At a Glance
Minnesota issues two professional counselor licenses through the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT): the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Both require a master’s degree of at least 48 credits, supervised post-degree hours, and a national exam. The LPCC adds 2,000 additional supervised hours and qualifies you for independent clinical practice and diagnosis.
Minnesota had about 7,900 licensed mental health counselors working across the state as of the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics count, and demand is rising. The BLS projects employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors to grow 17 percent nationally from 2024 to 2034, well above average. If you’re mapping out a path to licensure in Minnesota, you’ll work through two credential levels: the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and, for those who want full clinical independence, the LPCC.
LPC vs. LPCC: Understanding the Two License Types
The Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) issues both licenses. They’re related but distinct, and understanding what each can do is the starting point for choosing your path.
| Requirement |
LPC |
LPCC |
| Degree required |
Master’s or doctoral, 48+ credits, CACREP or CHEA-accredited |
Same, with clinical focus for CACREP programs |
| Supervised hours |
2,000 post-degree hours (100 supervision, 12+ months) |
4,000 total (2,000 LPC + 2,000 additional with 1,800 direct client contact and 200 supervision hours) |
| Required exam |
NCE or NCMHCE |
NCMHCE only |
| Independent practice |
Yes, after supervised hours are complete |
Yes, including independent diagnosis of mental health conditions |
| Application fee |
$433.25 |
$433.25 |
The LPC license lets you practice professional counseling independently once you complete your required post-degree supervised hours. However, the LPC does not authorize independent diagnosis or clinical treatment of mental health conditions, which requires the LPCC. The LPCC builds on the LPC foundation and adds the authority to diagnose and treat mental health conditions independently. Counselors pursuing private practice or independent clinical work in Minnesota typically hold an LPCC license. If your interest is specifically in substance use counseling, Minnesota has a separate credential for that path: the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). You can find the requirements on our Minnesota substance abuse counselor page.
How to Get Your LPC License in Minnesota
The BBHT administers the LPC application process and involves four main requirements: education, an exam, supervised practice, and a background check.
Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree
You need a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program, or from a regionally accredited school recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The program must be at least 48 semester credits and include a supervised field experience of at least 700 hours. Have your school send official transcripts directly to the BBHT.
Step 2: Pass a National Counseling Exam
You must pass either the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), both sponsored by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). If you plan to pursue the LPCC eventually, take the NCMHCE now. It satisfies the exam requirement for both licenses.
Step 3: Submit Your Application and Complete a Background Check
Submit your LPC licensure application packet to the BBHT along with a $433.25 fee. The application includes instructions for completing a fingerprint criminal background check. Once the BBHT approves your application, it issues your LPC license, and you can begin supervised practice.
Step 4: Complete 2,000 Hours of Supervised Practice
Before you can practice independently, you need 2,000 hours of post-degree professional practice under an approved supervisor, completed over no fewer than 12 months and no more than 36 months. You and your supervisor will complete a Supervision Plan (Section G of the licensure packet) before you begin. Once you’ve finished your hours, your supervisor submits a Verification of Supervision form to the BBHT, and you receive full independent practice status.
How to Get Your LPCC License in Minnesota
The LPCC builds directly on your LPC. You don’t start over. You continue accumulating supervised clinical hours on top of what you completed for the LPC.
Step 1: Hold an LPC with Independent Practice Status
You must have completed your 2,000 LPC supervised hours and have independent practice status before applying for the LPCC.
Step 2: Complete an Additional 2,000 Hours of Supervised Clinical Practice
As an LPC, you’ll accumulate another 2,000 hours of supervised clinical practice. These hours must include at least 1,800 hours of direct client contact and 200 hours of direct supervision (at least 50 of which are individual one-on-one supervision). The combined total across both licenses is 4,000 post-degree supervised hours. When you’re done, your supervisor submits a Verification of Supervision form to the BBHT.
