At a Glance
Texas issues the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. You’ll start as an LPC-Associate, complete 3,000 supervised hours over at least 18 months, and pass one approved national counseling exam plus the Texas Jurisprudence Exam before qualifying for full LPC licensure.
Texas employs thousands of mental health counselors, and national demand for the field is projected to grow significantly. The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (TSBEPC), a division of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), manages the licensing process. That process starts with the LPC-Associate credential, which lets you practice under supervision while you build the clinical hours needed for full licensure. Once you’ve cleared the supervised experience requirement and received Board approval, you may qualify for full LPC licensure and independent practice within the scope authorized by Texas law. The highest level, LPC-Supervisor, authorizes you to supervise LPC-Associates going through the same process.
Steps Toward Counseling Licensure in Texas
Earning the full Texas LPC license is a multi-stage process. Here’s what each step involves.
Step 1: Complete Your Graduate Degree
You’ll need a graduate degree in counseling or a counseling-related field with at least 60 semester credit hours. Programs that started before August 1, 2017, required only 48 hours, but new students must meet the 60-hour standard. If your degree is in a counseling-related discipline (social work, marriage and family therapy, psychiatry), it must include coursework in areas like human development, abnormal behavior, counseling techniques, ethics, and cultural issues. A Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited program is commonly structured around the 60-hour standard and may help prepare graduates for licensure exams. Submit official transcripts in accordance with current BHEC instructions, which generally require delivery directly from the school or another approved official source.
Step 2: Complete a Qualifying Practicum
Your graduate program must include a supervised practicum or internship of at least 300 hours, with a minimum of 100 hours of direct client contact. This is typically built into master ‘s-level counseling programs. You’ll need to document your practicum experience on the TSBEPC’s practicum verification form and include it with your LPC-Associate application.
Step 3: Pass Your National Counseling Exam
Before applying for the LPC-Associate license, you must pass one of two exams administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). The NCE uses 200 multiple-choice questions covering core counseling knowledge. The NCMHCE uses a clinical mental health counseling format focused on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Register for either exam through the NBCC’s ProCounselor portal. Once you pass, have the NBCC send your official score report directly to the TSBEPC.
Step 4: Pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam
Texas requires all counseling license applicants to pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam, which covers the Licensed Professional Counselor Act and applicable state rules. The fee is $4,0, and the exam is taken online. You’ll need to re-take this exam at every renewal cycle.
Step 5: Apply for the LPC-Associate License
Once you’ve completed your degree, practicum, national exam, and jurisprudence exam, you’re ready to apply for the LPC-Associate license. You’ll also need a qualified supervisor to complete their portion of a Supervisory Agreement form, which you submit with your application. The application fee is $190. Once your LPC-Associate license and required supervisory documentation are approved, you may begin accruing supervised hours that count toward full licensure. Texas now uses the LPC-Associate title; the older “LPC-Intern” label may appear in historical materials but should not be relied on for current applications.
Step 6: Complete Your Supervised Experience
As an LPC-Associate, you’ll need to complete 3,000 hours of supervised post-graduate experience over at least 18 months, including 1,500 hours of direct client counseling contact. Track your hours on the TSBEPC’s supervision log form. Your LPC-Associate license is valid for 60 months. If it expires before you finish, you’ll need to reapply.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Once you’ve completed the supervised experience requirement, you can apply to upgrade to the full LPC license.
Step 1: Document Your Supervised Experience
Fill out a Supervised Experience Documentation form, give it to your supervisor, and have your supervisor send it directly to the TSBEPC. This verifies that you’ve met the 3,000-hour requirement.
Step 2: Submit Your Upgrade Application
Submit all supervision-related forms along with an application to upgrade your license. Verify current upgrade procedures and any applicable fees directly through BHEC before submitting materials.
Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-Supervisor)
The LPC-Supervisor is the highest level of counseling licensure in Texas. It authorizes you to supervise LPC-Associates and requires additional experience and training beyond that of a full LPC.
Step 1: Meet the Experience Requirement
You must have held your full LPC license in good standing for at least 60 months (five years) before applying for supervisor status.
