At a Glance
To get a Utah counseling license, you’ll earn a qualifying graduate degree, apply for an Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor (ACMHC) license through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience over at least two years, pass the NCMHCE exam, and apply for full CMHC licensure.
Utah regulates multiple counseling credentials through DOPL, including the ACMHC supervised credential and the CMHC independent licensure pathway. The CMHC is the full license for independent practice. The ACMHC is a supervised pre-licensure credential used while completing post-graduate clinical experience requirements. There’s also a third credential, the ACMHC Extern, for candidates who need to complete coursework gaps before qualifying for the ACMHC. The Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), part of the Utah Department of Commerce, issues all three. If you’re also exploring how the CMHC compares to credentials in other states, our guide to the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) covers how that pathway works nationally.
Steps to Counseling Licensure in Utah
The timeline to full CMHC licensure varies depending on educational pace, completion of supervision, and employment circumstances. The path has four main phases.
Step 1: Earn a Qualifying Graduate Degree
You’ll need a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical mental health counseling or a closely related field. CACREP-accredited programs are generally recognized as meeting Utah’s educational standards for counseling licensure. Non-CACREP programs are also eligible if they meet DOPL’s coursework and practicum standards and come from a school accredited by a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized body.
Step 2: Apply for Your ACMHC License
Once you’ve completed your degree, you’ll submit an application and official transcripts to the DOPL. Certain CACREP graduates may qualify for streamlined ACMHC eligibility under current DOPL rules. Examination requirements vary depending on degree type and educational pathway. The application fee is $85.
Step 3: Complete Supervised Experience as an ACMHC
With your ACMHC license in hand, you’ll accrue a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical mental health counseling experience over at least two years. Minimum direct client care and supervision requirements depend on the applicant’s licensure timeline and current DOPL standards. Your supervisor must hold a qualifying Utah license, such as a CMHC, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), psychologist, or clinical social worker.
Step 4: Pass the NCMHCE and Apply for CMHC Licensure
Before you can apply for full licensure, you’ll need to pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), administered through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). You’ll also need to complete a two-hour suicide prevention training course. Once those are done, you can submit your CMHC application to the DOPL along with your supervisor’s verification of completed hours. The application fee is $120.
Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor (ACMHC)
The ACMHC license is your entry into supervised practice in Utah. Here’s what the application process looks like.
Step 1: Meet the Education Requirement
You’ll need a qualifying graduate degree in counseling or a related field. CACREP-accredited programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Counselor Education automatically satisfy this requirement. If you completed a non-CACREP program, your degree must come from a CHEA-accredited institution and include coursework in specific content areas, including human growth and development, group work, cultural and social diversity, testing and assessment, and ethical practice. Your school will send official transcripts directly to the DOPL.
Step 2: Complete the Practicum or Internship
Your graduate program must include a qualifying supervised clinical training component. CACREP-accredited programs are generally recognized as meeting Utah’s practicum and internship requirements. Non-CACREP programs must demonstrate a total of 700 hours of supervised clinical training, with at least 240 of those hours in direct client therapy. If you’re short on practicum or internship hours, you can apply for the ACMHC Extern designation and make up the deficiency under supervision.
Step 3: Satisfy the Exam Requirement (if applicable)
Whether you need an exam depends on your degree type. Some CACREP graduates may qualify for ACMHC licensure without additional pre-licensure examination requirements. Graduates of rehabilitation counseling programs and some others may need to pass one or both of the following NBCC exams: the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Check the current DOPL requirements for your specific degree type before applying.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Apply for your ACMHC license through the DOPL online or by paper. The processing fee is $85. Once the DOPL approves your application, you’ll receive your ACMHC license and can begin accruing supervised hours toward CMHC licensure. Applicants should verify current ACMHC renewal and expiration rules directly with DOPL.
Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC)
Once you’ve accumulated your supervised hours, you’re ready to apply for full CMHC licensure. Utah administrative materials may reference both CMHC and LCMHC terminology in certain contexts.
Step 1: Complete the Supervised Experience Requirement
You must complete at least 3,000 hours of clinical mental health counseling experience after earning your graduate degree. These hours are accrued while you’re licensed as an ACMHC. Supervision requirements may vary based on the effective date of the applicant’s ACMHC credential. Check the DOPL’s current CMHC page for the requirements that apply to your license date. The entire 3,000-hour period must span at least two years, and your supervisor completes the verification paperwork once you finish.