Step 3: Pass the NCMHCE (if You Haven’t Already)
The LPCC specifically requires a passing score on the NCMHCE. If you took the NCE for your LPC, you’ll need to pass the NCMHCE now. If you already passed it for your LPC, you’re set.
Step 4: Submit Your LPCC Application
Submit your LPCC application packet to the BBHT along with a $433.25 fee. Once approved, you’re licensed to practice clinical counseling independently, including diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.
Becoming an LPC or LPCC Supervisor
If you hold an LPC or LPCC and have four years of professional counseling experience, you can apply to add a supervision designation to your license. You’ll need to complete 45 hours of training in clinical supervision from sources like continuing education courses, university programs, or workshops. For an LPCC supervisor designation specifically, you must have two years of post-licensure experience. Submit the application form to the BBHT with a $30 fee.
Education Requirements for LPC and LPCC Licensure
Both licenses require a graduate degree in counseling or a related field. The program must be at least 48 semester credits and include a supervised field experience of at least 700 hours (practicum, internship, or residency). The 700 hours must be reflected on your official academic transcripts.
Programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) automatically meet all curriculum and field experience requirements. For the LPCC, your CACREP program must include a clinical focus. Minnesota has multiple CACREP-accredited counseling programs, including online and clinically focused options. Check the current listings directly at CACREP.org, as program counts change as schools gain or renew accreditation.
If your program isn’t CACREP-accredited, it must come from a school recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and cover all required subject areas, including helping relationships, human growth and development, cultural and social foundations, professional ethics, assessment, and career development, among others. The LPCC adds specific coursework requirements in clinical treatment planning, cultural diversity, clinical ethics, and diagnostic assessment.
Required Exams
Both licenses require passing an exam sponsored by the NBCC. The two options are the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
The NCE is a 200-question multiple-choice exam covering foundational counseling topics, including assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, and ethics. The NCMHCE uses clinical simulations, with 10 case scenarios that test your ability to assess and treat clients with mental health conditions. Passing the NCE qualifies you for the LPC. Passing the NCMHCE qualifies you for both the LPC and the LPCC. If you’re planning to become an LPCC, take the NCMHCE once and satisfy both exam requirements in one test.
Both exams are computer-based and administered through the NBCC’s online ProCounselor portal. You’ll find detailed exam information in the NCE handbook and the NCMHCE handbook.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Licensed Counselor in Minnesota?
Plan on at least six years before you can practice as an LPC: four years for your bachelor’s degree and two or more for your master’s. From there, the timeline extends depending on which license you’re pursuing:
- LPC (supervised practice status): 6 years total (education only)
- LPC with independent practice status: 7 years total
- LPC Supervisor: 10 years total
- LPCC: 8 years total
- LPCC Supervisor: 10 years total
These timelines assume full-time graduate study and continuous post-degree employment. Part-time programs or gaps in supervised employment will extend the timeline accordingly.
Renewing Your License
Both the LPC and LPCC expire annually. The BBHT mails a renewal notice 45 days before your license expires. You can renew online or by mail for a $250 fee.
Renewal requires completing continuing education. The amount depends on the total credit count of your graduate degree. By the end of your first four years as an LPC or LPCC, you must have a combined total of 60 graduate-level semester credits and 40 hours of continuing education. After your fourth renewal, you’ll attest to having completed 40 hours of continuing education every 2 years. More detail is available on the BBHT continuing education page.
Reciprocity
If you’re already licensed as an LPC or LPCC in another state, you may qualify to apply by reciprocity if your home state has substantially similar licensure requirements to Minnesota’s. The BBHT requires official verification of your out-of-state license, official academic transcripts showing at least 700 hours of supervised field experience, and a fingerprint criminal background check. Reciprocity eligibility varies by jurisdiction and should be confirmed directly with the BBHT. You can check whether your state qualifies and download the reciprocity application from the BBHT website.