Step 2: Complete Supervisor Training
You’ll need to complete a qualifying supervisor training course and submit proof with your application. Acceptable programs include a doctoral-level course in the supervision of professional mental health and counseling services, or a 40-hour training course meeting TSBEPC requirements.
Step 3: Apply for Supervisor Recognition
Submit a licensure application for LPC-Supervisor Specialty Recognition to the TSBEPC. Once approved, the supervisor designation renews with your LPC license.
Renewing Your License
Texas LPC renewal timing depends on your license issue date and the current BHEC renewal schedule.
To renew, you’ll need to complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal period. Current requirements under Texas Admin Code §681.140 include at least 6 hours in ethics (at least 2 of which must cover Texas LPC ethics specifically) and 3 hours in cultural diversity or competency. Passing the Texas Jurisprudence Exam counts as 1 hour of ethics CE. You must also complete an HHSC-approved human trafficking prevention training course every renewal cycle. BHEC sets renewal fees and may change them. Verify the current amount before submitting your renewal. LPC-Supervisors must complete 6 additional hours in supervision per renewal cycle.
Reciprocity
If you hold an active counseling license from another state, Texas provides an application pathway that may allow certain academic or experience requirements to be reviewed differently under current BHEC rules. Your out-of-state license must be in good standing and meet Texas qualification standards.
If you’ve held a qualifying license in another state for at least two years, Texas rules may deem academic requirements (including the internship) satisfied. Still, applicants should verify current eligibility directly with BHEC. Use the current BHEC application pathway for applicants already licensed in another jurisdiction. The application fee is $200. The TSBEPC also requires:
- Official NBCC exam scores
- Proof of completion of the Texas Jurisprudence Exam
- Official academic transcripts
- Verification of equivalent supervised experience
- Official verification of your out-of-state license
Practicums and Internships
A qualifying practicum or internship is required for your LPC-Associate application. The minimum is 300 total hours, including at least 100 hours of direct client contact. This is built into most master ‘s-level counseling programs, but if your degree is in a related field, you’re responsible for ensuring your practicum meets these standards. Document your experience on the TSBEPC’s verification form and include it with your application.
Required Exams
Texas requires one national exam from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC):
NBCC examination registration and administration procedures may involve NBCC, CCE, or designated testing vendors,s depending on current exam policies. Once you pass, the NBCC sends your score report directly to the TSBEPC.
Required Education and Degrees
A graduate degree in counseling or a counseling-related field is the foundation of Texas LPC licensure. The most direct path is a master’s degree in counseling. Doctoral degrees in counseling also qualify. If your degree is in a related mental health discipline (social work, marriage and family therapy, psychiatry), it must include coursework covering at least 12 subject areas, including human growth and development, psychopathology, and counselor ethics.
A CACREP-accredited program is worth considering when comparing options. CACREP-accredited programs are structured around recognized counselor education standards and may help prepare students for licensure-related examinations. CACREP accreditation indicates that the program has met national counselor education standards, which many employers and licensing boards recognize. Applicants should confirm Texas-specific licensure alignment for their program of interest.
How Long Does It Take?
The timeline to full Texas LPC licensure varies based on educational pace, exam scheduling, completion of supervised experience, and Board processing. Generally, a master’s degree takes about two years of full-time study. The supervised experience requirement adds at least 18 months as an LPC-Associate. LPC-Supervisor status requires five additional years of full LPC experience. Most people reach full LPC licensure within 4 to 8 years of starting a bachelor’s degree, though individual paths vary.
Salary Information
Counseling salaries in Texas vary by occupation, employer, setting, region, and experience. The following figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 Texas state data.
| Counseling Occupation |
Mean Annual Wage (Texas) |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors |
$65,180 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors |
$69,940 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists |
$59,350 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
$51,980 |
Resources
Texas Counseling Association (TCA) represents school counselors, private practitioners, and counselors working with the criminal justice system. Member benefits include free subscriptions to professional publications, access to continuing education, and free telephone legal consultations.The
Lone Star State School Counselor Association (LSSSCA) focuses on expanding the professional influence of school counselors across Texas. The organization promotes ethical practice through advocacy and professional development.
