Minnesota Counseling License

Minnesota Counselor Licensing Requirements

Counselor Licensing Requirements in Minnesota should be followed closely in order to practice safely and effectively as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Minnesota. We want to ensure that you have timely and relevant information about Counselor Licensing Requirements in Minnesota to inform your decision on gaining the proper education for working as a professional counselor in Minnesota.
The following information pertains to requirements for the different levels of licensing for Minnesota. Please follow this information closely.

Minnesota Counselor Credential Titles

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) Licensed Professional Counselor – Independent designation*Has completed supervision experience for LPC licensure. Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervision designation (LPC). Working on Supervision hours towards LPC. Minnesota Counseling License

Minnesota Counselor Education Requirements

LPCC Meet all LPC educational requirements; and in addition to, or as part of the graduate degree in counseling or a related field – completion of 24 graduate-level semester credits in 6 clinical content areas. LPC Master’s degree or higher in counseling or a related field from a CACREP accredited program or regionally accredited institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), that includes a minimum of 48 semester hours and supervised field experience not fewer than 700 hours that is counseling in nature.

The degree must include specific coursework in 10 core content areas.

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Minnesota Counselor Experiential Requirements

LPCC – Already has LPC credential 4,000 hours of post-master’s supervised professional practice in the delivery of clinical services in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses and disorders in both children in adults. Supervision must comply with the board’s Supervision Contract for LPCC Applicants. Practice must include 1,800 hours of clinical client contact. At least 50% of supervision must be individual supervision. Supervisor must have an independent CLINICAL license. LPC 2,000 hours of post-master’s supervised professional practice that is acceptable to the board OR submission of a Supervision Plan for the first 2,000 hours of professional practice. Supervision must be completed in not less than 1 year and not more than 3 yrs. Practice must include 100 hours of supervision under a board-approved supervisor.

Minnesota Counseling Exams Required

LPCC – NCMHCE Note: ECCP is no longer offered by the NBCC LPC – NCE or another national exam that is determined by the board to be substantially similar to the NCE.

Requirements for Clinical Supervisors

Licensed as a professional clinical counselor, psychologist, or another qualified supervisor as determined by the board, with at least 4 years of post-master’s counseling experience (2 years must be post-licensure experience in the delivery of clinical services in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses and disorders) and completion of 45 clock hours (may be obtained from graduate courses, seminars, workshops, online training, etc. The supervisor must complete and submit the appropriate form(s). Please note that supervisor requirements can vary based on a number of factors, including when the supervision occurred.

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Requirements for Out of State Applicants

If you are currently a clinical professional counselor or professional counselor licensed in another state or jurisdiction, you may be eligible for licensure by reciprocity pursuant to Minn. Stat. sec. 148B.56, if the board determines that the licensure requirements for your credential are substantially similar to those in Minnesota. Your license from another state or jurisdiction must be renewed and active at the time you apply for the Minnesota LPC or LPCC license. You are encouraged to contact the board office before submitting an application to determine whether the state from which you obtained your license already has been reviewed and approved for reciprocity.

Scope of Practice

LPCC “MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL” means a person providing clinical services in the treatment of mental illness of adults or providing clinical services in the diagnosis and treatment of children’s emotional disorders. A mental health professional must have training and experience in working with children consistent with the age group to which the mental health professional is assigned. LPCCs are included in the definition of mental health professional in Minnesota law. LPCC licensure requires, among other things, clinical coursework in specified areas, a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or related field, and 4,000 hours of post-master’s supervised experience in the delivery of clinical services in the treatment of mental illness. LPC “LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING” means the application of counseling, human development, and mental health research, principles, and procedures to maintain and enhance the mental health, development, personal and interpersonal effectiveness, and adjustment to work and life of individuals and families. The scope of practice of a licensed professional clinical counselor and licensed professional counselor includes, but is not limited to:
  • The implementation of professional counseling treatment interventions including evaluation, treatment planning, assessment,and referral;
  • Direct counseling services to individuals, groups, and families;
  • Counseling strategies that effectively respond to multicultural populations;
  • Knowledge of relevant laws and ethics impacting practice;
  • Crisis intervention;
  • Consultation; and
  • Program evaluation and applied research.
Now that you are familiar with the counselor licensing requirements in Minnesota, visit our How to Become a Counselor in Minnesota 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 Counselor Licensing Requirements in Minnesota

MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy 2829 University Avenue SE Suite 210 Minneapolis, MN 55414 612-617-2178 http://mn.gov/boards/behavioral-health/ Initial License Application fee LPC/LPCC: $150 Initial License fee LPC/LPCC: $250

Sources: https://www.revisor.mn.gov http://web.oru.edu