At a Glance
Delaware licenses mental health counselors as either a Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH) or a Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (LACMH). To earn the full LPCMH, you’ll need a qualifying master’s degree, at least 3,200 supervised hours completed over two to four years, and a passing score on the NCE or NCMHCE exam. The path typically takes seven to eight years from start to finish.
Delaware counselors work under a two-tier counseling career requirements licensing system that’s worth understanding before you start the process. The LACMH is where most graduates begin. It’s a supervised practice license that lets you clock the post-master’s hours you’ll need to qualify for full licensure. Once you’ve met the experience requirement and passed the required exam, you can upgrade to the LPCMH, which authorizes independent practice. All licensing in Delaware is handled by the Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals through the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) and its online system, DELPROS.
Steps Toward Counseling Licensure in Delaware
Here’s the basic path from graduate degree to independent practice as an LPCMH:
- Earn a qualifying graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or a related field (minimum 60 semester credits from a regionally accredited institution)
- Apply for the LACMH license and begin accruing supervised counseling hours under an approved supervisor
- Complete at least 3,200 total hours of supervised experience over a minimum of two years (but no more than four)
- Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), both sponsored by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
- Apply through your DELPROS account to upgrade from LACMH to LPCMH
All applications are submitted and tracked through your DELPROS account. You’ll upload transcripts, supervision verification forms, exam scores, and background check authorization through the same system.
Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (LACMH)
The LACMH is your entry point into supervised clinical practice in Delaware. You’ll hold this license while completing the post-master’s experience required for full LPCMH licensure.
Step 1: Meet the Education Requirement
Earn a qualifying graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or a related field from a regionally accredited institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The most straightforward path is a CACREP-accredited master’s program with at least 60 semester credits. If your degree is in a related field, is fewer than 60 credits (but at least 30), or is not CACREP-accredited, you’ll need to submit an Evaluation of Coursework form with your application showing your program covered all eight required core areas. Have your school send official transcripts directly to the DPR.
Step 2: Find a Supervisor and Establish a Supervision Plan
Before you can apply for the LACMH, you need a supervisor and a documented plan for accruing your required hours. Your primary supervisor must be an LPCMH in good standing. If an LPCMH isn’t available, the Board may approve a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Psychologist, Advanced Practice Nurse, or psychiatrist with clinical expertise relevant to your training. You’ll submit separate supervision plan forms for general supervision hours and direct supervision hours as part of your LACMH application. For full supervisor qualification details, refer to the DPR’s counseling experience requirements page.
Step 3: Apply for the LACMH
Submit your application through your DELPROS account and upload your supervision plans. The application fee is $272. All fees are processed through DELPROS. Once approved, you can begin accruing your supervised hours toward LPCMH eligibility.
Renewing the LACMH
Your LACMH license expires two years from the date it was issued. You can renew it through DELPROS, and you can only renew twice, meaning the LACMH phase of your career spans a maximum of six years. There are no continuing education requirements for the LACMH. The renewal fee is confirmed at the time you renew through DELPROS.
Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH)
The LPCMH authorizes independent practice. Once you have it, you can work without supervision, open a private practice, and supervise others working toward licensure.
Step 1: Complete the Supervised Experience Requirement
You must complete at least 3,200 total hours of mental health counseling services, spanning a period of no fewer than two and no more than four consecutive years. Of those 3,200 hours, at least 1,600 must be supervised clinical counseling experience, including at least 1,500 hours of face-to-face direct client counseling and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision with your supervisor. At least 60 of those supervision hours must be individual (one-on-one), and up to 40 can be in a group setting (with no more than six supervisees per group session). The remaining 1,600 hours can be verified through professional employment or self-employment using the appropriate DELPROS verification forms. Full details are on the DPR’s post-master’s counseling experience requirements page.
Step 2: Pass the Required Exam
Delaware accepts the NCE or the NCMHCE, both administered through the NBCC. You can register at any time through the NBCC’s ProCounselor portal. No prior authorization from the DPR is required. Designate the DPR as a score recipient when you register. The NCE is a 200-question multiple-choice exam covering the core competency areas from your graduate program. You’ll have three hours and 45 minutes to complete it.
