At a Glance
To get a Mississippi counselor license, you’ll need a qualifying graduate degree (at least 60 semester credits), pass the NCE exam, complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience as a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC), then pass the NCMHCE to earn full LPC status. The full process often takes about 7.5 years, assuming a four-year bachelor’s degree, a two-year graduate program, and completion of supervised post-master’s experience in a minimum 18-month timeframe.
Mississippi’s independent professional counseling license is the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Getting there is a two-stage process. You’ll first hold a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC) credential while you build the supervised clinical hours the state requires. You can read more about this in our mental health counseling career overview. Once you’ve completed those hours and passed a second national exam, the State Board grants full LPC status, which lets you practice independently. Qualified LPCs may later seek LPC-S supervisor status.
The Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors oversees all three credential levels: P-LPC, LPC, and Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S). Everything from applications to renewals runs through the State Board’s online portal.
Steps to Counselor Licensure in Mississippi
Licensure in Mississippi follows a clear sequence. Here’s the path from graduate training to independent practice:
- Earn a qualifying graduate degree from a CACREP-accredited or approved counseling program
- Pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam
- Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE)
- Apply for and receive your P-LPC credential
- Complete 3,000 hours of supervised post-master’s experience over at least 18 months
- Pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
- Apply for full LPC licensure
Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC)
The P-LPC is the working credential you’ll hold while completing the supervised experience required for full licensure. As a P-LPC, you can provide counseling services, but you can’t practice independently. You must work under a State Board-approved LPC-S at all times.
P-LPC Requirements
Step 1: Complete Your Graduate Degree
Fulfill the education requirement with a qualifying graduate degree of at least 60 semester credits. Have your school send official transcripts directly to the State Board when you’re ready to apply.
Step 2: Pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam
Before applying for your P-LPC, you’ll need to pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam. This exam covers Mississippi-specific laws and board rules governing the practice of counseling. Confirm the current passing score and registration process directly with the State Board before scheduling, as these requirements may be updated.
Step 3: Pass the NCE
Register with the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and pass it. You don’t need prior authorization from the State Board to register for the NCE. Once you’ve passed, have your scores sent to the State Board.
Step 4: Find a Supervisor and File a Declaration of Practice
Locate an LPC-S who will supervise your clinical work during the P-LPC phase. The State Board maintains a list of approved supervisors on its website. Complete a Declaration of Practice with your supervisor before submitting your application.
Step 5: Apply for P-LPC Licensure
Submit your P-LPC application online through the State Board’s portal. The application fee is $50. Once your account is created, you’ll need to upload your Declaration of Practice, complete a Supervision Contract and Supervisor Agreement with your LPC-S, and request a fingerprint card to complete a background check through the Mississippi Criminal Information Center (MCIC). The fingerprint fee is $50.
Renewing Your P-LPC
Your P-LPC license renews annually by June 30 and can be renewed up to four years. Any time beyond four years requires a special extension from the State Board. The renewal fee is $50. Each renewal requires six hours of continuing education, including two hours in ethics, plus a status update and an updated Declaration of Practice.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Full LPC status allows you to practice independently without supervision. You’ll apply for LPC candidacy through your State Board online account once you’ve completed your supervised hours and been cleared to sit for the NCMHCE.
LPC Requirements
Step 1: Complete 3,000 Supervised Hours
As a P-LPC, you’ll accumulate 3,000 post-master’s hours of supervised clinical counseling experience over a minimum of 18 months. At least 1,200 of those hours must be direct client contact, and the maximum you can log per week is 25 direct-service hours. You’ll also need at least 100 hours of individual face-to-face supervision, with up to 50 of those hours earned in group supervision (at a 2:1 ratio). Track your progress through your online State Board account.
Step 2: Apply for LPC Candidacy and Pass the NCMHCE
Once you’ve completed your supervised experience, log into your State Board account and apply for LPC Candidacy. The State Board must pre-approve you before you can register with the NBCC for the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). After the State Board clears you, the NBCC will notify you that you’re eligible to test. Pass the exam and have your results sent to the State Board.
Step 3: Apply for Full LPC Licensure
Submit your LPC application online through the State Board portal. The application fee is $100. Once approved, the State Board will issue your LPC license.
Renewing Your LPC
Your LPC license expires every 2 years on June 30. The renewal fee is $220, and you can renew through your online State Board account. You’ll need to complete 24 hours of continuing education per renewal period, with at least six hours in counseling ethics or legal issues. Every six years, a fingerprint background check is required as part of renewal.
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S)
The LPC-S designation is for experienced LPCs who want to supervise P-LPCs. It’s a State Board-approved credential, not a separate license, and you’ll apply for it through your existing online account.
