Ohio LPCC Licensure: Complete 2025 Guide

Ohio offers a structured, multi-tiered pathway to clinical counseling licensure. Whether you are just starting your graduate education or preparing for independent clinical practice, understanding each license level will help you plan your career and meet your professional goals.

The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT Board) oversees all counselor licenses in the state. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about becoming a PC, LPC, LPCC, or LPCC-S in Ohio.

Semester Hours Required

3,000

Client Contact Hours

Direct Supervision Hours

CE Hours Per Biennium

Ohio Counseling Board Overview

The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT Board) is the regulatory body responsible for licensing and overseeing counselors in Ohio. The board ensures public protection by setting education, examination, and supervision standards for all counselor license levels.

The board operates under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4757 and Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 4757. All applications, renewals, and complaints are processed through the board's online portal.

Ohio CSWMFT Board Contact Information

Address: 77 South High Street, 24th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 466-0912
Website: cswmft.ohio.gov
Email: cswmft.info@cswb.ohio.gov

Ohio Counselor License Tiers Explained

Ohio uses a tiered licensure system that allows counselors to progressively gain more autonomy and clinical privileges. Each tier builds upon the previous one, with increasing requirements for education, supervised experience, and examinations.

Professional Counselor

Entry-Level License

Requires master's degree (60 semester hours)
Must pass NCE examination
Work under supervision of LPCC-S
Cannot diagnose or practice independently

LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Mid-Level License

All PC requirements plus supervised experience
2 years post-master's experience
Must still work under supervision
Limited diagnostic privileges

LPCC

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Independent Clinical License

Full independent practice authority
3,000 client contact hours required
Must pass NCMHCE examination
Can diagnose and treat mental disorders

LPCC-S

LPCC with Supervision Designation

Supervisor Credential

Can supervise PC and LPC licensees
Requires 2 additional years post-LPCC
30 hours supervision training required
Enables practice building with supervisees

Education Requirements

Ohio requires a minimum of 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of graduate coursework in counseling from a regionally accredited institution. Programs accredited by CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) are preferred and may streamline the application process.

Required Coursework Areas

Your graduate program must include coursework in the following content areas as specified by the Ohio CSWMFT Board:

Core Content Areas

Counseling theory and philosophy
Human growth and development
Social and cultural foundations
The helping relationship
Group dynamics and counseling

Additional Required Areas

Lifestyle and career development
Appraisal and assessment
Research and program evaluation
Professional orientation and ethics
Psychopathology/diagnosis (for LPCC)

Practicum and Internship Requirements

In addition to classroom coursework, Ohio requires supervised clinical experience as part of your graduate program:

Practicum: Minimum 100 hours of supervised clinical experience
Internship: Minimum 600 hours of supervised clinical experience
Direct client contact must comprise a significant portion of these hours
Supervision must be provided by a qualified supervisor (LPCC-S or equivalent)

Examination Requirements

Ohio requires passage of nationally recognized examinations administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). The specific exam required depends on the license level you are seeking.

NCE (National Counselor Examination)

Required for PC and LPC licenses

Format: 200 multiple-choice questions
Time: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Passing Score: Determined by NBCC
Cost: Approximately $335
Content: 8 CACREP core areas

NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination)

Required for LPCC license

Format: 10 clinical simulations
Time: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Passing Score: Determined by NBCC
Cost: Approximately $335
Content: Clinical assessment and treatment

Both examinations are administered at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout Ohio and nationwide. You must apply through the Ohio CSWMFT Board to receive authorization to test.

Supervised Experience for LPCC

To advance from PC/LPC to LPCC, you must complete substantial supervised clinical experience. This is one of the most critical components of the licensure process and requires careful planning and documentation.

LPCC Supervision Requirements at a Glance

Hours Required

3,000 total client contact hours
90 hours of direct supervision (minimum)
2 years minimum experience period

Supervision Format

Individual supervision: 1 hour per 30 client hours
Group supervision may count for portion
Maximum 6 supervisees per group session
Must be provided by Ohio LPCC-S

Finding a Qualified Supervisor

Your clinical supervisor must hold an active LPCC-S (Supervision Designation) in Ohio. Before beginning supervision, you must:

Verify your supervisor's license status on the Ohio eLicense portal
Establish a formal supervision agreement
Submit a Supervision Declaration form to the board
Maintain detailed logs of all supervision sessions
Ensure supervision addresses clinical skills, ethics, and professional development

Becoming an LPCC-S (Supervisor)

If you want to supervise other counselors, you can apply for the Supervision Designation after meeting additional requirements beyond the LPCC.

