At a Glance
Maryland issues two counseling licenses: the Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) and the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Both require a graduate degree and passing the National Counselor Examination. The LGPC allows supervised practice while you accumulate the 3,000 clinical hours needed to qualify for full independent licensure as an LCPC.
Maryland’s counseling licensure system is built around a deliberate two-step progression. You don’t walk out of a master’s program and apply for a full clinical license. Instead, the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists issues the LGPC first, a working credential that lets you practice under supervision. At the same time, you build the clinical experience required for the LCPC. Most counselors spend at least three years in that supervised role before they qualify to practice independently.
That structure isn’t a hurdle. It’s a built-in mentorship model that produces counselors with documented clinical hours before they’re ever on their own. Here’s exactly what both licenses require and how to move through the process.
Maryland’s Two Counseling Licenses
The Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists administers both credential tiers. They share the same educational foundation but differ in scope of practice and the experience required to qualify.
The Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) is an entry-level clinical credential. As an LGPC, you can provide clinical counseling services, but only under the supervision of a board-approved supervisor. This license is intended for a working stage, not a waiting period.
The Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) is the full independent credential. LCPCs can diagnose and treat mental and emotional conditions, provide psychotherapy, work with individuals and groups, and operate a private practice without supervision. Getting there requires everything the LGPC requires, plus three years of post-degree supervised clinical experience. For a broader look at what clinical counseling practice entails day-to-day, see our Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) career guide.
Steps Toward Licensure in Maryland
Both the LGPC and LCPC share a common foundation: graduate education, a background check, and passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE). The path diverges once you hold the LGPC and begin accruing supervised hours. Note that beginning June 20, 2026, the Maryland Board states that applications and payments will be accepted exclusively through its new online licensing system. Confirm current submission requirements directly with the Board before applying.
Step 1: Complete a Qualifying Graduate Degree
You’ll need a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution approved by the Maryland Board. The degree must total at least 60 graduate semester credits (or 90 quarter credits for doctoral programs) and include a supervised clinical practicum with a minimum of 125 face-to-face client hours. Programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) may help align with Maryland’s coursework expectations. Still, applicants should confirm that their specific program and transcript meet Maryland Board requirements before enrolling.
Step 2: Complete a Criminal History Background Check
Before the Maryland Board will process any license application, you must complete a criminal history background check, even if you’ve submitted one previously for a different license. Confirm the current process directly with the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.
Step 3: Pass the Maryland Law Assessment
This online exam covers the laws and regulations governing health occupations and professional counseling practice in Maryland. It’s a 36-question, no-fail assessment administered through the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE). Once you complete it, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion to include with your license application. You can register and take the exam online at any time.
Step 4: Apply for the LGPC and Pass the NCE
Submit your LGPC application to the Maryland Board with your Certificate of Completion and a $200 application fee. Once the Board confirms your application is complete, it notifies the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) that you’re cleared to test. You then register for the NCE through the current NBCC/CCE exam-registration system after Board authorization. After you pass, the Board notifies you, and you pay a $150 licensing fee to receive your LGPC license.
Step 5: Accumulate Supervised Clinical Hours
As an LGPC, you can begin accruing the supervised experience required for the LCPC. You’ll need a board-approved supervisor and a signed Contract for Supervision before hours count toward your total. If you hold a master’s degree, you need at least three years and 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience; two years and 2,000 of those hours must be completed post-degree under a board-approved supervisor. Doctoral-level candidates need at least two years and 2,000 supervised clinical experience hours, with 1,000 hours acquired after the doctoral degree is awarded. Note that up to 1,000 hours from a qualifying graduate practicum may count toward the LCPC experience requirement, provided that experience included supervised clinical work.
Step 6: Apply for the LCPC
Once you’ve met the supervised experience requirement, submit an LCPC application to the Maryland Board. The application package includes three professional references (returned to you in sealed envelopes from your references), documentation of your supervised clinical hours, and a combined application and licensure fee of $350. You’ll also need a new Certificate of Completion for a Maryland Law Assessment exam. Once the Board approves your application, your LCPC license is issued.
Education Requirements
Maryland requires a graduate degree from an institution listed in the U.S. Department of Education’s Directory of Accredited Institutions. Beyond accreditation, the degree itself must meet specific content requirements set by the Maryland Board.
Master’s programs must include at least 60 graduate semester credits. Doctoral programs must include at least 90 graduate semester credits. Both must incorporate a supervised field experience (internship, practicum, externship, or clinical case conference) totaling at least 3 semester credits and including at least 125 hours of face-to-face client counseling.
The program must also include at least three semester credits in each of the following content areas:
- Human growth and personality development
- Cultural and social foundations of counseling
- Counseling techniques and theory
- Group dynamics, processing, and counseling
- Career and lifestyle development
- Appraisal, evaluation, and research
- Legal, professional, and ethical responsibilities
- Family and marriage therapy
- Drug and alcohol counseling
- Psychopathology, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders
Programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) are built around these curriculum areas. They are widely considered a practical way to meet Maryland’s requirements. That said, CACREP accreditation alone doesn’t guarantee compliance. Applicants should confirm that their specific program and transcript meet Maryland Board requirements. Many employers and supervisors prefer candidates trained in CACREP-accredited programs, so it’s worth factoring this into your program search.
Required Exams
Qualifying for either the LGPC or LCPC requires passing two exams: one national and one state-specific.
The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is a multiple-choice, computer-based exam sponsored by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and administered by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE). You register through the NBCC’s Credentialing Gateway (which has replaced the earlier ProCounselor portal) after the Maryland Board clears you to test. Detailed information about format, content, and scoring is available in the NCE Candidate Handbook on the NBCC website.
