How to Become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Minnesota
Minnesota issues two professional counselor licenses through the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT): the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), which adds independent clinical practice and diagnosis.
Step 1: Earn a Qualifying Master's Degree
You need a master's degree of at least 48 semester credits (72 quarter hours) in counseling or a related field, from a CACREP-accredited program or another counseling-related degree from an institution accredited by a CHEA-recognized body.
Step 2: Apply for Your LPC License
Complete your application with official transcripts sent directly to BBHT. You'll need a passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE), registered directly with NBCC using the Minnesota exam form, with a $195 fee.
Step 3: Complete Your Supervised Experience
LPC licensure itself requires 2,000 hours of supervised post-master's professional practice. To advance to LPCC, Minnesota Statute 148B.5301 requires a total of 4,000 hours of supervised post-master's clinical practice. If you already completed 2,000 hours toward your LPC and are practicing independently, you only need to document an additional 2,000 hours for the LPCC conversion.
Step 4: Pass the NCMHCE
LPCC licensure requires passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination, with your score report sent directly to the BBHT office.
Step 5: Apply for LPCC Licensure
Submit your LPCC application to BBHT along with verification of your 4,000 supervised hours, your NCMHCE score, and a completed criminal background check, which the state's Criminal Background Check Program processes in about two to three weeks.
Apply for Your License
Start or continue your application directly with Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT), the official licensing authority. Applications submitted anywhere else won't be processed.
A Note on Accuracy
This post reflects information from the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy and Minnesota Statutes sections 148B.53 and 148B.5301. Licensing rules, fees, and statutes change. Verify current requirements directly at mn.gov/boards/behavioral-health before making any licensure decision.
Minnesota's LPC-to-LPCC conversion path means it's worth confirming with BBHT early which of your LPC hours will actually count toward the additional 2,000 required for LPCC, rather than assuming all post-master's work automatically applies.
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