The Committee requires applicants to pass the NBCC National Counselor Exam (NCE). Some applicants may have already passed the NCE as part of their graduate degree requirements. If you have already passed the exam, you do not need to take it again. If you have not taken the exam, you will be issued permission by the Board at this stage. Exam preparation materials can be found on the NBCC website.

3. Accrue supervised experience.

The amount of required supervised experience necessary will depend on your graduate education. If you have only completed the required 60 credits, you will need to complete 4,500 hours of approved supervised work experience. If you have completed 30 additional credits in counseling, for a total of at least 90 credits, you will need to complete 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience. Approved supervisors must have an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) certificate or have taken three credits of graduate learning in clinical supervision. Before beginning supervised work experience, the supervisor must submit a Plan of Supervision form to the Committee that outlines the proposed setting, LAC job description, and supervisory credentials.

4. Apply for LPC licensure.

The application form for LPC licensure is available online. As of , the fee is $75 to apply plus licensure fees that vary based on when you apply. Documents that may have been submitted as part of the LAC application process, such as transcripts, do not need to be re-sent at this stage. Applications must be notarized before they are submitted to the Committee.

5plete security checks and receive your license.

The Committee advises that the longest stage of the licensure process can be applying for fingerprint and background checks. Instructions on how to complete these checks are mailed to applicants once their initial applications have been reviewed and approved. Your license will not be issued until the security checks are completed. Once you have passed the security checks, your license will be mailed to you by the Committee. You can only begin to identify yourself and work as an LPC once you receive your license.

Professional Counselor Licensure by Reciprocity in New Jersey

New Jersey offers licensure by reciprocity to candidates who meet New Jersey counseling licensure standards in graduate education, work experience, and exam scores. Applicants use the general LPC application form, checking the “Licensure by Reciprocity” option and including a current resume. The licensing body in the state where you are already licensed will need to send a verification form that includes proof of exam scores and supervised experience and your graduate institution will need to send official transcripts. As of , the fee is $75 plus applicable licensing fees that may vary.

Counselor Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Information

LAC and LPC licenses expire on November 30 of even-numbered years. The Committee mails notifications to renew 60 days before the deadline, but it is the licensee’s responsibility to ensure the renewal is completed on time. Renewals can be completed online by following the instructions sent by the Committee. Excluding the first renewal cycle, licensees must complete 40 continuing education hours each renewal period, including five hours in ethics and three hours in social and cultural competency. Continuing education hours can be completed online if desired and up to 10 hours can be carried over to the next renewal period. A list of approved CEU providers can be found in the Committee’s Administrative Code.

There are several other types of professional counseling that have different pathways to licensure. Below you will find more information about some of these other common types of New Jersey counseling licensure: licensed ily therapists, school counselors, and substance abuse counselors.