LPC Requirements in Georgia
It is important to make sure that you have the correct information regarding the Counselor Licensing Requirements in Georgia to be able to safely and legally practice counseling in Georgia as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
In order to advance from the Associate Licensed Professional Counselor (ALPC) level to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) status, you must complete the appropriate supervised work experience. An examination will be required, as well.
If you wish to work as a practicing professional counselor in Georgia, you will eventually need to apply to the Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists. You must also accomplish the appropriate level of graduate school education and exhibit consistently upright character.
If you have any questions regarding the LPC requirements in Georgia, you will want to contact the Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists at (478) 207-2440 to make certain that you are on the correct path.
Georgia Counselor Credential Titles
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Associate Professional Counselor (ALPC) An applicant who has met the educational requirements and has registered with the board an acceptable contract for obtaining post-master’s experience under direct supervision; valid for 5 years.Featured Schools
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Georgia Counselor Educational Requirements
Master’s degree or higher in a program that is primarily counseling in content, or in applied psychology, from an institution accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Completion of specific coursework and a supervised practicum or internship consisting of at least 300 hours is required.
Georgia Counselor Experiential Requirements
4 years/2,400 hours of supervised post-master’s directed experience in professional counseling in a work setting acceptable to the board, with a minimum of 120 hours of supervision. (can count up to one year of experience from practicum/internship) *On December 6, 2013, there was a proposal to increase the number of required hours to 3,000. A minimum of 2 years of supervision must be provided by an LPC. *Proposed change on December 6, 2013 – for supervision entered into after September 30, 2014, a supervisor who is a Licensed Professional Counselor must hold either a National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) Approved Clinical Supervisor credential or a Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (LPCAGA) Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor credential.Georgia Counseling Exams Required
NCERequirements for Clinical Supervisors
Licensed as a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist, and if holds a master’s degree must have at least 3 years post-licensure experience; if holds a specialist degree must have at least 2 years post-licensure experience; or if holds a doctoral degree must have at least 1 year post-licensure experience. *proposed change for Dec 6, 2013, that supervisors must have the Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) or LPCAGA credential.Requirements for Out of State Applicants
Licensure by endorsement: 1.) The board may license without examination any professional counselor, social worker or marriage and family therapist currently licensed in another jurisdiction, so long as the jurisdiction’s requirements for the license in question are substantially equal to those of Georgia. Georgia only recognizes states by endorsement where the NCE exam through NBCC is required. 2.) The applicant must file a written application for licensure by endorsement on forms provided by the board.- The applicant shall direct the Board of Examiners of that jurisdiction in which the license is held to send an official statement which indicates that such license is in effect and in good standing.
Scope of Practice
“PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING” means practice in that specialty which utilizes counseling and psychotherapy to evaluate and treat emotional and mental problems and conditions, whether cognitive, behavioral, or affective. “PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING” means that specialty which utilizes counseling techniques based on principles, methods, and procedures of counseling that assist people in identifying and resolving personal, social, vocational, intrapersonal and interpersonal concerns; utilizes counseling and psychotherapy to evaluate and treat emotional and mental problems and conditions, whether cognitive, behavioral, or affective; administers and interprets educational and vocational assessment instruments and other tests which the professional counselor is qualified to employ by virtue of education, training, and experience; utilizes information and community resources for personal, social, or vocational development; utilizes individual and group techniques for facilitating problem solving, decision making, and behavior change; utilizes functional assessment and vocational planning and guidance for persons requesting assistance in adjustment to a disability or disabling condition; utilizes referral for persons who request counseling services; and utilizes and interprets counseling research. Now that you are familiar with the counselor licensing requirements in Georgia, visit our How to Become a Counselor in Georgia page for a more detailed look into the steps you will need to take to make your dream of becoming a counselor a reality.Additional Information about LPC Requirements in Georgia
GA Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists 237 Coliseum Drive Macon, GA 31217-3858 478-207-2440 LPC Application fee: $100 ALPC Application fee: $100Source: http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/43