Step 3: Apply to Upgrade to LPCMH
Once your hours and exam score are in order, apply to upgrade your LACMH to an LPCMH through DELPROS. The upgrade fee is $55 per the DPR fee schedule.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Counselor in Delaware?
Plan on seven to eight years from the start of your undergraduate education to the LPCMH. Four years for a bachelor’s degree, two years for a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and then a minimum of two additional years to complete the supervised experience requirement as an LACMH. Some counselors take longer, depending on how quickly they accumulate hours and when they sit for the exam.
Renewing the LPCMH
LPCMH licenses expire on September 30 of even-numbered years. To renew, you must attest to completing 40 hours of continuing education during the licensure period. As of March 2023, at least three of those CE hours must specifically cover cultural inclusion, equity, and diversity, a change the Board made permanent beginning with the October 2022 renewal cycle, per the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals. The renewal fee is confirmed through DELPROS at the time you renew.
Required Education
The most direct path is a CACREP-accredited master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with at least 60 semester credits from a CHEA-recognized regionally accredited institution. Graduates of CACREP-accredited programs don’t need to submit the Evaluation of Coursework form.
If your degree doesn’t meet that standard (it’s in a related field, it’s fewer than 60 credits but at least 30, or it’s not CACREP-accredited) you can still qualify. You’ll complete the Evaluation of Coursework form and provide course descriptions showing your program covers these eight core areas:
- Program evaluation and research
- Testing and assessment
- Group work and group counseling
- Counseling and helping relationships
- Career development
- Human growth and development
- Cultural and social diversity
- Professional counseling orientation and ethical practice
Required Exam
Delaware accepts the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), both sponsored by the NBCC. You register directly through the NBCC’s Credentialing Gateway. No pre-authorization from the DPR is needed. When you register, designate the DPR as a score recipient so your results go directly to the Board.
The NCE is a 200-question multiple-choice exam administered at a Pearson VUE test center or via online proctoring. It covers the core competency areas from your graduate program. The testing time is three hours and 45 minutes, plus 15 minutes for the NDA agreement and tutorial. More information is available in the NCE Candidate Handbook on the NBCC website.
Reciprocity and the Counseling Compact
If you’re already licensed as a professional counselor in another state, Delaware offers two paths to licensure without starting over.
Reciprocity by endorsement: If you’ve held an equivalent license in good standing for at least five years in any one jurisdiction, you can apply for LPCMH licensure by reciprocity. Have your out-of-state licensing board send verification directly to the DPR. If you’ve been licensed for fewer than five years, your out-of-state requirements must be substantially similar to Delaware’s. You’ll submit copies of the licensing laws and regulations from each state where you hold a license. The application fee for LPCMH licensure by reciprocity is $272 and is submitted through DELPROS.
Counseling Compact: Delaware has enacted the Counseling Compact legislation, which allows eligible licensed counselors in member states to practice in other participating states without obtaining a separate license. The Compact launched operationally in September 2025, with additional states continuing to activate over time. If Delaware is fully operational in the Compact when you apply, eligible counselors may be able to provide services across state lines without a separate Delaware license. Check counselingcompact.gov for current implementation status, as participating states continue to come online.
Salary Information
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks counseling salaries nationally and by state. According to May 2024 BLS data, here’s what counselors in mental health counseling careers in Delaware-relevant occupation categories earn at the national level:
| Occupation |
National Median Annual Wage (May 2024) |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors |
$59,190 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors |
$71,520 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
$47,330 |
Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS projects approximately 48,300 openings per year in this category through 2034, driven by the continued need for mental health and addiction services.
Career Opportunities
Delaware has a range of employers for licensed counselors across behavioral health, addiction treatment, and community services.
Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH): Part of the state’s Department of Health and Social Services, DSAMH funds and administers crisis intervention services, substance abuse treatment centers, psychiatric centers, and community services providers. It’s one of the most common employers for LACMHs and LPCMHs in the state.