Salary Information for Minnesota Counselors
According to May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, counseling careers in Minnesota span a range of specialties with varying compensation. The figures below reflect national median wages for these occupational categories.
| Counseling Occupation |
National Median Annual Wage (May 2024) |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors |
$71,520 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists |
$63,780 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors |
$59,190 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
$43,450 |
Minnesota wages for some of these categories may differ from national medians. For current state-level figures, visit the BLS state occupational employment and wage estimates and select Minnesota.
Resources for Minnesota Counselors
Minnesota Counseling Association (MnCA): Advocating for counselors statewide since 1970, MnCA hosts an annual conference and pursues legislative and professional initiatives on behalf of Minnesota counselors, including efforts to expand provider recognition.
Minnesota School Counselor Association (MSCA): Focused on advancing school counseling through networking events, scholarships, and professional resources for members across the state.
Minnesota Association of Counselors of Color (MnACC): Founded in 1991, MnACC improves access to higher education for students of color through scholarships, job boards, and institutional databases.
Minnesota Addiction Professionals (MnAP): Provides resources on liability insurance, publications, and continuing education, including access to the national NAADAC conference.
Career Opportunities in Minnesota
Licensed counselors in Minnesota work across a range of public and private settings. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) coordinates statewide programs addressing mental health, behavioral health, disabilities, and addiction services, and partners with local agencies across all 87 counties. Rogers Behavioral Health operates outpatient, residential, and partial hospitalization programs at locations in Woodbury and Eden Prairie. Minnesota Mental Health Clinics, with seven locations in the greater Twin Cities, accepts a range of insurance plans and offers flexible services including home visits, drop-in hours, and group therapy. Fraser is a major Minnesota-based provider of early childhood, autism, and mental health services, operating in 7 cities and serving clients from early childhood through adulthood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an LPC and an LPCC in Minnesota?
The LPC allows you to practice professional counseling independently once you’ve completed your supervised hours, but it does not authorize independent diagnosis or clinical treatment of mental health conditions. The LPCC is authorized to diagnose and treat mental health conditions independently. Counselors pursuing private practice or independent clinical work typically choose the LPCC. If you’re also weighing counseling against social work credentials, see our LCSW vs. LMHC comparison for context on how these paths differ.
How many supervised hours do I need for the LPCC?
The LPCC requires 4,000 total post-degree supervised hours: the 2,000 you completed for your LPC plus an additional 2,000 hours of clinical practice. The additional 2,000 hours must include at least 1,800 hours of direct client contact and 200 hours of direct supervision.
Can I take the NCMHCE instead of the NCE for my LPC?
Yes. The NCMHCE satisfies the exam requirement for both the LPC and the LPCC. If you plan to eventually pursue the LPCC, taking the NCMHCE for your LPC avoids having to sit for a second exam later.
Does Minnesota offer reciprocity for out-of-state counselors?
Yes, if your home state has substantially similar licensure requirements to Minnesota’s. Reciprocity eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Check the BBHT website for the current list of qualifying states and the reciprocity application form.
How long does LPC licensure take in Minnesota?
Expect at least seven years from starting your undergraduate degree to earning independent LPC practice status: four years for a bachelor’s, two or more for a master’s in counseling, and a minimum of one year completing your 2,000 supervised post-degree hours.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota issues two counselor licenses through the BBHT: the LPC for supervised and eventually independent practice, and the LPCC for full clinical independence, including diagnosis.
- Both licenses require a master’s or doctoral degree of at least 48 credits from a CACREP or CHEA-accredited program, a national exam, and post-degree supervised hours.
- The LPCC requires 4,000 total supervised post-degree hours (including the 2,000 for the LPC), with 1,800 direct client contact hours and 200 supervision hours in the clinical phase.
- Taking the NCMHCE for your LPC exam satisfies the exam requirement for both licenses and avoids a second exam when you apply for the LPCC.
- BLS projects employment of mental health counselors to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Ready to find an accredited counseling program in Minnesota? Browse programs that meet BBHT requirements and match your career goals.
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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
May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, educational, guidance, and career counselors, and rehabilitation counselors represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2025.