Step 2: Pass the NCMHCE
If you haven’t already, you’ll need to pass the NCMHCE before applying for your CMHC. You can register through NBCC’s ProCounselor portal without pre-approval from DOPL. The NCMHCE uses 10 clinical simulation scenarios to evaluate your ability to assess, diagnose, and develop treatment plans. Once you pass, the NBCC sends your scores directly to the DOPL.
Step 3: Complete Suicide Prevention Training
You’ll need to complete a two-hour suicide prevention course before applying. This can be completed at any point during your supervised experience period, so you don’t need to wait until the end. Many ACMHC supervisors incorporate it into their supervision process.
Step 4: Submit Your CMHC Application
Apply for your CMHC license through the DOPL online or by paper, with a $120 processing fee. Your application should include your supervisor’s completed verification of post-graduate supervised experience. Once the DOPL approves your application, you’re licensed to practice clinical mental health counseling independently throughout Utah.
Education Requirements
There are three pathways to satisfy the education requirement for ACMHC licensure in Utah, all requiring a graduate degree.
The two most straightforward paths use CACREP-accredited programs. You can earn a CACREP-accredited graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Counselor Education, or a CACREP-accredited graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Utah has programs in both categories. CACREP accreditation automatically satisfies the practicum requirement and, for most applicants, eliminates the pre-ACMHC exam requirement.
The third path is a non-CACREP graduate degree in a field equivalent to counseling, from a CHEA-recognized institution. If you go this route, your program must include a qualifying practicum or internship. It must cover specific content areas, including appraisal of DSM psychopathological and maladaptive behavior, substance-related disorders, helping and counseling relationships, career development, and ethical practice. If any area is missing, you can apply for the ACMHC Extern license and make up the gap.
The ACMHC Extern pathway may be available for applicants with educational deficiencies under current DOPL rules. It’s valid for up to three years and allows limited supervised practice while you fill the educational deficiency.
Required Exams
The exams required depend on your degree type. Both exams are administered via the NBCC’s ProCounselor portal.
The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is a multiple-choice test covering counseling theory, group work, human development, career counseling, assessment, research, and ethics. The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) uses 10 clinical simulations to assess your ability to evaluate and treat clients. You’ll have at least three hours to complete either exam.
Graduates of CACREP-accredited programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Counselor Education generally aren’t required to take the NCE to obtain their ACMHC. Current Utah CMHC licensure standards generally require passage of the NCMHCE. If you’re unsure which exams apply to your degree, confirm with the DOPL before registering.
Renewing Your CMHC License
CMHC licenses expire on September 30 of even-numbered years. DOPL provides renewal notifications in accordance with current administrative procedures. You can renew online or by mail with a $93 fee.
Each renewal cycle requires 40 hours of continuing education. Of those, six hours must be in ethics or law, and two hours must be in suicide prevention. The Utah Administrative Code outlines approved continuing education categories.
Reciprocity and Endorsement
Utah primarily evaluates out-of-state counselors through endorsement and equivalency review pathways. To qualify, you’ll need to hold an active, equivalent out-of-state license and document at least 3,000 hours of qualifying practice, including 1,000 hours of direct mental health counseling.
Your application will need to include official verification of your out-of-state license from your home state’s licensing board, a completed Verification of Active Practice form from any employers covering that experience, and official transcripts confirming your qualifying education. The application fee is $120.
Utah participates in the Counseling Compact, subject to current implementation rules and eligibility standards. If you hold a full CMHC or LCMHC license in Utah, you may be eligible for a Compact privilege. Visit the Counseling Compact Commission for current member states and eligibility details.
Salary and Employment Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks mental health counselors under the occupation category Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. Nationally, the median annual wage for this group was $59,190 in May 2024, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,090, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,210.
Employment growth for this occupation is projected at 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, which the BLS classifies as much faster than the average for all occupations. That translates to approximately 48,300 new job openings per year over the decade, driven largely by expanded demand for mental health and addiction treatment services. Recent labor statistics indicate Utah counselor wages may exceed national medians in some counseling categories.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Wage |
Projected Growth (2024–2034) |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors |
$59,190 |
17% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024. National figures.
