Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

• Education
  • Electronic Transcripts

  Business and Professions Code section 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 section 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.

• Register as an APCC

  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 Degree)
  • Subsequent Associate Registration (For existing registrants, after the 5th renewal)
  • 90-Day Rule FAQ
• Fingerprint Requirement
  • 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
• Criminal Background Check
  • Evaluation of the applicant’s criminal history is part of the application process
  • Criminal Background FAQ – AB2138 – Updated 12/17/2020
  • See the Criminal Convictions section for more information
• Take and Pass the California Law & Ethics Exam

  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
• Accrue Supervised Experience
  • 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
  • APCC Guide to Supervision
• Apply for Licensure
  • Application for LPCC Licensure (In-State)
  • Application for LPCC Licensure (Out-of-State)
• Take and Pass the Clinical Exam (NCMHCE)

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

  • NCMHCE Candidate Handbook
  • Schedule Exam with NBCC (Requires BBS Approval)
• Obtain LPCC license

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

  • Request for Initial License Issuance

• Which Application Should I Submit and What is the Process for Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Applicants?
• Guide to Educational Requirements for Out-of-State and Out-of-Country APCC Registration Applicants
• Application for APCC Registration (OUT-OF-STATE AND OUT-OF-COUNTRY DEGREES)
• Guide to Requirements for Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Applicants for LPCC Licensure
• Verification of License or Registration in Another State or Country
• Application for Licensure (OUT-OF-STATE)

• APCC Registration Application (IN-STATE) DEGREE
• APCC Registration Application (OUT-OF-STATE)
• 90-day rule/fingerprinting

• 6-year Life Span
  • 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
• Private Practice Settings
  • Registrants with a subsequent registration number cannot work in a private practice or a professional corporation setting, no exceptions.
• Examination Requirements
  • Applicants must PASS the California Law and Ethics Exam before a subsequent registration can be issued.
• APCC Subsequent Registration Application

The list below identifies California schools with LPCC programs which have been evaluated by the Board. At the time of evaluation, these programs were found to meet the LPCC licensure requirements, pursuant to California Business and Professions Code (BPC) §4999.33, for students who began graduate studies on or after August 1, 2012.

Since schools occasionally change program curriculum and course descriptions, the list below may not reflect these changes. Please contact the school directly to ensure that the degree program meets the educational requirements for licensure. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the applicant to comply with all requirements for licensure.

The Board does not publish a list of schools with LPCC programs, which are based outside of California, online or otherwise.

