State Professional Counselors Boards

State Professional Counselor Boards, often known as Boards of Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), are regulatory bodies established with the chief purpose of protecting the public by governing the practice of professional counseling. Their core function is the licensing of mental health counselors (LPCs or LMHCs) and related specialties like marriage and family therapists or substance abuse counselors. These boards ensure professional competence by establishing rigorous standards, typically requiring a graduate degree in counseling, thousands of hours of supervised clinical experience, and successful passage of standardized examinations, such as the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Furthermore, they enforce a strict code of ethics and the state's Counseling Practice Act, which defines the legal scope of practice and provides a mechanism for investigating and disciplining professional misconduct.

The importance of this regulatory oversight is paramount given the sensitive nature of therapy and the risks posed by unlicensed practitioners. Individuals practicing without a license lack the verified training and ethical accountability necessary to handle complex mental health issues. Engaging an unqualified person can lead to misguided or harmful therapeutic techniques, failure to recognize and refer clients with severe psychological or suicidal risk, and egregious ethical violations such as breaches of confidentiality or dual relationships. Such unregulated practice can cause profound emotional distress and psychological damage. By restricting the practice of professional counseling to licensed, accountable, and competent individuals, State Professional Counselor Boards safeguard the mental well-being and trust of the public.

Use the resources below to learn more about the work of your State Professional Counselors Board.