How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona

Aug 25

2 min read

Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona runs through the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE). Arizona uses a two-tier system: a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) credential while you complete supervised hours, then full Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) status for independent practice.

Step 1: Earn a Qualifying Master's Degree

You need a master's or higher degree with a major emphasis in counseling, with at least 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours), from a CACREP-accredited program or a regionally accredited institution meeting the Board's curriculum standards.

Step 2: Apply for Your LAC Credential

The LAC application fee is $250. You'll need official transcripts, documentation of supervised practicum hours, a background check, and completion of the Arizona Statutes/Regulations Tutorial. Once approved, the Board authorizes you to sit for your licensing exam.

Step 3: Complete Your Supervised Experience

Arizona requires 3,200 hours of supervised work experience over at least two years, with at least 1,600 hours of direct client contact.

Step 4: Pass a Licensing Exam

Arizona accepts any one of three exams:

National Counselor Examination (NCE), through NBCC
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), through NBCC
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Exam (CRC)

Step 5: Apply for Full LPC Licensure

Once your hours are complete, submit your LPC application with the $250 fee. If you renewed your LAC license within the 90 days before applying, Arizona law (A.R.S. section 32-3272(E)) allows the Board to waive this fee.

Renewing Your License

Arizona LPC licenses renew every two years and require 30 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours in behavioral health ethics, mental health law, or cultural competency, and 3 hours completing the Arizona Statutes/Regulations Tutorial.

A Note on Accuracy

This post reflects information from the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and its published application packets. Licensing rules, fees, and statutes change. Verify current requirements directly with the AZBBHE at azbbhe.us before making any licensure decision.

Arizona's fee waiver for LAC-to-LPC transitions is easy to miss if you apply outside the 90-day window, so timing your LPC application against your LAC renewal date is worth planning around.