Counseling Licensure in Maryland
A Maryland counseling license comes in two tiers: the Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) and the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). The LGPC allows supervised practice after earning your master’s degree. The LCPC is the full independent license, requiring 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience completed over at least three years.
If you want to practice clinical counseling independently in Maryland, you’ll need to follow a two-step process. The state doesn’t grant a single license and send you on your way. You start as a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC), practicing under supervision while accumulating the clinical hours required for full licensure. Once you’ve met the experience requirement, you apply for the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), which lets you diagnose and treat mental health conditions on your own and bill insurance independently. A Maryland counseling license at the LCPC level opens the door to private practice, independent billing, and clinical supervision of other counselors. To understand the full range of roles and specialties available to licensed counselors, it helps to look beyond the license itself. The Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists oversees both credentials and sets the requirements for each.
LGPC vs. LCPC: Understanding Maryland’s Two Tiers
The LGPC isn’t a lesser license. It’s a structured entry point that lets you practice and earn supervised hours while working toward full clinical licensure. Most counselors hold the LGPC for at least three years before qualifying for the LCPC. Here’s how the two credentials compare:
| Requirement | LGPC | LCPC |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | Master’s in counseling or related field (60 graduate credit hours minimum) | Master’s or doctorate in counseling or related field (60 credit hours minimum) |
| Clinical Practicum | Required during graduate program; minimum 125 face-to-face hours | Must have been completed during the graduate program |
| Exams | NCE + Maryland Law and Assessment exam | NCE + Maryland Law and Assessment exam |
| Supervised Hours | None required to obtain (hours are earned while holding LGPC) | 3,000 hours over 3 years (master’s); 2,000 hours over 2 years (doctorate) |
| Practice Scope | Clinical counseling under Board-approved supervision only | Independent clinical practice, including diagnosis and insurance billing |
| Application Fee | $200 application + $150 licensing fee | Application fee + $150 licensing fee |
Education Requirements
Both the LGPC and LCPC require a graduate degree from an institution approved by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. The degree must include at least 60 graduate semester hours (or 90 quarter credit hours) and a supervised clinical practicum with a minimum of 125 face-to-face client hours. Maryland recognizes Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited programs as the cleanest path to meeting the Board’s curriculum requirements.
If you hold a master’s degree in a field outside of counseling, you may still qualify for the LGPC by completing at least 3 graduate credit hours toward a qualifying counseling or closely related degree, provided your existing degree meets Board approval standards. This pathway should be confirmed directly with the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists before enrolling in any additional coursework.
Licensing Exams
Maryland requires two exams for licensure at both the LGPC and LCPC levels. Both exams are required for licensure. Confirm the exact timing requirements with the Board before you apply.
The first is the National Counselor Examination (NCE), administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). You don’t register for the NCE on your own. The process works like this: you apply to the Maryland Board first, the Board reviews your application and notifies the NBCC that you’re cleared to test, and then you register through the NBCC’s ProCounselor portal. You can find the Maryland-specific NCE application form on the NBCC website.
The second is the Maryland Law and Assessment exam, which covers state laws and regulations specific to the practice of professional counseling in Maryland. This isn’t optional, and it isn’t the same as passing your national exam. You need a passing score on both before the Board issues your license.
Supervised Experience for the LCPC
Once you hold the LGPC, you can begin accumulating supervised clinical experience toward the LCPC. Here’s what the Board requires:
- If you have a master’s degree, you must have 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least three years. At least 2,000 of those hours must be completed post-degree as an LGPC under Board-approved supervision. Up to 1,000 hours completed during your graduate program may count toward this total.
- Suppose you have a doctorate and 2,000 hours over at least 2 years. At least 1,000 of those hours must be post-doctoral. Up to 1,000 hours from your doctoral program may count. For more on what doctoral counseling programs look like and how they’re structured, that page covers the full landscape.
Your primary supervisor must be a Board-approved LCPC. At least 50% of your supervised hours must be under an LCPC’s supervision. The remaining hours may be supervised by other Board-approved providers, including licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW-C), marriage and family therapists, or psychiatric nurses.
You’ll also need to log supervision hours yourself. Master ‘s-level candidates must complete 100 face-to-face supervision hours within two years of earning their degree. At least 50 of those must be individual supervision. Once you’ve met the experience requirement, you apply for your LCPC through the Maryland Board and submit three professional letters of reference. You can find the LGPC-to-LCPC transfer application here.