The Maryland Law Assessment covers the laws and regulations governing health occupations and professional counseling practice in the state. It’s a 36-question online exam with no failing score. Completion itself is what’s required. You can register at any time through the CCE Academy. Upon finishing, you print your Certificate of Completion and include it with your license application.
Becoming a Board-Approved Supervisor
As a licensed LCPC with at least two years of clinical practice experience, you can apply to supervise LGPCs. To qualify, you must meet one of the following:
- Three graduate semester credits of coursework in counseling supervision
- 18 continuing education hours in counseling supervision
- The NBCC’s Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential
Once you meet the criteria, submit a Supervisor Approval Form to the Maryland Board along with a $200 fee.
License Renewal
Both the LGPC and LCPC licenses expire two years from the date of issuance. The Maryland Board mails renewal reminders, and renewal is generally completed through the Board’s online renewal portal. The current renewal notice lists a $301 renewal fee. To be eligible for renewal, you must complete 40 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle.
Reciprocity and Endorsement
If you hold a current LCPC license from another state, you may be able to apply for a Maryland LCPC through endorsement. Submit the out-of-state LCPC application along with a $250 application fee and a $150 licensing fee. Maryland will evaluate whether your state’s requirements are substantially equivalent to its own. You’ll still need to complete the Maryland Law Assessment exam regardless of your existing credentials.
Counselor Salaries in Maryland
Maryland’s counseling job market is active. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Maryland earned a median annual wage of $57,820 as of May 2024, close to the national median of $59,190 for the same occupation. Nationally, employment in this field is projected to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, with roughly 48,300 openings projected per year over that decade. At the state level, Projections Central data shows Maryland employment of mental health counselors projected to grow at least 14 percent from 2022 to 2032, reflecting sustained demand driven by opioid treatment, mental health access expansion, and workforce shortages across most of the state’s counties.
| Counseling Occupation |
Maryland Median Annual Wage |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors |
$57,820 |
Salary varies by specialty, setting, and years of experience. Counselors working in private practice or in administrative or supervisory roles typically earn more than those in community-based or nonprofit settings. If you’re still weighing which specialty to pursue, our social and behavioral science education guide covers the degree pathways that lead to careers in this field.
Professional Resources
Maryland Counseling Association (MCA): The MCA is the state’s primary professional home for counselors across all practice areas, including mental health, school, career, and multicultural counseling.
Maryland School Counselor Association (MSCA): A chartered affiliate of the American School Counselor Association, the MSCA supports school counselors across the state with professional development and advocacy.
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors of Maryland (LCPCM): Focused specifically on LCPCs and LGPCs, this organization offers networking, job listings, and legislative updates. Membership is available for students, LGPCs, and LCPCs.
Maryland Association of Addiction Professionals (MAAP): For counselors specializing in addiction, MAAP tracks legislative developments and provides a community for professionals across multiple credential backgrounds.
Maryland Association of Behavioral Health Authorities (MABHA): A nonprofit made up of the state’s local behavioral health and addiction authorities, MABHA focuses on expanding access to quality behavioral health services for Maryland residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed counselor in Maryland?
At minimum, plan for about 6 years before you can qualify for the LGPC: 4 years for a bachelor’s degree and 2 for a master’s. From there, earning the LCPC requires at least three more years of supervised clinical experience, bringing the total to roughly nine years. If you’re pursuing a doctoral path, the supervised experience requirement drops to two years post-degree, but the degree itself typically takes longer.
What’s the difference between the LGPC and LCPC?
The LGPC is a supervised practice credential. You can provide clinical counseling services, but you must work under a board-approved supervisor while you accumulate the experience hours required for full licensure. The LCPC is an independent license. LCPCs may practice independently within Maryland’s scope of practice. Insurance billing rules vary by payer and should be verified separately.
Does CACREP accreditation matter for Maryland licensure?
Maryland doesn’t specifically require CACREP accreditation, but CACREP-accredited programs align with the same curriculum areas the Maryland Board requires. That said, CACREP accreditation alone doesn’t guarantee that a specific program or transcript will satisfy the Board’s review. Confirm your program’s eligibility with the Board directly. Many employers and supervisors prefer candidates from accredited programs, so it’s a practical advantage worth considering when comparing options.
Can I transfer my out-of-state counseling license to Maryland?
Yes, if you hold a current LCPC license from another state and your state’s licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to Maryland’s, you can apply for an LCPC through endorsement. You’ll still need to complete the Maryland Law Assessment exam. Out-of-state LGPC holders do not qualify for this pathway. Endorsement applies to the full independent license only.
What continuing education is required to renew my Maryland counseling license?
Both the LGPC and LCPC require 40 hours of continuing education each two-year renewal cycle. The Maryland Board mails renewal reminders. Check the Board’s website for the current renewal portal, approved CE providers, and any specialty requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland issues two counseling licenses: the LGPC for supervised practice and the LCPC for independent clinical work, including diagnosis and private practice.
- Both licenses require a graduate degree of at least 60 semester credits, a passing score on the NCE, and completion of the Maryland Law Assessment exam.
- CACREP-accredited programs may help align with Maryland’s curriculum requirements, but confirm your specific program meets Board standards before enrolling.
- Master’s-level LCPC applicants need at least three years and 3,000 supervised clinical hours, with two years and 2,000 hours completed post-degree. Doctoral-level applicants need two years and 2,000 hours, with 1,000 hours acquired post-degree.
- Out-of-state LCPCs can apply for Maryland licensure by endorsement if their state’s requirements are substantially equivalent to Maryland’s.
Ready to find a counseling program that meets Maryland’s degree requirements? Browse accredited options by location and format.
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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 2026.
