Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

• Electronic Transcripts

Business and Professions Code § 4999.33 specifies minimum degree requirements for the following applicants:

• Applicants who began graduate study on or after August 1, 2012; OR
• Applicants who began graduate study before August 1, 2012, AND did not graduate on or before December 31, 2018.

Business and Professions Code § 4999.32 specifies minimum degree requirements for the following applicants:

• Applicants who began graduate study before August 1, 2012 and graduated on or before December 31, 2018.

See the “Schools with LPCC Programs” drop down for a list of California schools, as well as online schools offering a degree designed to meet California's requirements.

Applicants cannot accrue supervised experience in California without registering with the Board, except under the 90–day rule.

• Apply (In–State Degree)
• Apply (Out–of–State or Out–of–Country Degree)
• Subsequent Associate Registration (For existing registrants, after the 5th renewal)
• 90–Day Rule FAQ

• Live Scan available only in California
• Results submitted to DOJ and FBI electronically
• Live Scan Request Form and Instructions
• Additional information including hard cards for applicants outside of California

• Evaluation of the applicant's criminal history is part of the application process
• Criminal Conviction FAQ
• See the Criminal Convictions section for more information

Exam must be TAKEN annually to renew Associate Registration until passed; Exam must be PASSED to receive a Subsequent Associate Registration.

• Request Initial Examination
• Law & Ethics Examination Candidate Handbook
• Request Re–Exam
• Law and Ethics Examination FAQ

• All hours in California must be gained while registered as an APCC, except under the 90–day rule.
• 3,000 total supervised hours, over 104 weeks (minimum)
• Hours must be submitted with the Application for Licensure
• For important information that will help ensure your hours will count toward licensure, be sure to read the following publications:
• Handbook for Future LPCCs
• Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions Relating to APCCs
• AB 462 Signed—important Information for LPCCs and LPCC Applicants
• APCC Supervisor Qualifications
• Guide to Supervision for Associates

• Application for LPCC Licensure (In–State)
• Out–of–State Applicants – see the Out–of–State Applicants drop down menu below.

Applicants must complete all the above requirements, before exam eligibility will be relayed to NBCC.

• NCMHCE Candidate Handbook
• Register Exam with NBCC (Requires BBS Approval)

Applicants must request license and pay an initial license fee within one year after passing Clinical Exam

• Request for Initial License Issuance

• Registrations issued by the Board are valid for a 6–year period (five renewals)
• Registrants who have not completed all hours of supervised experience within the 6–year life span must apply for a subsequent registration number to continue the path toward licensure
• Many registrants apply for a second (or third, etc.) registration number to gain additional supervised work experience or for employment purposes

• Registrants with a subsequent registration number cannot work in a private practice or a professional corporation setting. There are no exceptions.

• Applicants must PASS the LPCC California Law and Ethics Exam before a subsequent registration can be issued.

Expedite Requests

• Active–Duty Military Expedite Request
• Military Veteran Expedite Request
• Military Spouse/Domestic Partner Expedite Request (Exam applications,and Testing Accommodation requests ONLY)
• Military Spouse/Domestic Partner Fee Waiver and Expedite Request (Associate applications, Licensure applications and Initial License Issuance applications ONLY)
• Refugee/Asylee/Special Immigrant Visa Holders Expedite Request

Associate Registration Applications

• APCC Registration Application (IN–STATE DEGREE)
• APCC Registration Application (OUT–OF–STATE OR OUT–OF–COUNTRY DEGREE)
• Degree Program Certification (IN–STATE, Form A)
• Degree Program Certification (IN–STATE, Form B)
• Degree Program Certification (OUT–OF–STATE)
• APCC Subsequent Registration Application

Supervision Forms

• APCC Weekly Log of Experience Hours
• LPCC In–State Experience Verification
• LPCC OUT–OF–State Experience Verification
• Supervision Agreement (for supervisory relationships that began ON OR AFTER January 1, 2022)
• Supervision Agreement – Index of Legal Citations
• LPCC Supervisory Plan (for supervisory relationships that began PRIOR to January 1, 2022)
• LPCC Supervisor Responsibility Statement (for supervisory relationships that began PRIOR to January 1, 2022)
• Sample Written Oversight Agreement
• Sample Verification of Employment as a Volunteer

Licensure Applications

• Application for LPCC Licensure (IN–STATE)
• Application for LPCC Licensure (PATH A, OUT–OF–STATE)
• Application for LPCC Licensure (PATH B, OUT–OF–STATE)
  • Verification of License or Registration in Another State or Country

Exam Requests and Info

• Application for INITIAL Law and Ethics Exam (First–time Applicants ONLY)
• Application for Re–Examination (Law and Ethics Exam Only)
• Schedule Law and Ethics Exam with Pearson Vue
• Schedule NCMHCE with NBCC (Requires BBS Approval)

Initial License Request

• Request for Initial License Issuance

• Top Tips for a Smooth Associate Application Process
• 10 Tips for a Smoother Licensing Process
• Handbook for Future LPCCs
• 90–day Rule FAQ
• Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions Relating to APCCs
• Supervisor Qualifications
• Guide to Supervision for Associates
• Registrant Continuing Education Information and FAQ
• Electronic Transcripts and Degree Program Certifications
• Fingerprint FAQs

Exams

• Law and Ethics Examination FAQs
• Law and Ethics Examination Candidate Handbook
• NCMHCE Candidate Handbook

OUT–OF–State Applicants

• Guide to Educational Requirements for OUT–OF–State and OUT–OF–Country APCC Registration Applicants
• Guide to Requirements for OUT–OF–State and OUT–OF–Country Applicants for LPCC Licensure