Christian Counselors of Texas (CCT) has supported independent mental health care providers for over 35 years. It has local chapters across the state and is approved to offer continuing education.
Houston Licensed Professional Counselors Association (HLPCA) is state-approved to offer CE for counselors and social workers. The HLPCA has been raising public awareness of LPCs and fostering professional networking since 1990, offering free monthly programs to members.
Career Opportunities
Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) is a major state agency involved in health, behavioral health, and social service programs. It runs mental health and substance abuse divisions covering adult mental health, adult substance abuse, children’s mental health, crisis services, and youth substance abuse. LPCs fill clinical roles across these divisions.
Dallas Counseling and Treatment Center (CTC) offers counseling services at four locations in North Texas and accepts most major insurance plans. Its LPCs work alongside social workers to address substance abuse, depression, and anxiety for clients ranging from children to older people.
WTCR Programs was founded in 1986 and provides medication and counseling focused on outpatient opioid use disorder treatment. It operates offices in 10 cities,s including Plano, Odessa, Dallas, and Amarillo.
Healing Springs Ranch is a residential treatment center north of Dallas-Fort Worth serving adults in recovery from addiction, substance use, and related mental health concerns.
West Texas Counseling and Guidance is based in San Angelo and offers counseling and educational services to residents of the surrounding area. It specializes in suicide support, children’s issues related to divorce, and veterans’ mental health, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an LPC-Associate and a full LPC in Texas?
The LPC-Associate is a provisional license that lets you practice counseling under the supervision of a qualified LPC or LPC-Supervisor. Once you complete 3,000 supervised hours over at least 18 months (including 1,500 hours of direct client contact), you can apply to upgrade to the full LPC, which allows independent practice without supervision.
How many hours of supervised experience does Texas require for LPC licensure?
Texas requires 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience completed over a minimum of 18 months. At least 1,500 of those hours must be direct client counseling contact. You track your hours on the TSBEPC’s supervision log form, and your supervisor submits the completed documentation directly to the board when you’re ready to upgrade.
Does Texas accept CACREP-accredited programs for LPC licensure?
Yes. CACREP-accredited programs meet Texas’s 60-semester-hour requirement and align their curriculum with the content tested on the NCE and NCMHCE. Choosing a CACREP program isn’t required, but it simplifies the application process and is recognized by employers across the state.
How many continuing education hours do Texas LPCs need for renewal?
Texas LPCs must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years. That total must include at least 6 hours in ethics (at least 2 of which specifically cover Texas LPC ethics) and 3 hours in cultural diversity or competency. You must also pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam and complete an HHSC-approved human trafficking prevention course each renewal cycle. LPC-Supervisors need 6 additional hours in supervision.
Can I get a Texas LPC if I’m already licensed in another state?
Texas provides an application pathway for counselors already licensed in another state. Your out-of-state license must be active, in good standing, and meet Texas qualification standards. If you’ve held a qualifying license in another state for at least 2 years, Texas rules may deem academic requirements, including the internship, satisfied. Still, applicants should verify current eligibility directly with BHEC. You’ll still need to pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam and provide official transcripts, exam scores, and verification of your out-of-state license.
Key Takeaways
- Texas uses a two-step path: you start as an LPC-Associate, complete 3,000 supervised hours over at least 18 months, then upgrade to the full LPC for independent practice.
- You need to pass one NBCC exam (NCE or NCMHCE) and the Texas Jurisprudence Exam before applying for the LPC-Associate license. Both are required before you can begin accumulating supervised hours.
- CACREP-accredited programs are structured around recognized counselor education standards and may help with exam preparation and documentation. Confirm Texas-specific alignment for your program of interest.
- Renewal requires 24 CE hours every two years, including 6 in ethics and 3 in cultural diversity, plus the Jurisprudence Exam and human trafficking training each cycle.
- Texas provides an application pathway for counselors already licensed in another state. If you’ve held a qualifying license elsewhere for at least 2 years, academic requirements, including the internship, may be considered satisfied, subject to current BHEC rules.
Prospective students can compare counseling programs aligned with Texas LPC licensure requirements.
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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
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Rehabilitation Counselors represent state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