ChristianaCare: This not-for-profit health system operates hospitals, clinics, and urgent care facilities across Delaware. Its Behavioral Health Services division provides both advanced treatment options and traditional mental health counseling, with a team that includes counselors, behavioral specialists, and other licensed professionals.
Brandywine Counseling and Community Services: With multiple offices across the state, Brandywine runs treatment centers for substance use disorders, outpatient counseling programs for adolescents, and family counseling services. Counselors focused on addiction may also want to review substance abuse counselor certification in Delaware, which covers a separate credential path through the Delaware Certification Board.
Family Counseling Center of St. Paul’s: This Wilmington-based nonprofit provides mental health and counseling services to a wide range of clients, including Spanish-speaking populations. Its team includes LPCMHs, clinical social workers, and case managers.
Dover Behavioral Health System: With locations in Dover and Sussex, this organization offers tailored programs for veterans, active military, children, adolescents, and adults, ranging from inpatient care and detox to outpatient services.
Resources
Mental Health Association (MHA) in Delaware
Provides advocacy, education, and support for mental health professionals and the communities they serve. Hosts wellness groups, professional resources, conferences, and summits.
Delaware School Counselor Association (DSCA)
Supports advocacy from the building level up to the state legislature. Offers scholarships, awards, and professional networking through conferences and meetings.
Delaware Association for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (DAADAC)
A local affiliate of its national parent organization. Provides links to certification programs, national networking events, and updates on laws and regulations in the addiction counseling field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an LACMH and an LPCMH in Delaware?
The LACMH (Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health) is a supervised practice license for counselors who are accumulating the post-master’s hours required for full licensure. The LPCMH (Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health) is the independent practice license. It authorizes you to work without supervision, open a private practice, and supervise others. You must hold the LACMH before you can qualify for the LPCMH.
How many supervised hours does Delaware require for the LPCMH?
Delaware requires a total of 3,200 hours of mental health counseling services, completed over a minimum of two years and a maximum of four. At least 1,600 of those hours must be supervised clinical counseling experience, including 1,500 hours of face-to-face direct client work and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision with your supervisor. The remaining 1,600 hours can come from professional employment.
Which exam does Delaware require for counseling licensure?
Delaware accepts either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), both administered by the NBCC. You can register at any time without prior DPR authorization. Designate the DPR as a score recipient when you register so your results go directly to the Board.
Does Delaware have reciprocity for out-of-state counselors?
Yes. If you’ve held a comparable license in good standing for at least five years in another jurisdiction, you can apply for LPCMH licensure by reciprocity through DELPROS. If you’ve been licensed for fewer than five years, your out-of-state requirements must be substantially similar to Delaware’s. Delaware has also enacted the Counseling Compact, which is designed to allow eligible licensed counselors to practice across member states without obtaining a separate state license. Check counselingcompact.gov for current implementation status, as states are continuing to come online.
How many continuing education hours does Delaware require to renew an LPCMH?
LPCMH licenses renew on September 30 of even-numbered years and require 40 hours of approved continuing education per licensure period. As of March 2023, at least three of those hours must specifically cover cultural inclusion, equity, and diversity. There are no CE requirements for the LACMH.
Key Takeaways
- Delaware uses a two-tier system: the LACMH for supervised practice and the LPCMH for independent practice. You must hold the LACMH before you can qualify for the LPCMH.
- The LPCMH requires 3,200 total supervised hours over two to four years, a passing NCE or NCMHCE score, and an approved master’s degree of at least 60 semester credits.
- The full path from bachelor’s degree to LPCMH typically takes seven to eight years, with the supervised experience phase taking a minimum of two years.
- Delaware has enacted the Counseling Compact, which is designed to allow eligible licensed counselors to practice across member states without separate state licenses. Check counselingcompact.gove for the current implementation status as states continue to activate.
- All applications and documentation are handled through DELPROS, the DPR’s online licensing portal.
Ready to find a counseling program that meets Delaware’s licensure requirements? Browse accredited options by state and compare programs that fit your 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
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors, and Rehabilitation Counselors represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
