At a Glance
Michigan issues two counseling credentials through its Board of Counseling: the Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC) for supervised practice and the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) for independent practice. To qualify for the LPC, you’ll need a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree in counseling (non-CACREP programs entered on or after July 1, 2023, must include at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours), a passing score on an approved licensing exam, and 3,000 hours of supervised post-degree experience completed over at least two years.
Michigan’s mental health workforce is growing fast. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the national average for all occupations. If you’re working toward licensure in the state, understanding the two-tier credential system used by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is the clearest starting point. If you’re also exploring addiction counseling, Michigan substance abuse counselor certification follows a separate pathway through a different board.
Part of LARA, the Michigan Board of Counseling issues both licenses. The LLPC lets you practice counseling under supervision while you build the post-degree hours you need to qualify for the full LPC. Once you hold the LPC, you can practice independently, diagnosing problems, facilitating interventions, developing treatment and rehabilitative plans, and applying psychotherapy and counseling skills to individuals, groups, and organizations, without a supervisor tied to your license.
Steps Toward LPC Licensure in Michigan
Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Michigan follows a defined sequence. Here’s how it breaks down.
Step 1: Earn a qualifying graduate degree
You’ll need a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling from a program that is either CACREP-accredited or meets Michigan’s specific curriculum and internship requirements. For non-CACREP programs, Michigan applies a 48-hour standard to applicants who entered their program on or before June 30, 2023, and a 60-hour standard (or 90 quarter hours) to those who entered on or after July 1, 2023. If your program isn’t CACREP-accredited, confirm with your school which standard applies to your enrollment date. Your program must also include both a practicum and a supervised internship of at least 600 hours.
Step 2: Complete required pre-licensure training
Before the Board will issue any license, you must complete two mandatory trainings. First, a one-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking, covering types of trafficking, warning signs in healthcare settings, and reporting resources. Second, at least two hours of implicit bias training within the five years immediately preceding your initial licensure application. This implicit bias requirement was added in June 2022 and applies to all new applicants.
Step 3: Apply for the LLPC license
Submit an application to the Michigan Board of Counseling. Your application must include the name and license number of the LPC who will supervise you. You can’t apply without a supervisor lined up. Once the Board approves your application and issues your LLPC, you can begin practicing counseling under that supervisor’s oversight.
Step 4: Pass a qualifying licensing exam
Michigan accepts scores from three exams for LPC licensure: the National Counselor Examination (NCE), sponsored by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC); the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), also sponsored by NBCC; or the exam sponsored by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). Formats and registration details vary by exam provider. You can sit for your chosen exam while accumulating supervised hours as an LLPC.
Step 5: Accumulate post-degree supervised experience
This is the longest stage. You need at least 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised counseling experience completed over at least two years. At least 100 of those supervision hours must occur either in the supervisor’s immediate physical presence or via two-way real-time audiovisual technology. Individuals who have completed a doctoral degree in counseling must complete 1,500 hours over at least one year, including at least 50 supervision hours. Once you’ve completed your hours, your supervisor submits the verification form to the Board.
Step 6: Apply for the LPC license
With your hours verified and exam passed, submit your LPC application to the Board. Once approved, you hold an independent license to practice counseling in Michigan without supervision requirements. The LPC renews every three years with no continuing education requirement, though you’ll need to complete one hour of implicit bias training per year of your renewal cycle going forward.
LLPC vs. LPC: Key Differences
Michigan’s two-tier system can be confusing at first. Here’s a side-by-side look at how the licenses differ.
| Feature |
LLPC |
LPC |
| Practice scope |
Counseling under supervision only |
Independent practice |
| Supervisor required |
Yes, named LPC on application |
No |
| License renewal |
Annually |
Every three years |
| Continuing education |
None required |
None required (implicit bias training applies) |
| Maximum duration |
10 years |
No limit |
The LLPC is not a permanent credential. Michigan caps it at 10 years. If you don’t qualify for the full LPC within that window, your license expires. Most LLPCs complete their hours and move to the LPC in about two years.
Education Requirements
The most direct route to LPC licensure is a master’s degree in counseling from a CACREP-accredited program. CACREP (the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) sets national standards for counseling programs, and Michigan’s Board recognizes CACREP accreditation as automatically meeting the state’s curriculum requirements. A CACREP-accredited doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision also qualifies.
If your program isn’t CACREP-accredited, it must meet all of the following conditions to qualify:
- At least 48 semester hours for applicants who entered their program on or before June 30, 2023; at least 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) for applicants who entered on or after July 1, 2023
- Coursework covering all required content areas (see below)
- A practicum and an internship of at least 600 supervised clinical hours
Required content areas for non-CACREP programs include: counseling theories, counseling techniques, counseling philosophy, professional ethics, career development, consulting, multicultural counseling, group techniques, testing procedures and assessments, and research methodology. Your school must submit documentation to the Board confirming your program covers each area.
Michigan does accept online master’s degrees, provided the program is from a regionally accredited institution and meets the applicable semester-hour requirement. One firm exception: your practicum and internship must include in-person clinical work. Programs that allow the full 600-hour internship to be completed remotely don’t qualify for Michigan licensure.
Reciprocity and Endorsement
If you hold a counseling license in another U.S. state, Michigan may issue a professional counselor license by endorsement to applicants who meet the state’s endorsement requirements. Applicants who have been fully licensed as a professional counselor in another state for at least five years have a shorter endorsement pathway. Applicants licensed for less than five years must submit additional education and exam documentation. Have your out-of-state Board of Counseling send official verification of your license directly to the Michigan Board, including a complete record of any disciplinary actions.
