Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia opens doors to a rewarding career helping individuals, couples, and families navigate mental health challenges. Georgia has a growing demand for licensed counselors, particularly in underserved rural areas and metropolitan Atlanta. This comprehensive guide walks you through every step of the licensure process, from education requirements to your first renewal.
Whether you are a graduate student planning your career path, a counselor relocating to Georgia, or someone considering a career change into mental health, this guide provides the detailed, accurate information you need to navigate the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists requirements with confidence.
Understanding Georgia LPC Licensure
The Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Georgia authorizes you to practice professional counseling independently. This includes assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapeutic interventions for mental health conditions. The Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists oversees LPC licensure along with other behavioral health professions in the state.
Georgia offers two primary counseling credentials: the LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and the APC (Associate Professional Counselor). The LPC allows independent practice, while the APC is the supervised practice credential for those completing their post-graduate experience requirements.
The APC Stage
Before obtaining full LPC status, you must first become an Associate Professional Counselor (APC). As an APC, you can practice counseling under the supervision of an approved LPC supervisor while accumulating your required supervised experience hours. This interim credential allows you to gain valuable clinical experience while working toward full licensure.
Georgia Composite Board Contact
The Georgia Composite Board is located at 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217. Phone: (478) 207-2440. The board meets regularly to review applications and address licensure matters. Check the board website for meeting schedules and application status updates.
Education Requirements
Georgia requires a graduate degree in counseling or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution. The specific requirements depend on whether your program holds CACREP accreditation or an equivalent national accreditation.
CACREP-Accredited Programs
- + 60 semester hours minimum
- + Coursework requirements automatically met
- + Streamlined application review
- + Practicum and internship built-in
- + Easier reciprocity with other states
Non-CACREP Programs
- + 60 semester hours minimum
- + Must document specific coursework areas
- + Additional transcript review required
- + May need course syllabi for verification
- + Longer application processing time
Required Coursework Areas
Regardless of CACREP status, your graduate program must include coursework in the following core areas. Non-CACREP graduates must demonstrate completion of these subjects through official transcripts:
Required Coursework Checklist
- Counseling theory and practice (minimum 3 hours)
- Human growth and development across the lifespan
- Career development and counseling
- Group counseling theory and practice
- Assessment, appraisal, and testing
- Research methods and program evaluation
- Professional ethics and legal issues
- Social and cultural foundations (multicultural counseling)
- Psychopathology and diagnosis (DSM familiarity)
- Supervised practicum (100 hours minimum)
- Supervised internship (600 hours minimum)
Supervised Experience Requirements
After completing your graduate degree and obtaining APC status, you must accumulate 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over a minimum of two years. This is where you develop your skills as a practicing counselor while receiving guidance from an experienced supervisor.
Hour Requirements Breakdown
3,000 Hours Breakdown
- 1,500 hours minimum of direct client contact (face-to-face counseling)
- 1,500 hours maximum of indirect services (documentation, consultation)
- Minimum 2 years of supervised experience required
- Maximum 40 hours per week can be counted toward requirements
- 1 hour supervision required per 40 hours of client contact
Supervision Requirements
Your supervisor must hold an active LPC credential in Georgia and meet additional qualifications to provide supervision. The supervision relationship is formalized through a Board-approved supervision agreement that must be filed with the Georgia Composite Board before you begin accumulating hours.
Supervisor Qualifications
- + Active Georgia LPC license
- + Minimum 5 years post-licensure experience
- + Approved supervisor training completed
- + No disciplinary actions on license
- + Registered as supervisor with board
Supervision Rules
- + Individual or group supervision allowed
- + 1 hour per 40 client contact hours
- + Face-to-face or video supervision
- + Documentation required for all sessions
- + Supervisor verifies hours upon completion
Timeline Tip
Working full-time (40 hours per week), you can complete 3,000 hours in approximately 2 years (the minimum required time). Part-time associates may take 3-4 years. Plan your supervision schedule accordingly and maintain consistent documentation throughout.
Examination Requirements
Georgia requires passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE). You can take the exam either before or after completing your supervised hours, but many candidates choose to take it while the academic material is fresh.