Continuing Education
Maryland requires license renewal every two years. To renew, you need to complete 40 continuing education credits during the renewal period. At least 30 of those hours must come from live activities, such as workshops, seminars, or symposia, with an approved sponsor. The remaining hours can come from juried publications, authorship, or other Board-approved formats. Some counselors in Maryland also pursue the Maryland Substance Abuse Counselor certification alongside their LGPC or LCPC, which carries its own CE requirements. Check the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors website for the current list of approved CE sponsors and formats, as requirements are updated periodically.
Out-of-State Licensure and the Counseling Compact
If you’re already licensed as a professional counselor in another state, Maryland offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state counselors. You can apply for LCPC licensure based on your out-of-state credentials if your state’s licensing requirements are substantially similar to Maryland’s. You’ll still need to pass the Maryland Law and Assessment exam and submit a $250 application fee plus a $150 licensing fee.
Maryland is also a member of the Counseling Compact. Once fully operational, the Compact will allow licensed counselors from member states to practice across state lines without having to obtain a separate license in each state. If multi-state practice is relevant to your career plans, it’s worth tracking the Compact’s implementation timeline directly on the National Board for Certified Counselors website.
Counselor Salaries in Maryland
Compensation is a reasonable factor to consider when you’re investing years in supervised hours and continuing education—according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Maryland earned a median annual salary of $68,830 as of May 2024. That’s above the national median of $65,100 for the same occupation. The top 10% of earners in the state reached $97,050.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed counselor in Maryland?
Plan on a minimum of six to seven years from the start of your bachelor’s degree. A four-year undergraduate degree, followed by a two-year master’s program, followed by at least three years of supervised experience as an LGPC before qualifying for the LCPC. If you complete your graduate degree and post-degree supervised hours efficiently, six years total is realistic. Part-time graduate enrollment or a doctoral route changes the timeline.
Do I need a CACREP-accredited program to get licensed in Maryland?
Not strictly, but it simplifies the process. Maryland requires a Board-approved graduate program that meets specific curriculum requirements. CACREP-accredited programs are designed to automatically satisfy those requirements. If your program isn’t CACREP-accredited, the Board reviews it to determine whether the curriculum meets CACREP standards. That review can add time and uncertainty to your application. Confirm your program’s status with the Board before enrolling if the accreditation status is unclear.
Can I count supervised hours from my graduate program toward the LCPC requirement?
Yes. Up to 1,000 hours completed during your graduate program may count toward the 3,000-hour supervised experience requirement for the LCPC (for master ‘s-level candidates). This means you don’t start the clock at zero after graduation. The hours still need to meet the Board’s supervision standards, so confirm that your program’s field placement qualifies before assuming those hours will apply.
Who can supervise my clinical hours in Maryland?
Your primary supervisor must be a Board-approved LCPC, and at least 50% of your total supervised hours must be under an LCPC. The remaining hours can be supervised by other Board-approved licensed providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW-C), licensed marriage and family therapists, or psychiatric nurse practitioners. Your supervisor cannot be a family member or someone with whom you have a personal relationship that could compromise objectivity.
What does the Maryland Law and Assessment exam cover?
The Maryland Law and Assessment exam tests your knowledge of the state laws and regulations governing professional counseling practice in Maryland. It’s a separate requirement from the NCE. It covers the Health Occupations Article, the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), and professional ethics as they apply to licensed counselors in the state. Passing the NCE alone doesn’t satisfy this requirement.
Key Takeaways
- Two licenses, one path: Maryland requires counselors to earn the LGPC before qualifying for the LCPC. The LGPC allows supervised practice while you accumulate the clinical hours needed for full licensure.
- 60 graduate credit hours minimum: Both licenses require a Board-approved master’s or doctoral degree with at least 60 graduate semester hours and a clinical practicum of 125+ face-to-face hours.
- Two exams required: You must pass both the NCE and the Maryland Law and Assessment exam before either license is issued.
- 3,000 supervised hours for the LCPC: Master ‘s-level candidates need 3,000 hours over at least three years. Up to 1,000 hours from your graduate program may count. At least half your hours must be under an LCPC supervisor.
- Renew every 2 years: LCPC holders must complete 40 continuing education credits per renewal period, with at least 30 live-approved activities.
Ready to take the next step? Explore counseling degree programs in Maryland that meet Board requirements and prepare you for LGPC and LCPC licensure.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers, Social and Human Services Assistants, Social and Community Service Managers, and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.