How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alaska
Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alaska runs through the Alaska Board of Professional Counselors (ABPC), housed within the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Alaska is actively changing its licensure structure: the Legislature's 2024 House Bill 126 created a new Associate Counselor license type, with regulations adopted July 2026 and effective August 21, 2026. If you're early in the process, confirm which rules apply to your application date directly with the Board.
Step 1: Earn a Qualifying Degree
You need a master's or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field, with at least 60 graduate semester credits, from a regionally or nationally accredited institution. CACREP accreditation is not required, but your coursework must cover the Board's required subject areas.
Step 2: Complete Your Supervised Experience
Alaska requires 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised clinical experience over a minimum of two years. At least 1,000 hours must be direct counseling with individuals, couples, families, or groups, and at least 100 hours must be face-to-face supervision from a Board-approved supervisor. Your supervisor must be approved by the Board before supervision begins.
Step 3: Pass a Licensing Exam
Alaska accepts either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), both administered through the National Board for Certified Counselors.
Step 4: Submit Your Application and Fees
Per Alaska's official fee regulation (12 AAC 02.325), the application fee for an initial license is $200, and the license fee for the initial biennial period is $500, for a total of $700. You'll also need official transcripts sent directly to the Board, two letters of recommendation, and a criminal background check from Alaska State Troopers (plus your state of residence if you live elsewhere).
Apply for Your License
Start or continue your application directly with Alaska Board of Professional Counselors, the official licensing authority. Applications submitted anywhere else won't be processed.
A Note on Accuracy
This post reflects information from Alaska's Board of Professional Counselors and the Alaska Administrative Code, including regulation changes adopted in 2026. Because Alaska is actively updating its licensure structure with the new Associate Counselor license type, requirements may shift further. Verify current requirements directly with the Board at commerce.alaska.gov before making any licensure decision.
Alaska's licensure rules are mid-change right now, which makes this a year to double-check directly with the Board rather than relying on older guides, including this one.
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