How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas

Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas runs through the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), which administers the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors along with three other behavioral health boards. Texas uses a two-tier system: LPC-Associate (formerly LPC-Intern), then full LPC.

Step 1: Earn a Qualifying Master's Degree

You need a master's or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field, from a regionally accredited institution, totaling at least 60 graduate semester hours of counseling-specific coursework (48 hours for programs that began before August 1, 2017). Your program should include a supervised practicum or internship of at least 300 hours, with at least 100 hours of direct client contact.

Step 2: Pass the NCE or NCMHCE and the Texas Jurisprudence Exam

Before applying for LPC-Associate status, you'll need:

• A passing score on the NCE or NCMHCE, from NBCC

• A completion certificate for the Texas LPC Jurisprudence Exam, dated within 6 months of your application

Step 3: Apply for Your LPC-Associate License

Submit your application online through BHEC's licensing system with official transcripts, your practicum documentation, a Supervisory Agreement Form signed by you and a Board-approved LPC-Supervisor, an NPDB self-query report, and fingerprints. Your LPC-Associate license is valid for 60 months.

Step 4: Complete Your Supervised Experience

Texas requires 3,000 hours of supervised experience over a minimum of 18 months (maximum 48 months), with at least 1,500 hours of direct counseling experience. Associates must receive 4 hours per month of direct supervision.

Step 5: Apply for Full LPC Licensure

Have your supervisor submit the Supervised Experience Documentation form directly to the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, then submit your upgrade application with all supervision-related forms.

Renewing Your License

Texas LPCs complete 24 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. Texas doesn't have formal reciprocity agreements but offers licensure by endorsement for counselors whose license has been in good standing at least 60 months and whose home-state requirements were substantially equivalent.

Apply for Your License

Start or continue your application directly with Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, the official licensing authority. Applications submitted anywhere else won't be processed.

Apply on the Board's Website

A Note on Accuracy

This post reflects information from the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council and its Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. Licensing rules, fees, and statutes change. Verify current requirements directly at bhec.texas.gov before making any licensure decision.

Texas's 60-month LPC-Associate expiration window is generous compared to some states, but it's still a hard deadline, so track it alongside your 3,000-hour progress rather than assuming the license renews indefinitely.