LPC-S Requirements
Step 1: Accumulate Five Years of Mental Health Counseling Experience
You need five years of post-licensure mental health counseling practice. At least two of those years must be completed after you’ve earned your full LPC.
Step 2: Complete Supervision Training
Fulfill one of these three options: complete a graduate-level course of at least three semester credits in counseling supervision, complete a workshop of at least 45 hours on counseling supervision, or earn an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential from the NBCC.
Step 3: Submit Supporting Materials
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae and a statement of your supervision philosophy to the State Board. You’ll also need to be a member of a professional counseling organization.
Step 4: Apply for LPC-S Status
Log in to your State Board account, navigate to “General Registration,” and select “New LPCS Application.” The application fee is $50. Once approved, your name will be added to the State Board’s list of approved LPC-S supervisors.
Renewing Your LPC-S
Your LPC-S credential renews concurrently with your LPC license every two years. The renewal fee is $50, and you’ll need two hours of continuing education in supervision each renewal period.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Counselor in Mississippi?
Most people plan on six years before they can even apply for their first counseling credential: four years for a bachelor’s degree and two for a qualifying master’s. Add the supervised experience requirement, and the full journey looks like this:
| Credential |
Estimated Time |
| Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC) |
~6 years |
| Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) |
~7.5 years |
| Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) |
~11 years |
Reciprocity and the Counseling Compact
Mississippi doesn’t have formal reciprocity agreements with other states, but there are two paths available if you’re already licensed elsewhere.
Licensure by comity is available if your out-of-state LPC requirements were substantially equivalent to Mississippi’s. You must have been licensed for at least five years, with your license in good standing and no complaints or disciplinary actions on record. Apply through the State Board’s online portal. You’ll need three character and professional references, and you’ll also need to pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Exam, administered through the CCE.
The Counseling Compact is a more recent option. Mississippi joined the compact in 2022 through House Bill 1056. The Compact is designed to facilitate interstate practice and improve public access to counseling services. Eligible LPCs in compact-member states may seek compact practice privileges, subject to the Compact Commission’s rules and each state’s implementation requirements.
Required Exams
Mississippi applicants should follow the State Board’s current instructions for NCE and NCMHCE registration and score reporting. Here’s how the two exams differ in format and purpose:
| Exam |
Required For |
Format |
| NCE (National Counselor Examination) |
P-LPC license |
200 multiple-choice questions, 3 hrs 45 min |
| NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination) |
Full LPC license |
10 clinical simulations, 3 hours |
You can register for the NCE as soon as you’ve completed your graduate degree, with no State Board pre-approval needed. The NCMHCE is different: you must be a P-LPC, complete your supervised experience hours, apply for LPC Candidacy through the State Board, and receive clearance before registering with the NBCC. Both exams are computer-based and taken at a local testing center. Always confirm current registration instructions with the State Board before scheduling either exam.
Required Education
To qualify for any level of counselor licensure in Mississippi, your graduate degree must be at least 60 semester credits. It needs to come from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), or from a program with “Counseling” in its title that meets specific course requirements.
CACREP-accredited programs are understood to automatically satisfy Mississippi’s coursework and practicum requirements. If your program isn’t CACREP-accredited, it must be regionally accredited and include at least one three-credit course in each of the following areas:
- Counseling theories and skills
- Human growth and development
- Social and cultural foundations
- Group counseling
- Career and lifestyle development
- Appraisal and testing
- Research and program evaluation
- Professional orientation and ethics
- Psychopathology and diagnosis
- Marriage and family counseling
- Substance abuse counseling
Mississippi has CACREP-accredited counseling programs at the master’s and doctoral levels. Because accreditation listings change, prospective students should verify current program status directly with CACREP before enrolling.
Counselor Salary in Mississippi
Counselor salaries in Mississippi vary considerably by specialty. Mental health and substance abuse counselors, the specialty most aligned with LPC practice, earn a mean annual wage of $54,120 in Mississippi, according to May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nationally, employment in this field is projected to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, which BLS classifies as much faster than average.
| Occupation |
Mississippi Mean Annual Wage |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors |
$54,120 |
| Occupation |
National Median Annual Wage |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors |
$71,520 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists |
$72,720 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
$65,100 |
Mississippi-specific BLS wage data is published separately for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. National median figures are shown for other counseling occupations where state-specific data was not separately available.
Practicums and Internships
Your graduate program must include a supervised practicum or internship of at least three semester credits in a clinical setting. This requirement is automatically satisfied by CACREP-accredited programs. If your program isn’t CACREP-accredited, verify that the practicum meets the State Board’s requirements before you enroll.