National Counselor Examination (NCE)
The NCE is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and is the primary examination accepted by Georgia for LPC licensure:
NCE Exam Details
- + 200 multiple-choice questions
- + 3 hours and 45 minutes
- + Tests foundational counseling knowledge
- + Pass rate approximately 70-75%
- + Fee: $335 (as of 2025)
- + Computer-based at Pearson VUE centers
NCE Content Areas
- + Professional practice and ethics
- + Intake, assessment, and diagnosis
- + Counseling skills and interventions
- + Counselor role, advocacy, supervision
- + Core counseling attributes
- + Counseling work settings
Exam Preparation Tips
Success on the NCE requires thorough preparation. Consider these strategies:
NCE Preparation Strategies
- Take the exam within 6 months of graduation while material is fresh
- Use NBCC-approved study materials and practice exams
- Form study groups with classmates preparing for the same exam
- Review your CACREP coursework notes, especially theory and ethics
- Consider an NCE prep course (many available online)
Application Process
The Georgia Composite Board uses an online licensing portal for all applications. The process involves two main applications: first for APC status, then for full LPC licensure after completing supervised experience.
Step 1: APC Application
APC Application Checklist
- Completed online application through Georgia Composite Board portal
- Application fee: $100 (non-refundable)
- Official transcripts sent directly from institution
- Proof of degree conferral (if transcripts pending)
- Supervision agreement form (with approved supervisor)
- Criminal background check authorization
- Signed ethics acknowledgment form
Step 2: Full LPC Application
After completing your 3,000 supervised hours (over minimum 2 years) and passing the NCE, you can apply for full LPC licensure:
Full LPC Application Checklist
- Completed upgrade application through board portal
- Upgrade fee: $75
- Verification of 3,000 supervised hours (supervisor attestation)
- NCE passing score verification from NBCC
- Supervision log summary
- Updated criminal background check (if needed)
Application Fees Summary
Total Cost Breakdown
- APC Application $100
- NCE Exam Fee $335
- LPC Upgrade Application $75
- Criminal Background Check $50
- Total Estimated Cost $560
Processing Timeline
The Georgia Composite Board typically processes complete applications within 4-8 weeks. During peak periods (May-August when new graduates apply), processing may take longer. Check your portal regularly for status updates and respond promptly to any requests for additional information.
License Maintenance and Renewal
Georgia LPC licenses are valid for two years and require renewal with continuing education. Keeping your license active ensures uninterrupted practice and maintains your professional standing.
Continuing Education Requirements
35 Hours Per Renewal Cycle
- 5 hours of ethics (required each cycle)
- 3 hours of suicide prevention and intervention
- 2 hours of cultural competency or diversity
- 25 hours of elective topics in counseling
- 10 hours max of self-study or home study allowed
Renewal Fees and Deadlines
Renewal Fee Structure
- Standard LPC Renewal (on time) $125
- APC Renewal (on time) $100
- Late Renewal (within 60 days) +$50 late fee
- Expired License Reinstatement $200+
Critical Reminder
Set calendar reminders 90 days before your license expiration date. Practicing with an expired license is a violation that can result in disciplinary action and potential legal consequences. The Georgia Composite Board sends renewal reminders, but you are ultimately responsible for timely renewal.
Reciprocity and Out-of-State Licensure
If you hold a counseling license from another state and wish to practice in Georgia, the reciprocity process depends on your qualifications and the requirements of your original state.
Requirements for Out-of-State Applicants
Reciprocity Checklist
- Active license in good standing from another U.S. state
- Graduate degree meeting Georgia education requirements
- NCE or equivalent exam passage
- Equivalent supervised experience (3,000 hours or state minimum)
- License verification from originating state
- Criminal background check
- Application fee: $150
Counseling Compact
Georgia joined the Counseling Compact in 2022, making it easier for licensed counselors from other compact member states to practice in Georgia. The compact allows eligible counselors to obtain a privilege to practice in member states without going through the full licensure process. Check the Counseling Compact Commission website for the most current list of member states and eligibility requirements.
Compact Eligibility
To use the Counseling Compact, you must hold an unencumbered license in your home state, have a graduate degree in counseling, and meet other eligibility criteria. The compact privilege allows you to practice in Georgia without obtaining a separate Georgia license, though you must still comply with Georgia practice standards.