• California State Universities (CSU)
  • California State University, Bakersfield
    • M.S. in Counseling Psychology
  • California State University, Dominguez Hills
    • M.S. in Marital Family Therapy
  • California State University, East Bay
    • M.S. in Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy
  • California State University, Fresno
    • M.S. in Clinical Rehabilitation and Clinical Mental Health Counseling
    • M.S. in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling
  • California State University, Fullerton
    • M.S. in Clinical Psychology
    • M.S. in Counseling
  • California State University, Long Beach
    • M.S. in Counseling with an Option in Marriage and Family Therapy
  • California State University, Los Angeles
    • M.S. in Counseling: with an Option in Rehabilitation Counseling
  • California State University, Northridge
    • M.S. in Counseling
  • California State University, Sacramento
    • M.A. in School Psychology
    • M.S in Counselor Education, Career Counseling
    • M.S. in Counselor Education, Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
    • M.S. in Counselor Education, Rehabilitation Counseling
    • M.S. in Counselor Education, School Counseling with Embedded Pupil Personnel Services Credential
  • California State University, San Bernardino
    • M.S. in Counseling and Guidance
  • California State University, Stanislaus
    • M.A. in Education: Counselor Education
  • San Diego State University
    • M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
    • M.S. in Counseling: Community Based Block
    • M.S. in Child Development with a Concentration in Early Childhood Mental Health
  • San Francisco State University
    • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
    • M.S. in Clinical Psychology
    • M.S. in Counseling
  • San Jose State University
    • M.S. Clinical Psychology
    • M.A. in Counseling & Guidance
  • Sonoma State University
    • M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Marriage & Family Therapy & Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling
• Alliant International University
  • Alliant International University, San Diego
    • M.A. in Clinical Counseling
  • Alliant International University, San Francisco
    • M.A. in Clinical Counseling
• Antioch University
  • Antioch University Los Angeles
    • M.A. in Clinical Psychology
  • Antioch University Santa Barbara
    • M.A. in Clinical Psychology
• Azusa Pacific University
  • M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy
  • M.A. in Education: Educational and Clinical Counseling with Embedded School Counseling Credential
  • M.S. in Counseling Psychology with a Specialization in Child & Adolescents
• Bastyr University (CA)
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• California Baptist University
  • M.S. in Counseling Psychology
• California Institute of Integral Studies
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Community Mental Health
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Drama Therapy
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Integral Counseling Psychology
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Somatic Psychology
• California Southern University
  • M.A. in Psychology with an Emphasis in MFT and LPCC
• Cambridge College
  • M.E. in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Chapman University
  • M.A. in Counseling, Emphasis in Professional Clinical Counseling
  • M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Chicago School of Professional Psychology - California campus only
  • M.A. in Forensic Psychology: Professional Counselor Licensure Track
  • M.A. in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy: LPCC Track
• Concordia University
  • Master of Arts in Counseling
• Dominican University of California
  • M.A. in Art Therapy
  • M.S. in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy and Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling
• Fuller Theological Seminary
  • Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena Campus)
    • M.S. in Marital and Family Therapy
• Golden Gate University
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• Holy Names University
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• Hope International University
  • M.S. in Counseling Emphasis Marriage and Family Therapy
• La Sierra University
  • M.A. in Counseling
• Loma Linda University
  • M.S. in Counseling
  • M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Loyola Marymount University
  • M.A. in Counseling
• Meridian University
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology
  • Ph.D. in Psychology
  • Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
• Mount St. Mary's University
  • M.S. in Counseling Psychology
• National University
  • Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
• Notre Dame De Namur Univeristy
  • M.S. in Clinical Psychology MFT/LPCC
• Pacific Oaks College
  • M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Pacifica Graduate Institute
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• Palo Alto University
  • Palo Alto University - M.A. in Counseling: Marriage, Family and Child Counseling Emphasis
  • Palo Alto Univeristy - M.A. Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Emphasis
• Pepperdine University
  • M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy with Latinas/os
  • M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Point Loma Nazarene University
  • M.A. in Clinical Counseling
• Rhombus University
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• Saint Mary's College of California
  • M.A. in Counseling: Higher Education & Student Affairs/Professional Clinical Counseling
  • M.A. in Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy/Professional Clinical Counseling
• Santa Clara University
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• Saybrook University
  • M.A. in Counseling
• Simpson University
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• Sofia University
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• Southern California Seminary
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• Touro University Worldwide
  • M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
• University of Massachusetts Global - California campus only
  • M.A. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Professional Clinical Counseling
• University of La Verne
  • M.S. in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy
• University of Phoenix - California campus only
  • M.S. in Counseling/Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy
• University of the Pacific
  • M.A. in Education, Concentration in Counseling Psychology.
• University of Redlands
  • M.A. in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization
• University of San Diego
  • M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• University of San Francisco
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Vanguard University of Southern California
  • M.S. in Clinical Psychology
• Weimar University
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• Western Institute for Social Research
  • M.S. in Psychology
• Western Seminary, Sacramento, San Jose
  • M.A. in Counseling: Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
• William Jessup University
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology
• The Wright Institute
  • M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy

• Forms

  Expedite Requests

  • Military Veteran Expedite Request
  • Military Spouse/Domestic Partner Expedite Request (Associate applications, Exam applications, Testing Accommodation requests ONLY)
  • Military Spouse/Domestic Partner Fee Waiver and Expedite Request (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
  • 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 (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
• Publications
  • Handbook for Future LPCCs
  • 90-day rule FAQ
  • Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions Relating to APCCs
  • APCC Supervisor Qualification Summary
  • APCC Guide to Supervision
  • Registrant CE Information Brochure
  • Electronic Transcripts and Degree Program Certifications

  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