Resources
Mississippi Counseling Association (MCA): The MCA brings together counselors from across specialties through 10 regional chapters and nine divisions, including the Mississippi Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors (MACES) and the Mississippi Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development (MAMCD). Founded in 1950, it’s the state’s primary professional home for counselors at all levels.
Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselors Association (MLPCA): A division of the MCA, the MLPCA focuses specifically on the development and recognition of professional counseling practice in Mississippi. It offers scholarships, continuing education, annual conferences, and legislative advocacy for LPCs.
Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals (MAAP): For counselors working in substance abuse and chemical dependency, MAAP offers education, training, and its own certification program covering alcohol and drug counselors, prevention specialists, and criminal justice addictions professionals. If your practice focuses on addiction, see our guide to substance abuse counseling certification in Mississippi.
Mental Health Association of South Mississippi: Founded in 1963, this organization distributes state and federal mental health grants across South Mississippi and advocates for mental health services at the community level.
Career Opportunities
Mississippi has a well-developed network of mental health employers across the state. The Mississippi Department of Mental Health operates a network of regional community mental health centers and serves residents affected by substance abuse, mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and crisis situations. Verify current provider counts and locations with DMH directly. Coastal Family Health Center offers behavioral health services at multiple Gulf Coast locations, including Gulfport and Biloxi. Confirm current site counts directly with the provider.
Private practices and faith-based providers are also active in the state. Grace Christian Counseling Center operates from offices in Vicksburg, Port Gibson, and Canton, with a team that includes P-LPCs, LPCs, and LPC-Ss. Imagine Behavioral Health in Jackson focuses on psychiatric illness, substance addiction, and mood and behavior disorders. Gateway Behavioral Health Services offers group therapy, family therapy, substance abuse treatment, and crisis intervention, with a partial hospitalization program for clients who need more support than outpatient settings can provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an LPC in Mississippi?
From a bachelor’s degree, plan on roughly 7.5 years to reach full LPC status: four years for an undergraduate degree, two years for a qualifying master’s, and at least 18 months of supervised P-LPC experience. Passing two national exams (the NCE and NCMHCE) is also required along the way.
Do I need a CACREP-accredited degree to get an LPC in Mississippi?
Not necessarily, but it’s the most straightforward path. Programs with “Counseling” in their title that meet specific course requirements from a regionally accredited institution can also qualify. CACREP-accredited programs automatically satisfy Mississippi’s coursework and practicum requirements, which makes the application process simpler.
What’s the difference between a P-LPC and an LPC in Mississippi?
A P-LPC is a provisional credential that allows you to practice counseling only under the supervision of a State Board-approved LPC-S. A full LPC has completed the supervised experience requirement and passed the NCMHCE, which means they can practice independently without supervision.
Can I transfer my LPC from another state to Mississippi?
Mississippi doesn’t have reciprocity agreements, but you may qualify for licensure by comity if you’ve held an equivalent license in good standing for at least five years and your original licensing requirements were substantially equivalent to Mississippi’s. Mississippi also joined the Counseling Compact in 2022 (House Bill 1056). Eligible LPCs in compact-member states may seek compact practice privileges, subject to the Compact Commission’s rules and each state’s implementation requirements.
How much does it cost to get an LPC in Mississippi?
Application fees include $50 for the P-LPC license, $50 for the fingerprint background check, and $100 for the full LPC application. You’ll also pay exam registration fees to the NBCC for both the NCE and NCMHCE. Ongoing costs include annual P-LPC renewal at $50 per year and biennial LPC renewal at $220.
Key Takeaways
- Mississippi uses a two-stage system. You’ll hold a P-LPC credential while completing 3,000 supervised hours, then apply for full LPC status after passing the NCMHCE.
- The Jurisprudence Exam is required before your P-LPC application, not just for out-of-state applicants. Confirm the current passing score and registration process directly with the State Board before scheduling.
- CACREP-accredited programs automatically satisfy Mississippi’s course and practicum requirements, which makes the application process significantly smoother.
- Mississippi joined the Counseling Compact in 2022 (House Bill 1056). Eligible LPCs in compact-member states may seek compact practice privileges, subject to the Compact Commission’s rules and each state’s requirements.
- Mental health and substance abuse counselors in Mississippi earn a mean annual wage of $54,120, with national employment projected to grow 17% through 2034 (BLS, May 2024).
Ready to start your path toward counselor licensure in Mississippi? Browse accredited counseling programs that match your schedule and 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
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.