Career Opportunities in Georgia
Georgia offers diverse career opportunities for licensed professional counselors. The state has a significant need for mental health professionals, particularly in rural areas and underserved communities.
Practice Settings
- + Private practice (solo or group)
- + Community mental health centers
- + Hospitals and healthcare systems
- + Schools and universities
- + Substance abuse treatment centers
- + Corporate employee assistance programs
Salary Expectations
- + Entry level: $45,000 to $55,000
- + Mid-career: $55,000 to $70,000
- + Experienced: $70,000 to $90,000
- + Private practice: Varies widely
- + Metro Atlanta tends to pay higher
- + Specialty areas may command premiums
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about Georgia LPC licensure:
How long does it take to become licensed as an LPC in Georgia?
The complete timeline from starting your graduate program to full LPC licensure typically takes 4-6 years. This breaks down to approximately 2-3 years for your master's degree (60 semester hours), followed by a minimum of 2 years to complete 3,000 supervised hours. The application and examination process adds another 2-3 months. Working part-time during the supervised experience period extends the timeline accordingly.
What is the difference between APC and LPC in Georgia?
An APC (Associate Professional Counselor) is the entry-level credential that allows you to practice counseling under supervision while completing your required experience hours. An LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) can practice independently without supervision and has completed all education, examination, and supervised experience requirements.
Can I practice counseling while accumulating my supervised hours?
Yes. Once you receive your APC credential, you can practice counseling under the supervision of an approved LPC supervisor. This is how you accumulate the required 3,000 supervised hours. Many APCs work at community mental health centers, private practices, hospitals, or other clinical settings during this period.
How much does Georgia LPC licensure cost in total?
The direct licensing costs total approximately $560, including the APC application ($100), NCE exam ($335), LPC upgrade application ($75), and background check ($50). This does not include the cost of your graduate education, study materials, supervision fees, or any exam retake fees if needed.
Do I need a CACREP-accredited program to get licensed in Georgia?
No, CACREP accreditation is not strictly required for Georgia LPC licensure. However, graduates of CACREP-accredited programs have a streamlined application process because their coursework automatically meets Georgia requirements. Non-CACREP graduates must document that their coursework covers all required content areas, which may require additional verification.
Can I take the NCE before completing my supervised hours?
Yes. Georgia allows you to take the NCE at any point after completing your graduate degree. Many candidates choose to take the exam shortly after graduation while the academic material is still fresh. You must pass the exam before applying for full LPC status, but you do not need to wait until your supervised hours are complete.
What happens if my license expires?
If your license expires, you cannot legally practice counseling in Georgia. You can renew within 60 days of expiration by paying a late fee in addition to the standard renewal fee. After 60 days, you must apply for reinstatement, which involves additional fees, updated background checks, and potentially additional continuing education requirements.
How do I find a supervisor in Georgia?
You can search for approved supervisors through the Georgia Composite Board license verification portal, professional counseling associations like LCA (Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia), or networking at local professional events. Many private practices and community mental health centers employ supervisors who work with associates. Consider factors like specialty areas, supervision style, cost, and location when selecting a supervisor.
Your Path Forward
Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia requires dedication, but the process is clear and achievable. Whether you are just starting your graduate studies or preparing to submit your final LPC application, each step brings you closer to a fulfilling career helping others.
Remember that the journey itself is valuable. Your supervised experience provides irreplaceable learning opportunities, and the relationships you build with supervisors and colleagues often last throughout your career. Stay organized, maintain thorough documentation, and do not hesitate to reach out to the Georgia Composite Board with questions.
Key Takeaways
- ->Georgia LPC requires 60 graduate semester hours, 3,000 supervised hours over 2 years, and passing the NCE
- ->The APC credential allows you to practice while completing supervised experience
- ->Total licensing costs are approximately $560, not including education
- ->License renewal requires 35 CE hours every two years, including 5 ethics hours
- ->Georgia is a member of the Counseling Compact, making interstate practice easier
- ->The Georgia Composite Board oversees LPC licensure and provides application support
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