LPCC-S Requirements

Experience

Hold active LPCC license for at least 2 years
3,000 hours of clinical experience post-LPCC
No disciplinary actions against license

Training

30 hours of supervision training
Training must be board-approved
Covers supervision models, ethics, evaluation

Application Process Step by Step

All applications are submitted through the Ohio eLicense system. Here is the step-by-step process for each license level:

Create eLicense Account

Register at elicense.ohio.gov and create your professional profile. You will use this account for all future renewals and license management.

Submit Application and Documentation

Complete the online application and upload official transcripts, supervision documentation (for LPCC), and any other required documents.

Pay Application Fee

Application fees vary by license type. PC/LPC application is approximately $75. LPCC application is approximately $100.

Background Check

Complete BCI and FBI background checks through WebCheck. Results are sent directly to the board.

Receive Authorization to Test

Once your application is approved, you will receive authorization to schedule your NCE or NCMHCE through NBCC/Pearson VUE.

Pass Examination and Receive License

After passing the required exam, your license will be issued and posted to the eLicense system. You can download your license certificate.

License Renewal and Continuing Education

Ohio counselor licenses must be renewed every two years (biennially). The renewal period runs from July 1 to June 30. All licensees must complete continuing education requirements to maintain their license.

Renewal Requirements

30 CE hours per biennium
3 hours must be in ethics
3 hours in supervision (for LPCC-S)
CE must be from board-approved providers

Renewal Fees

PC License Renewal $75
LPC License Renewal $75
LPCC License Renewal $100
LPCC-S Designation Renewal $50
Late Renewal Penalty $50

Reciprocity and Endorsement

If you hold a counseling license in another state, you may be eligible for licensure by endorsement in Ohio. The board evaluates each application individually to determine if your credentials meet Ohio standards.

To qualify for endorsement, you generally must:

Hold an active, unrestricted license in another state
Have education and experience substantially equivalent to Ohio requirements
Have passed the NCE (for PC/LPC) or NCMHCE (for LPCC)
Complete background checks
Have no disciplinary actions against your license

Important Note on Compact States

As of 2025, Ohio has not yet joined the Counseling Compact. This means you cannot practice in Ohio using a privilege to practice from a compact member state. You must obtain an Ohio license to practice in Ohio.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the application process take?

Most applications are processed within 4-6 weeks if all documentation is complete. Incomplete applications may take longer. The board meets monthly to review applications that require additional consideration.

Can I practice while my LPCC application is pending?

Yes, you can continue practicing under your PC or LPC license while your LPCC application is being processed. You must continue to work under supervision until your LPCC is issued.

What happens if I fail the NCE or NCMHCE?

You may retake the examination. NBCC requires a 90-day waiting period between attempts. There is no limit on the number of retakes, but you must pay the exam fee each time.

Can supervision hours from another state count toward Ohio LPCC?

Yes, supervision hours accrued in another state may count if they were supervised by an appropriately licensed clinical supervisor. The board evaluates these on a case-by-case basis.

Do I need malpractice insurance in Ohio?

While Ohio does not legally require malpractice insurance, it is strongly recommended for all practicing counselors. Most employers require it, and it protects you financially in case of a claim.

Key Takeaways

Becoming a licensed counselor in Ohio requires dedication, education, and supervised experience. The tiered system allows you to begin practicing under supervision while working toward full clinical independence.

Ohio LPCC Licensure Essentials

Complete 60 semester hours from an accredited counseling program
Pass the NCE for entry-level licensure, NCMHCE for clinical license
Accumulate 3,000 supervised client contact hours for LPCC
Complete 90 hours of direct supervision under an LPCC-S
Renew biennially with 30 CE hours (including 3 in ethics)
Consider LPCC-S designation if you want to supervise other counselors

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