Required Licensing Exams
Michigan accepts three exams for LPC licensure:
- National Counselor Examination (NCE): Sponsored by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). A 200-question multiple-choice exam is available at testing centers nationwide. See the NCE Handbook for registration details and content areas.
- National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE): Also offered through NBCC, this exam uses clinical simulations to assess diagnostic and treatment-planning skills. It’s the preferred exam for counselors pursuing clinical mental health practice.
- Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) exam: For counselors working in rehabilitation settings. See the CRCC website for exam details.
You can register for your chosen exam while still accumulating supervised hours as an LLPC. Passing before you finish your hours means one fewer step once you’re ready to apply for the LPC.
Counseling Salaries in Michigan
According to May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Michigan is $59,530, slightly above the national median of $59,190 for the same occupation. Salaries vary significantly by metro area: counselors in Lansing-East Lansing report a median of $73,300, while those in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area report a median of $50,950.
Nationally, employment in this occupation is projected to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, with roughly 48,300 job openings expected each year over the decade. That national projection reflects broad demand for counseling professionals; Michigan’s specific growth trajectory may vary.
| Michigan Metro Area |
Median Annual Wage |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI |
$73,300 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI |
$64,510 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI |
$62,270 |
| Michigan Statewide |
$59,530 |
| Ann Arbor, MI |
$59,530 |
| Saginaw, MI |
$52,100 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI |
$50,950 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 state data for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018).
Professional Organizations and Resources
Michigan Counseling Association (MCA): Founded in 1965, MCA is the state’s primary professional organization for LPCs and LLPCs. It offers legislative advocacy, professional development, and networking opportunities for members at all career stages.
Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association (MMHCA): Focused specifically on the mental health counseling profession, the MMHCA provides access to public policy updates, workshops, and professional networking.
Michigan School Counselor Association (MSCA): For counselors working in K-12 settings, MSCA offers scholarships, advocacy, and annual events for school counseling professionals.
Michigan Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (MACES): Tracks legislative developments affecting LPC and LLPC practice, and provides resources for supervision opportunities and professional development.
Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling (MACAC): With roughly 1,100 members, including independent counselors, school counselors, and financial aid officers, MACAC offers an annual conference, regional gatherings, and a mentorship program.
Exploring related credentials in Michigan? See our guide to the Michigan social work license for an overview of LBSW and LMSW requirements through the Michigan Board of Social Work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an LPC in Michigan?
Plan on roughly eight to nine years from a bachelor’s degree to full LPC licensure. That includes four years for a bachelor’s degree, two to three years for a qualifying master’s program, and at least two years as an LLPC, accumulating the required 3,000 supervised hours. Counselors with doctoral training can shorten the supervised experience phase to one year, since the hour requirement drops to 1,500 for doctoral graduates.
Does Michigan require continuing education for LPC renewal?
Not in the traditional sense. Michigan’s LPC license renews every three years and doesn’t require a set number of continuing education hours. However, you must complete one hour of implicit bias training per year of your renewal cycle, so three hours per renewal period. Human trafficking training is a one-time requirement completed before initial licensure.
Can I practice as an LLPC without a supervisor?
No. The LLPC license only authorizes practice under the supervision of a licensed LPC. Your supervisor’s name and license number must appear on your LLPC application, and you can’t begin practicing until the Board approves the application and issues your license. If your supervisor’s situation changes, notify the Board promptly. Practicing without an approved supervisor puts your license at risk.
Does Michigan accept out-of-state LPC licenses?
Michigan may issue a professional counselor license by endorsement to applicants who meet the state’s requirements. Applicants who have been fully licensed as a professional counselor in another U.S. state for at least five years have a shorter endorsement pathway. Applicants licensed for less than five years must submit additional education and exam documentation. Your previous licensing board must send verification directly to the Michigan Board of Counseling, including any disciplinary history.
What’s the difference between the NCE and the NCMHCE?
Both are accepted by Michigan for LPC licensure and are administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). The NCE is a 200-question multiple-choice exam covering eight general counseling knowledge areas. The NCMHCE uses clinical simulation cases to assess diagnostic and treatment planning skills, making it more practice-oriented. Counselors pursuing clinical mental health work often prefer the NCMHCE. Those in career, rehabilitation, or school counseling typically take the NCE. Either satisfies Michigan’s requirement.
Key Takeaways
- Michigan issues two credentials: the LLPC for supervised practice and the LPC for independent practice. You must hold the LLPC before applying for the LPC.
- As of June 2023, non-CACREP programs must meet a 60-semester-hour standard for applicants who enrolled on or after July 1, 2023. Confirm with your school which standard applies to your enrollment date.
- Two mandatory trainings apply to all new applicants: a one-time human trafficking training and at least two hours of implicit bias training within five years of licensure.
- Michigan accepts three qualifying exams: the NCE, the NCMHCE, and the CRCC exam. The NCMHCE is a strong option for counselors pursuing clinical mental health practice.
- The median annual wage for mental health counselors in Michigan is $59,530, according to May 2024 BLS data, with significant variation across metro areas.
- Employment in this field is projected to grow 17 percent nationally from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 48,300 openings per year, reflecting sustained demand for counseling professionals.
Ready to find a CACREP-accredited counseling program in Michigan? Compare your options and take the next step toward LPC licensure.
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Laura Bennett, MPH is a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in community health education and program coordination. She specializes in helping aspiring professionals explore flexible education pathways, including online and hybrid public health degree programs. Laura is passionate about making public health careers more accessible through practical, accredited training
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors represent state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2025.