Professional Resources
Utah Mental Health Counselors Association (UMHCA): UMHCA provides advocacy, networking, and continuing education resources for counseling professionals in Utah.
Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (RMACES): Useful for finding approved supervisors and understanding education requirements. RMACES hosts an annual conference and continuing education opportunities.
Utah School Counselor Association (USCA): Focused on school counselors, the USCA supports professional development, counselor advocacy, and recognition programs for those working in K-12 settings.
Association of Utah Substance Abuse Professionals (AUSAP): The state affiliate for substance abuse professionals, offering certification resources and a direct link between practitioners and state policy makers.
Career Opportunities
Utah Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Part of the Utah Department of Human Services, this agency funds and oversees treatment programs throughout the state. Many ACMHCs and CMHCs begin their supervised hours with state-contracted programs affiliated with this department.
Valley Behavioral Health: With locations across the Wasatch Front and a range of outpatient, residential, and crisis services, Valley Behavioral Health is one of Utah’s largest behavioral health employers. It serves clients from children and adolescents to adults in the criminal justice system.
Wasatch Behavioral Health: a longstanding community mental health provider serving Utah and Wasatch Counties. It offers individual therapy, group programs, and crisis intervention for all age groups.
Utah Behavior Services: With treatment centers in six Utah cities, the organization staffs a multidisciplinary team of CMHCs, clinical social workers, applied behavior analysts, and nurse practitioners. It focuses on autism, behavioral health, mental health, and social skills development.
Intermountain Health: One of the largest health systems in the Intermountain West, Intermountain employs CMHCs across its hospitals and outpatient clinics. Its behavioral health division includes inpatient psychiatric programs, outpatient counseling, and crisis services at multiple locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a CMHC license in Utah?
Plan on roughly eight to ten years total. That includes four years for a bachelor’s degree, two to three years for a qualifying master’s degree, and at least 2 years to accumulate the 3,000 supervised hours required for CMHC licensure. The supervised experience phase can’t be completed in less than 2 years, regardless of how quickly you accrue hours.
Do I need to take any exams to get my ACMHC license?
It depends on your degree type. Graduates of CACREP-accredited programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Counselor Education generally don’t need to pass an exam to obtain the ACMHC. Graduates of rehabilitation counseling programs or non-CACREP degrees may have additional exam requirements. Check directly with the DOPL to confirm what applies to your specific situation before applying.
Can I transfer my out-of-state counseling license to Utah?
Utah doesn’t have formal reciprocity agreements with other states, but it does grant licensure by endorsement on a case-by-case basis. You’ll need to document equivalent education, hold an active out-of-state license, and show at least 3,000 hours of qualifying clinical practice. Utah is also a member of the Counseling Compact, which offers a separate pathway for eligible licensed counselors to practice in member states.
What’s the difference between an ACMHC and a CMHC in Utah?
The ACMHC is a supervised practice credential. It allows you to work as a counselor under the oversight of a qualifying licensed supervisor while you build the post-graduate clinical hours required for full licensure. The CMHC (also referred to as LCMHC in some contexts) is the full license that lets you practice independently without supervision anywhere in Utah.
What is the ACMHC Extern license?
The ACMHC Extern is a temporary credential for candidates who have a graduate degree but haven’t yet fulfilled all the education requirements to qualify for the ACMHC. It’s valid for up to three years and allows limited supervised practice while you complete the missing coursework or practicum hours. It’s most commonly used by out-of-state graduates whose programs didn’t cover all required content areas under Utah’s rules.
Key Takeaways
- Utah issues three mental health counseling credentials: the ACMHC Extern, the ACMHC, and the full CMHC (also called LCMHC), all administered by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).
- The CMHC is Utah’s primary independent clinical mental health counseling license. Getting there requires a qualifying graduate degree, an ACMHC license, 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least two years, the NCMHCE exam, and a two-hour suicide prevention training.
- Graduates of CACREP-accredited programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Counselor Education have the most streamlined path, with no pre-ACMHC exam requirement and automatic satisfaction of the practicum requirement.
- Utah is a member of the Counseling Compact, which allows eligible licensed CMHCs to practice in other member states without obtaining a separate license in each.
- Recent BLS projections indicate faster-than-average national growth for mental health counseling occupations, with a national median annual wage of $59,190 as of May 2024.
Prospective students can compare counseling programs aligned with Utah 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
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors represent national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.
