses. For example, in Pennsylvania counselors need at least 60 academic credits. (See PA academic requirements.)
• Exam--You will need to pass the National Counselor Exam (NCE) for licensure. The following links provide more information.

NBCC Registration Information
Exam Registration Form for State of PA

• Counseling hours--Usually 3000 or more post-graduation counseling hours are required. In Pennsylvania the requirement is 3600 post-graduation hours.

NOTE: Please review the specific code requirements for the state in which you wish to obtain licensure. Below is a helpful overview, but it cannot replace written state information. Go to your state's website for complete information. Links for a few states can be found below.

How can Biblical help?

Our 52-hour master of arts in counseling degree is designed for students who wish to pursue licensure in the Commonwealth of PA. In addition, many of the courses assist students and alumni in other states also pursue licensure. But a master's degree doesn't always fulfill the academic requirements. That is why Biblical also has a Certificate in Advanced Professional Counseling CAPC. The CAPC is a 10-credit/ five-course certificate with courses in the five specific areas usually required by the states and tested on the licensing exam. Acceptance into the CAPC program is by application after completion of a master's degree.  Click here for the application and registration form CAPC.

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions.

Links to State Websites

List of all State Boards

Commonwealth of PA

Requirements/PA Code- Chapter 49

Licensure Home page and application form

New Jersey

**Important Information about New Jersey LPC and CACREP**

"The State [of New Jersey] has accepted the proposal and adopted regulations that effective Oct 5, 2012 anyone applying for LPC in NJ will need to have graduated from a CACREP school."

NOTE: This regulation may be under dispute. Keep checking the following website for proposals against this regulation. Biblical Seminary is not a CACREP school and, unless the regulation is changed, graduates of our program will not qualify for licensure in New Jersey. Rule adoptions and proposals.

See current regulations on the New Jersey state website.

The following information was received from an alumni who spoke with the NJ Marriage & Family Therapy Examiners board (they oversee the the LACs & LPCs too).

• 60 master level credits in counseling (or related field) that are non-CACREP classes need to be completed prior to October 2012. The National Counselors Exam can be taken after that deadline. Those 60 credits have to be completed in order to qualify for the examination process. The exams are held in April, July & October each year. The fee for the exam is $75, notarization is required as well as a 2x2 photo & a transcript copy. The exam application can be found at www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical/familytherapy.htm

• Therefore, NJ students and non-licensed counseling alumni need to put priority on finishing the necessary classes by Oct. 2012 if they are considering licensure. For info. on NJ's required counseling classes for a Licensed Associate Counselor, go to http://www.nj.gov/oag/ca/laws/pcregs.pdf and scroll down to page 25.

Professional Counselor Examiners Committee

Application/Exam Form

Delaware

Board of Mental Health Professionals

Maryland

Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists

LCPC- Professional Counselor License Requirements

New York

Mental Health Practitioners

NY Educational Requirements

What if I graduated from a program that is outside of New York?

• The Department does not register as licensure-qualifying programs that are offered by institutions outside of New York. Each individual who graduates from a program outside of New York must apply for licensure and then be individually evaluated to determine if the applicant has satisfied education requirements equivalent to a New York licensure-qualifying program. The Bureau of Comparative Education will review the Form 2, transcript, course syllabi and other information that is submitted directly by the college or university. The applicant will be notified if additional information is required or if additional education or an internship must be completed to meet the education requirements for licensure in New York.

http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/mhp/mhp-education-faq.htm